VRU Weekly Wrap Up – Round 16

 

Southern Districts have come agonisingly close to victory over top of the table Harlequin in Round 16 of the Dewar Shield.

The Pirates, who currently sit in sixth place, two points out of finals contention, went down to Harlequin 36-37 at home.

Harlequin opened the match with a blistering first half, taking a 12-27 lead into the break, however an improved second half effort from the Pirates saw them take a two point lead with less than a minute on the clock.

A maul penalty against Southern Districts in the closing seconds saw former Wallaby and Quins inside centre Lloyd Johansson take the match saving kick to record the 36-37 win.

Sakaria Noa, Rebels fullback Jason Woodwood, Rawiri Garmonsway and Barry Tehiko  were best on ground for the pirates, while Sione Taufa and Olajuwon Noa joined Johannson amongst the best for Harlequin.

A win to the Pirates would have increased their hopes of a finals campaign, with fifth placed Power House also losing on the weekend, going down to Moorabbin 19-42.

Power House, who sat in fourth at the end of Round 15, were no match for the second placed Rams, scoring three tries to Moorabbin’s 6.

Shannon McLachlan, Shane Kilgour and Steve Kemd all stood out for Power House, while Filli Leatu, Ioane Perenise and Lualua Vailoaloa were best on field for the Rams.

With the losses to Power House and Southern Districts, Footscray have climbed to fourth on the ladder, after a narrowly defeating Melbourne 18-21.

Both teams crossed the line twice for a conversion each, with fly-half Martin Naufahu proving to be the difference kicking three penalty goals for Footscray, to Melbourne’s two.

Maika Tuinasavusava and David Palu both stood out for Melbourne in the loss. Ben Filipo, Perenise Nikolao and Keisuke Yamada were best on ground for Footscray.

The battle for fourth and fifth position on the ladder, and a place in the finals remains tight with three points separating fourth placed Footscray on 51 points and sixth placed Southern Districts on 48 points. The coming weeks will prove to be critical for the three clubs, all fiercly vying for a spot in the finals and a go at the Dewar Shield.

This week’s match of the round was played between Endeavour Hills and Box Hill. Box Hill was unsuccessful in their campaign for their first win of the season, going down to the home side 37-0. Highlights from the match of the round can be viewed on “Rugby Time”, at 9pm tonight on Channel 31.

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