Leeton’s ability to score points has been on full display this season, but it was their defence that really shone through at Conolly Rugby Complex on Saturday.
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The Phantoms are yet to taste defeat this season, and completed a perfect first round with a 34-12 victory over Wagga City.
However it was the Boiled Lollies who dominated possession and territory.
Going in with a game plan to starve the Phantoms of possession, Wagga City were right on target until minutes before half-time.
The Boiled Lollies leveled Petero Taitusi’s opening try when former Phantom halfback Stuart Dyer crossed from close range.
However they kicked the ball away shortly after the restart, giving the Phantoms a rare opportunity to attack.
And attack they did.
Simon Vunilagi finished off the long range play and a minute later Nathan Batina palmed off Jon Solomon to give the Phantoms a 19-7 lead.
The scoreline wasn’t indicative of the first half, but Leeton extended their advantage shortly after the break with Batina found himself in plenty of space.
Three minutes later they were in again after a Wagga City mistake led to Taitusi’s second when he completed a brilliant play as the Phantoms went the length of the field in one phase to score.
Wagga City coach Michael Kanck thought the 10-minute period was the real difference in the game.
“We had a plan for the game to starve them of possession and play the type of football they don’t like playing and for 70 minutes he did it but for those 10 minutes we just got punished,” Kanck said.
Wagga City found their way over midway through the second half when Keifer Power swooped on a loose ball following a Jayden Stanton kick and had had plenty of opportunity to get back into it, but couldn’t find a way through the Phantoms defence.
Not even having a two-man advantage, following yellow cards to Kula Kaloudravu and Sitiveni Nakarua, helped.
Wagga City were hammering their line and absolutely dominant in the scrums, but couldn’t get through.
Taitusi then capitalised on a City mistake and some strong work from Vunilagi to score with the last play of the day.
While happy with win, coach Marika Vunibaka was very disappointed with his team’s discipline.
They had three players yellow carded in the win, and it’s an area he’s looking to improve.
“Discipline is the only problem for us, especially in tight games,” Vunibaka.
“He need to cut down on giving away penalties but I think the game was good one.”
