University Pirates weather storm best in rugby union Round 13 contest against Darwin Dragons

DESPITE heavy rainfall, University Pirates found their feet early to come out 32-24 winners over Darwin Dragons in Round 13 of the Darwin A-grade Rugby Union competition.

Isaac Taulelei made a big return to University Pirates against Darwin Dragons. Picture: Glenn Campbell

DESPITE heavy rainfall University Pirates found their feet early to come out 32-24 winners over Darwin Dragons in Round 13 of the Darwin A-grade rugby union competition.

Both sides entered the encounter with a point to prove having both suffered from poor runs of form since the mid-season break.

It was Zakery Mott who made the first breakthrough for the Pirates off the back of early pressure to give his side an early lead.

Dragons struck back almost immediately, racing down the left wing breaking through Pirates’ defence to see Ankin Lewis over for a try.

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But then the Pirates kicked into gear weathering the storm and slippery ball better of the two with a restructured back line stretching Dragons across the field.

Matthew Foreman, Tim Phillips, Shawn O’Bree and Robbie Butcher all dotted the ball over the line to give their side a clear edge going into halftime.

Dragons kicked off the second half with passion, pushing down the field with their heavy runners, finished off with vice-captain Hirini Murfitt crashing over the tryline.

From there it looked like Dragons could stage a comeback were it not for a brilliant running line from returning inside centre Isaac Taulelei, which put Pirates back on the front foot charging over for a try.

This move forced Dragons back to what they do best using their big forwards to rack up phases against a tiring defence, and it was that which saw lock Euan McKillop over the line.

Caleb Niki was particularly lively all night for the Dragons, and it was work from him and captain Drew Tobin that saw Heta Crombie score another try for the side.

But the Pirates’ first-half lead gave the Dragons too much work to overcome and it was that start which was most pleasing for University captain Ben Parkes.

“It was good to finally put some footy together coming off two losses so we went back to our structures and did what we had to do,” Parkes told the Sunday Territorian.

“We’ve been talking about our slow starts so that’s been a big focus of ours in training as we look towards finals footy and a big part of that is getting those starts right.

“We changed our backs around a bit out there and that really worked with the boys all playing well together and talking which was really good.

“Really now it’s about getting our game plan together, getting our structures right and playing good footy.”

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Meanwhile, Casuarina Cougars enjoyed a comfortable 59-10 win over Palmerston Crocs with Simaika Salaa and Joshua Phillips scoring two tries each.

Captain Zach Phillips led Casuarina Cougars to a decisive victory over Palmerston. Picture: Che Chorley

And with Zach Phillips running the show from fly-half, the tries kept coming with Cooper Segeyaro, Oscar Churchwell, Aidan Singleton, Suliasi Tavodi and Watisoni Kroirere also scoring.

Jai Wyles-Kelly and Jim Price were the try scorers for Palmerston.