ANOTHER week and another gallant defeat for ARKS Rugby Union Club, which went down by just four points to top-of-the-table Associates Rugby Club in the Premier Grade at Allen Park.
While the 33-29 loss was ARKS’ sixth loss in seven games, it is yet to be beaten by more than 10 points this season.
The loss saw ARKS pick up a fifth bonus point of the year for losing by seven points or less.
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READ NOWARKS started brightly despite the windy conditions and shot out to a 15-3 lead thanks to unconverted tries to Levi Auvae, Graham Sullivan and Willtz Tuheke.
However, the hosts worked their way back into the game and tied the scores at 15-15 at half time, before they started to turn the screws after the break.
Associates added another two unconverted tries to take the lead, while Jacob Cowley thought he had scored a try up the other end, but the referee ruled he had knocked on while grounding the ball.
ARKS thought the hosts should have been reduced to 14 men when one of their players punched an ARKS player, but the referee opted to only give out a yellow card.
Matters were compounded when Associates scored a penalty soon after, before Adam Sutherland’s converted try narrowed the deficit.
Another Associates try followed soon after and although Cowley crossed for a converted try soon after, ARKS was unable to snare a win despite its hard work.
Meanwhile, an injury-ravaged ARKS reserves went down 78-0 to their Associates counterparts, while third grade lost 29-10.
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