The Adelaide Attitude have struggled to put away their new local rivals, the North Adelaide Hawks, getting home 10-0 in a scrappy game that highlighted Adelaide’s lack of a genuine playmaker.
Adelaide: Lewis Williams and Corin Barry. Geyer 1/2
North Adelaide: None.
PoM Points: Corin Barry 3, Doug Howlett 2, and Harry Prince 1.
Brisbane put the shocking defence of last week behind them today, asserting themselves and hammering Queensland rivals, Surfers Paradise, 24-2 in a one sided display. Star recruit Iestyn Harris was on fire, scoring two tries and having a hand in the other two, as the Bulls rampaged to a dominant win.
Brisbane: Iestyn Harris 2, Preston Campbell, and Michael Crocker. Harris 2/5
Surfers Paradise: None. Hannay 1/1
PoM Points: Iestyn Harris 3, Phil Waugh 2, and Shannon Hegarty 1.
Capetown and the Central Phoenix have played out a thrilling 28 all draw at Newlands Stadium in South Africa, both sides scoring four tries and landing two penalties to show just how much the Ravens have improved since last season. The quality of the game was astounding, only five handling errors between the two sides.
Capetown: Derek Gateshead 2, Andy Farrell, and Jeremy Paul. Mehrtens 6/6
Central: Paul Deacon, Uri Novavich, Adrian Morley, and Vinnie Anderson. Deacon 6/6
PoM Points: Andy Farrell 3, Uri Novavich 2, and Derek Gateshead.
The Perth Taipans have toughed out an entertaining 22-14 win over the Carnarvon Grizzlies today, two late field goals sealing the result of the Western derby. Stephen Larkhim played his finest game since switching codes, whilst young Jamie Venables was solid for the Grizzlies.
Carnarvon: Wendell Sailor and Tim Every. Luana 3/4
Perth: Toa Kohe-Love and Stephen Larkhim. Lockyer 6/6. Lockyer 1 fg. Gregan 1 fg.
PoM Points: Stephen Larkhim 3, Toa Koh-Love 2, and Jamie Venables 1.
A four try performance from Steve Stacey has given Auckland a solid 36-24 win over recently relegated Christchurch. The Marlins, having never clashed with a fellow New Zealand side, finally had a chance to prove just how far they’ve come since joining the comp at the start of the 2003 season.
Christchurch: Jaiden Love, Corey Pearson, John Doyle, and Anthony Tyan. Connery 4/5
Auckland: Steve Stacey 4, Matthew Petersen, and Alfred Songoro. Fields 6/6
PoM Points: Steve Stacey 3, Matthew Petersen 2, and Jaiden Love 1.
Darwin’s awkward adjustment to Jelly Adams’ coaching style continued today, and it was Adams’ former side, the Coffs Harbour Wyrms, who engineered another Darwin loss. The 23-18 win was exciting to watch, with the Wyrms’ backline outplaying their fancier opposition.
Coffs Harbour: Steve Prescott, David Raelke, David Niu, and Syrian Kor. Singh 3/4. Miller 1 fg.
Darwin: Timothy Rice and Barry Liverpool 2. Apokalips 3/3
PoM Points: Steve Kefu 3, Barry Liverpool 2, and Steve Prescott 1.
Scott Staniforth has continued his ominously good pre-season form, scoring a try and playing all over the Eastwood backs in Canberra’s 18-10 win over the Pumas in Sydney today. A former NSW Origin rep, Staniforth has been quiet since joining Canberra, but has asserted himself of late.
Eastwood: Matt Adamson. Burrow 3/3
Canberra: Scott Staniforth and Marco Brividio 2. Towers 3/7
PoM Points: Scott Staniforth 3, Marco Brividio 2, and Braam van Straaten 1.
Abysmal discipline has seen Hobart go down to a much worse side again, the Shades conceding eight penalties in kickable position to hand Freemantle a 17-8 win. Both sides snared only a single try, but Frenchman Christophe Lamaisson had no trouble kicking his side to a win thanks to idiotic decisions from the Hobart side.
Freemantle: Hayden James. Lamaisson 7/7. Norman 1 fg.
Hobart: David Shepherdon. Martin 2/2
PoM Points: Hayden James 3, Tony Martin 2, and David Shepherdon 1.
The Hawkesbury Mavericks have carved out a tough 13-6 win over the Fairfield Stallions, whose recent form has seen them solidifying as favourites to take out the Division Two title. The game was made closer, however, by some poor goal-kicking from Inoke Ratudina.
Hawkesbury: Adam Perry and Talea Fuimaoano. Ratudina 2/7. Kenniwell 1 fg.
Fairfield: Michael Outteridge. Magro 1/1
PoM Points: Talea Fuimaoano 3, Adam Perry 2, and Michael Outteridge 1.
The Logan Scorpions remain undefeated in the 2003/2004 pre-season, today accounting for fellow new-comers Hong Kong, 18-12 in another entertaining match. Coach Michael Sparrow has done something special in Logan, as the side continue to play with plenty of passion.
Hong Kong: Sid Domic and Peter Ryan. Ardi 2/4
Logan: Adam Cooke 2 and Ken McGuinness. Lowrie 3/5
PoM Points: Adam Cooke 3, Ahmed Bajouri 2, and Ken McGuinness 1.
Central Coast continue to improve in the pre-season, today winning a fine clash with the Manly Cannons, 24-14. The Falcons only scored one more try than the home side, but goal-kicking proved the difference, with El Masri landing four goals to Rogers’ one.
Manly: Matt Sing, Steve Menzies, and David Kidwell. Rogers 1/5
Central Coast: Terry O’Connor, Luke Davico, Braith Anasta, and Gunter Franz. El Masri 4/6
PoM Points: Luke Davico 3, Matt Sing 2, and Gunter Franz 1.
The new look New England Ferrets dished out a hammering to the Tamworth City Titans today, showing signs of vast improvement on the way to their 22-0 win over last year’s surprise semi finalists.
New England: Lee Briers, Gael Tallic, and David Peachy. Tatu 5/6
Tamworth City: None.
PoM Points: Gael Tallic 3, David Peachy 2, and Aaron Erbs 1.
The boot of Nathan Fien has proved the difference between Newcastle and Colombo today, the young halfback kicking his side to a hard fought 12-8 win over the Harlequins. Despite the closeness of the scoreline, Newcastle were the vastly superior side, but lacked finishing.
Newcastle: Brad Commins. Fien 4/4
Colombo: Brorten Levy. Appo 2/3
PoM Points: Brad Commins 3, Mick Higham 2, and Willie Mason 1.
A double to Joe Galavo has guided the North Melbourne Maulers to a surprisingly hard to achieve 16-6 win over the plucky Perth City Blackhawks. After last week both dismantling their opposition, the two sides put on a real show for fans today in Melbourne.
North Melbourne: Joe Galavao 2 and Scott Hill. Bush 2/3
Perth City: Cory Sheridan. Müller 1/1
PoM Points: Joe Galavao 3, Hefin O’Hare 2, and Hanitchi Lawnzi 1.
Fairfield may be favourites for the Division Two crown, but North Queensland continue to impress, today downing the Wollongong Destructors 14-0 in their second trial against Premier League opposition. It looks to be a long and painful year for the Destructors, whilst Dolphins’ fans would be forgiven for asking where this team has been for the past few seasons.
North Queensland: Joel Monaghan and Brooke Martin. Drummond 3/6
Wollongong: None.
PoM Points: Joel Monaghan 3, Brooke Martin 2, and Kris Radlinski 1.
Parramatta have had little trouble accounting for Penrith today, putting them to the sword 24-2 to get themselves back on track after losing last week to the Central Coast Falcons.
Penrith: None. Riddell 1/1
Parramatta: Lee Hopkins 2, Sione Faumunia, and Craig Fitzgibbon. Fitzgibbon 4/5
PoM Points: Lee Hopkins 3, Paul Newlove 2, and Luke Burt 1.
An 80th minute penalty from Daniel Carter has lifted Port Moresby to an entertaining 20-18 win over the newly relegated South Melbourne Devils. Both sides showed plenty of enthusiasm, which is a good sign for their 2003/2004 seasons.
Port Moresby: Daniel Carter, Tommy Martyn, and David Furlongu. Carter 4/4
South Melbourne: Jamie Burrows, Chris Flannery, and Neil Cowie. Silvain 3/5
PoM Points: Daniel Carter 3, Wairangi Koopu 2, and Chris Flannery 1.
Redlands continue to be beaten by fledgling sides, today humbled 22-14 by the visiting Waikato Hornets. The disappointment of an end of season slump last season seems to be coming back to haunt the Rhinos, who barely showed up today.
Redlands: Melvin Hart and Nick Grahem. Takawira 3/3
Waikato: Bradley Mika, Daniel Parks, and Fred Backhaus. Parks 5/5
PoM Points: Nathan Gray 3, David Seage 2, and Brian Lima 1.
The St George Breakers have upset the Suva Suns 12-6 this evening, close friends Chris O’Keefe and JD Marskell sparring on the sideline at halftime to keep the crowd entertained. The Breakers, like several other new faces, are showing plenty of tenacity.
Suva: Caleb Ralph. Eaton 1/2
St George: Augustine Justine and Reginald Bunce. Bunce 2/3
PoM Points: Reginald Bunce 3, Ryan McGoldrick 2, and Nathan Blacklock 1.
After five years of trying, Sydney coach Roger Bossert can finally boast a win over a Walker-Bush coached team, the Oilers upstaging the visiting Crusade 18-10 after trailing 8-0 earlier in the match. It wasn’t a full strength Crusade lineup, but Walker-Bush was visibly displeased, and has already said he plans to get some revenge in the round one clash between the clubs.
Sydney: Luke Covell, Ben Kennedy, and Brent Tate. Covell 3/4
Gold Coast: Andrew Johns. Wilkinson 3/3
PoM Points: Ben Kennedy 3, Tommy O’Reilly 2, and Luke Covell 1.
Hey Peeps if any of you are wondering i chose team line ups for coach's that didnt send in their squads, i might not of put the best one down in your eyes but i tried to put what i think was best. Other than that all i can say is i had fun running a round of the asrl even though if it was only trials,
also peoples start thiking about getting ya 7's teams together becuase the 7's comp will be going ahead pre season this time round
Cheers, Marshal :D
Excellent. This year is looking to be a good year for the Ferrets after a narrow loss to the Stallions and now they have beaten local rivals Tamworth. Tallic has proved to be another good buy for the Ferrets, who is second in line Tallic for both in play kicking and goal kicking if needed.
Rowland
