Big weekend for Rocky

Rockingham Rugby Union Club had another successful game at the weekend when they took on the reigning premiers, Associates and Joondalup, in the lower grades.

After playing out a draw against Associates earlier in the season, Rocky was looking to upset the third-placed visitors and begin a climb into finals contention.

The match opened with Associates in control, scoring a try down the short side after only five minutes and the conversion put them ahead 7-0.

The early try sparked Rocky into action as they capitalised on turnovers to build phases and pressure the defenders into mistakes.

Jayden Briggs crossed from a quick tap penalty to make the score 7-all. Rocky were reduced to 14 men when Kyle Edwards was given a yellow card for an altercation in back play. Despite being a man down, Rockingham’s defensive structure and work rate held firm, keeping the visitors out for most of the period, but a broken play counter attack allowed the visitors to centre score beside the posts and go 14-7 up. Almost immediately, Rocky hit back with a spectacular solo effort from AJ Smith. After chasing down his own high kick, he regathered on his second attempt and ran 30 metres to score under the posts. Smith got his second try, again from a kick and a strong chase, to give Rocky a 19-14 lead at half-time.

A prolonged injury break, during which the Associates hooker left the field, halted action for almost five minutes, while a Rockingham player was also being treated from the same incident.

When play resumed, Rocky returned to a full complement and stepped up the pace, putting Associates underpressure. Rocky extended their lead with a penalty, but Associates hit back with a penalty of their own to keep the margin within a converted try at 22-17.

It was all Rocky after the penalty by the visitors and the home team scored the last eight points of the game to secure the 30-17 win.

In other results, Rocky secured the trifecta over Joondalup. With all sides playing quality rugby championship 1st grade earned a 37-13 win. Championship 2nd grade won 32-7 and Championship 3rd grade won 82-0.

This weekend, Rocky Premier grade travel to Wanneroo and Championship grade go to Mandurah.