By Darcy Donovan
Just a few days after the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing which changed the course of history, Curtin have created a bit of history of their own, winning their first ever Fortescue Premier Grade match with a 25-5 victory over the Southern Lions.
The 2019 season certainly hasn’t been a kind one to Curtin, but incredible drive and determination throughout the season has finally payed its dividends as the team secures a famous win at ‘Goatland’.
The ‘Goats’ were on top of the Southern Lions from kick off, with some patient phase play created by the forwards along with some splendid set piece attack.
A lack of discipline early on from the Southern Lions meant the penalty count would come back to haunt them and Curtin would eventually put them to the sword.
The first points of the game went astray for Curtin as captain Robbie Fulton’s 40-meter kick fell agonizingly short, hitting the crossbar.
Robbie Fulton wouldn’t make the same mistake again, kicking the first three points of the game a few minutes later to give Curtin an early lead.
The Southern Lions who were coming off the back of a tough loss to Palmyra the week before were anxious to showcase their winning ways and responded after the Curtin penalty goal with a long period of ball in hand attack.
However, the Southern Lion’s surge towards the line would prove worthless, as simple mistakes crept into their game giving Curtin the upper hand.
The Southern Lions rued several missed opportunities in the first half which included blowing a certain try five meters out from the line due to an unnecessary offload.
Using suffocating line speed in defense the ‘Goats’ swooped in for the first try of the match as captain Robbie Fulton pounced on a loose ball to cruise under the posts which followed with an easy conversion giving the home side a healthy 10-0 lead.
It didn’t take long for the Lions to respond as they crossed for their first try of the game subsequent to a sublime set piece scrum that saw winger Joe Ratusoqosoqo suck in two defenders and offload to co-captain Greg Jackson who glided over in the corner.
From that point on, it would be all downhill for the visitors as Curtin were able to capitalize on a couple of missed opportunities.
A knock on in front of their own try line following a missed penalty kick again put the Lions in vulnerable space, Curtin wasting no time in taking advantage of the situation, crashing over for another try through hooker Russell Keegan.
For the first time this season Curtin were in an unassailable position at the break, however they were slow to come out of the blocks in the second half and were forced to play with 14 men for ten minutes due to a yellow card for a high tackle.
The Southern Lions were unable to capitalize on their advantage and still couldn’t penetrate through the commanding defensive line.
The Southern Lions game spiraled from frustration to disaster as they copped a yellow card halfway through the second term.
Curtin exploited the Lions Blunder, as skipper Fulton continued his point scoring frenzy landing his second penalty goal.
Another yellow card a few minutes later for not rolling away put the Lions in an almost impossible position as they went down to a mere 13 men.
Curtin’s ice-man Brendan Fleming sealed the win for the ‘Goats’ as he crept through under the posts sending ‘Goatland’ into pandemonium.
As the final whistle blew and the rain pelted down at Edinburgh Oval, it marked the start of a brand-new era for Curtin Uni Rugby who will surely continue to take giant leaps in the Fortescue Premier Grade.
