Presidents report by Peter Bellden
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Collie hosted the third round of the south west rugby competition on Saturday June 11.
Collie Eagles Juniors yr 7 football team (coached by myself) provided a guard of honour for the Mongrels to run through, a very touching gesture that I was unaware was happening.
All these things set up a great day with only the rugby remaining to top off the festivities.
A massive crowd was present as Margaret River and Dunsborough started the day. Dunsborough were short of players so Mongrels Trey Pianta, Prep Poata, George Clendon and Matt Wilson helped them out in a great show of sportsmanship from our boys. Margaret River were to strong though winning 62-5.
Now time for the main game, the Bunbury Bulls took the kick off and immediately put the pressure on forcing handling errors aplenty as the Collie Mongrels got their feel for the game.
Some ill discipline from Collie led to a couple of penalty goals to Bunbury giving them a 6-0 lead 20 minutes into the first half and it looked like it might be another long day for Collie.
Sustained pressure and some hard runs from Stevie Hema, myself and Karewa Tupaea led to a well worked try for Byron Edwards.
The conversion was missed from out wide giving Bunbury the lead 6-5 at half time.
The Mongrels started the second half stronger, as is seeming to be a trend of late scoring a couple of quick tries to Prep Poata and Terry Pritchard.
Bunbury looked to have run out of puff and Collie, through their bigger more dominant forwards stuck it to them, taking charge of the game and never looked in doubt from then on in.
Ryan Johnson sealed the deal scoring a try which he converted giving Collie a 22-9 victory.
Collie was served well throughout the day by Nick Simpson, Rian Nepe and Cameron Johnson.
First gamer Zac Faries performed above expectations pulling off the tackle of the day on a guy some 50 kgs heavier than him running at full speed 5 metres from the try line.
Collie travels to Margaret River this Saturday to take on the Bunbury Bulls again in what I'm sure will be another physical encounter.
Keep it up Mongrels.
