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Gridiron: Perth Blitz claims historic double at Westbowl

Jeremy TruongSouthern Gazette

Perth Blitz has been crowned double Westbowl champions with wins in both junior and women Gridiron West competitions.

Played in front of a packed grandstand at Dorrien Gardens on Saturday, the juniors defeated Rockingham Vipers 14-6 and the women were victorious 28-0 over Perth Broncos.

Coaches Kevin Wilson and David Holmes had much to smile about as a club won both the juniors and women’s championship in the same season for the first time.

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The Blitz’s junior team suffered only two defeats this season – both against the Vipers – but for the second year in a row overcame the Vipers in the final.

The usually high scoring Blitz was held out by a powerful and agile defence, and only scored two touchdowns and one two-point conversion.

In a game dominated by defence, linebacker Mitch Cavanagh toiled hard with eight tackles and forced a fumble.

It took until the dying moments of the second quarter for the Blitz to register the first points in the game.

Receiver Munya Matema, recently named a member of the Australian Outback team for the Under 19 World Championship, was awarded Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his two touchdowns.

Testament to Blitz’s fantastic year, defensive lineman Harry Hobson, receiver Tom Paskov, and former player Ben Metcalfe were also selected in the Outback squad.

The tournament will take place in Mexico throughout July.

Meanwhile Scarborough MLA Liza Harvey was on hand to award the championship to the women, who finished the season undefeated with a 10-0 record.

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Blitz managed four touchdowns and two two-point conversions against the Broncos.

The offence was able to break open the game in the second half while the defence kept the Broncos scoreless throughout the game.

Even a knee injury could not keep defensive star Rhyanna Edbrooke from amassing five tackles and a sack.

Quarterback Lou Devine-Egan was named MVP with her two touchdowns and 127 yards from nine completed passes.

The women now turn their attention to state trials with WA Raiders as part of the 2018 Women’s Australian Gridiron League Tournament in May.

The Raiders team will be coached by Blitz’s Kevin Wilson.

In the senior game, the Rockingham Vipers defeated Swan City Titans 54-14 for a fourth consecutive championship.

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