Round One of the 2003 ASRL season kicked off with a huge Friday night clash between Manly and Gold Coast- but the round will not be remembered for the quality of football. It will be remembered for one sided scorelines- and a a string of injuries to key players across the board.

PREMIER LEAGUE
In the most closely contested of the Premier League games, Carnarvon have turned around their poor pre-season form to snare an 18-12 win over the visiting Adelaide Attitude. The Grizzlies showed plenty of ticker coming from 12-10 down in the last ten to score a key victory over a fellow contender.
Carnarvon: Freddie Banquet, Mark Gasnier, and Mike Forshaw. Taylor 3/5
Adelaide: Henry Paul and Harry Prince. Paul 2/2
PoM Points: Freddie Banquet 3, Nathan Blacklock 2, and Mark Gasnier 1.

North Sydney, favoured by many to relegate, have made a bold statement in Round 1- annihilating North Melbourne 32-6 to sit in outright first after a round of football. The Newbloods were in control throughout, new recruit Matthew Burke shining for the home side.
North Sydney: Matthew Burke, Nathan McAvoy, Nathan Wood, Mark Muggleton, Vila Mautatia, and Keith Wood. Burke 4/6
North Melbourne: Richard Taylor. Walker 1/2
PoM Points: Matthew Burke 3, Vila Mautatia 2, and Mark Muggleton 1.

South Melbourne's chances of staying in Premier League already look slim, the Devils unable to pressure Surfers Paradise- who last year narrowly avoided relegation. Fullback Rhys Wesser was the catalyst for Surfers' 38-16 win- his passing and speed making him a thorn in South Melbourne's side for the entire game.
Surfers Paradise: Rhys Wesser, Josh Hannay, Marc Calderwood, Sonny Nickle, Dane Carlaw, Shane Walker, and Paul Mellor. Hannay 5/7
South Melbourne: Terry Newton, Steve Witt, and Nihal Silvain. O'Neill 2/4
PoM Points: Rhys Wesser 3, Gael Tallic 2, and Marc Calderwood 1.

A hat-trick to Great Britain hooker Keiran Cunningham has lifted Perth to a 28-12 win over the visiting Parramatta Vikings. The favourite for the ESF hooking role, Cunningham dominated broken play with his astute dummy half runs and tactical kicking game.
Perth: Darren Lockyer, Mark McLinde, and Keiran Cunningham 3. Lockyer 4/5
Parramatta: Tonie Carroll and Dean Widders. Fitzgibbon 2/2
PoM Points: Keiran Cunningham 3, Mark McLinden 2, and Darren Lockyer 1.

Wollongong could hardly have had a more humbling introduction to Premier League- meeting Bob Fulton Cup holders Wellington and being soundly beaten 36-0. The Cougars lead 30-0 at halftime, and Wollongong did improve in the second half, but couldn't make a dent in Wellington's rock solid defence.
Wellington: Brett Hodgson, Brent Sherwin 2, Phil Waugh, and Graham Luana 2. Luana 6/6
Wollongong: None.
PoM Points: John Sitizien 3, Graham Luana 2, and Brent Sherwin 1.

The so-called 'game of the round' proved to be nothing of the sort, the Gold Coast Crusade hitting back after their BFC loss with a sound 32-10 thrashing of fellow contenders, Manly. Captain Andrew Johns continues to dominate opposition sides-scoring two tries in the romp.
Manly: Phillip Grahem and Slick Cupples. Rogers 1/2
Gold Coast: Matthew Bowen, Billy Slater, Andrew Johns 2, and Josh Perry 2. Wilkinson 4/6
PoM Points: Josh Perry 3, Billy Slater 2, and Phil Bailey 1.

Playing in wet conditions in the red centre, the Central Coast Falcons have scored an upset first round victory over last year's grand finalists- downing Central 24-6 in a one sided clash. The home side failed to score a single try, and were booed from the field after the sloppy clash.
Central: None. Schifcofske 3/3
Central Coast: Ben Harris 3, Hazem El Masri, and Brad Commins. El Masri 2/6
PoM Points: Phillipe Bernat-Salles 3, Ben Harris 2, and Hazem El Masri 1.

Darwin have given Christchurch a sound beating in the Carnage's first hit out in top flight league, a five try display giving Christchurch a 26-4 first up loss.
Darwin: Steven Hughes, Alan Watts, Tom Bowman, Steve Kefu, and Leigh Bush. Singh 3/5
Christchurch: Jason Ferris. Paul 0/1
PoM Points: Alan Watts 3, Leigh Bush 2, and Adam MacDougall 1.

DIVISION TWO
The words 'famous last words' sprang to mind this afternoon, as Ipswich performed a minor miracle in upsetting Division Two hotshots Sydney 18-12 at Telstra Stadium. The Reds lead 18-6 after a sloppy first half, and despite all of their big name players, Sydney could not find points in the second half and lost in humiliating fashion.
Sydney: Luke Patten and Patrick Gibson. Burrow 2/2
Ipswich: Grant Wooden, Florian Chaubet, and Marc Reed. MacNamara 3/3
PoM Points: Florian Chaubet 3, Steve MacNamara 2, and Grant Wooden 1.

Brisbane have started their long hard road back to Premier League with a dominant 28-14 thrashing of the newly formed Auckland Marlins. Up 10-0 at halftime, the Bulls continued on in a five try thrashing of the hapless Marlins.
Brisbane: Neil Sweeney, Tomas Larsson, Willie Poching, Scott Prince, and Kevin Sinfield. Sinfield 4/5
Auckland: Mark Aopeia 2 and Russell Richardson. Flatley 1/3
PoM Points: Kevin Sinfield 3, Paul Green 2, and Neil Sweeney 1.

After a closely contested first half saw Townsville and Eastwood locked at 6 apiece- the Pumas turned it up a gear in the second half to record an important 24-6 win away from home.
Townsville: Travis Elken. Elken 1/1
Eastwood: Tom O'Shea 2, Narem Ekhbatana 2, and Robert Mears. Furner 4/5
PoM Points: Dom Peters 3, Tyran Smith 2, and Jason Death 1.

Suva have started their season in ideal style, scoring a tough 18-8 win over the newly formed Cairns squad. The home side scored two tries to Suva's three, but poor goal-kicking ensured Suva would look comfortable victors.
Cairns: Christophe Lamaisson and Waisale Sovatobua. Lamaisson 0/2
Suva: Deiter Fisher, Demetrius Lichtenstein, and Tim Clark. O'Gara 3/3
PoM Points: Deiter Fisher 3, Tim Clark 2, and Brian Carney 1.

Fans in South Africa were given plenty to look forward to today, the Capetown Ravens showing no mercy in thrashing recently relegated Canberra 26-0. It was the imported players turning it on for Capetown, who lost captain Joost van Derweztuisen in the big win.
Capetown: Michael Robertson, Robert Miles 2, and Coenraad van der Merwe. Mehrtens 5/5
Canberra: None.
PoM Points: Ross McKinnon 3, Steve Williams 2, and Joost van Derwestuizen.

Penrith have scored a major upset today, drawing on players from alliance members, Central Coast, to down Coffs Harbour 30-26 in a high scoring clash. Coach Jelly Adams was fuming after the game, claiming Magro had 'stabbed him in the back' by loaning players out to Penrith.
Coffs Harbour: Stirling Mortlock, Nime Kapo, Terry Martin, and Mitchell Sargent 2. Opan 3/5
Penrith: Lance Rhodes, Trent Williams 2, Jamie Russo, and Steve Trindall. Riddell 5/6
PoM Points: Trent Williams 3, Mitchell Sargent 2, and Monty Betham 1.

Redlands must've caused punters to double check the score today, ravaging fellow Queensland club South Queensland 42-10 in a dominant display. Despite relatively even possession, the Drovers couldn't dent Redlands' surprisingly determined defence.
South Queensland: Brad Flemming and Alf Duncan. Rodwell 1/2
Redlands: Daryl Cardiss, Paul Sterling, Allianya Takawira, Josh Smith, Brett Finch, Hudson Smith, and Jody Gall. Takawira 7/8
PoM Points: Jamain Lowe 3, Willie Manu 2, and Brett Finch 1.

A hat-trick to out of favour fullback David Peachy, coupled with a renewed sense of purpose, has lead the New England Ferrets to an emphatic 32-10 win over the hapless Fairfield Stallions. The Stallions have also lost Fijian star Rupeni Caucaunicibuca, who was stretchered from the field after only twenty minutes.
Fairfield: Danny Sculthorpe and Rupeni Caucaunibuca. Magro 1/2
New England: David Peachy 3, Dean Dorahy 2, and Brian Leauma. Farrell 4/7
PoM Points: Dean Dorahy 3, David Peachy 2, and Andy Farrell 1.

New Hawkesbury coach Brian Randell was given the perfect welcome to top flight league when his chargers upset Port Moresby 18-6 in a classic clash in PNG. The steaming heat made for sloppy play, but the game was played with intensity as Hawkesbury romped out in a four tries to one victory.
Port Moresby: Steve Simpson. Rice 1/1
Hawkesbury: Joe Roff, Solomon Haumona, Fabian Devichi, and Brett Howland. Prescott 0/4
PoM Points: Inoke Ratudina 3, Solomon Haumona 2, and Mick van der Wall 1.

Controversy surrounded Newcastle's 24-14 win over Tamworth City today, the Titans playing the last twenty minutes two men down after both Justin Ryder and Adam Peek were sent from the field for 'foul play' by referee Justin Hoy. Afterwards coach Steve Simmons was understandbly annoyed, the side having been 'robbed' of its first up points.
Newcastle: Brett Dallas, Anthony Colella, Malcolm Alker, and Bill Narwan. Fien 3/4. Ross 1 fg. Fien 1 fg.
Tamworth City: Francis Cummins and Toutai Kefu. Cummins 3/3
PoM Points: Leon Pryce 3, Malcolm Alker 2, and Nathan Fien 1.