VB NSW Cup rd #9 report - Auckland Vulcans vs. Wyong Roos
By Corey Rosser at Westpac Stadium
The Auckland Vulcans took a home game to Wellington as part of the New Zealand Warriors ‘Capital Clash’ promotion, but they were left wondering what could have been after going down 28-24 to cellar-dwellers Wyong.
...
Incompleted sets and silly penalties were the theme early on, as both teams took their time getting into the contest.
On 17 minutes Auckland winger Tangi Ropati did his best to shield a ball over the sideline off a Wyong kick, but instead his opposite number Allen Malau snuck around and claimed the first four pointer of the day.
Straight off the restart Wyong struck again, this time through right winger Arthur Brown to make it 8-0.
Minutes later the Vulcans finally showed some patience in attack, and were rewarded when prop Charlie Gubb, playing in front of a home town crowd, charged over next to the posts to lower the deficit to two points.
With under five remaining in the first stanza the Roos made the most of an overlap, kicking for Brown to claim his second of the day, but another missed conversion meant that the visitors found themselves only six ahead going into the break.
Another silly error waiting for the ball to go out of play cost Auckland on 48 minutes. Interchange forward Todd Wilson crossing to put the Roos 18-6 up.
In keeping with the nature of the game the Vulcans scored on the ensuing set, late call up Nathaniel Peteru crossing after a fierce run towards the posts.
Finally the Auckland forward pack started to flex their muscle. Captain John Palavi receiving the pill on the 15 meter mark and dragging several defenders over the line, Harry Siejka added the extras to make it 18 all.
With 20 to go and momentum seemingly on his team’s side, Zoram Watene threw an intercept right into the arms of Brown who raced away and put his team back in front by six.
The Vulcans weren’t doing anything to help their cause, an innocuous kick saw Watene slip while retrieving and Malau picked it up to score untouched.
The home team made a valiant effort to come back late on, crossing through Ropati to reduce the deficit to 28 24.
But there would be no fairytale comeback. The Vulcans with no-one but themselves to blame for a shock loss.
Wyong on the other hand fought bravely despite languishing at the foot of the table, and were deserving winners on the day.
Auckland travel to take on the Bulldogs next week, while the Roos will host the Wentworthville Magpies.
