Pride, passion and resilience were the order of the day when the Dungbeetles travelled to the home ground of the Bunbury Bulls.
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In the first 20 minutes Bunbury Bulls where taking full advantage of the wet, windy and cold conditions.
But it was the Beetles that scored first points, with vice-captain Liam Avery kicking a penalty goal into a strong wind – 3 points to 0.
With both teams trying to assert their authority in the wet conditions, it was Bunbury that scored next by kicking their own penalty goal to level the score at three points all going into the second half.
The Beetles where attacking the Bulls’ try line. Due to an unforced error the Bulls regathered the ball and ran away for a try under the Beetles goal posts. Score: Bulls 10 – 3 Beetles.
Sensing a wounded Beetles side the Bulls capitalised on a Beetles mistake and scored quickly against the run of play. The score now Bulls 15 – 3 Beetles, with 20 minutes remaining of play.
The Beetles regathered their composure and regrouped, changed a few player positions; and now with a bit of self-belief and using one of the team’s mottos, ‘Boys, we’ve got this’, it was game on.
New recruit, Scottish born Connall Howard playing at hooker, sparked the light with some sublime pick up and ball in hand rugby.
Connall’s rampaging runs were rewarded with a try under the posts with Avery successfully converting the goal; score Bulls 15 - 10 Beetles.
Beetles’ half back Nick Campbell knew the Beetles had the game plan to win; and with his clever chip kicks over the defensive Bulls line in turn put the Bulls under pressure by forcing ill discipline and within a couple of minutes there were two yellow cards against the Bulls.
Quick thinking by the Beetles sent the ball wide to rampaging centre Joel Pollock who scored out wide to level the score; Bulls 15 – 15 Beetles, with conversion to come from Avery.
With a tough angle for Avery from the side line, but with the strong wind now at his back, he struck the ball sweetly and it sailed through the middle black dot of the goal posts; Dungbeetles 17 – 15 Bulls.
With minutes remaining the Bulls had to score to win through a miracle pass out wide, only to be intercepted by Beetles hard running number 8 Ryan Johnson, who scored under the Bulls goal posts.
Dungbeetles won, 24 points to 15. The Dungbeetles played with heart and pride in their Beetles jerseys to come from behind and never give up.
This weekend, Saturday June 16, the Dungbeetles host Margaret River Gropers at home on their sacred and hallowed turf of Barnard Park.
A first home game against the Gropers in front of their new club house: 1.30pm kick-off and to follow at 3.30pm, live test rugby on television – All Blacks vs France and Wallabies vs Ireland. All welcome.
The Beetles Bar and Grill will be open from 12 noon with a licensed bar area and gourmet food served from the kitchen.
