Fixtures and Results for Kuttabul Camelboks

KUTTABUL 38 Def SLADE POINT 7

Kuttabul travelled to Cathy Freeman Oval on Saturday for an away match against defending premiers Slade Point. The Camelboks lost Scott Dean, Loagan Gardiner and Nigel Neame but welcomed back Fijian pair Usaia Tawakeuau and Oscar Manu. Oscar brings versatility around the ground while Tawakeuau ensures stinging defence coupled with a sublime running game. Hugo Ross slotting into hooker for the first time in his rugby career, enabled Kuttabul to field loose fowards at 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8 and signalling their intant to play an up-tempo game.

With results over the past few years favouring the home team, the Camelboks were keen to balance the ledger. So it was not to script when Slade Point opened the scoring with a soft try from a lineout close to the Bok's line. Once again Kuttabul would play from behind.

It took Boks until the 20th minute to square the scores when Vila Apu'ula, inside his own 22m, sliced through the Slade Point midfield. Blessed with a great turn of speed, Vila gapped the initial chasers and drew and passed to the ever present Benny Grandclaudon. Still with plenty to do, Benny broke the next tackle before repaying the favour back to Vila, who raced away to score under the posts.

Kuttabul's next try was also a long range effort when the Slade Point flyhalf chipped a misdirected kick straight into the arms of Damian Royan. Royan saw the space upfield and elected to offload to Usaia Tawakeuau rather than test out his own hamstrings. Much like Greg Inglis, Usaia has never been run down from behind in two seasons in the MDRU. Unlike Inglis or Usaia, Royan has been run down plenty of times. So when Tawakeuau got through the line with no-one in front, Slade Point found themselves heading back to stand under the posts while Grandclaudon kicked his second conversion for a 14-7 lead.

Another thoughtless kick from Slade Point was punished when Apu'ula brought the ball back off his line and straight through the staggered chasing. Benny was on hand once again to back up the break and deftly offloaded to a charging Mike Entwistle who strode through a yawning gap. Entwistle carried the ball on a 50 metre run before Usaia Tawakeuau loomed up on his hip. Usaia once again beat the cover to score out wide to take a 19-7 lead into oranges.

Kuttabul continued to run the large Slade Point forwards around and they finally broke through again in the 58th minute when Mike Entwistle charged over for a well deserved try from close range. Benny failed with the conversion and the lead extended to 24-7.

The Boks continued to apply pressure and a drop ball from Slade Point was toed through by Benny Grandclaudon. With a uncanny knack of winning the ball back even when he doesn't win the race to the ball, Benny was able to regather and offload to the support. An indiscresion at the next breakdown saw Slade Point penalised and Alex Bourne crash over from the ensuing short arm. Benny converted from in front to give the Boks some breathing space at 31-7.

Dan Ireland capped off a good game at flanker with the last try of the day to see Kuttabul home by 38-7.

In a good all-round effort, best for the Bok's were Vila Apu'ula (1) who created problems with his incredible foot speed as well as his bullet-like passes playing as a second ball player. Vila played rugby league at an international level and as such, has the ability to pull off some big hits which keeps the opposition looking for him. Usaia Tawakeuau (2) was superb and once again carved up the opposition in broken play. Mike Entwistle (3) was busy all match, hurting the Slade Point players at the break down as well as continually busting the defense. Four tries in his three games proves that he can find the line.

With their perfect season still in tact, the Bok's head back to Quarry Hill to take on Mackay City in their next match.

TRIES: USAIA TAWAKEUAU (2), VILA APU'ULA (1), ALEX BOURNE (1), MIKE ENTWISTLE (1), DAN IRELAND (1)

CONVERSIONS: BENNY GRANDCLAUDON 4/6

1. OSCAR MANU
2. HUGO ROSS
3. IVAN MILAT
4. DAMIAN ROYAN
5. ALEX BOURNE
6. DAN IRELAND
7. MIKE ENTWISTLE
8. LOUIS KERN
9. BRENT COLES
10. USAIA TAWAKEUAU
11. RATU DELIMANTE
12. VILA APU'ULA
13. CALUM McCONNELL
14. BENNY GRANDCLAUDON
15. ANDY GARBET
16. PITA BERACIRI

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