SOUTHERN Bay Cyclones senior rugby team was at a loss to explain their disappointing 13-12 loss to University last Saturday.
Despite dominating the game and getting across the Uni line nine times, they registered only two tries and one conversion to Uni's two tries and a penalty goal.
Uni elected to play the game with uncontested scrums, which is becoming the norm for teams playing the effective Cyclones eight.
Cyclones took on the task with fervour and it was only over exuberance in the first half that resulted in a large number of turnovers and kept Uni in the game.
From one such turnover Uni took the ball the length of the field to score in the corner for a 5-0 lead.
Shortly afterwards, following a University fumble, the Cyclones defence hesitated and to their amazement the referee allowed play on, and University registered their second try for a 10-0 lead.
Spurred on by these setbacks, Cyclones were camped in the Uni quarter and were denied tries to winger Matt Arnold and five eighth Matt Byrne.
Even the renowned Cyclones rolling maul was denied after captain Jade Karipa clearly grounded the ball in goal, building on Cyclones' frustration.
Then, centre LJ Kidwell broke the Uni line and two passes later, winger Nick Imber opened the score for Cyclones with a try for the halftime score of 10-5.
In the second half, on a rare visit to Cyclones quarter, Uni kicked a penalty goal for 13-5 and then the inexplicable failure to have tries awarded from Cyclones rampaging driving mauls became a cause of concern.
From a planned backline move, centre Kyle Cooper slashed through out wide to score a try and with fullback Jake Carr's conversion, this saw Cyclones within a point.
Cyclones' dominance could not produce another score and so the game was lost. Final score 13-12.
Phil's Street Customs Player of the Day was Jade Karipa.