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Rugby union: Cottesloe outclassed 50-14 by Kalamunda

Elliot RaiterWestern Suburbs Weekly

KALAMUNDA outclassed a weakened Cottesloe outfit to record a dominant 50-14 victory at Harvey Field on Saturday.

Kiti Nairube was the decisive factor in the match, starring with four tries in an outstanding individual performance, with Aiden Shortell providing excellent support at fullback.

Kala was ruthless from start to finish, using their more experienced pack and powerful backline to run over the top of a helpless Gulls side that was missing a host of stars for the clash.

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Shortell was pleased with the victory over Cott, with his side sticking to their game plan and taking the fixture on from the outset.

“We really stuck to our structures this week and were rewarded on the scoreboard,” he said.

“Kiti was outstanding for us today and that is just what Kiti does he scores plenty of points.

“We always knew they were going to come out hard against us, but we took advantage of some pretty open play and got the result we were after.”

Earlier, Kala controlled the early exchanges of the match holding the ball in their front half, earning several penalties at the breakdown.

Leo Auvoa opened the scoring after 10 minutes, with a set play from a scrum opening up the field for the number eight, as he barged over from close range to take the lead early.

The Gulls hit straight back though, with Simione Vuetiverata gathering the ball on the half line before evading several defenders, keeping his balance across the sideline to level the scores at 7-7.

The Kala backline then proceeded to take control as Future Force Foundation player Jordan Holgate cut through the Gulls defense before throwing a cut out pass to Shortell to regain the lead.

The visitor’s constant pressure began to take its toll with Kala again forcing their way over via a rolling maul from a lineout and Nairube opening his account at Harvey Field.

Shortell completed an excellent first half after strong work from Russell Burges in the centre of the field with the young fullback receiving a ball metres from the line to cross over for a double.

The fullback continued his fine game after the break and the number 15 dispatched two Gull defenders during a set play to allow Nairube to cross over for his second try.

The Gulls simply had no answer to the Kala juggernaut with Auvoa adding his second try with a number of attacking phases too much for the home side to handle.

Nairube continued to light up the one-sided contest completing a fine solo effort from inside his own 22, shaking off Gulls defenders at will, before diving for the line to secure his hattrick.

The winger put an exclamation mark on the fixture with his fourth try of the game, securing man of the match honours and a comprehensive win.

Kala ran out 50-14 winners to keep their finals hopes alive heading into the halfway point of the competition.

In other matches, Palmyra defeated Associates 36-22, UWA beat Perth Bayswater 56-10, Nedlands had a 60-0 win over Wanneroo and Joondalup defeated Wests Scarborough 37-31.