Round 9 and players are all vying for positions in the upcoming State of Origin. Central Coast, Gold Coast, and Wellington continue to dominate Premier League, and Division Two sees a host of sides controlling their lesser-fancied rivals.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Classic Choke Kills Carnarvon
Up 18-6 at halftime, the Carnarvon Grizzlies looked on track to end Central Coast’s eight game winning streak, but a remarkable case of choking has allowed Central Coast to score four second half tries and register a miraculous 30-18 win. It was the only time this season that Central Coast seemed the underdogs, completely outplayed in the first half, but lead to victory by Shaun Timmins.
Central Coast: Guiseppi Magro, Jason Bell, Mark O’Neill, Shaun Timmins, and Travis Norton. El Masri 5/5
Carnarvon: Mark Gasnier, Iestyn Harris, and Ian Rubin. Taylor 3/3
PoM Points: Shaun Timmins 3, Sam Isemonger 2, and Brad Commins 1.
Big Guns Bring Down Carnage
The Central Phoenix’s big guns have allowed the side to get their season back on track with a 32-12 thrashing of the now last placed Christchurch Carnage. The Carnage board are already planning for relegation, as the side again showed their fans and the league world that they cannot match it with the professionalism of Premier League sides.
Christchurch: Fourcade Abasse and Corey Pearson. Paul 2/2
Central: Clinton Schifcofske, Scott Donald, Craig Wing 2, Gorden Tallis, and Jason Smith. Schifcofske 4/6
PoM Points: Gorden Tallis 3, Craig Wing 2, and David Shayne 1.
Vaikona Returns In Style
Centre Tevita Vaikona has today led the Gold Coast Crusade to a dominant 28-12 win over his former club, Darwin. The Crusade, after a sloppy first half, trailed 12-6, but Vaikona’s elusiveness and upper body strength allowed him to finish the game with four line breaks and two try assists in a truly dominant performance.
Gold Coast: Tommy O’Reilly, Andrew Johns, Luke Davico 2, and Danny Buderus. Johns 4/5
Darwin: Frank Puletua and Steven Hughes. Withers 2/2
PoM Points: Tevita Vaikona 3, Matthew Gidley 2, and Daniel Abraham 1.
Wellington Overpower Adelaide
The Adelaide Attitude, despite their lowly Premier League status, have pushed Wellington to the limit in today’s big clash over in New Zealand. Despite the fulltime score of 24-10 in favour of Wellington, the game hung in the balance for much of the second half, but the brilliance of young Ashley Graham lifted the home side.
Wellington: Brett Hodgson, Ashley Graham, Phil Waugh, and Jeremy Paul. Luana 4/6
Adelaide: Chris Walker and Joe Black. Geyer 1/1. Deacon 0/1
PoM Points: Ashley Graham 3, Brett Hodgson 2, and Jeremy Paul 1.
‘The Man’ Leaves His Mark
Out of favour five-eighth, Anthony Mundine, seems to have found his new home in fullback playing for the North Melbourne Maulers. ‘The Man’ was scintillating in his sides 36-16 win over the struggling Manly Cannons, making breaks at will and having a hand in two of Paul Sculthorpe’s three tries.
North Melbourne: Paul Sculthorpe 3, Andrew Walker, Hefin O’Hare, and Matt Bickerstaff. Walker 6/7
Manly: Matt Sing, Stanley Tepend, and Brian O’Farrell. Rogers 2/4
PoM Points: Anthony Mundine 3, Luke Phillips 2, and Paul Sculthorpe 1.
Burke Brilliance
The return to form of former NSW fullback, Matthew Burke, has lifted North Sydney to a commanding 24-8 win over the unpredictable Parramatta Vikings. After looking like world-beaters last week, Parramatta were back to their woeful worst as the Newbloods had little trouble in humbling them in front of a large Sydney crowd.
Parramatta: Marcus St Hilliare. Fitzgibbon 2/3
North Sydney: Matthew Burke, Paul Bowman, David McElroy, and Chev Walker. Burke 4/4
PoM Points: Matthew Burke 3, Jeff Wilson 2, and David McElroy 1.
Devils Scare Taipans
The Perth Taipans may have gotten away with a 38-18 win, but they had to fight for every point, as the South Melbourne Devils fought tooth and nail for the game’s entirety. The result could have been closer, Julian O’Neill failing to convert three tries in the close fought clash. As always, the Perth veterans stood up, Glenn Morrison earning man of the match honours for his dynamic hole running.
South Melbourne: Skip Williams, Julian O’Neill, Corey Parker, and Edward Oaken. O’Neill 1/4
Perth: Deon Bird, Andrew McFadden, Mark McLinden 2, Glenn Morrison, and Keiran Cunningham. Lockyer 7/7
PoM Points: Glenn Morrison 3, Darren Lockyer 2, and Deon Bird 1.
Giteau’s Efforts Rewarded
After crossing the line twice in the first half, Matt Giteau was finally rewarded with a try in the 58th minute when he crossed to give the Wollongong Destructors’ a 4-2 lead in what had been a sloppy clash. The Destructors eventually won 6-4, in a game that will be remembered for its woeful handling, and poor attacking options from both sides.
Wollongong: Matt Giteau. Orr 1/2
Surfers Paradise: None. Hannay 2/2
PoM Points: Brett Kimmorley 3, Todd Payten 2, and Gael Tallic 1.
DIVISION TWO
Huia Breaks Marskell’s Heart
A burrowing try from Union convert, Huia Edmunds, has lifted Auckland to an 18-14 win, and broken the heart of embattled Suva coach, JD Marskell. The try came in the 80th minute, after Suva had scored two scintillating tries to finally get back in the lead at 14-12. Suva fans are now calling for Marskell’s blood, but league pundits leapt to the coaches’ defence, pointing out it was an unlucky loss against a quality side.
Auckland: Mark Aopaeia 2 and Huia Edmunds. Flatley 3/3
Suva: Christian Cullen and Justin Marshall. O’Gara 3/3
PoM Points: Darren Fleary 3, Mark Aopaeia 2, and Damien Mostyn 1.
South Queensland Stand Alone
And unfortunately it’s at the bottom of the Division Two ladder. The injection of Great Britain international, Richard Horne, couldn’t aid the struggling Crushers- as they crashed to a humiliating 22-0 home loss against the Cairns White Pointers- who were still on a high after last week’s last ditch win over Capetown.
South Queensland: None.
Cairns: Quentin Pongia, Dan Hills, and Waisale Sovatabua. Knofke 5/5
PoM Points: Quentin Pongia 3, Dan Hills 2, and Paul King 1.
Titans Crush Reds
The Tamworth City Titans have taken no prisoners as they murdered Ipswich 36-0 in front of an ecstatic Tamworth crowd. The Titans continue to make ground on the formerly popular New England Ferrets as they seek to become the New England’s premier side.
Tamworth City: Brian O’Driscroll, Mtombe Msabo, Justin McKay, Trent Wright, Keiran Kerr, and Kurt Gidley. Ryder 1/2, Wright 5/5
Ipswich: None.
PoM Points: Trent Wright 3, Steve Carew 2, and Brian O’Driscroll 1.
Beuttner Strikes Again
Only a week after he lifted New England to a valuable win over Eastwood, Michael Beuttner has again scored the winning try as the Ferrets scored a major coup in defeating Coffs Harbour 22-18. The try came from a brilliant Andy Farrell short pass, and the result seems to indicate that Rowland Kelly’s shakeup has had a positive effect.
Coffs Harbour: Stirling Mortlock, Mohammed Zian Ali, and Justin Hodges. Zian Ali 3/4
New England: Michael Beuttner, Andy Farrell, Brent Stone, and James Harrison. Farrell 3/4
PoM Points: Andy Farrell 3, Brian Leauma 2, and Michael Beuttner 1.
Spanking the Dolphins
The Townsville Dolphins, in a display of atrocious behaviour, have conceded eighteen penalties and cost themselves the game in their 20-10 loss to Hawkesbury. The Mavericks were good, there’s no denying it, but were aided by constant piggy back penalties, and the Dolphins having Giovanni Piazza sent off for a late tackle on Brad Fittler.
Hawkesbury: Matthew Rieck and Mick van der Wall. Tuqiri 6/6
Townsville: Travis Elken and Rowland Rockachelli. Martin 1/4
PoM Points: Joe Roff 3, Inoke Ratudina 2, and Danny Lima 1.
Campbell Doubles Saves Bulls
Back to back tries from new recruit, Preston Campbell, in the 76th and 78th minute have lifted the Brisbane Bulls to a dramatic 26-22 win over the visiting Eastwood Pumas. The Pumas looked to have the game won at 22-16, but the elusive halfback danced his way across the line twice to ensure his side went home with the points.
Brisbane: Preston Campbell 2, Paul Green, and Octavio Bartolucci. Sinfield 5/6
Eastwood: Ben Duckworth, David Furner, and Greg Ebrill. Furner 5/6
PoM Points: David Furner 3, Kevin Sinfield 2, and Tomas Larsson 1.
Stallions Ride On
Fairfield’s astounding rise up the Division Two ladder continued today at the expense of the Canberra Chargers, who barely showed up in their 16-10 home loss to the Stallions. Canberra had plenty of chances, but made too many errors, costing themselves a game they should have won.
Canberra: Yaccine Dekkiche. Towers 3/3
Fairfield: Aaron Raper and Shayne McMenemy. Magro 4/5
PoM Points: Aaron Mercer 3, Ryan O’Hara 2, and Paul Franze 1.
Port Moresby Power Home
The Port Moresby Power have won a real thriller in Penrith, outlasting Penrith to record a 24-16 win. Although they scored four tries to two, the Power were never in control, Penrith’s goal-kicking winger, Neil Turley, keeping his side in touch by scoring twelve of his side’s sixteen points.
Penrith: Neil Turley and Trent Williams. Turley 4/5
Port Moresby: Jamie Bloem, Mat Toschak, Tiri Toa, and Michael Smith. Rice 4/6
PoM Points: Jamie Bloem 3, Michael Smith 2, and Mat Toschak 1.
Rhinos Surprise Newcastle
Redlands, coached by Matt Lyons, continue to be as erratic as the wind itself. When away from home, the Rhinos struggle to compete, but playing in front of their beloved fans, the Rhinos registered a 24-10 win over the Newcastle Fear. Newcastle played well, but were outclassed and outgunned by Redlands’ underrated forward pack.
Redlands: Hudson Smith, Jamain Lowe, Jody Gall, and Chris Beattie. Takawira 4/4
Newcastle: Melvin Heart and Nathan Fien. Wilshere 1/2
PoM Points: Jamain Lowe 3, Jody Gall 2, and Chris Beattie 1.
Enter the Graveyard
Capetown’s Newlands Stadium continues to be a graveyard for visiting sides, as the South African side put the visiting Oilers to the sword in a brilliant attacking and defensive display. The Ravens, after a tight first half, lead only 2-0, but clicked on in the second half and registered five tries to record a dominant 30-0 win.
Capetown: Steve Williams, Joost Vanderwestuizen 2, Noah Sete, and Sean Carstens. Mehrtens 5/6
Sydney: None.
PoM Points: Michael Robertson 3, Mark Meredith 2, and Darren Rogers 1.
