Convergence

In a replay of last year's grand final, Associates defeated Cottesloe 13-6 at Perry Lakes in the first round of the Rugby WA Home Building Society competition.

Nothing else about the match was similar. The game was not a spectacle but a dour grind peppered with penalties from referee Brendan Fitzgerald, littered with errors, and featuring just one try.

Cottesloe scored first when a prodigous 60 metre Todd Feather penalty kick raised the flags after four minutes. But Associates made most of the early pressure but by half time had nothing to show for it. Instead Cottesloe increased their lead with a second penalty to Feather after 32 minutes.

Associates finally received reward for their hard work when flyhalf Mark Solomons landed a penalty kick just before half time, for a 6-3 lead to Cottesloe going into the break.

Cottesloe improved their possession and territory in the second half but were no more successful on the scoreboard.

Associates had less of the play but mid way through the spell, halfback Robbie Barugh popped a short pass from the base of a quick ruck close to the posts and hooker Adam New burst through to score behind the posts. Mark Solomons converted and Soaks went out to a 10-6 lead.



Both teams worked hard, although not always effectively, to add to the score as the half wound down. With ten minutes to play Cottesloe conceded a penalty for a head-high tackle and Soaks' prop Damien Elton knocked it over from in front of the posts to set the winning score at 13-6.

It was a typical stop-start round one match with neither side shining, but Soaks were deserved winners for applying more of the pressure, and scoring the game's only try.