Tyrell back to celebrate

Rockingham Rugby Union Club celebrated their 40th anniversary in style with all four men’s grades claiming victory against Wanneroo at the weekend.

Premier grade was played under lights on Friday night with a significant addition to the team in the form of home-grown former Western Force and Cardiff Blues player Ryan Tyrell coming off the bench to help his side to a 27-15 victory.

Fellow home-grown professional Kieran Longbottom was also in attendance as a long-term injury had kept him out of the Western Force tour of New Zealand.

The home side had shown glimpses of what they were capable of in recent weeks with some impressive displays, but Wanneroo represented a further step up in class.

Rockingham put points on the board early and seemed confident despite a late fightback by Wanneroo.

That confidence carried into the second half as they began to open up the visitors’ defence with the backs running free and finding space out wide.

The margin could easily have blown out but for Wanneroo’s desperate defence snuffing out several chances.

The three matches played on Saturday were more of a contest with Wanneroo putting up a good fight in each.

The Reserve Grade fixture saw several lead changes, but Rockingham rose to the occasion and dictated terms in the final 20 minutes.

They managed overhaul the visitors despite failing to convert some seemingly certain tries to emerge winners 22-15.

The result lifts the side to fourth.

Third Grade was a spiteful affair with both sides treading a fine line and lucky not to have cards shown.

With set pieces the subject of frustration for both sides, the game was won in open play as the home side controlled the latter stages to seal a 17-13 win.

The improving Fourth Grade side put in an outstanding display, putting their opening-round loss behind them to win 24-20.

There was historical importance attached to the fixtures, with Rockingham having faced Wanneroo in their first grand final appearance in the 1973 Third Grade decider.

Rockingham’s Premier Grade players where presented with a one-off replica of the club’s inaugural shirts by founding members Alan Guy, Garry Guy and Bill Craig.

Alan Guy acknowledged some of the key people involved in the formation of the club.

This weekend Rockingham take on top-of-table side Nedlands Foreshore.