The 2003 ASRL season began as it always does, with the ASRL teams taking the game to regional centres to display the game. With the big name sides involved, crowds were excellent across the board.
MANLY vs. NORTH SYDNEY @ Mudgee
Manly's dominance over their North Sydney rivals continued today, but required a hatrick from Aaron Moule to seal a 30-22 win. By far the most spiteful of the trials, both sides played in true finals style, never giving up until the final hooter went.
Manly: Aaron Moule 3 and Mat Rogers 2. Rogers 5/7
North Sydney: Nathan Wood 2, Keith Wood, and Evan Mears. DeVere 3/4
PoM Points: Mat Rogers 3, Dallas Hood 2, and Steve Menzies 1.
NEW ENGLAND vs. PENRITH @ Glen Innes
Returning to his home town, Ferrets' coach Rowland Kelly has ensured his side won and won in style. The Ferrets looked superb in cruising to a dominant 30-6 win.
New England: Olivier Sarramea, Richard Gay, Lee Harland, Andy Farrell, and Bryan Fletcher. Farrell 5/5
Penrith: Robbie Beckett. Riddell 1/1
PoM Points: Andy Farrell 3, Lee Briers 2, and Brian Leauma 1.
SYDNEY vs. GOLD COAST @ Grafton, NSW
After the war of words between coaches Roger Bossert and Chris Walker-Bush, the Gold Coast Crusade have put together a near faultless first half to lead Sydney 20-0 at the break. A Matt Gidley double in the second half saved some face for the 'home' side, but Gold Coast kept on to win 30-10.
Sydney: Matthew Gidley 2. Montabe 2/2
Gold Coast: Matt Bowen, Tommy O'Reilly, Ashley Harrison, Josh Perry, and Michael Beuttner. Wilkinson 5/7
PoM Points: Johnny Wilkinson 3, Ashley Harrison 2, and Matt Bowen 1.
Crowd: 16, 000 (Capacity)
CAPETOWN vs. AUCKLAND @ Johannesberg
League hit the South African scene today as the Capetown Ravens clashed with fellow fledgling club- Auckland. The Ravens gave their fans plenty to hope for in season 2003- dominating Auckland in a 20-2 win.
Capetown: Abderazak Elhabuki, Braam van Straaten, Mark Meredith, and Luke Quigley. Detreaux 2/4
Auckland: None. Flatley 1/1
PoM Points: Miguel Detreaux 3, Abderazak Elhabuki 2, and Brenton Bowen 1.
WELLINGTON vs. CENTRAL @ Bellrieve, Tas
Rugby League's return to the southern isle of Tasmania was justifiably lead by Wellington- who still boast a number of the defunct Hobart Devils' squad. The Cougars lead throughout in a close fought battle, eventually triumphing 26-20 in a match which saw Central sport the unlikely centre pairing of Tallis and Wing.
Wellington: Brett Hodgson 2, Jerry Seu Seu, and Brent Sherwin. Luana 5/6
Central: Clinton Schifcofske, David Shayne, and Anthony Himmler. Schifcofske 4/4
PoM Points: Caleb Ralph 3, Brett Hodgson 2, and Michael Smith 1.
NORTH MELBOURE vs. HAWKESBURY @ Geelong
The Mavericks have shown they'll be a real force in Division Two this year, narrowly losing to Premier League big guns North Melbourne 22-20. Both sides were impressive in attack and solid in defence, with North Melbourne winning on the boot of Andrew Walker.
North Melbourne: Stephen Smith, Clayton Lyons 2, and Joe Galavao. Walker 3/4
Hawkesbury: Joe Roff, Lupina Kaufusi, Steve Renouf, and Lance Rats. Rats 2/4
PoM Points: Lance Rats 3, Desi Kadima 2, and Clayton Lyons 1.
PORT MORESBY vs. TAMWORTH CITY @ Jakarta
Whilst all of the hype has focussed on Coffs Harbour and Sydney. the Power have today sent out a loud message to their Division Two competitors- having little trouble in downing Tamworth City 32-16.
Port Moresby: Steve Bell, Michael Coorey, Tim Jonkers, Craig Fields, and Adrian Lam. Burke 6/7
Tamworth City: Mtombe Msabo, Keiran Kerr, and Justin McKay. Cummins 2/3
PoM Points: Adrian Lam 3, Michael Coorey 2, and Steve Bell 1.
SOUTH MELBOURNE vs. CANBERRA @ Mildura
The Devils and Chargers were largely ignored in last year's Premier League season, but today displayed plenty of ability in a nail-biter down south. The Devils ended up winning 20-16, but it was never certain until the final hooter.
South Melbourne: Skip Williams, Julian O'Neill, and Danny Nutley. O'Neill 4/4
Canberra: Scott Staniforth, Joel Caine, and John Cross. Towers 2/3
PoM Points: Jamie Burrows 3, Steve Witt 2, and Skip Williams 1.
SURFERS PARADISE vs. WOLLONGONG @ Mooloolaba
For the first time since their move to Surfer's Paradise at the beginning of 2002, the Punks took on newly promoted Wollongong in a clash of two rising sides. Wollongong dominated the first half, up 20-0 before Surfers stormed back to trail 26-20 with only a minute of play remaining. A daring Bush play failed to deliver, the 'home' side losing 26-20.
Surfers Paradise: Dane Carlaw, Matteo Giocomettia, Gael Tallic, and Andrew Ryan. Tallic 2/4
Wollongong: Michael Withers, Jamie Goddard, Jamie Ainscough, and Brett Kimmorley 2. Kimmorley 0/3. Orr 3/3
PoM Points: Michael Withers 3, Luke Ricketson 2, and Brett Kimmorley 1.
TOWNSVILLE vs. SUVA @ Rockhampton
The new look Dolphins have had little trouble disposing of the Fijian side, winning 20-6 in warm and wet conditions. It was never contested, the one Suva try coming in the 75th minute.
Townsville: Giovanni Piazza, Eric Grothe Jr., and George Smith. Grothe Jr 1/1. Drummond 3/3
Suva: Matt Cockbain. Fisher 1/2
PoM Points: Eric Grothe Jr 3, Ryan McGoldrick 2, and Linden Drummond 1.
ADELAIDE vs. CARNARVON @ Port Augusta
The Adelaide Attitude have out on a daunting attacking display, scoring eight tries in a dominant display in South Australia. The final score was 44-10 to the 'home' side, but it could've been more- the new look Grizzlies outclassed across the park.
Adelaide: Daniel Wagon, Chris Walker, Daniel Herbert, Paul Deacon 2, Luke Burt, and Joe Black 2. Paul 2/2. Deacon 4/6
Carnarvon: Jamie Venables and Ian Rubin. Taylor 1/2
PoM Points: Daniel Herbert 3, Bryan Riley 2, and Joe Black 1.
BRISBANE vs. REDLANDS @ Bribie Island
Playing in front of a small local crowd, the Brisbane Bulls have won a gruelling encounter with a Redlands side desperate to improve on a woeful debut year. The Bulls were eventual 16-0 winners, but were hardly convincing, and will need to life their game if they're to be genuine Division Two contenders.
Brisbane: Shannon Hegarty 2 and Tomas Larsson. Wilson 2/3
Redlands: None. Takawira 0/2
PoM Points: John Hopoate 3, Tony Fabri 2, and Kevin Sinfield 1.
CAIRNS vs. NEWCASTLE @ Mackay
The Cairns White Pointers and Newcastle Fear are two up and coming Second Division sides, and displayed their professionalism and ability today in wet and humid conditions in Mackay. The Fear, sporting their new 'Bantam' mascot, won 18-10 in a tough encounter.
Cairns: Jason King and Robert Relf. Knofke 0/2. Lamaisson 1/1
Newcastle: Jason Croker, Leon Pryce, and Gabrielle Yane. Fien 3/5
PoM Points: Gabrielle Yane 3, Andrew Pierce 2, and Tarin Bradford 1.
CENTRAL COAST vs. CHRISTCHURCH @ Wagga Wagga
The Falcons and Carnage are two of the newest Premier League sides, and showed that they can match the standards of the established sides today in a thrilling 26-22 win to the Falcons. It took a 73rd minute Haumona try to break the deadlock, and give Central Coast a big fan following south of their natural home.
Central Coast: Solomon Haumona 2, Braith Anasta, Travis Norton, and David Solomona. El Masri 3/7
Christchurch: Vinne Anderson, Jason Ferris, and Chris Leikvoll. Singh 5/5
PoM Points: Amahl Singh 3, Solomon Haumona 2, and Chris Leikvoll 1.
COFFS HARBOUR vs. PERTH @ Kempsey
The Wyrms have today added some weight to the ASRL Board's plans to lower the Division Two salary cap for next season, upsetting Premier League finalists Perth 30-26 in a spiteful and messy clash. It was a game which saw Coffs' new look backline dominate.
Coffs Harbour: Anthony Minchiello 2, Rodger Randal, Tana Umaga, Stirling Mortlock, and Justin Hodges. Opan 3/6
Perth: Darren Lockyer, Keith Senior 3, and Ardent Rivers. Lockyer 3/5
PoM Points: Keith Senior 3, Rodney Howe 2, and Anthony Minichiello 1.
DARWIN vs. PARRAMATTA @ Seoul
Taking the game into Asia, Darwin clashed with Parramatta in a clash which promised to pit to emerging threats against each other. The Cyclones, however, put Parramatta to the sword in a one-sided 34-10 win.
Darwin: Tevita Vaikona, Steve Kefu 2, Angel Withers, Bill Rhyven, and Jessie Kidman. Paul 5/6
Parramatta: Henry Faafili and Steven Price. Fitzgibbon 1/2
PoM Points: Steve Kefu 3, Bill Rhyven 2, and Nick Graham 1.
FAIRFIELD vs. EASTWOOD @ Broken Hill
Fairfield have made a stunning debut to their ASRL season, thrashing established Sydney rivals, Eastwood, 24-0. The Stallions weren't pretty, but used brutal tactics to shut out Eastwood completely.
Fairfield: Aaron Mercer, Martin Wood, Danny Bampton, and Chris Kendra. Crowther 4/6
Eastwood: None.
PoM Points: Martin Wood 3, Matt Kennedy 2, and Matt Crowther 1.
IPSWICH vs. SOUTH QUEENSLAND @ Mount Isa
In a real local derby, two fledgling sides did battle to endear the hearts of locals. If the game was to decide following- Ipswich'd be fan favourites after a 16-2 win. Neither side looked good, but Ipswich controlled the ball far better than the Drovers.
Ipswich: Michael Robertson, Hassan Saleh 2, and Scott Pethybridge. MacNamara 0/4
South Queensland: None. Rodwell 1/1
PoM Points: Ben Kusto 3, Steve MacNamara 2, and Ryan Hodgson 1.
