University Pirates with last ditch effort to see off Cougars while Bunnies run riot against Dragons

A LAST ditch effort saw University Pirates finish off an unlikely comeback to win 18-17 over Casuarina Cougars in Round 9 of the Darwin A-grade Rugby Union competition.

University Pirates’ Wise Sekitoga feeds the ball back. Picture: Che Chorley

A LAST ditch effort saw University Pirates finish off an unlikely comeback to win 18-17 over Casuarina Cougars in Round 9 of the Darwin A-grade Rugby Union competition.

Casuarina had all the ascendancy early on, with the likes of Eric Erickson and Martin Strachan locking Pirates out of the contest, while Trey Crowley and Simaika Salaa ran the show in the halves.

Jarrod Northam and Dakota Marsh crossed the line and looked to give the Cougars a comfortable lead heading into the half.

Still without a score at halftime, University looked to their bench for refreshment while senior players such as captain Ben Parkes and Wise Sekitoga kept the pack moving.

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It was playing-coach Robbie Butcher who found the first gap in the Cougars’ defence, charging through for a try, followed by a couple of penalty kicks to put his side back in contention.

The game seemed to twist back in Cougars’ favour when they pressured their way to take a try through Simaika Salaa with only six minutes left on the clock.

Playing-coach Robbie Butcher was crucial in the Pirates’ comeback. Picture: Che Chorley

Then a slew of penalties gave Pirates a chance late in the proceedings with an advantage in overtime handing the side a lifeline against the resilient Cougars defence.

But the defence couldn’t hold on long enough with Pirates’ Shaun Wauchope finding a gap and diving over for the final score of the game.

“That effort was right down to the wire. We had a few things go against us at times but the boys just kept their heads up and kept going,” Parkes told the Sunday Territorian.

“It really came down to getting our boys off the bench. We were gassed early but those fresh legs coming on and backing us up really helped.

“We made the mistakes early but when we had that break we just said that we have to keep going.

“That pushed us in everything we did from there and in the end we just got lucky and came away with the win.

“Our focus now is on our fitness and taking everything week by week worrying about finals when and if they come.”

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Meanwhile, South Darwin put themselves right in the conversation for the minor premiership beating reigning champions Darwin Dragons 53-10, with Jone Vakacegu, Tom Hiramatsu and Lai Keresi each scoring multiple tries.