Margaret River Gropers take top of table after Dunsborough win

Dunsborough, clad in pink socks to fundraise for breast cancer, fielded a strong side which made the match a gritty competition despite the high score line.

Fielding three new players Dunsborough’s  inexperience let them down in the opening half with the Gropers capitlising to run away with two tries against the run of play.

Once teams settled it was a tough fought fight in the forwards with as Dunsborough preferring to muscle up the middle of the field with strong drives that tested the mettle of Margaret River.

Gropers loose forward Darragh Keady organised the forwards into a strong unit that held the line against the onslaught while their first five led the backline to prevent Dunsborough spinning it large.

While the first half went all Margaret River’s way the second half was a closely contested grudge match with only one try scored in the 40 minutes.

Dunsborough appeared to have figured out Margaret River’s attacking combination in the back line and managed to shut down  winger Jake Carlon before he could get into could get into space. 

Gropers forwards were also having a tough time with the referee blowing up drives as they became bogged down and the ball was turned over.

Unfortunately for Dunsborough they were unable to convert their won possession with points as Margaret River dug in to stave off any scoring attempts.

Making things harder was injury which saw two of their players exit the field, one with a injured hand, the other on a stretcher after a big hit.

The carried off player recovered and was on his feet before the end of the game.  

Gropers coach Mark Sheath was impressed with his team’s defensive play.

“Our plan was to absorb all of their pressure,” he said.

“We forced turnovers and were able to turn those into points.”

However there is still much to work on with a break in discipline causing several penalties against them as the pressure mounted.

Dunsborough coach Shane O’Reilly said the second half effort really showed his team will be a strong contender this season.

“We really held our own in the second half,” he said.

“The Gropers are good every year but we’ll be up there by the end of the season.”