Under 12 Swan – Wanneroo 27 def Nedlands 14
Not a good day out for the Bluepigs yesterday, after some fine rugby over the last few weeks, we’ve come to expect better. From the kickoff it was plain to see that with our team depleted by injury and sickness it would be hard. Both teams went hammer and tongs for the first fifteen minutes Nedlands looking the team most likely to score, our forwards holding firm, but our backs could not break the hard tackling Wanneroo defence. Alex eventually breaking the deadlock with a dazzling solo run from his own half well converted. Poor defence of the flanks then cost us two tries one converted, in quick succession, late in the half a chance to equalise was denied by a very tight forward pass call , with Rueben trying hard here. Half time, Wanneroo12 Nedlands 7.
Again from the restart we let in a try down the blindside flank and were now further behind .We now started to play some better rugby Patrick , George and Hamish Hall taking it up to the big Wanneroo pack with Tom and standout player Will Eaton excellent at the breakdown .  Our scrums were strong but not so with the lineouts Will Coggin’s injury adding to our woes .We were now attacking their line only to be turned around once again by a breakout try down the touchline, monotonous, undaunted the boys played on hard George, Patrick, Rueben, and Aiden all getting repelled by the very good low tackles from Wanneroo. Finally after much pressure Alex got over for his second and converted try.  Although the game was sealed by now we managed to let in another try at the final whistle.
Good games were played by many Lewis and Evan combining well at halves Harry, Johnno and James all having their moments and good to see Jack into the team. Fantastic also to see Henry and Sam down there so early to support the team, which miss them badly, thanks boys and good luck with your recoveries. We hope also that all our other team members can be fit for next week’s game.

Under 11 Gold – Associates 32 def Nedlands 7
One of the best team performances seen this year, unfortunately the team was wearing gold jersey’s not blue. Soaks showed that the victory over their arch rivals from the foreshore at the beginning of the season was no fluke with a comprehensive 6 tries to 1 win in the highly anticipated return match on Saturday. As the scoreline suggests Associates dominated in almost every department, including the scrum which has been an area where the technically well drilled Nedlands pack has beaten other physically superior opponents this year. The intensity at the breakdown and their offload in the tackle to a seemingly endless succession of players running in support of the ball carrier gave the impression that Soaks had more than 15 players on the park at any given time.
All that said and despite some missed tackles, this report should not give the impression that the boys in blue did not put up a fight and indeed threaten the opposition’s line on several occasions. A series of bullocking runs by Second Rower Ryan Webster set up a rolling mall inside the Soaks’ 22 which went over the line only to be held up by some desperate defence.  However the gold jersey’s won a tight head from the subsequent 5 metre scrum and a try at the other end of the field was the result. This pattern was repeated a number of times and a 22 – 0 scoreline at half time may not have been backed up by territorial or possession statistics.
Sensing a blowout Trefor gave the boys a rev up and a choice, they could work for each other and come back for a close win or play as individuals and face a 40 zip loss. The second half was a closer affair both on the scoreboard and in general play but the result was always going to be a definitive victory for the opposition.
Even the players who polled votes (Nic Gillespie, Callum Thomas Mac Hanlin, Cam Bisset  and Lachlan Briotti) would agree it was not their best games of the season, but on reflection the team’s performance was made to look worse by an outstanding opposition effort. In reality sickness and injury had robbed us of any subs and Associates were able to put fresh legs on the park throughout the game.  Positives to come out of the game included a great defensive effort from Winger Seb Ortiz, powerful performances with ball in hand from forwards Ryan Webster and Angus Dickson- Collins and some spirited line breaks from Alex Rigby and Gene Lagdon.
But most of all the boys never gave up and were rewarded for their efforts with a try on full time.   They should be very proud of the fact that they all came off the ground red faced having given their all for the full 40 minutes.

Under 10 – Wanneroo Green 65 def Nedlands 20 
In what was always going to be a tough game having only 9 players available this week, I don't think that the boys were expecting to see the score blow out so much.
A lot of work was expected by the boys who did not have the luxuries that Waneroo had (a full strength team and substitutes).  Our only try in the first half came from a breakaway run down the far wing by Matt Bryan.  The other three tries being scored in the second half by Ryan Simcock, Xavier Mitchell and Matt Bryan.  Ben Herbert had an outstanding best on ground performance, highlighted by his tackling in the second half.
A special thanks goes to all of the boys who turned up and played their hearts out to the point of exhaustion.  We look forward to having all players back on deck for next Saturday's Joey Carnival.

Under 9 – Wanneroo Green 60 def Nedlands 5 
A brilliant performance from an evenly balanced, highly skilled opposition resulted in a good old fashioned hiding for the minipigs.  Four tries down in less than five minutes, eight down at half time paints the picture.  Yet, despite the onslaught, once again some positives emerged.  The chinwag at the break resulted in one of the best 15 minutes of the season, as the team upped the work rate, dug deeper than they had any right to at 40 zip down and had a real go at matching the Roodogs.   Josh Smith succeeded in putting the boys on the board with a great solo break and only outrageously good defence for U9s (hands under the ball in the act of grounding) stooped another Neddies try.  True, the Roodogs did score four more tries, but one was straight from the restart and one just before the final whistle.
The coaching emphasis on improving the passing is working, and the tackle counts were simply fantastic - 104 in total with every single player beating their pre-game targets as follows:
Swicky and Tiger - 250% of target (5 each)
Wobbly Knees - 215% of target (13)
Mosh - 200% of target (4)
Speedy - 175% of target (7)
Red Ted - 170% of target (17!!)
Olly - 150% of target (6)
Darcy - 140% of target (7)
Josh, Matt, Lansy, Gilly, Roadrunnner, D - 100% of target (8, 6, 5, 8, 8, 4)
The run tallies were brilliant too, it was just that Wanneroo wouldn't allow them to pay as they tackled quite superbly, turning back break after break and busting everything to make sure there was no Nedlands score (so well done Josh!).
Getting a shellacking is something that is neither fun, nor something that players should ever be happy to accept.  However, the key take away this week is set by the following quote "Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure".  Against this simple measure, anyone watching would have to agree fully that there was not a single failure in a blue jumper on Saturday morning! 
Finally, a big thanks to Jamie for turning up to cheer his team on despite not being able to play because of stitches, and also thanks to the Roodogs for their friendliness and attitude.  Added to their skill levels, they were a real credit to their club.

Under 6 – Nedlands V Perth Bayswater
The U6's were again at Joondalup Park, this time to play a very good Perth Bayswater team. While most of our team are still 5, it looked like we were playing a team from the older half of the year, as they seemed bigger and faster. Our boys played very well and would not have been far behind on the try count given some good solo runs by the boys. Our defensive effort was also very good but the opposition were adept at the sidestep and found a couple of gaps down the middle. Overall, the effort from the team was fantastic.