IT was meant to be a celebration of Thirroul stalwart Aaron Beath’s 300th first grade game but Dapto clearly weren’t in a sentimental mood, running in 11 tries in a 57-0 victory at Gibson Park on Saturday.
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While Beath was given a hero’s welcome from the packed old boys hill, Canaries star Beau Henry happily played the role of pantomime villain, lapping up the jeers as he scored a try and laid on three others in the first half.
The former NRL half wasn’t done there, scoring another four-pointer and kicking a 45-metre field goal – just because he could – with five minutes remaining.
After spending most of the season with the Illawarra Cutters, local junior Blake Wallace proved a more than capable foil for Henry, scoring a double of his own in the second half in a complete performance from the competition leaders.
With Beath reaching the big milestone for the Butchers, Dapto captain-coach Michael Henderson said his side knew they had to take the emotion out of the occasion early on.
“We knew they were going to come out hard and fast to start the game,” Henderson, who returned from injury against his former club, said.
“We absorbed a fair bit of pressure in that first 10 minutes.
“We defended our line well and to the boys credit we only made on error in that first half so it was a really good half from us.
“It was good to go on with it. Against the Burgh [in round four] we probably put in our longest effort but we still had some bad patches so the goal’s still to play a full 80 minutes.
“Today was a step in the right direction. We set out to keep them to nil and we achieved that so I’m pretty happy.”
Henderson also said he was happy for opposition crowds to keep stirring Henry if it inspires similar performances.
“He copped it a bit but they don’t seem to have figured out that he just thrives on it,” Henderson said.
“I certainly don’t mind it when he gives a bit back.
“He played terrific today and really steered us around the park well.”
Henderson kicked off the scoring with a try from close range that opened up the floodgates. Joel Reddy, young-gun Jess Morris, Keith Lulia Henry and Michael Bullock all crossed to give the visitors a 30-0 halftime lead.
Wallace had his double not long after the resumption before Henry’s second four-pointer and tries to Matt Johnstone and Stewart Mason rounded out the result. Henry’s field goal added the extra digit to the 57-0 scoreline.
It sets up a mouthwatering top of the table clash with Wests at Dapto Showground this Saturday after the Devils beat Collegians ___ at Parrish Park on Sunday to hold onto second spot.
