Bulls Blitz Blueys

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The University of Wollongong Bulls put on a powerful display of running rugby to blitz Vikings by 51 points to 14 in their round 8 Builders Club Premiership match at University Oval. With the Bulls forward pack strongly led by Man of the Match, Jason Hughes, overpowering their opponents the Uni boys ran in seven tries to two to post their fifth win on the trot.

Uni’s forward dominance was most evident at scrum time as they continually drove the Blueys pack backwards to allow their attacking style of play to come to the fore, and attack they did. The bulls line speed in defense also never allowed Vikings the opportunity to mount any real pressure on the Uni line until very late in each half.

The Bulls went on the attack from the kick off and after turning down an opportunity for penalty goal, choosing a scrum instead, it was front rower Andy Papworth who finished off with a try in the corner after they had spread play from one side of the field to the other. Their second try came in the ninth minute for center Rapine Mason, when he worked a clever play with his center partner Nik Rangiuira, to score under the posts. With fullback Alyd Owen’s conversion the Bulls led 12 – 0.

Five minutes later the Mason brothers combined to make phone number library Vikings pay for some loose handling as they gained possession and exchanged several passes before Leon Mason scored the sides third try. With another conversion from Owen the Bulls lead was 19 – 0 after just fifteen minutes.

Vikings regrouped as the half went on and with a change of tactics their pick and drive style of play finally paid dividends as big prop Joel Diggins bumped off several defenders to score five minutes before half time. Michael Maidment converted the try for a 19 – 7 score line. Alyd Owen goaled for Uni two minutes from the break, for a half time score of 22 – 7.

Two minutes after the restart, Owen kicked another penalty goal and shortly after half back Alex Simms split the Vikings defense and found Leon Mason in support. Leon worked another exchange of passes with his brother Rapine for Leon to score his second try under the posts. Owen converted again for Uni to lead 32 – 7.

Three more tries came in the next eight minutes. The first was scored by hooker Hemana Wickliffe after Vikings were able to repel several forward rushes at their line. Owen goaled again and then added a try of his own two minutes later. From a Uni scrum win on halfway he joined the backline and sliced through to race fifty meters to score wide out, to take the score to 44 – 7.

The final Bulls try came at the fifty six minute mark when center Nik Rangiuira put Matt Lee away down the left side. As Lee drew the Vikings defense Rangiuira backed up on the inside to score. Owen kicked his fifth conversion for the day to bring up 51 points for the Bulls.

Vikings showed plenty of resolve to continue to try to break the line but lacked the penetration in attack to trouble the Bulls. A clever kick in general play from Vikings best player on the day, Andrew Barrett, was pounced on by replacement Steven Sunderland who scored and converted to bring up the final score.

The Bulls performance had even more merit for the fact that they were still without their two country rep players Paul Tuala and Donovan Nepia who were sidelined for the match. Number Eight Jason Hughes was outstanding for the Bulls and hooker Hemana Wickliffe was strong, with halfback Alex Simms feeding well of his forwards dominance. For Vikings Front Rowers Junior Tupuola and Joel Diggins didn’t shirk the task and Andrew Barrett was effective from Fullback.