The Set-piece execution has been solid for COBRA and the excellence continues. Polis were on the backfoot and stayed there for most of the game. It was COBRA all the way to advance to the next round.

Free  Flow Play against Structured Play reflected each teams strengths. With both teams relentless at the contact, it was scoreless until a lapse in discipline had the Blackhawks given a yellow card. Vipers struck immediately taking the lead. The Vipers looked to pile on the pressure but could not capitalise. Blackhawks switch in strategy to kick deep and force the ball into open play paid dividends.

After dominating the group stages (3 W – 0 L), the Brimbank Bucks look to continue their form against the Westcoast Sharks 1. Westcoast Sharks 1 were able to unlock their speed in this game and kept the game close. However, the Buck switched to straight-line running using their heavier ball carriers and keeping possession well.

Bali Development have struggled but ball retention improved to maintain a bit more possession. Connor Troy Siolo and Adam Nash tried hard in carrying the ball forward but the Sharks were out for redemption. Winning the physical battle, it was the Sharks on a feeding frenzy.

Both teams were put to the test in this match up. Blackhawks were definitely up for the game by leading 12 – 5 within 7 minutes of the game. COBRA came back with precision play. Displaying great poise in completing passes against lightning Blackhawks line-peed. Every contact point was a physical battle straying at the edge of the law. Discipline was key but with 1 too many penalties, COBRA proceed to finish the group matches with a 100%-win record.

NS Silverbacks reliance on phase play and keeping it tight worked towards Global Lions favour. The Silverbacks featuring only 1 speedster limited their options. The size advantage proving key at the contact point, pressured the Silverbacks into mistakes when trying to make the key offload. Lions top their group with 3 wins out of 3.

NNK went with a more forward approach knowing how good the Polis can be in open play. Brandon Grant doing work up route 1 breaking the gain line every time providing for good phase play. With a good attacking platform, Andre Swanepoel went to work picking holes via ball distribution. After a physical contest in an earlier matchup, Polis struggled at the contact point. Muhamad Aqra, the scrumhalf for Polis, was key in the plot to come back. 2 Tries by their Fijian contingents were not enough though.

After 2 games, the debutants of the tournament have acclimatised to the weather and the 10s format and definitely a hit a groove in dismantling the West Coast Sharks #2. David Massey looked very at home directing traffic for Bucks to finish the group with 100% winning record. Another Statistic: Tries against Brimbank Bucks: ZERO!

The Vipers let it loose on KLS to be highest scoring team of the tournament. KLS were able to do a better job in terms of keeping ball at the breakdown but could not hold against a Vipers team wanting to make a statement.

Blackhawks did their homework and ensured Sharks playmaker Ashley Esau’s option were limited in attack. From there it was all Blackhawks attack and the deadliest in open play.