PREMIER LEAGUE
Carnage Maul Attitude
The Adelaide Attitude’s woeful season has slumped to a new low today, the Attitude thrashed 42-24 by relegation favourites, Christchurch, in front of a stunned crowd. An 18 all deadlock had a tight second half in the offing, but Christchurch blasted them off the park with four second half tries to move out of last positions.
Adelaide: Doug Howlett, Harry Prince, Paul Deacon, and Matt Parsons. Deacon 1/1. Paul 3/3
Christchurch: Stuart Spruce, Jason Ferris 2, Robbie Paul, Brad Kelly, Corey Pearson, and Luke O’Donnell. Paul 7/7
PoM Points: Jason Ferris 3, Robbie Paul 2, and Fourcade Abasse.
Crusade Dominate Grizzlies
The Gold Coast Crusade have gained the ASRL Premier League lead with a dominant 36-12 win over the flagging Carnarvon Grizzlies. With returning five eighth Jonny Wilkinson snaring a double, the Crusade never looked in doubt, relegating Carnarvon to equal last.
Carnarvon: Freddie Banquet and Jason Taylor. Taylor 2/2
Gold Coast: Jonny Wilkinson 2, Josh Perry 2, Daniel Abraham, Mark Hughes, and Andrew Johns. Johns 4/7
PoM Points: Andrew Johns 3, George Smith 2, and Jonny Wilkinson 1.
’The Man’ Testifies!
Another astounding performance from outspoken star, Anthony Mundine, has piloted North Melbourne to a shock 22-12 win over the Central Phoenix. ‘The Man’ controlled the game throughout, and took advantage of the lack of Jason Smith in Central’s defensive line.
Central: Sean Rudder and Craig Wing. Schifcofske 2/2
North Melbourne: Anthony Mundine, Clayton Lyons, Brian Randall, and Joe Galavao. Walker 3/6
PoM Points: Anthony Mundine 3, David Shayne 2, and Clayton Lyons 1.
Newbloods End Wollongong Streak
A representative depleted North Sydney side has been able to handle an injury depelted Wollongong side, having little trouble in overrunning the struggling Destructors 26-6. The Newbloods were served well by replacement players, whilst Wollongong will need to improve their depth to be serious contenders for the ASRL title.
North Sydney: Michael DeVere, David McElroy, Evan Mears, and Nathan Wood. Burke 5/5
Wollongong: Dareen Senter. Kimmorley 1/1
PoM Points: Chev Walker 3, Matthew Burke 2, and Evan Mears 1.
Game of the Year
With next week’s top of the table clash between Gold Coast and Central Coast marred by representative fixtures, this week’s clash between the reigning premiers from both divisions was billed as the game of the season, and it delivered. Central Coast lead 16-0 going into the second half, but three tries in five minutes had the game at 18-16 to Wellington at half time. The second half was a thrilling affair, with Phil Waugh starring as Wellington held on for a memorable 29-22 win.
Central Coast: Robbie O’Davis, Ben Harris, Sebastian Azema, and Hazem El Masri. El Masri 3/5
Wellington: Brett Hodgson, Jamie Peacock, Phil Waugh, Scott Sattler, and Paul Stringer. Hodgson 4/5. Sherwin 1 fg.
PoM Points: Phil Waugh 3, Scott Sattler 2, and John Sitizien 1.
Manly Dominate Devils
Despite missing stars Stanley Tepend, Stacey Jones, and Patrick Varune- the Manly Cannons have had little trouble in accounting for South Melbourne in a solid 28-12 win over the Devils. Backup players Kit Walker and Luke Dorn shone for the home side.
Manly: Luke Dorn, Matt Sing, Kit Walker, Aaron Moule, and Slick Cupples. Rogers 4/6
South Melbourne: Julian O’Neill and Karl Lovell. O’Neill 2/2
PoM Points: Logan Swann 3, David Lyons 2, and Aaron Moule 1.
Parramatta Scrape Home
In an intense clash played under lights in Darwin, the Parramatta Vikings have scored a late try through shunned New Zealander, David Solomona, to snatch a 24 all draw with the up and down Darwin Cyclones. The Vikings were constantly dogged by poor refereeing, but escaped with a draw in spite of the ref’s clear bias.
Darwin: Adam MacDougall, Ben MacDougall 2, and Morton Weatherall. Rhyven 4/6
Parramatta: David Solomona, Adam Dykes, Michael Witt, and Dean Widders. Fitzgibbon 4/4
PoM Points: Francis Meli 3, David Solomona 2, and Dean Widders 1.
Perth Win Defensive Clash
The Perth Taipans have showcased intense defence in today’s 10-0 win over the visiting Surfers Paradise Punks- but will be dissatisfied with their attacking performance. Punks’ lock Luke Ricketson made an astounding sixty tackles for his side, reminding NSW selectors that he’s still a genuine contender for the Blues’ #13 spot.
Perth: Deon Bird and Darren Lockyer. Lockyer 1/2
Surfers Paradise: None.
PoM Points: Luke Ricketson 3, Deon Bird 2, and Darren Lockyer 1.
DIVISION TWO
Auckland Continue to Impress
The Auckland Marlins won their fifth game in six starts today, adding to Redlands’ away woes with a strong 22-14 win. In what was a surprisingly exciting game, the Marlins lead throughout, but could never shut out the spirited Rhinos. Only a late Flatley goal sealed the match.
Auckland: Damien Mostyn, Alfred Songoro, Edzai Kasinauyo, and Matthew Petersen. Flatley 3/6
Redlands: Paul Sterling and Ben Beckett. Takawira 3/4
PoM Points: David Lomax 3, Michael Crocker 2, and Hudson Smith 1.
Ipswich Makes Three
After being threatened with unemployment by the New England board only three weeks ago, coach Rowland Kelly has today been offered a one year extension on his current contract after the Ferrets recorded a 24-10 win over Ipswich. The win, New England’s third in a row, show-cased stinging defence and some lesser known attacking stars.
New England: Michael Buettner, James Harrison, and Albert Torrens 2. Farrell 4/4
Ipswich: Kyle Bryant and Hassan Saleh. MacNamara 1/2
PoM Points: Albert Torrens 3, Daniel Ferris 2, and Andy Farrell 1.
Fien Outkicks Towers for Fear Win
Newcastle halfback Nathan Fien has out-kicked fellow Queensland halfback, Sean Towers, to help Newcastle record an invaluable 18-14 win over the visiting Canberra Chargers. The Fear played probably their best game of the season, whilst Canberra can feel unlucky to lose a game they controlled throughout, but never closed off.
Newcastle: Bill Narwan, Brad Watts, and Richard Peleasina. Fien 3/4
Canberra: Paul Whatuira, John Carlaw, and John Cross. Towers 1/3
PoM Points: Paul Whatuira 3, Joe Vagana 2, and Scott Staniforth 1.
Nephew Does Magro Proud
Another stellar performance from Central Coast coach Anthony Magro’s son, Scott, has lead the Fairfield Stallions to a 25-18 win over fellow contenders, Hawkesbury. The win lifts the Stallions to first on the Division Two ladder, making mockery of the recent accusations that the side had no place in the ASRL.
Fairfield: Danny Bampton, Matt Crowther 2, and Scott Magro. Magro 4/5. Trindall 1 fg.
Hawkesbury: Ben Roarty, Solomon Haumona, and Darren Treacy. Prescott 3/3
PoM Points: Scott Magro 3, Matt Crowther 2, and Chris Kendra 1.
No Mercy
These were the words of Port Moresby and PNG coach, Jelly Adams, shortly before his side ran out to take on Townsville in new coach, Kyle Denton’s first game at the club. The Power followed their leader’s commands to a word, dominating the hapless Dolphins in recording a 20-8 win which sees them in second place.
Port Moresby: Timothy Rice, Jamie Bloom, and Mat Toschak 2. Rice 2/5
Townsville: Ryan Thumper-Knox. Martin 2/2
PoM Points: Mat Toschak 3, John Morris 2, and Jamie Bloem 1.
Rugby Pride
Stellar performances from Rugby converts Ronan O’Gara and Tim Horan have lead the Suva Suns to a desperately needed 28-12 win over the Tamworth City Titans. Lock Ronan O’Gara scored sixteen points in the win, and alongside former Newblood, Tim Horan, had his best game of the season.
Suva: Ronan O’Gara, Tim Horan, Lincoln Withers, and Todd Olliver. O’Gara 6/6
Tamworth City: Trent Wright 2. Ryder 1/1. Wright 1/2
PoM Points: Ronan O’Gara 3, Tim Horan 2, and Deiter Fisher 1.
’Sack Him’ Mills Fires Again
Oilers’ boss, Adam Mills, has again called for the sacking of embattled coach Roger Bossert after the Oilers scored a narrow win against last placed South Queensland. A 78th minute intercept try from rookie winger, Luke Covell, was all that differed between the two sides in Sydney’s sloppy 12-6 win.
Sydney: Luke Covell and Ben Kennedy. Covell 2/2. Fields 0/1
South Queensland: Edelbert Dinha. Rodwell 1/1
PoM Points: Luke Patten 3, Edelbert Dinha 2, and Anthony Tyan 1.
How Jelly Got His Groove Back
An inspiring pre-game speech from cricketer, Mark Waugh, has inspired the Coffs Harbour Wyrms to a valuable 28-14 win over the Eastwood Pumas. After a shaky start to the season, the solid win gives Coffs Harbour some ground to stand on heading into the rep season.
Coffs Harbour: Anthony Minichiello, Tana Umaga, Michael Eager 2, and Raymond Karl. Zian Ali 4/5
Eastwood: Sam Murphy and Motu Tony. Furner 3/3
PoM Points: Michael Eager 3, Tana Umaga 2, and Matt Daylight 1.
Cairns Show Up Bulls
Rookie coach Chris O’Keefe has been given an ideal welcome to his coaching job at Cairns today, his chargers hammering in form Brisbane 32-16 in a dominant footballing display. The White Pointers’ lesser lights shone throughout the match, whilst Kevin Sinfield, bound for Wellington, was faultless for the Bulls.
Cairns: Ty Williams, Quentin Pongia, Justin Smith, Corey Hughes, and Todd Polglase. Knofke 6/6
Brisbane: Adam Mogg, Fifita Moala, and Kevin Sinfield. Sinfield 2/3
PoM Points: Corey Hughes 3, Kevin Sinfield 2, and Quentin Pongia 1.
Amazing Mehrtens Saves Capetown
After representing his country in New Zealand’s clash with Papua New Guinea, captain and Division Two player of the year contender, Andrew Mehrtens, was forced to back up for his club after injury ruled out Derek Gateshead. Mehrtens proved invaluable to the home side, orchestrating three tries and earning man of the match honours in Capetown’s 34-16 thrashing of the struggling Penrith Highlanders.
Capetown: Steve Williams, Coenraad van der Merwe, Darren Rogers, Adam Peters, Robert Miles, and Brenton Bowen. Mehrtens 5/7
Penrith: Jake Lamia, Steve Trindall, and Marshal Dalton. Turley 2/3
PoM Points: Andrew Mehrtens 3, Steve Williams 2, and Joost van Derwestuizen 1.
