ROund 5 - Perth Spirit defeat Brisbane city 62-28
McInnes Wilson Lawyers Brisbane City have suffered a heavy defeat to the Perth Spirit, going down 62-28 at McGillivray Oval in Perth on Sunday afternoon.
City were outscored 10 tries to four in the frantic encounter as the home side took advantage of a wealth of possession and superior defence.
Head coach Mick Heenan said: “It’s clearly not a great performance from us today. We made some errors early with our defence letting us down and once Spirit had us on the back foot they played with real confidence. They got good momentum early on and while we had plenty of chances, it was difficult to pull them back once they got a head start. Perth were coming off a tough loss to Fiji last week and turned it around, so that’s a good template for us as we look to do the same against the Rays next weekend. It’s such an open competition. There’s four rounds left and a win next week would put us right back in it.”
First half - scoring plays
10MIN: Perth Spirit have opened the scoring, with Ruru dotting down after a quick tap inside City's 22m. Grant adds the extras and Spirit lead 7-0.
15MIN: Spirit are in again, Verity-Amm finding a gap and dotting down. Grant adds the extras and Spirit lead 14-0.`
30MIN: Arnold extends Spirit lead, scoring after a break by Peni. Grant adds the extras and Spirit lead 21-0.
34MIN: Brisbane City hit back with a short-range try to Manu after a linebreak by Riley to set up the attacking raid. Cooper adds the extras and City trail 21-7.
36MIN: Spirit hit back with a try to Peni in the corner. Conversion no good, Spirit lead 26-7.
39MIN: Rangi adds another for the Spirit on the cusp of half time. Conversion is no good. Spirit lead 31-7.
Second half - scoring plays
54MIN: City score the first try of the second half with Maranta getting an intercept and running 90m to touch down. Cooper adds the conversion, City trail 31-14.
56MIN: Spirit hit back immediately with a try to O'Brien after a turnover in City's 22m. Grant adds the extras and Spirit lead 38-14.
62MIN: Peni scores his second from a crossfield kick to extend Spirit's lead. Grant adds the extras and Spirit lead 45-14.
64MIN: Spirit go end to end with Ruru finishing off after a run by Naisarani. Conversion no good but Spirit lead 50-14.
70MIN: Erasmus extends Spirit's lead. Buick adds the extras and Spirit lead 57-14.
73MIN: City hit back late with a try to Maranta, scoring his second for the match. Cooper adds the extras, City trail 57-21.
73MIN: City are in again with Fidow finishing off a great movement with Ngamanu and Cooper contributing. Frisby adds the conversion quickly and City trail 57-28.
78MIN: Spirit are in again with Ferris driving over the line. Conversion no good, Spirit lead 62-28.
perth spirit
Starting XV
1. Pek Cowan (Wests Scarborough)
2. Anaru Rangi (VC) (Nedlands)
3. Shambeckler Vui (Wanneroo)
4. Richard Arnold (Nedlands)
5. Matt Philip
6. Onehunga Havili (Palmyra)
7. Kane Koteka (Wests Scarborough)
8. Isi Naisrani
9. Michael Ruru (C) (Nedlands)
10. Peter Grant (Cottesloe)
11. Clay Uyen (UWA)
12. Marcel Brache (Perth Bayswater)
13. James Verity-Amm (Nedlands)
14. Chance Peni (Palmyra)
15. Nick Jooste (Cottesloe)
Reserves
16. Sama Malolo (Wests Scarborough)
17. Mees Erasmus (Palmyra)
18. Jermaine Ainsley (Nedlands)
19. Matt O’Brien (Wests Scarborough)
20. Tevin Ferris (Nedlands)
21. Ian Prior (Nedlands)
22. Sheldon Tarawa (Joondalup)
23. Hamish Buick (Kalamunda)
Mcinnes Wilson Lawyers Brisbane city
Starting XV
1. Tonga Ma’afu – Norths
2. Andrew Ready – Reds/Easts
3. Salesi Manu – Bond University (NRC Debut)
4. Dan Gorman – GPS
5. Kane Douglas – Reds/Norths
6. Adam Korczyk – Reds/UQ
7. Pat Morrey – UQ
8. Michael Richards – GPS
9. Moses Sorovi – Reds/UQ
10. Quade Cooper – Reds/Souths
11. Ed Fidow – Wests
12. AJ Alatimu – GPS
13. Chris Kuridrani – Reds/GPS
14. Dylan Riley – Bond University
15. Jayden Ngamanu – Reds/Souths
Reserves
16. Maile Ngauamo – Souths
17. Markuz Vanzati – Reds/Souths
18. Feao Fotuaika – Sunnybank
19. Reece Hewat – Reds/Norths
20. Michael Gunn – Reds/Easts
21. Nick Frisby – Reds/GPS
22. Maaloga Konelio – GPS
23. Lachlan Maranta – Reds/Wests
