SOUTHCITY is building to something big – that was the word from Bulls captain-coach Nick Skinner after the team carved up Kangaroos 28-16 at Harris Park on Saturday.
Taking immense confidence from the six tries to three tries success in the Wagga derby, Skinner said later Southcity was “heading in the right direction”.
“That was a bit more positive than last week,” Skinner said on Saturday
“The boys were really upbeat.
“We killed ourselves with mistakes at times, but we were very good when we completed (sets of tackles).”
Coming after a dominant victory, Skinner’s shining appraisal clearly defines his thoughts on the Bulls prospects in the Group Nine premiership.
Always seemingly in control, Southcity led 20-10 at half-time before blasting away with an 18-point advantage in the second half.
Ultimately, Roos struck with the last try of the day, a diving effort from dummy half by teenager Luke Murray, but the Bulls were never seriously tested.
Skinner was later treating the win as a huge step forward for the team.
“We’re chipping away,” Skinner said.
“We’re starting to get the little things right.
“When we play for 80 minutes we’ll be very hard to beat.”
With three wins and a draw in four games, the Bulls are already firmly on target to be a top four contender later in year.
Spearheaded by the resilient pack, notably lock Skinner, prop Jordan Shepherd and second rower Tim Hurst, the Bulls had an absolute ace in the backs.
Continuing his supreme form of last year, five-eighth Nathan Rose was outstanding for the winners scoring two tries and playing a role in two others.
Rose’s dynamic footwork menaced Roos, while his speed also allowed him to create dangerous situations.
Likewise, hooker Pani Manawatu was at the top of his game and rivalled Rose for best afield honours.
Rose got the Bulls off to a flyer with a superb solo try in the second minute and also set up winger Matthew Tullberg to score 30 minutes later.
Tullberg’s try pushed Southcity out to 20-6, but a try to Josh Murray in the 38th minute got Roos back into the fight.
Missed opportunities, and poor ball control, slowed the pace in the second half, with Rose scoring his second try in the 65th minute off a Roos intercept.
Full-time
SOUTHCITY 28 (N Rose 2, P Manawatu 2, S Kemp, J Lyons tries; K McCarthy 2 goals) d KANGAROOS 16 (J Murray, L Murray, W Lloyd tries; A Hall 2 goals) at Harris Park. Scrums: 9-9. Penalties: 9-6. Referee: Sean Skeers
