WHITES JOIN THE WINNERS CIRCLE WITH BIG WIN OVER LADDER LEADERS
It’s taken until the 4th Round but the Whites first grade side have registered win 1 for season 2021 with a strong 42-24 win over the previously undefeated Wests Lions at a chilly Jamison Oval. The Whites for the first time this season put in a full 80 minute performance that will have Coach Sam French relieved at getting their first win but also aware that there is still a bit of improvement to come. The Whites led 22-10 at the break and then went on with the job in the second stanza. If anyone was concerned about the Whites lack of desire in defence, these were quickly snuffed out with the Whites defensive efforts from the kick-off, the effects which saw Wests players reeling from the contact.
The Whites got on the board early through tries to young guns Tupou and Jimenez and the accurate boot of Richman. Wests managed to get into the game late in the first half to go into the break behind but confident in their rolling maul that they could grind the young Whites pack down over the course of the second 40 minutes.
The next quarter of the game was a see-sawing event with Wests crossing the stripe twice again through some impressive forward work and the Whites only adding another Richman penalty goal to have the scores at 25-24 with . With around 15 minutes to go and the game in balance , the Whites kicked things up a gear and in quick succession tries to Tuinona, Gordon, off a barnstorming 40m charge from replacement Teoteo, and another scintillating Jimenez try, add another penalty from Richman, which saw the score blow out to a big Whites win 42-24. All in all a great team effort with all players contributing in the win
This was a a massive confidence booster for the Whites as they head into the first competition bye weekend and will prepare in 2 weeks’ time for the visiting Premiers Royals , who are the still searching for their first win of the season after leading 22-3 over Tuggeranong before going 32-25. In other John I Dent clash Unis defeated Eagles 32-21 to share top of the ladder with Wests.
In the lower grade clashes , Wests 2s held out a fast finishing Whites 26-21 whilst the Colts had a morale boosting 69-21 victory, 3s had the bye whilst 4s had a 28-21 loss to RMC. The Women’s also had the week off. 22 May will be another gala day of rugby action at Campese Field with 1s, 2s, Colts and Women’s all taking on Royals with 3s and 4s hosting ADFA. The local round will be followed by the Brumbies taking on the Chiefs over in New Zealand in the 2nd round of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition that will be live and on the big screen at Walsh’s.
