Stoic Stags Take Blues Down

Glenorchy Stags took their revenge on Taroona in the minor Tasmanian Rugby semi-final on Saturday edging last year’s premiers 21-20 to eliminate them for 2011.  Glenorchy will meet Burnie in next week’s preliminary final at Rugby Park.
 
Despite trailing to an early Glenorchy penalty Taroona matched and then bettered the effort with a second penalty and the first of two tries to winger Rob Holmes, which was converted by Christo Le Grange for a 13-3 Blues lead.  The variety in Taroona’s attack drew great defensive efforts from the Stags, including a try-saver from Josh Papera.  Whilst the Stags drew closer with another penalty Holmes’ second try took them behind 20-6 after only 22 minutes and the luck seemed to be deserting Glenorchy.
 
Some territorial gain following good scrum pressure got the Stags into the Taroona quarter to set Tom Dare for a vital try in the corner to reduce the half-time Blues margin to 20-11, after Glenorchy survived a rebound from a penalty goal attempt and Taroona were caught offside deep in the attacking zone.
 
The Stags’ scrum dominance began to provide enough regular possession for the Blues to have to rely on desperate defence from James Wicks and Charlie Holmes but they couldn’t deny well-constructed Glenorchy tries to Papera and Stuart Dare to build their winning lead 10 points from time.  The lack of successive phase possession neutralised Taroona, who became more rushed in option-taking under the Stags’ defensive lock-down.
 
‘We switched off after half-time’ said philosophical Blues coach Gerard Wicks, who felt that the standard of the top sides had improved over the season.  Shannan Banks from Glenorchy said that his side operated too much one-out in attack in the first half, but focused their support better to bridge the gap.  He rated mobile flanker Josh Dorahy as the best of the winning side.
 
Launceston emerged 7-3 victors in a tense dour contest at Royal Park, scoring the sole try of the match in a push-over after 35 minutes and holding out against a gallant Burnie to journey straight into the grand final.  Hooker Colin Montgomery and lock Ben Chessum were the best in the Launceston pack, marshalled well by Luke Niejelke and Jake Shayer in the backs.
 
For the vanquished Burnie side Ollie Crawford and Brock Webber created and took space.  Emus’ coach Dave Webber lamented their inability to string enough continuity to successfully penetrate wide enough to negate the solid Launceston pack, but said his side showed plenty of heart in an enthralling match.
 
In early Saturday games at Rugby Park Victorian Schools won over Tasmanian Under 15 65-0 and edged the Under 16 contest 17-15 before Tasmania secured the Under 18 match 39-13.  Return matches were held on Sunday.