Emus Take A Double Over Blues

Burnie Emus took a huge step towards ensuring they finish second on the Tasmanian Rugby state-wide ladder on Saturday with an emphatic 29-13 win over Taroona at Rugby Park.  The result secured an away win for Burnie to add to their first ever win over the premiers in their preceding clash and was just reward for their dominance throughout.
 
Burnie led 17-10 at the break but Blues supporters would have been heartened by tries scored by wing Nick Elliott and fullback Chris Noble against the dominance of Burnie in set and loose play and the Emus’ generosity in conceding possession and territory with untimely penalties.  However Burnie retained phase ball to deny any further Taroona excursion into their defensive third with mobile and willing defence.
 
Emus flanker Ollie Crawford scored their first try, offloaded a miracle ball for the second, and with fellow back-rower Brett Bentley drove holes in the Taroona line.  Burnie fly-half Rhys Webber defended tenaciously close and wide and found plenty of willing support runners in the second half.
 
‘We seem to lift against the stronger teams’ said Emus coach Dave Webber who expects a tough derby against Devonport next week.  ‘We’ll go on from here’ said a thoughtful Taroona mentor Gerard Wicks.
 
Launceston threw off some indifferent recent form to crush Devonport 55-15 at Royal Park.  Aside from a couple of handling mistakes the hosts showed a complete team effort to lead 31-5 at half-time.  Devonport struggled to contain the big runners in the Launceston backline but replied with two late tries to Number 8 Marika Meo who Launceston conceded was the best player afield.  Launceston hooker Colin Montgomery and fly-half Angus Cosgrove were always positioned to apply pressure as the Bulls game fell away.
 
University received a reward for consistent improvement over recent weeks in shading Harlequins 12-10 at University.  Despite needing to rely on an improved defence University had a couple of chances denied over the line.  Best for the Red Men were try-scorers Fabien Demay and Nigel Chigwida and flanker Duncan Watson.
 
Glenorchy accounted for Eastern Suburbs 99-0 at Eady Street.  Stags coach Shannan Banks was happy his side came through physically unscathed and kept their structure throughout.  Back-rowers Tom Dare, Xavier Frasson and Josh Dorahy were shaded by prop Glen Mullaney as best for the Stags.
 
Results: Burnie 29 def Taroona 13; Launceston 55 def Devonport 15; University 12 def Harlequins 10; Glenorchy 99 def Eastern Suburbs 0; Hobart Bye;