MILTON Rugby's aspiration to the 2009 finals series took a serious blow last Saturday at the Hanging Rock Sports Complex in Batemans Bay.
Two tries each half by a dominant Bay team put the result beyond question. Milton had come south with a strong side but limped away after a 27-0 masterclass from the premiership favourites.
Kiyoshi Yamimoto's last game in the tri-coloured jersey was not enough to lift this young side.
The Bay rumbled over for two relatively soft tries within the first 10 minutes.
A blindside snipe by the half and then pick and drive by their number 8 was impossible to hold out from short range.
The teams then settled in for the traditional South Coast arm wrestle.
In the set pieces the Milton scrum, though fragile, held enough of its own ball to be competitive. The line outs went mostly to the throw.
Defensively both sides nullified each other with the Bay persisting with their hit ups one off the ruck for the remainder of the first half.
Milton had a few chances with an overlap created by good vision from Adam Hardy. Quick simple hands put Bradley Cole in space and a chip and chase found the Milton players in numbers at the breakdown but the Bay, as they did all day, cleared well to defuse the attack.
In the other close call, Dan Beauchamp and Mitch Rixon made excellent runs down the right wing before the second and third phase ball just couldn't make it to one of the speedsters on the left wing.
The Bay side have an excellent fly half, centre and fullback combination.
Their number 12 is a rock and is immoveable in both defence and attack. He surely is one of the best players in the competition.
The Bay fly half fed him ball all the second half and the fractured Milton mid field disintegrated.
Attempts at high tackles were defused with an ominous fend and anything around the hip and thighs resulted in sore shoulders and bounced defenders.
Only one old wily Milton war horse knew how to grass him.
He played the matador to the Bay bull, using his momentum and rolling with the Bay centre and slipping his feet away from under him.
The younger Milton players can learn from him.
One on one tackles on immoveable objects are best made from the side and at the legs and if you must go front on roll with them (if you prefer your shoulder ligaments intact).
During the second half the arm wrestle continued. Milton showed plenty of fire in defence but the well-drilled Bay side were always there in numbers.
Milton lost a few crucial set pieces when on attack, a mistake that will have coach Smith fuming.
The Bay counter rucked well in defence and the Platypi struggled to hold on to possession with poor handling and kicking developing as the game progressed.
The Hulbert twins played their usual mistake free game.
Grant Oliver was sighted everywhere and Mitch Maddison and Matt Beauchamp scavenged as best they could. Kiyoshi Yamimoto suffered a head then a shoulder knock, before William Pollard copped an accidental knee and Darren Latham was also assisted from the field.
Reece Marchello played well at fullback as the Bay tested him repeatedly with excellent high balls.
It is a tribute to Coach Peter Smith's ingenuity that he has developed a team of players capable of playing in several positions. With the injuries from today he may need the versatility.
The defensive line eventually collapsed and the speedy outside three of the Bay found room along the sideline to score three late tries for the final score to be 27-0.
Milton will need to lick their wounds and regroup as they fall from second to fifth place in a congested leader board.
Milton have the benefit of a four point bye up their sleeve with three teams (Bermagui/Cobargo, Narooma and Braidwood) that are competing with Milton for the last three semi positions already having had their bye.
Milton need to win at least two of their final three games. Should be a cracking finish to this rebirth season.
Home game this weekend
The Milton Platypi host the Narooma Whales at Frogs Holla this Saturday, July 4.
This is the last home game of the season and supporters are urged cheer on the Platypi as they attempt to make the semi finals.
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