In severe weather and with the Nest rapidly degenerating into a quagmire, Cottesloe came out on top of Wanneroo on a score of 25 points to 18. Like a smaller boxer with little power, Wanneroo danced and moved and succeeded in staying away from their larger more dangerous opponent, but in 80 minutes of rugby (equivalent to 12 rounds), the bigger and better fighter eventually caught up to them.

From the very first moments, Cottesloe’s superiority in physical power was apparent. Cohen Masson and Tobias Hoskins punched their way over the advantage line at will, while Kaisa Reidy and Adam Fullgrabe decimated their opposition at scrum time. Only two factors were keeping Cottesloe away from the Wanneroo line; their lineout was under pressure and the abysmal conditions turned the ball into a wet bar of soap. Incredibly it was Wanneroo who scored first against the run of play when some clever passing opened up the Cott midfield and they went through to score for 7-0. The two blue reacted like they had been slapped in the face and charged up field, earning a kickable penalty. Ben Meredith scored for 7-3. Unbelievably Wanneroo scored again through an expansive piece of opportunism from their backs. The conversion was missed and the score was 12-3. Both players and supporters on the fence were mystified by this turn of events as in most facets of the game Cottesloe were thoroughly dominant. Toward the end of the half, sanity prevailed and Cottesloe finally earned reward for their scrum dominance. Kaisa Reidy and Adam Fullgrabe made mincemeat of the Wanneroo front row for the umpteenth time and Tobias Hoskins went over. The conversion was missed and at half time the score was 12-8 to the away side.

Amazingly on the resumption of the second half, Wanneroo extended their lead through a well struck long distance penalty goal. Despite this setback, it was obvious that Cottesloe had the bit between their collective teeth and began to really up the ante in the physicality stakes. In attack, Hugh Huppatz, Cohen Masson and Kaisa Reidy carried hard into the green and white line. In defence, there was spite and mustard in every shot put on by Tyler Moeau and Zane Herrick. On 55 minutes, Wanneroo were creaking badly and it was not a surprise when hooker Nathan Kendrick forced his way over under the posts for Cottesloe’s second try. Ben Meredith converted and for the first time in the match Cottesloe were level at 15-15. Without a lead to protect or counter punch from, Wanneroo were forced to come out of their shell and become more direct in their attack; but unfortunately for the away side, that is just meat and drink to the Cottesloe forwards; bigger and more formidable sides than Wanneroo have tried this method and failed. On sixty minutes, another dominant Cottesloe scrum afforded halfback Scott Nicholl a chance and he smashed his way over their diminutive right winger for a try. Cottesloe had the lead then at 20-5. On 63 minutes, Cottesloe scored an absolutely outrageous try in the right corner that effectively ended the match as a contest. Ben Meredith’s kick for touch was batted back into play by the Wanneroo left winger, but unfortunately for him, Tommy Fiftita-Tovo had chased up and was hovering. He pounced on the ball for a hilarious score. That try made it 25-15. The torrential rain worsened at this point and the match devolved into a slog for the last fifteen. Wanneroo were able to snatch a bonus point with the last kick of the ball from a kickable penalty, but both sides were just glad to get out of the weather at the final whistle. The final score was 25-18.

Some credit must go to the away side as in most aspects they were completely outgunned, but they just managed to nick a few points here and there to keep Cottesloe at bay. But in our side, even when things aren’t going our way, there is a tremendous amount of experience there and they are never fazed. There was an inevitability all through that Cottesloe’s comeback was imminent and that Wanneroo were hanging on by their fingernails, and so it proved. In the forwards, Nathan Kendrick was exceptional at hooker and Adam Fullgrabe was utterly dominant against several different foes. Numbers four to eight never once failed to make the advantage line with the ball tucked under their arm. In the backs, Greg Jackson marshalled the defence with aplomb while Tommy Fifita-Tovo is bang in form. For this writer though, for the second time in three weeks, the player that caught the eye was Kaisa Reidy once more. What else can be said about this man that we don’t already know? He devastated the Wanneroo scrum, evaporated a dozen ball carriers who came his way and carried with serious authority. Another terrible surprise for teams is his underrated handling, so when he attracts defenders and they charge at him, he releases out the back and deceives everybody. Just an astonishing footballer is Kaisa.