After a week of taking the game to regional locations, the ASRL clubs have returned to their home grounds to show their fans what they can offer this year.
Gold Coast have continued their impressive pre-season form in the absence of regular first graders Andrew Johns, Scott Logan, and Steve Simpson- still managing to thrash last year's runners up, Central, 32-12. The scoreline could've been much wider, had it not been for Wilkinson's unusually poor night with the boot.
Gold Coast: Kris Radlinski, Gary Connolly, Matt Bowen, Craig Gower, Ashley Harrison, and Jonny Wilkinson 2. Wilkinson 2/7
Central: Clinton Schifcofske and Owen Craigie. Schifcofske 2/3
PoM Points: Jonny Wilkinson 3, Matt Bowen 2, and Gary Connolly.
The New England Ferrets have shaken up premiership odds, thrashing Premier League favourites Wellington 32-6 in a dominant display. If the Armidale faithful have any doubts about New England's dedication, the win today showed they'll be a real force in Division Two.
New England: Brad Baker, Lee Briers, Bryan Fletcher, David Peachy, Andy Farrell, and James Harrison. Farrell 4/6
Wellington: Michael Smith. Hodgson 1/1
PoM Points: Andy Farrell 3, Kevin Iro 2, and Brad Baker 1.
Brisbane have flexed their muscles against Newcastle today, showing that although they relegated- they've still retained a lot of muscle. The Bulls downed Newcastle 22-12.
Newcastle: Leon Pryce and Daniel Heckenberg. Fien 2/2
Brisbane: Wayne Pryce, Shannon Hegarty, Tomas Larsson, and Octavio Bartolucci. Sinfield 3/5
PoM Points: Shannon Hegarty 3, Tony Fabri 2, and Tomas Larsson 1.
A change of coach has done Suva the world of good, the Suns having little trouble in accounting for Penrith 34-18. Although the final margin flattered Penrith, Suva's dominance cannot be over-exagerrated.
Penrith: Robbie Beckett, Julian O'Neill, and Steve Trindall. Riddell 3/3
Suva: Justin Marshall, Deiter Fisher, Christian Cullen, Barry Eaton, Sam Harris, and Boeta Wessels. Fisher 5/7
PoM Points: Boeta Wessels 3, Deiter Fisher 2, and Matt Cockbain 1.
The Central Coast Falcons have proved that Coffs Harbour's win over Perth last week was a fluke, thrashing last year's Division Two finalists 30-14 in a faultless attacking display.
Central Coast: Sebastian Azema, Braith Anasta, Brian Tabuli, Travis Norton, and Phillipe Bernat-Salles. El Masri 5/5
Coffs Harbour: David Raelke, Raymond Karl, and Peter Cusack. Opan 1/3
PoM Points: Hazem El Masri 3, Rodger Randal 2, and Sebastian Azema 1.
Darwin and Christchurch have showcased some stinging defense and brutal attack to produce a 12-6 fulltime score in favour of Darwin. The two sides were even throughout, the game coming down to handling of the pressure involved in a tight clash.
Darwin: Alan Watts and Angel Withers. Paul 2/5
Christchurch: Brad Kelly. Singh 1/1
PoM Points: Steve Kefu 3, Alan Watts 2, and Stuart Spruce 1.
Manly's visit to Ipswich could've been likened to a training run, the Cannons turning it on for the awed locals in downing Ipswich 40-6. The Cannons showed they'll again be a force this season, undefeated thus far in their trial campaign.
Ipswich: Dean Young. MacNamara 1/1
Manly: Aaron Moule, Matt Sing 2, Marc Stcherbina, Logan Swann, Michael Russo, and Dallas Hood. Rogers 6/8
PoM Points: Dallas Hood 3, Aaron Moule 2, and Matt Sing 1.
The Surfers Paradise Punks have given North Sydney a major beating, the Newbloods beaten 44-16 in a one sided affair. Despite their high profile signings, the Newbloods were hapless as the Punks raced in seven tries to three.
North Sydney: Nathan McAvoy, Paul Bowman, and Keith Wood. DeVere 2/3
Surfers Paradise: David Vaeleki, Dane Carlaw, Amos Roberts, Mark Calderwood 3, and Matteo Giocometti 2. Hannay 3/3. Tallic 3/6
PoM Points: Matteo Giocometti 3, Luke Ricketson 2, and Dominik Bush 1.
In an epic Division Two clash, two newer clubs have produced an entertaining clash, the Fairfield Stallions continuing their unbeaten streak in a 15-8 win over South Queensland.
South Queensland: Dean Busby. Rodwell 2/3
Fairfield: Aaron Mercer and Matt Crowther. Crowther 3/3. Crowther 1 fg.
PoM Points: Martin Wood 3, Chris Kendra 2, and Matthew Rodwell 1.
Perth and Parramatta have shown how closely matched Premier League will be this year, the Taipans holding in to score a narrow 15-12 win over the Vikings. Both sides were solid in defence, and will both benefit from such a close fought game with the Bob Fulton Cup around the corner.
Perth: Keith Senior and Glenn Morrison. Lockyer 3/3. Lockyer 1 fg.
Parramatta: Francis Meli and Craig Fitzgibbon. Fitzgibbon 2/2
PoM Points: Keith Senior 3, Keiran Cunningham 2, and Ardent Rivers 1.
Roger Bossert's prediction that Sydney would dominate Second Division this year have taken a beating, Sydney outclassed by fellow contenders Port Moresby 20-4.
Port Moresby: Jamie Bloem, Lars Ojanssen, and Phil Waugh. Zephyr 4/5
Sydney: Matthew Gidley. Swain 0/1
PoM Points: Ryan Cross 3, Marcus Bai 2, and Phil Waugh 1.
South Melbourne have proved surprise winners in the southern derby, upsetting North Melbourne 20-4 in a close fought clash. The halftime score was 14-0, but North Melbourne fought back to trail 14-4 for most of the second half. A late Luke Lewis try sealed it for the home side.
South Melbourne: Luke Lewis, Danny Nutley, and Uri Novavich. O'Neill 4/5
North Melbourne: Clayton Lyons. Walker 0/1
PoM Points: Karl Pratt 3, Skip Williams 2, and Stephen Smith 1.
Townsville have put Tamworth City to the sword, having little trouble in a 32-12 romp. The Ferrets' management would be pleased at Tamworth City's poor showing- whilst the Dolphins' continue to improve.
Tamworth City: Toutai Kefu and Adam Peek. Cummins 2/3
Townsville: Greg Wolfgramm, Eric Grothe Jr 2, Andrew Gee, Travis Elkin, and Lewis Williams. Drummond 4/7
PoM Points: Eric Grothe Jr. 3, Linden Drummond 2, and Andrew Gee 1.
Rookie sensation Jamie 'The Whippet' Venables has lifted Carnarvon to a thrilling 24-16 win over up and coming side, the Wollongong Destructors. The game hung in the balance for seventy minutes, with Venables' two rapid fire tries sealing it for the visitors.
Wollongong: Michael Withers, Jackson Marrick, and Todd Payton. Orr 2/3
Carnarvon: Wendell Sailor, Jamie Venables 2, and John Stankevich. Taylor 4/5
PoM Points: Jamie Venables 3, Michael Vella 2, and Freddie Banquet 1.
The Adelaide Attitude have handed Auckland a second humbling defeat in as many weeks, thrashing their less fancied rivals 34-10.
Auckland: Cliff Beverley and Darren Treacy. Flatley 1/3
Adelaide: Darren Albert, Chris Walker 2, Daniel Herbert, Bryan Riley, and Harry Prince. Paul 0/1. Deacon 5/5
PoM Points: Chris Walker 3, Bryan Riley 2, and Daniel Erbert 1.
Cairns have annihilated fellow Queenslanders, Redlands, 20-2 in a one sided affair. The White Pointers had little or no trouble accounting for the hapless Rhinos, up 12-0 at the break.
Cairns: Dallas Johnson, Bilal Najjarin, and Tabua Cakacaka. Knofke 1/1. Lamaison 3/4
Redlands: None. Takawira 1/2
PoM Points: Dallas Johnson 3, Tarin Bradford 2, and David Ferriol 1.
Canberra and Hawkesbury, both sides freshly relegated, have put on a real show for the Canberra faithful who endured frost conditions as the two sides clashed. A late Joel Caine try sealed it for the home side, 24-18 winners over Hawkesbury.
Canberra: Joel Caine, John Carlaw, Marco Brividio, and Michael Monaghan. Towers 4/7
Hawkesbury: Brad Meyers, Brad Fittler, and Terry O'Connor. Rats 3/4
PoM Points: Inoke Ratudina 3, Lance Rats 2, and Ben Hornby 1.
A last gasp try, fuelled by desperation, from new signing Damien Fields has allowed Capetown to snatch a 12 all draw with the Eastwood Pumas. The Pumas' start to their ASRL season so far has been woeful, managing only a draw after two games against fledgling clubs.
Eastwood: Dom Peters and Todd Byrne. Furner 2/3
Capetown: Ryan Jones and Damien Fields. Fields 2/2
PoM Points: Damien Fields 3, Tyran Smith 2, and Narem Ekhbatana 1.
