It’s drawing closer and closer to the business end of the 2004 ASRL season, and it’s still not certain who’ll be there at season’s end and who will be ruing missed opportunities. Only two teams are sure things- with division leaders Capetown and Port Moresby both continuing their winning runs this week.
PREMIER LEAGUE
They may have been without regular playmaker Andrew Mehrtens, but that didn’t stop Capetown from scoring ten tries against a shellshocked Brisbane side. Brisbane, who took out Division Two last year, were unable to compete as they were humiliated 58-6.
Capetown: Sanjay Roberts, Jeremy Paul, Frank Pritchard, Andy Farrell, Uri Novavich 2, Mike Forshaw 3, and Sebastian Mpofu. Farrell 9/10
Brisbane: Richard Horne. Harris 1/1
PoM Points: Andy Farrell 3, Uri Novavich 2, and Derek Gateshead 1.
Sydney may have eliminated Carnarvon from last week’s Crown Casino Risk with an 18-0 domination, but Carnarvon scored revenge this week by humbling the understrength Oilers 30-0 in front of a small but ecstatic Carnarvon crowd.
Carnarvon: Dennis Moran, Vea Ofu, Jonah Lomu, Brad Meyers, and Gorden Tallis. Luana 5/6
Sydney: None.
PoM Points: Brad Meyers 3, Joe Black 2, and Wayne Bartrim 1.
Central Coast have brought themselves within a point of second placed Gold Coast courtesy of a dominant second half. The Crusade put up a spirited fight in the first half to trail 12-0, but were unable to match the enthusiasm of a Central Coast side desperate to improve on last year’s finish. Unfortunately for the Falcons, however, playmaker Braith Anasta is likely to be out of action for as many as seven weeks.
Central Coast: Robbie O’Davis, Corin Barry, Tony Gonzalez 2, Reggie Cressbrook, and Gunter Franz. El Masri 4/6
Gold Coast: Jamie Fitzgerald and Daniel Abraham. Wilkinson ½
PoM Points: Robbie O’Davis 3, Luke Davico 2, and Corin Barry 1.
Hawkesbury are looking like the side most likely to be gracing Division Two next season, the Mavericks barely showing up in their crucial clash with the Central Phoenix. The hapless Sydney based side, who finished as runners up in last year’s promotional tournament, were humbled 44-6 by a fired up Phoenix side at Northpower Stadium.
Hawkesbury: Matteo Giocometti. Dean 1/1
Central: Keith Senior, Vinnie Anderson, Scott Donald, Manny Emonds 2, Scott Logan 2, and Harley Autitia. Deacon 6/8
PoM Points: Harley Autitia 3, Vinnie Anderson 2, and Keith Senior 1.
An understrength Manly side has provided unexpectedly stiff opposition for an Adelaide side looking more and more like a side destined for the semi finals. Without key players Mat Rogers, David Lyons, Stacey Jones, and Logan Swann- the Cannons were in it until a late field goal from Henry Paul sealed a 17-8 win for the Attitude.
Manly: Ashton Sims. Flatley 1/1. Ahmed 1/1
Adelaide: Martin Lang and Chris Walker 2. Geyer 2/3. Paul 1 fg.
PoM Points: Martin Lang 3, Chris Walker 2, and Henry Paul 1.
North Melbourne have put immense pressure on Chris Maunder’s Punks today courtesy of the side’s 26-12 win over the struggling Punks. Thanks to Perth’s upset win over Wollongong, the Punks are now in possession of an equal share of sixteenth position- and a possibility for a wildcard game against the winner of Division Two.
North Melbourne: Matthew Burke, Mark Calderwood 2, and Joe Galavao. Burke 5/5
Surfers Paradise: Shaun Berrigan and Brett Seymour. Hannay 2/2
PoM Points: Shaun Ata 3, Joe Galavao 2, and Jason Dykes 1.
No one would have given them a snowball’s chance in hell, but North Sydney are now banging at the door of the top eight courtesy of their spirited 22-8 win over a representative mauled Parramatta side. The Newbloods are now in ninth position, and a good chance of an eight berth should Darwin, Central, or Adelaide slip in the coming weeks.
North Sydney: Akido Li, Frederick Michalak, Nathan Wood, and Ashley Harrison. DeVere 3/5
Parramatta: Kylie Leuvlai. Fitzgibbon 2/2
PoM Points: Paul Bowman 3, Chris Armit 2, and Akido Li 1.
Wellington’s winning drought has come to an end, but it was far from convincing- Timana Tahu’s intercept try shortly before fulltime putting it beyond doubt and giving Wellington a 22-12 win over the Darwin Cyclones. It was an encouraging sign for coach Nathan Hoy however- who fielded several untried players in the side’s win. Despite embarking on a five game losing streak prior to this game- the win sees Wellington leap straight back into third place.
Wellington: Timana Tahu, Lesley Vainikolo, Leonardo Orelli, Jamie Peacock, and David Giffin. Sinfield 1/5
Darwin: Red Apokalips and Timothy Rice. Apokalips 2/2
PoM Points: Jamie Peacock 3, Kevin Sinfield 2, and Sean Long 1.
Perth continue to fight tooth and nail to avoid relegation- their 24-12 win over Wollongong seeing them crawl into a share of seventeenth with North Melbourne and Surfers Paradise. With a fairly easy run home and a recent rash of good form, Perth may do enough to avoid a disastrous year in the club’s history.
Wollongong: Dream Waters 2. Lawton 2/2
Perth: Darren Lockyer 2, Keiran Cunningham, Glenn Morrison, and Aaron Mauger. Morrison 2/5
PoM Points: Aaron Mauger 3, Darren Lockyer 2, and Keiran Cunningham 1.
Auckland may be a side likely to fold after this year’s season, but there’s still pride and passion in the jersey. Playing a North Queensland side looking more and more like a real chance at a top eight appearance, the Marlins turned on the flare to win 36-18.
Auckland: Mils Muliana, Matthew Petersen, Steve Stacey 2, and Damien Fields 2. Fields 6/6
North Queensland: Colin Charvis and Gabrielle Yane 2. Martin 3/3
PoM Points: Steve Stacey 3, Braden Oakes 2, and Damien Fields 1.
In a dour affair played in icy conditions, the lone try of the match has saved Penrith from what could have been a season threatening loss 4-2 loss to the Canberra Chargers. A desperation try from Mark Riddell in the 66th has avoided such an occurrence, Penrith leaving town as lucky 8-4 winners.
Canberra: None. Towers 2/2
Penrith: Mark Riddell. Riddell 2/3
PoM Points: Wade McKinnon 3, Daniel Wagon 2, and Ben Roarty 1.
Christchurch fans have been crying foul after referee Justin Hoy issued a number of dubious decisions late in the game- allowing the South Melbourne Devils to get up 18-12 over the Carnage. The Christchurch Carnage, another side facing an uncertain future, now look like they’ve missed their chance at a finals berth after last year contesting the Premier League competition.
Christchurch: Chris Hicks and John Doyle. Frayssinous 2/5
South Melbourne: Nihal Silvan 2 and Anthony Quinn. Salem 2/3. Silvain 1/1
PoM Points: Anthony Tyan 3, Chad Robinson 2, and Neil Cowie 1.
Regular coach Chris Columbo may be away on business, but that didn’t at all hinder Colombo as they stepped up to the plate and hit Pacific for six in their 44-4 annihilation of the doomed Tongan franchise. The Harlequins put on their finest display of the year, one that was missed by Columbo as he and his band conducted a fundraising tour of Mongolia.
Colombo: Dennis Hickie 2, Aaron Moule 2, Zane Clarke 2, Ross McKinnon, and Anthony Himmler. Appo 6/9
Pacific: Stephen Jones. Edkins 0/1
PoM Points: Anthony Himmler 3, Felipe Contempone 2, and Graham Appo 1.
Fairfield fans continue to hold onto the hope that the Stallions can stay in the top eight and contest this year’s finals, and the Stallions continue to deliver when needed, today downing Hobart 26-2 to stay in seventh position for another week. Despite having one of the best differentials in the league- Fairfield’s tendency to lose close games has seen them struggle to maintain their position all season.
Hobart: None. Martin 1/1
Fairfield: Shayne McMenemy, Skip Williams, Reni Maitua 2, and Willie Poching. Magro 3/5
PoM Points: Michael Outteridge 3, Scott Magro 2, and Reni Maitua 1.
Some restructuring in New England’s backline seems to have had an immediate effect- the Ferrets upsetting Eastwood 20-18 and keeping in touch with Colombo for another week. Former Country Origin winger Matt Cooper played his best game of the season, in everything as the Ferrets raced away to a 16-6 halftime lead before holding on despite a spiriting Pumas’ comeback.
New England: Lee Briers 2, Toori Tatu, and Matt Cooper. Tallic 2/5
Eastwood: Dean Treister, Cedric Debrosse, and Jason King. Furner ¾
PoM Points: Matt Cooper 3, Cedric Debrosse 2, and David Furner 1.
Despite a stirring performance from underrated utility Craig Hall, the Newcastle Fear have been unable to upset an underdone Coffs Harbour Wyrms’ side at EnergyAustralia stadium today. The Wyrms played slow and predictable football- but poor handling cost Newcastle a potential upset win, the Wyrms winning 10-4.
Newcastle: Bill Narwan. Fien 0/1
Coffs Harbour: Andrew Miller and Mat Toschak. Rhyven ½
PoM Points: Craig Hall 3, Matt Giteau 2, and Raymond Karl 1.
Port Moresby refuse to relinquish their strangle hold on Division Two, a 22-12 win against a plucky St George outfit today ensuring their competition lead remained at seven points. With their nearest opposition being a shaken Coffs Harbour side- it would take a minor miracle for anyone to usurp the Power’s claim to a Premier League berth.
Port Moresby: Tommy Martyn, Etienne Fynn, Mohammed Zian Ali, and John Morris. Zian Ali ¾
St George: Nathan Blacklock and Hassan Saleh. Knofke 2/2
PoM Points: Mohammed Zian Ali 3, Marcus Bai 2, and John Morris 1.
Redlands may not be in the sparkling form of earlier this season, but they continue to come good when necessary- today registering a 24-16 win over a Perth City side who have been stuck at the foot of the top eight all year thanks to Fairfield, North Queensland, and today’s opponents continually holding on.
Redlands: Melvin Hart 2, Michael Sullivan, and Jamain Lowe. Takawira 4/4
Perth City: Andy Ballot and Frank Puletua 2. Turner 0/1. Muller 2/3
PoM Points: Andy Ballot 3, Melvin Hart 2, and David Seage 1.
Suva officials are fuming after a blatantly wrong refereeing decision allowed Tamworth City’s Scott Ella to score a try on fulltime to lead the Titans to a 20-18 win. The Suns had every right to feel hard done by- the referee sending off inspirational second rower Sam Harris for starting a fight- although replays showed Tamworth City’s Tony Tatupu as a clear instigator.
Suva: Sam Harris, Caleb Ralph, and Johnathon Hannerford. O’Gara ½. Eaton 2/2
Tamworth City: Scott Ella, Mtombe Msabo, and Craig Simmons. Cummins 4/5
PoM Points: Jerome Ropati 3, Caleb Ralph 2, and Todd Olliver 1.
Good to see Columbo get a big win after losing their best player for the season (Minutes silence for the loss of champion halfback Matt Dawson) that should make our for and against look better. The backlines firing and the makeshift halves backed it up. Cant seem to shake those damned Ferrets though. Bring on the Breakers.
