WA Rugby League has received a fantastic response from our recent Pilbara NRL Roadshow. Check out some of the media coverage we’ve received:

Perth Now (via The Daily Telegraph), May 14 2012
http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/nrl-strikes-it-rich-out-in-the-pilbara/story-e6frg14u-1226354902468

GWN7 Pilbara interview
http://au.gwn7.yahoo.com/w3/video/-/watch/29225583/nrl-v-afl-in-an-afl-state/

Pilbara Echo, May 12-13 2012
http://pilbaraecho.com.au/latest-issue/

The WA Rugby League is trialing a Little Aussie Leaguers Development Project for children aged between four and 12 years old. It will form part of the long term development of the game in Western Australia and feeds into the Strategic Vision of the organisation in creating opportunities and pathways for juniors.

The project will be built upon as the success grows and begin involving clubs and locations within Perth and regional centres where possible in the future. The aim is to introduce the game to young people in an enjoyable and fun way.

The program runs for six weeks and there is a one child / one parent policy as well as no tackling to ensure kids and parents can grow their understanding together. All kids enrolling will get a WA Reds backpack and football.

The program is being coordinated by members of the WA Rugby League and headed up by South Perth’s Eddie Proudler who himself was a product of the League’s Junior Development Program and represented the WA Reds in the national SG Ball Under 18 competition two years ago.

To be part of the program, you can catch up for registration at the Gateway Shopping Centre on the 9^th or 16^th of May or download a registration form here:

Little Aussie Leaguers Form

Dates: Commences on Saturday 19th May for six weeks with the final session being 23rd June.

Times: 8.00am to 9.30am on Saturday mornings

Venue: Hopbush Park, Elderberry Drive, South Lake.

Cost per child: $35.00 and includes back pack, ball and cost of insurance.

Field goal thriller to Sea Eagles

The last ten minutes of the game between North Beach Sea Eagles and Rockingham Sharks thrilled the crowd at Charles Riley Reserve, with both sides throwing everything at it to get a result. The scores were locked at 22-all when the Sharks kicked for a 45 metre penalty goal that went right, then the Sea Eagles attempted two field goals before their third went through with 15 seconds on the clock. Both sides deserved to win, maybe a draw would have been a fitting result.

The final 23 to 22 result was an important win for North Beach and a disappointing loss to the Sharks who have gone close in the last two weeks. The aggression at the ball from both sides led to errors and penalties playing a role in the outcome.

A highlight of the second half was a 90 metre intercept try from centre Ben Taylor when North Beach were defending hard in their third defensive set to shift the momentum of the game. They scored minutes later with a try to Mick Kestel to take a 22 to 10 lead. To the credit of the Sharks, they kept the pressure up and were rewarded when the scores were tied late in the game.

Best players were Brad Shapham and Kieran Tarrant from North Beach and Josh Simm and Karl Johnson for the Sharks.

“Some of the decisions and errors played and part in the end”, a disappointed Martyn Wood, coach of the Sharks, reflected at the end.

Ryan Gundry, coach of North Beach was relieved with the result.

“It was a sloppy game and the Sharks held in there… We played in patches and in the end I am happy to get away with the win.”

Fremantle Roosters scored a 54 to 24 win over Goldfields Titans. After getting away to an 18-nil start, they always controlled the game, but the Titans showed spirit in the second half and were unlucky not to have scored more to take the game up to Fremantle. The win keeps the Roosters on track as a serious top two contender after dropping their first game to the Bulldogs.

Fremantle’s best were Sam Graham and James Aspen, who was taken off to hospital, with Wiremu Stothers and Sam Watego the Titans’ best.

South Perth Lions came from a 4 to 16 deficit at the 35 minute mark to score a good 42 – 22 win over Joondalup Giants. After going into the shed 12 – 16 down, the South Perth turned the game around with three converted tries 15 minutes into the second half. With a new and young squad the Lions are starting to gel and will build as the season progresses.

The Lions’ best were Isaac Thomas and Pikari Te Wara both with a double, and Gus Marshall and Nathan Searle for the Giants.

With 48 points from seven tries and 10 goals for the game, Cairo Takarangi led Kalamunda Bulldogs to their fourth straight win, 106 to 12 over Willagee Bears. Good games were also put in by Tamati Kururangi and Gary Nicholl.

Game Results

First Grade
North Beach Sea Eagles 23 – Rockingham Sharks 22
Fremantle Roosters 54 – Goldfields Titans 24
South Perth Lions 42 – Joondalup Giants 22
Kalamunda Bulldogs 106 – Willagee Bears 12

Premier Grade
North Beach Sea Eagles 28 – Rockingham Sharks 28
Fremantle Roosters 62 – Southwest Warriors 6
South Perth Lions 38 – Joondalup Giants 8
Willagee Bears 48 – Kalamunda Bulldogs 32

Under 18’s
Rockingham Sharks 66 – North Beach Sea Eagles 12
South Perth Lions 36 – Joondalup Giants 24
Kalamunda Bulldogs 26 – Willagee Bears 24

LeagueTag
North Beach Sea Eagles 12 – Rockingham Sharks 10
Fremantle Roosters 34 – Southwest Warriors 4
Joondalup Giants 16 – South Perth Lions 12
Kalamunda Bulldogs 38 – Willagee Bears 14

Junior Season RND 5 – Kalamunda v Fremantle

Junior Season RND 5 – Rockingham White v South West

Junior Season RND 5 – South Perth v Rockingham Blue (and Fremantle U9′s)

Junior Season RND 5 – Willagee v Joondalup

Harvey Norman Premiership Rd 4