Avondale extended its unbeaten lead in the IDRU Builders Club Premiership with a last second 18 to 15 points win over a desperately unlucky Wollongong University side on Saturday at Gerry Cappetta Oval. Andre Itula crossed for a converted try in the dying seconds of the match to put Avondale in front for the first time and deny Uni the competition points.
The Bulls came with a very well devised game plan to limit the attacking opportunities of the dangerous Wombat backline. With champion No. 8 Paul Tuala defending as an extra center, the fast moving Bulls defensive line managed to limit the attacking opportunities of the usually potent Wombat three quarter line. The Bulls defensive effort was outstanding right across the park as they defused Wombat raids time and time again. The Uni forward pack completely dominated in the scrums and was getting the better of the Wombat forwards at the breakdown as the game moved on.
With Avondale never able to get into their usual attacking phone number list rhythm Uni went to the break with a 10 points to nil lead which could have been 16 but for two failed penalty goal attempts from right in front early in the match by stand in kicker Rapine Mason. Leon Mason kicked his side’s first points with a penalty goal after twenty five minutes. Ten minutes before half time Paul Tuala cleaned up a poor Avondale lineout throw at the back to score his side’s first try from close range. Leon Mason converted for the half time score.
Darryl Sanft registered Wombats first points with a penalty goal five minutes after the restart. Despite repeated strong charges by Avondale forwards Matt Taufa and Steven Fuka and several probing runs by Wingman Eli Sinoti the Uni defense refused to yield. In the fifty ninth minute Uni were in again when Avondale turned over possession on the halfway line and the ball was spread quickly to Leon Mason who found himself in space on the left flank. With no Avondale cover defense at home Mason raced the fifty meters down the touch line to score, but couldn’t convert from out wide for Uni to lead 15 – 3.
Shortly after the Mason try, Bulls winger Cameron Thompson broke away from the defense and set off on a strong run toward the Avondale line. As he approached the Avondale Fullback Scott Morgan, he swerved and wrong footed Morgan, who lunged and made contact with Thompson’s head knocking him to the ground. Referee Craig Conway consulted both Touch Judges before issuing Morgan a Yellow Card. This turned out to be a turning point of the game.
With replacement halfback Pauro Collier coming onto the field, the Wombat effort lifted noticeably and it was Avondale who scored next four minutes later. Hooker Karl Horne found himself on the end of a backline raid to score wide out on the right for a seven point margin to Uni at 8 – 15. Sanft reduced the lead with a penalty goal ten minutes later and the margin was down to four.
As Avondale poured on the pressure, the Bulls effort started to fade and with five minutes remaining their key man Paul Tuala was yellow carded for dissent by Referee Conway. With the Avondale players throwing everything at the Bulls line a bit of good fortune came their way. After a raid on the right broke down a loose pass was deflected into the arms of Andre Itula who found just the space he needed to score the winning try.
The Bulls effort proved that they can be more than competitive with the unbeaten competition leaders and will be very keen for another crack at Avondale come Finals time. The Bulls front row of Andy Papworth, Hemana Wickliffe and Karl Smith continue to impress week in week out, with loose forwards Jason Hughes and Wayne Ngatai having strong games alongside Tuala. Centers Rapine Mason and Nik Rangiuira stood out in both defense and attack, with Leon Mason again the side’s busiest player.
Mathew Taufa was a standout for Avondale using his size and aggression to full effect in both attack and defense. Eli Sinoti was a handful for the Bulls all afternoon with his elusive running.