Round 8 continued the trend so far this season, with plenty of big scorelines, countered by plenty of close fought clashes. Central Coast, Gold Coast, and Wellington continue to dominate Premier League, whilst in Division Two it’s still as unpredictable as ever.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Wellington Ride On
The Wellington Cougars have escaped Carnarvon with a hard fought 24-14 win over the rising Cowboys. A 12-8 halftime scoreline blew out to 24-8 after sixty minutes, before a late try to bench utility Danny Williams had things tight at 24-14. The Cougars showed the defence that wins finals, and held on for a vital away win.
Carnarvon: Danny Williams and Mike Forshaw. Taylor 3/3
Wellington: Clinton Toopi 2 and Graham Luana 2. Luana 4/4
PoM Points: Clinton Toopi 3, Graham Luana 2, and Brett Hodgson 1.
Kefu Left Costs Darwin the Game
Darwin, up 19-18 with only a minute of play to go, must be ruing their aggressive defence after it sparked a fight that cost them the game. With Central Coast bringing the ball up, a big Kefu tackle jarred the ball from Azema’s hands, and a small fight broke out. The fight, amazingly, was blamed on Kefu- and the resulting penalty allowed Gunter Franz to land a goal and steal a 20-19 victory for Central Coast.
Darwin: Angel Withers, Steve Kefu, and Frank Puletua. Singh 3/4. Ryan 1 fg.
Central Coast: Phillipe Bernat-Salles, Jason Bell, Steven Price, and Terry O’Connor. El Masri 1/3. Franz 1/4
Mayer Sparks Central Comeback
An outstanding debut by Irish winger, John Mayer, has aided Central in bringing back an 18-0 halftime deficit against Adelaide, to trail 22-16 with four to go. A late try to Craig Wing, converted by Schifcofske from out wide, had things level at 22 all. Late field goal attempts from Paul Deacon and Schifcofske failed to break the deadlock, Central lucky to escape with a point after an abysmal first half.
Central: Craig Wing, John Mayer, David Shayne, and Matthew Jobson. Schifcofske 3/4
Adelaide: Stephen Kearney 2 and Paul Deacon. Geyer 3/3. Deacon 2/3
PoM Points: Stephen Kearney 3, John Mayer 2, and Harry Prince 1.
Manly Lose the ‘Bye’
The games against Christchurch by established Premier League clubs have been referred to as the ‘bye’ for some time now, but the hot and cold Manly Cannons found out they were anything but today. The Carnage came out fired up after recent criticism in Kiwi papers, and put on a real display for stunned Manly fans in their 20-6 away win.
Manly: Steve Menzies. Rogers 1/1
Christchurch: Scott Geddes 2, Jason Ferris, and Steele Retchless. Paul 2/4
PoM Points: Fourcade Abasse 3, Robbie Paul 2, and Scott Geddes 1.
The Usual Suspects
Gold Coast’s star players and top PoM scorers were heavily involved today, as Gold Coast put North Sydney to the sword in a 36-14 away win. The Crusade were at their attacking best, with three players snaring doubles in the blowout win.
North Sydney: Matthew Burke and Keith Wood 2. Burke 1/3
Gold Coast: Matthew Gidley 2, Tommy O’Reilly 2, and Andrew Johns 2. Johns 6/8
PoM Points: Andrew Johns 3, George Smith 2, and Scott Sattler 1.
Hail to the Chief
After two months in the Wales helping to establish a grass-roots league system, North Melbourne coach John Williams has returned in time to salvage North Melbourne’s season, as the Maulers raced away to a 34-8 beating of the Perth Taipans. The Taipans weren’t hot, but North Melbourne outclassed them across the park, Scott Hill snaring a hat trick in the big away win.
Perth: Darren Lockyer. Lockyer 2/2
North Melbourne: Hefin O’Hare 2, Scott Hill 3, and Shaun Berrigan. Walker 5/8
PoM Points: Paul Sculthorpe 3, Robbie Kearns 2, and Scott Hill 1.
Vikings Pillage Surfers Paradise
The resurrection of the Parramatta Vikings continued this week, the Vikings putting seven tries on the Surfers Paradise Punks in a 36-14 win. The scoreline could’ve been worse, with Craig Fitzgibbon only kicking at 50% during the match. Surfers were never in the game, with Parramatta controlling it from the kick-off, right until the final whistle.
Surfers Paradise: Shane Walker, Dominik Bush, and Evarn Tuimavarve. Hannay 1/3
Parramatta: Marcus St Hilliare 2, Lee Hopkins, Tonie Carroll, Jamie Lyon, and Martin Lang 2. Fitzgibbon 4/8
PoM Points: Brent Webb 3, Marcus St Hilliare 2, and Dean Widders 1.
Wollongong Turn it On
The Wollongong Destructors have finally turned it on, not only winning their second game in a row, but punishing the South Melbourne Devils 32-0. The Destructors finally strung passes together, and their combinations gelled as the side cruised to its biggest ever Premier League win.
Wollongong: Michael Withers, Scott Naylor, Brett Kimmorley, Richard Goddard, Danny McGuire, and Darren Senter. Orr 4/6
South Melbourne; None.
PoM Points: Darren Senter 3, Graham Bond 2, and Jamie Ainscough 1.
DIVISION TWO
Bulls Win South Queensland Derby
Former North Melbourne caretaker, Grant Johnston, has had an ideal welcome to the Brisbane Bulls’ coaching job. The Bulls turned it on for their fans, getting up 22-6 over the hapless South Queensland Crushers. New clubman, Preston Campbell, was quiet in his first game for the club.
Brisbane: Sean Ryan, Kevin Sinfield, and Stefano Saghini. Sinfield 5/6
South Queensland: Daniel Quinn. Rodwell 1/2
PoM Points: Sean Ryan 3, Kevin Sinfield 2, and Paul Green 1.
Hawkesbury Stars Spark Big Win
The return of star players such as Adam Perry, Jack Isaac, and Matthew Rieck has sparked the Mavericks, who have been indifferent in form ever since being humbled by Capetown. The Mavericks clicked on today however, having little trouble in downing Penrith 26-12 and regaining their #1 position on the ladder.
Penrith: Martin Gleeson and Mark Riddell. Turley 2/2
Hawkesbury: Lote Tuqiri, Solomon Haumona, Matthew Rieck 2, and Brad Fittler. Tuqiri 3/6
PoM Points: Solomona Haumona 3, Lee Hookey 2, and Mick van der Wall 1.
Beuttner Turns Back the Clock
It’s been a while since Michael Beuttner has proved the difference in a game, a task he was famous for during his career at the Parramatta Vikings. But today the aging utility went the length of the field from a kick return, scoring a miracle try that lifted New England to a 24-20 victory over the Eastwood Pumas. The win was crucial to New England staff, who faced a mass exodus of fans after recent poor performances.
New England: Michael Beuttner, Albert Torrens, and Matt Cooper 2. Farrell 4/5
Eastwood: Tyran Smith 3 and Robert Mears. Furner 2/4
PoM Points: Tyran Smith 3, David Furner 2, and Matt Cooper 1.
Cairns Upset Ravens
Despite outscoring Cairns three tries to two, the Capetown Ravens have been upset 17-16 in a thriller up north. The White Pointers put their dismal start to the season behind them in the match, in which they outplayed and out-gunned their much-fancied opposition.
Cairns: Harris Knofke and Quentin Pongia. Knofke 4/5. Hills 1 fg.
Capetown: Brenton Bowen, Mark Meredith, and Ross McKinnon. Mehrtens 2/4
PoM Points: Chris Flannery 3, Waisale Sovatabua 2, and Brenton Bowen 1.
Redlands Astonish Tippers Again
Redlands continue to be as up and down as ever, the Rhinos capitulating to a pathetic 26-8 loss to the improving Fairfield Stallions. Redlands coach Matt Lyons must think his team has Jekyl and Hyde syndrome. They seem to thrash a side one week and then get thrashed the next.
Fairfield: Aaron Mercer, Chris Kendra 2, Matt Crowther, and Scott Magro. Magro 3/5
Redlands: Michael Dallas. Takawira 2/2
PoM Points: Chris Kendra 3, Dean Walker 2, and Scott Magro 1.
Flatley Guides Auckland Home
The boot of former Wallabies’ representative, Elton Flatley, has proved to be the difference in Auckland’s sloppy 20-12 win over the Ipswich Reds. Although both sides only conceded seven penalties each, Flatley shot from all over the park, landing six from seven in the win.
Ipswich: Florian Chaubet and Junior Langi. MacNamara 2/3
Auckland: David Treacey and Matthew Petersen. Flatley 6/7
PoM Points: Ali Williams 3, David Treacey 2, and Dumisani Mpofu 1.
Big Trouble in Little Suva
Suva’s sudden ‘death’ continued this week, the Suns losing a messy encounter with the usually woeful Newcastle Fear. The game could have been close, but the Fear defended well, and Suva continually thwarted opportunities in the 14-4 home loss. Fijian fans booed their Rugby Union converts from the field, and already fans are calling for a new look side.
Suva: Olivier Sarramea. O’Gara 0/1
Newcastle: Nathan Fien and Kevin McGuinness. Wilshere 3/3
PoM Points: Kevin McGuinness 3, Richard Peleasina 2, and Nathan Fien 1.
Port Win Battle of Super Powers
In a clash of two sides many tip to be their at the season’s end, Port Moresby have out-lasted Sydney in a 20-16 thriller at Telstra Stadium. The Power lead throughout, but a late Matt Utai try had the game on edge for the final ten minutes. Unfortunately for Sydney, winger Luke Covell had a nightmare with the boot, only landing one of his four attempts.
Sydney: Matt Utai 2 and Daniel Fitzhenry. Fields 1/1. Covell 1/4
Port Moresby: Jamie Bloem 2 and Tommy Martyn. Rice 4/6
PoM Points: Michael Smith 3, Ryan Cross 2, and Rob Burrow 1.
Coffs Make a Bold Statement
The Coffs Harbour Wyrms have again stamped their intentions on the Division Two title, annihilating the Tamworth City Titans 28-6 in front of a disappointed Tamworth crowd. The people of the New England region continue to be disappointed by their sides, and it seems like decades since the 2001/2002 finals when New England made the major semi final.
Tamworth City: Byron Kelleher. Wright 1/1
Coffs Harbour: Anthony Minichiello, Justin Hodges, Adam Capovilla, Adam Woolnough, and Terry Martin. Zian Ali 4/5
PoM Points: Justin Hodges 3, Terry Martin 2, and Anthony Minichiello 1.
It’s Ladies Night
The return of controversial centre, Brooke Martin, to the Townsville run on side has seen the Dolphins lift with a 26-12 win over the Canberra Chargers. The beautiful centre struck goals from all over the park, whilst the Dolphins’ halves had a field day in Canberra’s slow marker defence.
Townsville: Giovanni Piazza, Ryan Thumper-Knox, Pat Howard 2, and Rowland Rockachelli. Martin 4/5
Canberra: Michael Monaghan and Paul Whatuira. Towers 1/2
PoM Points: Paul Whatuira 3, John Cross 2, and Ben Galea 1.
