16/08/2010
Onka's on a streak
Print by Huw Cushing
In a must win match for both teams two rounds from finals, Onkaparinga fortified a top four position with a win over Woodville who remain at seventh on the premier table.
Onkaparinga were able to control much of the match through possession but persistence near the try line kept Woodville in with a fighting chance losing 30-19.
Only minutes into play, Doughty converted a penalty putting Onkaparinga on the board which was quickly followed by an impressive try from fullback Knauer, running 30 metres before passing off to outside centre Warren who was put down metres from the try line only for Knauer to finish off.
Despite the quick ten points to Onkaparinga, neither team’s nerves settled as loose passing and knock on’s from both teams led to many turn over’s for the first twenty minutes.
As a Woodville favouring wind picked up blowing down the ground, inside centre Duff restarted play kicking for distance instead of possession sending the ball to the Onkaparinga backs.
The easily gained possession was exploited by Onkaparinga whose backs moved swiftly up the ground as the team grew more confident with the ball in hand.
Quick running, passing and interceptions from Taka, Connor and Tapara gave Onkaparinga plenty of speed on the left wing resulting in tries from Warren and openside flanker Taka in both halves.
Onkaparinga’s forwards were just as effective as their backs, dominating the Woodville scrum on almost every occasion throughout the match, with clean hands from scrum half Thomas ensuring Onkaparinga took possession whenever possible.
Despite such a convincing performance from a well balanced Onkaparinga, Woodville wouldn’t lay down to the ladder’s second place team as they began to make use of the wind in the first half, converting try’s when Onkaparinga couldn’t.
The wind wasn’t enough for Woodville who trailed by six at the half as Onkaparinga’s fly-half Troy Doughty kicked true in the second, converting try’s and kicking a penalty from 35 metres out.
Although Woodville came within one point of the home team before the half, their game of distance over possession proved to be ineffective against premiership hopefuls Onkaparinga as Woodville’s season draws to a close.
Here are the results for the rest of the State’s matches.
Premier Grade
Onkaparinga 30 def Woodville 19
Brighton 83 def Adelaide University 7
Burnside 30 def Southern Suburbs 6
Reserve Grade
Port Adelaide 39 def Elizabeth 0
Old Collegians 41 def Barossa Rams 32
Brighton 20 def Adelaide University 0
Burnside 43 def Southern Suburbs 8
Third Grade
Onkaparinga 47 def Woodville 24
Port Adelaide 65 def Elizabeth 5
Brighton 20 def Adelaide University 0
Burnside 46 def North Torrens 3
Fourth Grade
Brighton 30 def North East Districts 7
Burnside 34 def Southern Suburbs 25
Women
Onkaparinga 15 def Woodville 10
Burnside 20 def Southern Suburbs 0