THE Collie Rugby Club’s rollercoaster ride continued last Saturday when it was defeated at home by the Margaret River Gropers.

The week before, the Collie side was riding high on a narrow 8-5 point loss to reigning SWRU champions and Country Carnival runners-up Dunsborough.

In that game Collie took to the field with ample reserves and really took it to the visitors.

The Mongrels were unlucky not to come away with at least a draw, a late penalty goal sneaking in a win for the Dungbeetles.

By contrast Collie’s turn out last Saturday was disappointing, resulting in a forced 10-a-side contest.

Fitness proved a big factor in the latter part of the game with some Collie players struggling to match the Groper’s mobility around the paddock.

Collie held on though and certainly had its chances.

A superb passage of multiple phases by the forward pack wore down the Groper defence and saw Gary French combine with Hemi Clendon to crash over the line.

Clendon was instrumental in another try soon after with an offload to Jai Davis who put a further five points on the board.

Unfortunately for Collie neither of the corner tries was converted.

The turning point in the game appeared to be a disallowed Collie try.

Luke Greenmount was unlucky not to score after touching down in front of the posts for an easy seven points.

Unfortunately referee Ken Carpenter deemed himself to have inadvertently obstructed an opposition defender and rightly disallowed the try.

The Mongrels’ morale seemed to suffer and they could not seem to regain the momentum, eventually going down to the visitors 24 points to 10.

Best on ground for Collie was Hemi Clendon. Best back was Jai Davis, and best forward went to Gary French.

Next Saturday Collie will go to Bunbury to take on the in-form Bulls in a must-win contest to retain second spot on the ladder.

Kick off is at 3pm.