Palmerston Crocs put the bite on University in rugby union pre-season competition
PALMERSTON have overcome a slow start and injuries to key players to win the Northern Territory Rugby union Pre-season Cup.
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PALMERSTON overcome a slow start and injuries to key players to win the Northern Territory Rugby union Pre-season Cup 23-20 against University on Saturday.
Both teams scored three tries each in an entertaining game but poor discipline from University saw Palmerston kick two penalties that in the end proved the difference.
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University started the game strongly with their backline seemingly making breaks at will and the Pirates looked to be a class above the Crocodiles.
At the five-minute mark one of the many breaks led to the first try, which was converted to give Uni a 7-0 lead.
For the next 15 minutes the game continued in the same fashion, University being dominant and Palmerston just hanging on. Palmerston at this stage lost key forward Michael Killiner with a shoulder injury.
From this continuous pressure, the Crocodiles conceded a scrum penalty, and a quick restart saw University score again, this time wide out to lead 12-0 and a long afternoon beckoned for the Crocodiles.
However, the game started to change with University giving penalties away and Palmerston enjoying more ball.
Despite losing prop Ciaran Jennings with a knee injury, Palmerston were the next to score when Rhys Hitchcock barged over from short range to make it 12-5.
Palmerston added a penalty to their total just before half-time to trail 12-8 at the break. Shortly after the break University added a penalty to restore their seven-point lead at 15-8.
Palmerston’s superior fitness levels began to take effect and they were able to put continuous pressure on University throughout the second half, which was much more even with both sides looking for the advantage.
At the 50th-minute mark, Palmerston scored a great individual try from a run by No.8 forward Errol Wilson off the back of the scrum to trail University 15-13. The pressure by Palmerston and ill-discipline by University was starting to make its mark on the game.
Sean Wauchope of University was yellow carded and from the penalty Palmerston bravely decided to take the scum instead of a shot at goal.
Errol Wilson again ran the ball from the back and then through a series of hands saw Tyrone Gersch-Mizen score in the corner and with the conversion, Palmerston was in the lead for the first time at 20-15.
A further penalty saw Palmerston stretch their lead to 23-15 before a loose pass was swooped on by University for them to score their third try.
But Palmerston held on and score a much deserved win.
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