Blue and Bulls Storm Back

Taroona Blues resumed their progress to the Tasmanian Rugby finals with a sound display to despatch Hobart Lions 27-3 at Rugby Park on Saturday. Taroona took time to settle against the Lions and led 7-3 at the break with the rush defence of both sides disrupting the flow of possession.
 
Hobart survived raids inside their 5 metre area only to fail to control scrum ball and concede the easiest of tries to Ed Salter.  Taroona’s progress through the centre was thwarted by a series of bell-ringing hits from Lions Number 8 Adam Johnston.  Later in the match the disparity in fitness and application saw Taroona take control of the scrum and breakdown, and whilst the Hobart line-out remained potent on their own ball the run of possession allowed the outside Taroona backs free rein, with Rob Holmes taking full toll.
 
James Wicks, Nathan de Hoog and Christo Le Grange were impressive for the victors whilst John Playle and Lincoln Bowman never let up for Hobart.  Taroona mentor Gerard Wicks was satisfied with the second half performance and spent some time urging his players to look to their individual responsibilities to the group as the finals approach.
 
Taroona’s possible progression to second place was boosted by Devonport shading Burnie 21-20 in a match described by their coach Derick Joubert as ‘a hard and torrid affair’ in the wet at Devonport.  Hayden Mulder, Sean Puke and Connor Mack showed out for the Bulls.  Burnie’s Ollie Crawford, Dane Apiti and Andrew Butler continued their consistent performances.  Poor discipline disappointed coach Dave Webber, as well as a serious leg injury that may rule out fly-half Rhys Webber for the finals.
 
Launceston secured first place in edging Glenorchy Stags 17-16 at Royal Park.  Dropped ball marred both teams’ attempts to run the ball and reflected the occasionally wet and windy conditions.  Glenorchy scored two tries to one but lost to Launceston’s fourth penalty after the siren.  Stags coach Shannan Banks said poor option taking ultimately cost his side but he was very impressed with their pressure.  Jake Shayer, Robbie Lyons and Colin Montgomery were Launceston’s most visible.  Josh Dorahy, Xavier Frasson and Stuie Dare sparked Glenorchy’s momentum.
 
Harlequins saw off determined forward play by Eastern Suburbs Chris Barr, Mark Whitfield and Cyran Prouse to successfully move the ball and the scoreboard to record a 50-12 win.  Fine back play from Dave Wollemann, Sunia Ma’afu and Sidney Filau proved the telling factor.
 
Results: Taroona 27 def Hobart Lions 3; Devonport 21 def Burnie 20; Launceston 17 def Glenorchy 16; Harlequins 50 def Eastern Suburbs 12