PREMIER LEAGUE
Battle Wounds
What should have been the game of the season, instead saw two sides missing a total of seventeen players between them doing battle in front of a big Gold Coast crowd. With Andrew Johns and Jonny Wilkinson playing, Gold Coast were always going to be too good for their joint lead companions, and showed plenty of flare in their 38-14 win. Central Coast, now losers twice in a row will be hoping to bounce back next week against Parramatta.
Gold Coast: Dennis Moran, Mark Hughes, Andrew Johns, Tevita Vaikona, Tony Puletua, and Kirk Reynoldson. Wilkinson 7/7
Central Coast: James Little, Graham Mackay, and Brad Commins. Franz 1/4
PoM Points: Tony Puletua 3, Andrew Johns 2, and Jonny Wilkinson 1.
What About Burke?
The absence of top fullback, Matthew Burke, gave Perth’s Darren Lockyer an ideal chance to play his way back into Australian favouritism today- and he did it in style, guiding Perth to a near faultless 14-0 win over the visiting Newbloods. The Taipans wowed the fans and their opposition in the first half to lead 14-0, and then dropped back a few gears and showed some real defensive grit in the second.
Perth: Keith Senior, Stephen Larkhim, and Darren Lockyer. Lockyer 1/3
North Sydney: None.
PoM Points: Darren Lockyer 3, Deon Bird 2, and Keith Senior 1.
About Time
Carnarvon have recorded only their third win of the season, putting together a good performance against a representative ravaged Parramatta side to score an important 12-10 win. The Grizzlies lead throughout, with Willie Tonga grabbing a consolation try for his side on full-time.
Parramatta: Willie Tonga and Nathan Cayless. Swain 1/2
Carnarvon: Nathan Blacklock and Danny Williams. Taylor 2/2
PoM Points: Nathan Blacklock 3, Willie Tonga 2, and Matt Diskin 1.
Young Guns Fire
With big names such as Adam MacDougall and Kevin Campion out of their squad, the Darwin Cyclones fell back on lesser lights such as Lee Penny and Daniel Irvine today for their clash with Wollongong. Despite this, the Cyclones put together one of their best performances to date, recording a much needed 36-14 away win over the hopeless Destructors. The return of Indian sensation, Amahl Singh, was also a positive for the Darwin side.
Wollongong: Danny Orr, Lance Thompson, and Brenton Pomery. Orr 1/3
Darwin: Amahl Singh, Angel Withers, Bill Rhyven, Frank Puletua 2, and Steven Hughes. Singh 6/8
PoM Points: Bill Rhyven 3, Frank Puletua 2, and Daniel Irvine 1.
It’s All About Attitude
After a woeful start to the season, Adelaide coach Warren Tricker was heard to say ‘it’s all about attitude’, a most ironic play on words. But tonight, playing the red hot Maulers, the Adelaide Attitude showed they had the right attitude to win- recording a 24-14 win over the shocked Maulers. Doubles to returning winger Darren Albert and QLD reject, Chris Walker, sealed a memorable win done without stars Matt Geyer, Petero Civoniceva, and Craig Smith.
North Melbourne: Joe Galavao, Ben Kirchner, and Luke Phillips. Walker 1/3
Adelaide: Darren Albert 2 and Chris Walker 2. Deacon 2/2. Paul 2/2
PoM Points: Ben Kirchner 3, Darren Albert 2, and Chris Walker 1.
Lambs to the Slaughter
South Melbourne, missing Steven Witt and Danny Nutley, were never a chance of beating a full strength Central side (who had strength enough to aid injury and representative riddled Gold Coast). They showed they are capable of new lows tonight- putting up no fight in a 48-6 mauling at the hands of the Phoenix. Three tries to prop Barrie McDermott was just one of many rare feats seen in a game, the win Central’s biggest in twenty years. An eightieth minute conversion miss was all that prevented Central for hitting the memorable fifty.
South Melbourne: Luke Lewis. O’Neill 1/1
Central: Barrie McDermott 2, Owen Craigie 2, Harley Autitia, Terry Hill, and Craig Wing. Schifcofske 8/9
PoM Points: David Shayne 3, Harley Autitia 2, and Barrie McDermott 1.
Bad Luck of the Germans
A blatant high tackle from German sensation, John Sitizien, has cost Wellington a sloppy win today, a 79th minute sideline penalty from Carlos Spencer locking scores at 8 all after the siren. The game, billed by many as the worst of the year, highlighted Wellington’s lack of direction without Barret and Sherwin- and showcased Christchurch’s woeful attack.
Wellington: Clinton Toopi. Luana 2/2
Christchurch: Julian Huxley. Spencer 2/3
PoM Points: Fourcade Abasse 3, Phillip Lee 2, and Carlos Spencer 1.
Split Them Up
Surfers Paradise coach, Chris Maunder, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the North QLD vs. South QLD and Country vs. City games occupying the same round after his side, without seven regular first graders, was humbled 50-12 at home by the barely touched Manly Cannons. ‘It’s just a joke, how can we compete without a squad? I had Vaeleki playing against doctor’s orders just to make a bench’ said a clearly agitated Maunder at the press conference.
Surfers Paradise: Sonny Nickle and Ichiro Nazuki. Tallic 2/2
Manly: Marc Stcherbina, Slick Cupples 2, Tasesa Lavea 2, Awen Guttenbiel 2, Patrick Varune, and Brian O’Farrell. Rogers 7/9
PoM Points: Tasesa Lavea 3, Brian O’Farrell 2, and Patrick Varune 1.
DIVISION TWO
Coffs Escape ANZ
A 78th minute try from underrated winger, Matt Daylight, has allowed Coffs Harbour to snatch a last gasp 22-18 win from the in-form Brisbane Bulls. The Bulls lead throughout, but clocked off two early, the late try ruining what would have been an excellent win for the club.
Brisbane: Adam Mogg and Octavio Bartolucci. Sinfield 5/6
Coffs Harbour: Rodger Randal 2 and Matt Daylight. Zian-Ali 5/6
PoM Points: Kevin Sinfield 3, Rodger Randal 2, and Paul Atchison 1.
Fear Shock Mavericks
In the midst of all the controversy surrounding coach Brian Randell’s much publicised falling out with ASRL CEO, Chris Walker-Bush, the Hawkesbury Mavericks have capitulated to their first back to back losses so far this season. The Mavericks couldn’t buy a try, continually repelled by amazingly spirited Newcastle defence. The Fear, playing for pride and passion, scored two second half tries to record a 12-4 victory away.
Hawkesbury: None. Prescott 2/2
Newcastle: Jamie Feeney and Richard Peleasina. Fien 2/2
PoM Points: Richard Peleasina 3, Brett Dallas 2, and Jamie Feeney 1.
Achingly Close
Ipswich fans left their stadium again disappointed this week, but will find some hope after their chargers pushed Eastwood to the very limits in a tight fought game. Penalties had Ipswich behind 14-10 going into the closing stages of their clash, before a scintillating try, finished by late inclusion Fabian Zulu, sealed an 18-10 result for the visitors.
Ipswich: Loleah Milford. MacNamara 3/3
Eastwood: Fabian Zulu, Francis Maloney, and Tyran Smith. Maloney 3/5
PoM Points: Junior Langi 3, Francis Maloney 2, and Xander Travis 1.
South Queensland’s Woes Continue
As if being humiliating 30-4 at home by the visiting Highlanders wasn’t enough, South Queensland will now have to cope without in form forward, Daniel Strickland, for five weeks after he broke a finger in the big loss.
South Queensland: None. Rodwell 2/2
Penrith: Brett Firman, Glen Hughes, Mark Riddell, Lee Ralleigh 2, and Trent Williams. Riddell 3/6
PoM Points: Glen Hughes 3, Trent Williams 2, and Brent Firman 1.
Logan Hat-Trick Crushes Marlins
A hat trick to Scottish international, Chris Logan, has lifted Canberra to its most impressive win in recent memory. The three tries, coupled with two from Calvin Jones, and three more from team-mates, lead Canberra to a dominant 44-2 win over the previously in form Auckland side, who sorely missed hardman, John Buttegig.
Canberra: Calvin Jones 2, Paul Whatuira, John Cross, Paul Smith, and Chris Logan 3. Towers 6/9
Auckland: None. Detreaux 1/1
PoM Points: Chris Logan 3, Paul Franze 2, and Paul Whatuira 1.
Redlands’ Run Finally Ends
For the first time this season, the Redlands Rhinos have strung together back to back losses, capitulating to the visiting Tamworth City Titans, 30-6. The Rhinos barely turned up, whilst Tamworth’s little known stars showcased they shouldn’t be overlooked for Origin selection, captain Justin Ryder snaring a treble.
Redlands: Allianya Takawira. Takawira 1/1
Tamworth City: Justin Ryder 3, Toutai Kefu, and John Wilson. Ryder 4/5. Wright 1/1
PoM Points: Justin Ryder 3, Toutai Kefu 2, and John Wilson 1.
Oops! He Did It Again
Yet another man of the match performance from reborn five eighth, Andrew Mehrtens, has lifted Capetown to a 20-6 victory over the struggling Townsville Dolphins. Mehrtens was instrumental in the Capetown game, seizing control in the absence of injured halfback, Derek Gateshead, and setting up Capetown’s four tries.
Townsville: Ben Galea. Drummond 1/1
Capetown: Andrew Mehrtens, Hunter Tylerson, Ross McKinnon, and Alex Chemenskwi. Mehrtens 2/4
PoM Points: Andrew Mehrtens 3, Ross McKinnon 2, and Brenton Bowen 1.
French Invasion Sinks Oilers
A scintillating performance from French centre pairing, Augustine Justine and Christophe Lamaisson, has lifted Cairns to a thrilling 36-32 victory over Sydney at Telstra Stadium. The high scoring affair was neck and neck the whole way, a late Quentin Pongia try sealing the result for the ecstatic visitors. New coach, Chris O’Keefe, maintains his 100% win record for another week.
Sydney: Nigel Vagana, Luke Covell, Rob Burrow, Ali Lauititi, and Jason Robinson. Covell 6/6
Cairns: Christophe Lamaisson 2, Augustine Justine 2, Quentin Pongia, Chris Flannery, and Corey Hughes. Smith 4/8
PoM Points: Christophe Lamaisson 3, Justin Smith 2, and Augustine Justine 1.
The Fickle Mob
After only last week celebrating coach Rowland Kelly’s ‘brilliant performance’, angry New England fans rioted against today after New England’s 32-4 loss to Suva was televised on local television. New England, after stringing together three wins, were blown off the park by a clearly fired up Suva side.
Suva: Wes Davies 2, Tim Horan, Deiter Fisher, and Ronan O’Gara. O’Gara 6/7
New England: Andy Farrell. Farrell 0/1
PoM Points: Wes Davies 3, Ronan O’Gara 2, and Olivier Sarramea 1.
No Difference
Fairfield have again showcased their premiership credentials today, showing plenty of defensive strength and character in holding Port Moresby to an 8 all draw. Neither side was at their attacking best, but both, particularly Fairfield- displayed plenty of desperation defence.
Fairfield: Martin Crompton. Magro 2/2
Port Moresby: Etienne Fynn. Rice 2/2
PoM Points: Dean Walker 3, Scott Magro 2, and Danny Bampton 1.
