The third and final round of trials saw a number of sides sporting new starts fresh from the draft and frenzy. In what many could see as a preview for the upcoming Bob Fulton Cup- with many sides out to impress with only a few days to go.
Suva's recruitment during the draft has done them proud, the Suns dominating Townsville in steamy conditions up north. The game was never in doubt, the Suns running in nine tries in a 44-16 romp over a fellow Division Two contender.
Townsville: Linden Drummond, Craig Bowen, and David Giffin. Drummond 2/3
Suva: Christian Cullen, Ryan McGoldrick 2, Mark Hughes 3, Ronan O'Gara, Matt Cockbain, and Demetrius Lichtenstein. Fisher 4/9
PoM Points: Mark Hughes 3, Ryan McGoldrick 2, and Christian Cullen 1.
Only one word can sum up Auckland's clash with Ipswich- dull. The two sides, neither regarded for their attacking flare, spent eighty minute bashing six colours of @#%$ out've each other- Auckland eventually victorious 6-2.
Auckland: Braden Oakes. Fields 1/1
Ipswich: None. MacNamara 1/2
PoM Points: Darren Treacy 3, Florian Chaubert 2, and Alfred Songoro 1.
Redlands have almost upset New England at Ballimore, the Rhinos never in front, but always pushing as they fought out a 14-12 loss to the Division Two heavyweights. In the end it was the level head and steady boot of New England captain, Andy Farrell, which decided the intense and messy clash.
Redlands: Josh Smith and Jody Gall. Takawira 2/4
New England: Kevin Iro and Albert Torrens. Farrell 3/3
PoM Points: Andy Farrell 3, Jody Gall 2, and Willie Manu 1.
Ill-discipline has cost Port Moresby what could've been a major upset, the Power conceding 15 penalties in a 26 to 18 loss to Darwin. The game was sloppy, but entertaining, as neither side was willing to admit defeat until a 80th minute Angel Withers goal decided the game.
Darwin: Frank Puletua, Kirk Reynoldson, and Lee Jackson. Withers 7/9
Port Moresby: Steve Bell 2 and Tim Jonkers. Burke 3/4
PoM Points: Jamie Bloem 3, Tevita Vaikona 2, and Matthew Burke 1.
The Sydney Oilers may be embroiled in yet another salary cap scandal, one which could see a number of high profile players sacked- but they turned it on one last time for their fans today, downing long time rivals, Central Coast, 26-22 in a thriller.
Sydney: Willie Tonga, Matthew Gidley 2, Nathan Hindmarsh, and Ben Kennedy. Turley 3/5. Swain 0/2
Central Coast: Robbie O'Davis, Darren Britt, Brian Tabuli, and Chris Flannery. El Masri 3/4
PoM Points: Ben Kennedy 3, Matt Utai 2, and Matthew Gidley 1.
Central Phoenix and Perth Taipans, two of the Premier League heavyweights, have provided a mouth-watering preview for the 2003 season- the Phoenix triumphing 22-14 in a spite filled rematch of last year's Bob Fulton Cup final.
Central: Terry Hill, Craig Wing, Karle Hammond, and Matthew Jobson. Schifcofske 3/5
Perth: Deon Bird 2. Lockyer 3/4
PoM Points: Owen Finnegan 3, Terry Hill 2, and Matthew Jobson 1.
A dominant first half has almost amounted to nought as Manly clashed with former rivals, Brisbane. The Cannons dropped the 18-0 lead, but managed to scrape through in a 22-18 win which was decided entirely by goal-kicking.
Manly: Aaron Moule 2, Matt Sing, and Marc Stcherbina. Rogers 3/4
Brisbane: Paul Green, Nathan Merrit, Sean Ryan, and Octavio Bartolucci. Sinfield 1/4
PoM Points: Patrick Varune 3, Matt Sing 2, and Awen Guttenbiel 1.
After a tight first half, which saw Gold Coast lead local rivals, Surfers, 10-2- the Crusade have clicked into gear to record thirty second half points to maul Surfers Paradise 40-8. The Punks now have to back-up next week and face Gold Coast again in the opening Bob Fulton Cup game.
Gold Coast: Scott Logan, Gary Connolly, Tommy O'Reilly, Jonny Wilkinson, Craig Gower, and Kris Radlinski. Wilkinson 8/8
Surfers Paradise: Paul Rauhihi. Hannay 1/1. Tallic 1/1
PoM Points: Kris Radlinski 3, Jonny Wilkinson 2, and Steve Simpson 1.
Tamworth City have accounted for recently relegated Canberra with ease, giving the Bruce Stadium crowd little to cheer about as they raced away 26-12 winners.
Canberra: Yaccine Dekkiche and Scott Staniforth. Towers 2/2
Tamworth City: Francis Cummins, Justin McKay, Kurt Gidley, Shayne Dunley, and Mtombe Msabo. Cummins 3/5
PoM Points: Justin Ryder 3, Shayne Dunley 2, and Kurt Gidley 1.
The Eastwood Pumas have pulled off an enormous upset, winning a thrilling game against Carnarvon 29-28. After leading 18-10 at the break, the Grizzlies and Pumas exchanged tries and were level at 28 all until Lance Hohaia calmly slotted over a field goal to wrap it up.
Eastwood: Francis Maloney, Ben Duckworth, Xander Travis, Matt Adamson, and Ben Tune. Furner 4/6. Hohaia one fg.
Carnarvon: Wendell Sailor, John Stankevich, Jamie Venables, Iestyn Harris, and Justin Morgan. Taylor 4/5
PoM Points: Matt Adamson 3, Wendell Sailor 2, and Ben Duckworth 1.
Fairfield's new signings shone in an inter-Sydney clash took place today, the Stallions triumphing 26-14 over Penrith in front of a vocal crowd.
Penrith: Martin Gleeson and Stuart Kelly. Riddell 3/3
Fairfield: Matt Crowther, Jarod O'Doherty, Danny Bampton, and Michael Korkidas. Magro 5/5
PoM Points: Michael Korkidas 3, Scott Magro 2, and Matt Crowther 1.
Newcastle have caused a second big upset, downing Parramatta 28-18 to prove they'll be a real threat in Division Two this year. The Fear lead 28-6 at halftime, and despite not scoring in the second half, did enough to hold Parramatta out.
Parramatta: Brent Webb, Stuart Fielden, and PJ Marsh. Fitzgibbon 3/3
Newcastle: Nathan Fien 2, Malcolm Alker, Kevin McGuinness, and Daniel Heckenberg. Fien 4/5
PoM Points: Nathan Fien 3, Daniel Heckenberg 2, and Malcolm Alker 1.
North Sydney have recorded their first and only pre-season win, and did it in style by downing in form Adelaide, 30-16. Newly signed Ashley Harrison was a revelation off the bench.
Adelaide: Joe Black, Andrew Meads, and Bryan Riley. Paul 2/3
North Sydney: Timothy Rice, Jonah Lomu 2, Evan Mears, and Ashley Harrison. DeVere 5/5
PoM Points: Mark O'Meley 3, Ashley Harrison 2, and Michael DeVere 1.
Wollongong have beaten Hawkesbury 30-20, but didn't look comfortable as the freshly relegated side pushed them every step of the way. The game will undoubtedly lift Hawkesbury's spirits as they seek to get a winning culture back.
Hawkesbury: Steve Prescott, Joe Roff, Brad Fittler, and Inoke Ratudina. Rats 2/4
Wollongong: Scott Naylor 2, Graham Bond 2, and Darren Senter. Orr 5/7
PoM Points: Darren Senter 3, Scott Naylor 2, and Brett Kimmorley 1.
Another lop-sided penalty count, favouring Christchurch 15-5, has allowed the Carnage to score a 30-22 win over fellow Premier League minnows, South Melbourne. Neither side was brilliant, but the game provided plenty of big hits and length of the field tries.
Christchurch: Amahl Singh 2, Chris Hicks, and Phillip Lee. Singh 7/10
South Melbourne: Skip Williams, Karl Lovell, and Nihal Silvain 2. O'Neill 3/5
PoM Points: Amahl Singh 3, Toa Koh-Love 2, and Jason Ferris 1.
Wellington have recorded a valuable pre-season win, but it was hardly convincing, the Cougars having to grind out a 20-10 win against Coffs Harbour. The Wyrms were solid throughout however, Luke Priddis in particular impressing with a double.
Coffs Harbour: Luke Priddis 2. Opan 1/2
Wellington: Clinton Toopi, Trent Barret, and Graham Luana 2. Luana 2/4
PoM Points: Graham Luana 3, Jeremy Paul 2, and Trent Barrett 1.
The news of coach Irish Hamilton's sacking has lifted the South Queensland Drovers to a 20-10 win over the Cairns Great Whites. The Drovers were full of passion as they sought to send out Irish bad-boy Hamilton in style, and also welcomed new coach Josh Hussey.
South Queensland: Chris Chester, Anthony Tyan, and Matthew Lyons. Rodwell 4/4
Cairns: Christophe Lamaison and Dan Hills. Laimason 1/2
PoM Points: Nick Bradley-Qualilawa 3, Anthony Tyan 2, and Willie Leyshon 1.
Capetown's expensive signings haven't lifted them up over North Melbourne, but they've allowed the Ravens to push North Melbourne the entire length of the game, the Maulers winning 15-6.
North Melbourne: Desi Kadima and Richard Taylor. Walker 3/3. Hill 1 fg.
Capetown: Bronsen Saunders. Detreaux 1/1
PoM Points: Desi Kadima 3, Richard Taylor 2, and Ben Kirchner 1.
