WHAT should have been a close game between second and third-ranked teams in the men’s premier league was a whitewash in the Cobras’ favour, and man of the match Andrew Baggio led the charge.
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From start to end Baggio’s work-rate in the centre was incredible despite the searing heat at Jubilee Oval on Tuesday night.
The Cobras defeated MJR Electrics 15-6, ahead comfortably 9-4 at half time and extending the lead in the second half with solid defence.
MJR’s Brocke Argus was back from a hamstring injury, and involved in a number of classy plays, but the team struggled to keep up with the Cobra’s lightning pace.
Cobras players were synchronous, drawing the opposition, passing at the last minute and anticipating well when it was their turn to receive it.
Both teams used the long ball effectively, but the Cobras managed to capitalise more regularly off this tactic, with five tries scored off long balls to winger Rhys Graham, who was ready and waiting.
Baggio was the man to watch, keeping his feet as opponents dived for him near the try-line and scoring, or faking, diving and scoring, or running towards his man to set up a try for a team mate.
Towards the end of the game, as MJR began to tire, Cobras players took advantage of their fatigue.
MJR were slow to reset after a strong phase, and the Cobras snapped into action, and scored soon after.
Darren Reynoldson fended off two opponents, and ran half the field to score.
MJR’s Kane Flack scored their final try in style, diving to catch the long ball and planting it over the line.
Meantime in the women’s premier league on Tuesday night the Young Guns had a convincing 10-4 victory over Starsky and Touch.
Young Guns picked a weakness in Starsky’s defensive line, a huge gap in the centre, ran through and scored three times before the opposition got a point on the board.
Starsky’s Jamila Piercy showed prowess on the ball, dodging around two players to score their first try.
Defence soon tightened up but Young Guns then used their wingers to score.
Starsky’s attack improved in the second half, with winger Georgia Simpson more involved. She scored two consecutive tries, set up by mids Piercy and Sarah Crakanthorp who scooted through the Young Guns’ line as dummy half.
Men’s best and fairest
3.Andrew Baggio (Cobras) 2. Darren Reynoldson (Cobras) 1. Brocke Argus (MJR Electrics)
Women’s best and fairest
3.Taylah Frazier (Young Guns) 2. Abbey Mellen (Starsky and Touch) 1. Leila Miles (Young Guns)
