The RugbyWA U18s side has come away with a massive 41 to 20 victory over the NSWJR U18s as they clashed on Saturday morning at Tompkins Park in Palmyra.
Donning the new Paladin sports black and gold state kit the boys ran out to Palmyra’s rugby clubs home ground ready to fire.
Blasting straight out of the gate the WA looked strong attacking NSW through the mid-field early.
Through some great work at scrum-time it was WA that were able to draw first blood scoring off a pick and drive off the back of a very dominant hit-up from the forward pack.
Wests Scarborough product Lachlan Hardy took the kicking duties for WA, Lachlan is the brother of Future Force graduate and Queensland Reds signee Jack Hardy.
With the kick slotted, WA went up by seven points however NSW were quick to reply as speedy winger Jayden Blake was able to outrun the defense to skip over for a try in the corner.
It was all RugbyWA attack as the game went on with NSW continuously defending their own try-line, a botched exit kick that gave WA another chance to score with Hardy winning the one on one battle to touchdown in the left corner.
It was the solid defense from WA that caused problems for the visitors, forcing a lot of turnovers playing high intensity football.
Prop Maui Te Tana had a strong first half knocking NSW around the park with some really solid hit-ups, making meters for the WA side.
Despite some excellent defense from the home side NSW winger Jayden Blake was able to run in his second try of the game allowing the visitors to claw back just before halftime going into the sheds with RugbyWA 24 to NSW 10.
Coming into the second half it was NSW who got the jump on RugbyWA scoring off a counterattack after a handy turnover.
Some great play from inside centre Gordan Chan saw NSW get on the break finishing with winger Liam Dalibozek putting the ball down almost under the posts.
As the score sat at 24 – 15 WA’s way, they looked to widen the gap all through the back half of the game.
Amazing work rate from flanker Darcy Hinkley and sixteen-year-old lock Jhy Legg saw WA keep the pressure right on NSW.
Finally, it was Dante Tatafu who was able to extend the WA lead scoring around the side of a ruck extending the lead to 14 points.
As the game wound down, it was captain Mayson Hill that finished off a spectacular performance from the West Aussie’s capping off a final score of 41-20.
The RugbyWA U18s will head east for the next game facing the Melbourne Rebels for their next game in Victoria on the 19th of July.
