Flag Dung and dusted

Dunsborough-Busselton Dungbeetles are this year’s South West rugby premiers after travelling to Margaret River to defeat the defending premiers at home in Saturday’s thrilling grand final.

In a tight contest, the Gropers just missed out on claiming their fifth premiership in a row when Dunsborough took the lead for the first time with just four minutes left on the clock to finish 22-20 winners

The Gropers got off to a flawless start, applying pressure and scoring within the first two minutes of the game, but the Dungbeetles forced their way into the Gropers’ territory before the home side hit back to put the scores at 17-5 by half time.

The Dungbeetles continued to trail but were the first to score in the second half, bringing the score to 17-12.

Their sustained pressure resulted in a try out to the right of the posts which was converted, closing the gap to 20-19.

The visitors proved they were a force to be reckoned with when they were awarded a penalty for a high tackle and scored to take the lead. Club president Luke Hatchman said it was a tough contest but good play from both junior and senior players had got them over the line.

“It was a hard-fought contest as it was always going to be against Margaret River,” he said.

“But we recruited some good new players this year from the juniors who have come up from the Jets, as well as some older players who have come back into the game.”

Hatchman said the team were looking forward to moving to their new clubrooms at Barnard Park in Busselton for the next season.

“The club culture has been rebuilt this year and it’s been a good vibe,” he said.

“It’s the end of an era at Dunsborough Playing Fields but we are moving to the new playing rooms as premiers, so we are looking forward to that and building a closer relationship with the junior side.”