SPIRIT CRUSH QUEENSLAND COUNTRY IN PERTH
A Luke Morohan hat-trick has lifted the Perth Spirit to their second win in as many weeks, following a 66-36 victory in a try-scoring frenzy against Queensland Country at McGillivray Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Queensland Country dominated territory and held the ball for 83% of the time in the opening stages, attacking deep in the Spirit’s end maintaining heavy pressure on both the set piece and breakdown. This didn’t trouble the Spirit, who turned the tables scoring four tries in 14 minutes to close out the first frame leading 30-0.
A nine-try second half kept the spectators on the hill entertained, with the Spirit able to overcome the visitors through sheer attacking force. Luke Morohan scored two tries within minutes of each other to collect his hat-trick and help the Spirit to a 66-36 victory.
Perth Spirit head coach Dwayne Nestor said he was happy with the overall result, commending man of the match Ross Haylett-Petty.
“I think the first half was really good, our scrambling defence was excellent and those opportunities set us up for the game,” he said.
“There were some issues in the second half, we can’t put 30 points on a team and not let them score, then have 36 points put on us in the second half.
“For Ross [Haylett-Petty] it’s his first actual game since Super Rugby, so for him to play that well is a really good sign.”
In the 26th minute the Spirit pulled an industrious effort to make their way into the 22. Ben Tapuai broke through the defence, falling within centimetres of the line which would subsequently send Shambeckler Vui through the posts following a breakdown. Jono Lance’s conversion put the Spirit up 8-0.
Country continued to impose themselves on the Spirit, still maintaining most of the run of possession. With eight minutes remaining in the first half Luke Morohan chipped the ball past the Queensland line of defence from 35m out, breaking through to run in uncontested and score. A short-range chip from Jono Lance put the Spirit up 16-0.
The Spirit’s fiery first half effort continued into the 38th minute, when Ben McCalman offloaded the ball in the 22 to back row partner Ross Haylett-Petty who burst through for another six points. Jono Lance opted for a drop-kick on the conversion after struggling in a strong cross wind, missing wide and keeping the score at 22-0.
A great play from Luke Morohan worked the Spirit deep into Country’s territory, but he was held up over the line after a stellar defensive scrambling effort from country winger Tyrone Leafu. Following the subsequent five-metre scrum, Ross Haylett-Petty found the line, securing his double on the stroke of half time. Jono Lance made light work of the conversion putting the Spirit up 30-0 heading into the sheds.
Ryan Louwrens took matters into his own hands in the 42nd minute, standing 40-metres out and chipping the ball past Country’s defensive line to run through and open the second half scoring. Jono Lance added the extras, 38-0.
The Spirit’s try scoring assault continued, with an excellent scrum putting the backline in a commanding position. Marcel Brache collected a pass from 30-metres out, breaking the line and sprinting through for a sixth Perth Spirit try. Jono Lance continued his sharp-shooting form to put the score at 46-0.
Queensland Country hit the scoreboard in the 67th minute when big front-rower Feleti Kaitu’u burst over the line beneath a pack of bodies. This was followed directly after by a length of the field try from Duncan Paia’aua, and with one of two conversions made the Spirit had their lead narrowed to 46-14.
The floodgates continued to give way for Queensland Country who scored a third try through Jack Cornelson, with a successful conversion putting the contest at 46-22.
Hunting for a bonus point, Luke Morohan crossed over for his second of the afternoon with Lance’s conversion putting the Spirit back out to a 54-22 lead. This was cut short when Queensland Country’s Mack Mason made a barnstorming run scoring the fifth try of the second half. 54-30 following the conversion.
With both teams, officials and spectators alike struggling to keep up with the sheer number of tries being scored, Luke Morohan registered his hat-trick, crashing over and putting the Spirit up 60-30.
Ammon Matuauto closed out the Spirit’s scoring following an interception, putting their final total on 66 points. In the 80th minute Queensland Country ended the game with Banks dotting down in the corner to put the final score at 66-36.
*Denotes possible Buildcorp NRC Debut
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