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CASRL battle it out in Perth
Volume 49, No. 12, July 12, 2007 |
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Steady progress from the opening game was not enough to give the Combined Australian Services Rugby League (CASRL) representative side a win in the Affiliated States Carnival in Perth recently.
The CASRL team – dominated by players from the CASRL champion, Navy – showed gradual improvement over the course of the carnival without the benefit of a two-month preparation that some of its rivals enjoyed and it lost a nail-biter 28-24 to SA in its final match.
In its opening game against a classy WA side, it was outgunned 62-0 after trailing 40-0 at half-time. WA was bolstered by many signings from the eastern states in preparation for its entry into the Jim Beam Cup next year.
CASRL scored first against a combined NSW/QLD Police side and led 6-4 at half-time before several key injuries gave the Police combination the upper hand for a 34-6 win.
The CASRL looked down and out in the first half when it trailed 22-6 at half-time against SA.
A rejuvenated CASRL scored three good tries to lead 24-22 before SA scored and converted to lead 28-24 with five minutes remaining.
Gaining possession, CASRL bombarded the SA line thanks to a run of four penalties in a minute.
SA repelled attack after attack until, as the siren sounded with the fifth and last tackle, CASRL spun the ball across the backline only to see the final pass go to ground.
“Despite being beaten in all three games the side performed well against competition that had been together for some time,” CASRL president WO1 Grahame Cavanough said. |
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