SPIRIT RISE ABOVE MELBOURNE IN SEASON OPENER

Aug 29 • General News • 1107 Views • Comments Off on SPIRIT RISE ABOVE MELBOURNE IN SEASON OPENER

A Luke Morahan double has helped the Perth Spirit has kick off their 2016 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC) campaign with a 20-16 victory over the Melbourne Rising at McGillivray Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The Spirit struck early in the first half through Onehunga Havili, with the contest showcasing fast-paced attacking rugby as promised through the rule variations for the 2016 NRC competition. The Rising were held scoreless through 37 minutes, but struck in the 38^th when lock Sam Jeffries bulldozed his way over the line putting his side up 8-6 at the end of 40 minutes.

The second frame saw the Spirit strike first again, followed by a Rising try off the back of a maul. Luke Morohan completed his double in the 67^th minute, with the try putting the home side up 20-16 and giving them their first win of the competition.

Perth Spirit coach Dwayne Nestor said the win was an early boost of confidence.

“It’s always good to get a win,” he said.
“A good sign was that we had a couple of things to work on at half time and they did it in the second half.

“There were a couple of areas in the game where we had the Rising defence scrambling and because we were using the ball more that was a very pleasing part of it.

“I think the club guys made a big difference, we spoke about enthusiasm and that’s what those guys bring.

“Momentum is a massive thing, within games and from game to game so the big thing I think we will get out of this is a bit of confidence.

“One thing we can’t think is that it’s all just going to fall in our lap now, we’ve got to keep working really hard but maintain the confidence to say we can play this game.”

Perth came out firing, pushing the Rising back into their own 22 and applying heavy pressure. The backline set up Onehunga Havilli in the corner, who collected the ball and crushed through the last man. The conversion would not go, putting the Spirit up 6-0 under the NRC’s 6 points for a try and 2 points for conversions, penalty kicks and drop goals.

The match continued with the momentum in the Spirit’s favour, but stiffer line defence from the Rising made for a tougher challenge. New Western Force recruit Billy Meakes found instant chemistry in the backline working well with his new teammates straight off the bat.

The Spirit put up their best defensive effort of the contest in the 35^th minute when backed up again on their own line. A thundering hit from Brynard Stander knocked the ball clean from a Rebels’ attacker.

The Rising took until the 38^th minute to register their first point of the afternoon, swinging the ball left following a successful set of phases and finding lock Sam Jeffries in the middle who burst straight through the last two defenders. Jack Debreczeni’s kick put his side up 8-6.

The opening stages of the second half saw a continuation of the first, with both sides attacking hard but not giving up an inch. Future Force Foundation and Perth Spirit prop Shambeckler Vui made an amazing run creating a line break and offloading to Luke Morohan who strolled across the line uncontested. Jono Lance was unable to hit the conversion leaving the Spirit up 12-8.

The Rising struck back in the 57^th minute pushing the ball within five-metres of the line and sending Jordy Reid over the line off the back of a maul to put themselves in front. Jack Debreczeni’s conversion extended their lead to four points, 16-12.

Luke Morohan went over the line for his double in the 67^th minute when the Spirit worked a series of successful phases in the 22 and found the winger who had cut into the middle of the pitch to dive over and score with an outstretched hand. Jono Lance hit the conversion putting the score at 20-16 in favour of the Spirit.

The West Australians were able to hold their own through the final 13 minutes of the contest, collecting their first win of the season in front of their home fans.