THE Jamberoo Superoos have signalled that they aren’t about to concede their 2018 premiership crown without a fight, after producing their best performance of the season – scoring a convincing 30-10 win over fellow top five contender Albion Park-Oak Flats at Kevin Walsh Oval on Saturday.
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Going into the match with a four win-five loss record and in sixth spot, two points behind the Eagles, they received a much-needed boost with the return of centre Jake Clarke for the first time in two months and the addition of new Gundegai recruit, prop Kieran Pearce.
In fact, it was Clarke who opened the scoring in the opening minute after a Park mistake after a Jamberoo clearing kick, when a slick backline movement from the ensuing play saw fullback Dean Watling send Clarke over out wide.
Watling nailed the difficult conversion to give his side a 6-nil lead.
The intensity that had been missing for the home side was back and they continued to pressure the Eagles line and in the 12th minute lock Luke Asquith showed terrific determination to plant the ball under the black dot, despite the attentions of four Eagles defenders and Watling converted for 12-nil.
The Park looked shell-shocked but they did manage to regain some momentum when, after a great break by centre Blake Jones, they spread the ball wide and winger Blake Harrison somehow managed to get the ball down in the corner.
Jake Brisbane’s sideline conversion closed the gap to 12-6.
The visitors were finding it hard to keep check on the determined running from the Jamberoo pack, and in the 34th minute a right side attack led to centre Simon Maslanka scoring his side’s third and Watling’s conversion gave his side a handy 18-6 lead.
The Eagles showed they were ready for the second half challenge when replacement prop Jamie Carney made a 50 metre charge from the kick-off.
They then made the Roos pay when Brock Harrison was on the end of a delicate chip kick from Brisbane to close the gap to 18-10.
Their celebrations were short lived however, when in the 50th minute, Keiran Pearce was denied by an ankle-tap ahead of Superoos own flyer Ben Barnard latching onto a great Corey Grigg, pass to dive over in the corner.
Watling was again on target and Jamberoo had kicked well clear at 24-10.
Watling was having a superb allround game and was the provider for the match clincher when he sent Barnard over for his second and again nailed the sideline conversion for a 30-10 win.
As mentioned, Watling was the standout for the Superoos – who wore special jerseys to raise money for the Jamberoo Rural Fire Service – while Luke and James Asquith, Jayde Tooth and James Gilmore were also among their best, while Brisbane, Kane Scarratts, Chris Rowles and Brock Harrison tried hard for the Eagles.
