Competition hot despite no Bees, Roosters

IT was strange days as the Tasmanian Rugby Union men’s competition started without two stalwart clubs having a representative on the weekend.

The Launceston Bees and Eastern Suburbs Roosters have not been able to gain representation in the competition. However, the Roosters remain extremely strong in the junior and women’s rosters.

The remnants of Eastern Suburbs began training less than a week ago with the Hutchins Hobart Lions. That injection of new blood meant a lack of continuity in the Lions’ performance against a strong Taroona Penguins outfit, going down 52-7 after being 30-nil at the half.

The Lions will be better for the performance.

Ian Clack was best for the Lions at halfback while a new look Penguins side showed the strength of their depth rolling out Brendon Adams at fly to good effect.

The beneficiary of the Bees demise was their cross town rival the Australian Maritime College Vikings. It’s the first time the AMC could boast talent on the bench for some time and had a huge test first up against reigning premier the Devonport Bulls.

The Bulls had some player turnover also but welcomed back some old hands. The rumour of Mark Meo being un- available turned out not to be the case.

It was AMC who fired up leading by two tries early and three tries to one at the half.

James Erwin was using a good kicking game to keep the play loose and away from Devonport’s strength in tight. While Sam Goldsmith’s tackling on Meo was a highlight.

As the game wore on, the Bulls gained structure and were running all over AMC but AMC held on 31-25.

Old rivals the Glenorchy Stags and University fought a spiteful affair in Hobart.

The referee was forced to go to his pocket multiple times.

The Stags forwards just shaded the Uni pack on the day with Jason Parremore and Sam Kluk having solid games.

This allowed a young backline to work the advantage line, running out winners 20-17.

“We may not have won that game last year”, Stags coach John Thomas said after the match. “We held our nerve which was a great effort.”

On the North-West Coast, the Harlequins faced a rebuilding Burnie Emus. From early on Quins looked disciplined and had patches of a well-executed game plan led by Sidney Fielea at fly half. His combination with Anitelia Lauti at inside centre generated many running metres.

The lines by Lauti were exceptional. Harlequins comfortably won 47-15.