11/07/2011
Media Release: NT Mosquitoes Beaten By Black Falcons in Opening Tri Series Match
The Northern Territory Mosquitoes have been defeated 32-5 by the Adelaide Black Falcons, in the opening match of the 2011 Integrated Tri Rugby Series at Austar Rugby Park, Darwin. The visitors lead 3-0 after an early penalty goal, and held the lead for the remainder of the match. Two first half tries to the Falcons gave them a 15-0 lead at the half time break, a fair reflection of their dominance of play. Coach Pitts-Brown inserted University utility Shaun Wauchope into the match early in the second half with immediate results. Wauchope broke the line with his first touch of the ball, made a number of strong runs, and scored the Mozzies’ only try, to bring the score to 15-5. The NT team failed to build upon these points, and scored no further points in the match. Two late tries, and some accurate goal kicking, gave the visitors a comprehensive 32-5 victory.
The best performed Mosquitoes included Sean Wauchope and Voasa Naivalu, who were both threatening in attack, while Hooker Ross Fuller was industrious in tight play and had a fine senior representative debut. Adelaide selected a very young touring squad for the series and have used the tournament to develop a group of talented young players. Coach Carl Jones, while disappointed with his team’s control of the ball, was particularly pleased with the efforts of the youth amongst his group. The Falcons bettered the Mozzies at the tackle contest and scrum, which provided greater amounts and better quality of possession through-out the match. Outside Centre Steve Kim-Davies was a standout in the backline, and Hooker Fraser Watene influenced the match greatly with his ball carrying and lineout play. Watene also scrummaged strongly and scored the game’s second try.
The Mosquitoes must now regroup for a 2nd match inside 24 hours, tomorrow night (Saturday 9th) against the QLD Country Blue Heelers. To remain in contention for the Integrated Tri Series trophy, the Mosquitoes must win this match by a significant margin and then rely upon the Heelers defeating the Flacons in the tournament’s final match, on Sunday (10th July).
Adelaide Black Falcons 32 (Fraser Watene, Nigel Lamsam, Patrick Williams, Leigh Cunnington tries, Patrick Fahy 2, Aaron Mattin conversions, Aaron Mattin 2 penalty goals)
defeated
NT Mosquitoes 5 (Sean Wauchope try)
Media Release by James Tesoriero, NorthernTerritory Rugby Union, www.ntrugby.com.au