Margaret River Gropers triumph over Busselton-Dunsborough Dungbeetles

The first encounter this season between South West rivals Busselton-Dunsborough Dungbeetles and the Margaret River Gropers was a great finale to a full day of juniors, with a bag full of very entertaining games.

The Dungbeetles have a very young team this season, with new players coming up from the junior system.

From the kick-off, the Dungbeetles struggled to implement their game plan, the breakdowns were scrappy and the Gropers more experienced forwards pounced on and turned over the ball, which quickly headed out to their ever ready speedsters in the backs, where they capitalised on the lack of sliding defence out wide, resulting in three tries.

With the Dungbeetles forwards finding it hard to secure their own set piece ball, the backs were starved of quality front foot ball making conditions in the first half very hard to mount any decent attacking forays.

The second half saw a reshuffle and adjustment in the defensive line, the gropers only managing to score one try out wide.

As always, captain Ben Richards led from the front with impressive strong runs and even outpacing the gropers backs to save a certain try situation from a kick.

Beau Benniston at halfback gave quality ball and defended tirelessly, Quinny Robson in the back row were industrious and definitely made their presence felt and the defence in the backs with James Washborne, Chris McLean and our Fijian flyer Donny was pleasing to see.

It was a hard day for Wayne Green, Danny Dewaal Tubbsy and Blair Fischer, defending multiple groper attacks.

There were plenty of good individual efforts this now needs to be turned into a concerted game plan.

An exciting season lies for the Dungbeetles ahead with games against Nedlands, Wanneroo brew dogs, Bunbury Barbarians and return fixture to hopefully get their revenge against Margaret river.

Also the prospect of playing the Western Australian Police Wasps side could be on the table shortly and to finish the season off the WA jetty sevens in early October.