Haven't had time to type up tables. I'll do them tomorrow night, unless someone else does.
PREMIER LEAGUE
It was a classic example of experienced forwards dominating an inexperienced pack in Adelaide’s 28-8 loss to Central Coast this week, a weaker forward pack being mammothed by the no-nonsense Falcons’ play. Blown off the park in the first half, Adelaide are now a very real chance of relegation if they can’t turn their season around.
Adelaide: Rupeni Caucau. Apokalips 2/2
Central Coast: Luke Patten, Braith Anasta, Nigel Vagana, and Matthew Burke 2. El Masri 4/5
HT Score: Central Coast 16-2
Penalties: Adelaide 10-9
Completion Rates: Adelaide 68% Central Coast 71%
Possession: Central Coast 53%
PoM Points: Imanol Harinordoquy 3, James Manson 2, and Luke Patten 1.
The most hyped game of the week, between bitter rivals Gold Coast and Brisbane, has produced an unexpected thriller- the out of form Bulls lifted their game considerably to push the undefeated Crusade to the very edge in a 13-8 thriller played at ANZ Stadium. The game was full of fire and intensity, with the Crusade pack settling their coaches off-field differences with Brisbane coach Josh Hussey with plenty of hard and rough hits.
Brisbane: Jonathon Thurston. Hannay 2/2
Gold Coast: Matthew Gidley and Luke Rooney. Farrell 2/3. O’Reilly 1 fg.
HT Score: 6 all
Penalties: Brisbane 9-5
Completion Rates: Brisbane 65% Gold Coast 72%
Possession: Brisbane 50%
PoM Points: Luke Rooney 3, Michael Crocker 2, and Scott Hill 1.
Capetown have recorded their second victory in as many weeks, downing another contenders to show that their season is well and truly back on track. The Ravens backed up last week’s narrow win over Coffs Harbour with another thrilling win, upsetting the Central Phoenix 26-24. It wasn’t all good news, however, with just returned captain Andrew Johns sidelined for another six weeks after aggravating his knee injury.
Capetown: Keith Mason, Derek Gateshead 2, and Andrew Johns. Geyer ¾. Johns 2/2
Central: Clinton Schifcofske, Beau Rivers, Alex Synn, and Preston Campbell 2. Harris 2/7
HT Score: Central 24-12
Penalties: Capetown 10-8
Completion Rates: Capetown 70% Central 77%
Possession: Capetown 50%
PoM Points: Derek Gateshead 3, Leon Pryce 2, and Alex Synn 1.
Darwin may not be considered contenders yet, but they showed they definitely could be today, outclassing the star-studded Sydney Oilers to record a 24-12 victory. The Cyclones played enterprising football, and it proved to unsettle the Oilers, whose legendary habit of choking struck again as they failed to make an impact in a game Darwin were always going to win.
Darwin: John Morris, Owen Finegan, Jim Dymock, and Remeni Reweti. O’Gara 4/5
Sydney: Craig Gower and Daniel Fitzhenry. Gower 2/2
HT Score: Darwin 10-0
Penalties: Sydney 5-4
Completion Rates: Darwin 64% Sydney 69%
Possession: Darwin 50%
PoM Points: Owen Finegan 3, Jim Dymock 2, and Ronan O’Gara 1.
Coffs Harbour’s season appears to be in dire straits after the side followed up last week’s narrow loss to Capetown with an embarrassing 28-12 loss to the struggling Melbourne Executioners. As many have predicted, the Wyrms showed a distinct lack of confidence after last week’s heart-breaking loss.
Melbourne: David Peachy, Colin Charvis, Jonny Maquina, and Richard Horne. Maquina 6/7
Coffs Harbour: Carlos Spencer and Tom Bowman. Spencer 2/2
HT Score: Melbourne 14-12
Penalties: Melbourne 10-2
Completion Rates: Melbourne 69% Coffs Harbour 62%
Possession: Melbourne 57%
PoM Points: Jonny Maquina 3, David Peachy 2, and Ashwin Willemse 1.
There were wild scenes at Hawkesbury League’s Club today after the side scored a dramatic 20-18 win over the in form Parramatta Vikings courtesy of a last gasp Justin Harrison try. The exciting game looked to be going Parramatta’s way until a late Brett Finch grubber found the back rower, with the conversion lifting Hawkesbury to their second win of the year.
Parramatta: Jamie Lyon 2 and Mark Gasnier. Fitzgibbon 3/3
Hawkesbury: Barry Berrigan, Justin Harrison 2, and John Roe. Prescott 2/3. Ahmed 0/1
HT Score: Parramatta 12-10
Penalties: Parramatta 10-4
Completion Rates: Parramatta 70% Hawkesbury 57%
Possession: Parramatta 54%
PoM Points: Jamie Lyon 3, Mark Gasnier 2, and Eric Grothe Jr 1.
The Northern Cannons have continued their mid-season resurgence, upsetting the Perth Taipans 32-20 today to get their premiership campaign back on track. With the return of David McElroy to the coaching role, the Cannons have recaptured the form that has seen them compete, in some form, in every Premier League final.
Perth: Daniel Abraham, Derick Hougard, and Shane Muspratt. Wilkinson 4/4
Northern: Brett Dallas, Paul Wellens, Edward Hoartshire, Mark O’Meley, and Phillip Elof. Pariah 6/7
HT Score: Northern 18-8
Penalties: Perth 10-7
Completion Rates: Perth 58% Northern 68%
Possession: Northern 51%
PoM Points: Trent Pariah 3, Shane Muspratt 2, and Derick Hougard 1.
Those who have been doubting Wollongong’s status as a premiership contender were given a great example of the side’s newfound attitude today, with the Destructors putting on an impressive show in their 46-22 thumping of the out of form Port Moresby Power. A tight first half was no indication of Wollongong’s true colours, and they kicked on in the second half to record a solid victory.
Port Moresby: Mils Muliana and Brett Kimmorley. Adams 7/7
Wollongong: Richie Mathers, Tim Clark, Stacey Jones, Derrek Lawton, Chris Whittaker 2, and Sebastian Mpofu. Hodgson 9/9
HT Score: Wollongong 14-10
Penalties: Port Moresby 13-10
Completion Rates: Port Moresby 63% Wollongong 53%
Possession: Wollongong 51%
PoM Points: Tim Clark 3, Stacey Jones 2, and Scott Murrell 1.
The shock resignation of long-standing coach Chris Maunder has whipped some courage into the struggling Surfers Paradise Punks, who will be welcoming new coach Al Staples next week. In today’s game against Wellington, the Punks showed plenty of fire and aggression, but were ultimately out-gunned by the red hot Wellington Cougars, 30-24.
Wellington: Graeme Frame, Ryan O’Hara, Danny Tickle, Keiron Cunningham, and Sean Long. Sinfield 4/7. O’Hara 1 fg. Orr 1 fg.
Surfers Paradise: Segeni Ngethe, Keith Senior, Darren Lockyer, and Adam Perry. Lockyer 4/5
HT Score: Wellington 14-12
Penalties: Wellington 10-5
Completion Rates: Wellington 62% Surfers Paradise 55%
Possession: Wellington 55%
PoM Points: Keith Senior 3, Darren Lockyer 2, and Adam Perry 1.
DIVISION TWO
It was far from impressive, but Eastwood have come away from today’s clash against last placed Port Macquarie with an 18-12 victory. The Pumas, who last year went achingly close to a grand final berth, have struggled to recapture their 2004 season form.
Eastwood: Tom O’Shea 2 and Francis Maloney. Hendersen ¾
Port Macquarie: Koru Tinakita and Ben Duckworth. Bowen 2/3
HT Score: Eastwood 14-8
Penalties: Eastwood 10-7
Completion Rates: Eastwood 71% Port Macquarie 52%
Possession: Eastwood 54%
PoM Points: Tom O’Shea 3, Craig Kenniwell 2, and Mtombe Msabo 1.
Wagga may not be afraid of Fairfield or Scott Magro, but both parties gave the Badgers plenty of reasons to be in today’s 42-14 annihilation at Fairfield Showground. Wagga may have had a good game-plan, but Scott Magro showed NSW selectors why he deserves to be in the squad with a dominant display.
Fairfield: Adrian Vowles, Seamus O’Grady, Dominik Bush 2, Mick Higham 2, and Slick Cupples. Magro 7/8
Wagga: Dimiti Pelovski 2. Rowles 3/3
HT Score: Fairfield 14-0
Penalties: Fairfield 15-9
Completion Rates: Fairfield 65% Wagga 64%
Possession: Fairfield 57%
PoM Points: Scott Magro 3, Dominik Bush 2, and Mick Higham 1.
East Coast continue to stay neck and neck with Canberra in the battle for first place in the Wally Lewis section of Division Two, today downing fellow contender Ipswich, 14-4 in a thrilling clash. Ipswich have been this season’s real surprise packets, but weren’t able to match a fast starting Tigers’ outfit.
Ipswich: James Wilson. Wood 0/2
East Coast: Matt Bowen and Mark Gerrard. Martin 1/1. Michaels 2/2
HT Score: East Coast 12-4
Penalties: Ipswich 10-7
Completion Rates: Ipswich 70% East Coast 77%
Possession: East Coast 51%
PoM Points: Mark Gerrard 3, Shane Rodney 2, and Gareth Raynor 1.
Amidst the rash of recent resignations, the now coachless Lake Heights Lightning were today humbled by the visiting Dunedin Vipers, 46-24. It was a game that didn’t showcase defence, but rather gave viewers plenty of length of the field tries and excitement. The first half was competitive, but Dunedin’s class shone through in the second period.
Lake Heights: Lee Gilmour, Marc Calderwood, Asuki Miyamoto, and Nihal Silvain. Kempton 4/4
Dunedin: Regan King 2, Terry Hill 2, David Frame, Brashen Trell, Trent Wright, and John Andrews. Devine 7/8
HT Score: Dunedin 24-12
Penalties: Dunedin 10-8
Completion Rates: Lake Heights 56% Dunedin 57%
Possession: Dunedin 53%
PoM Points: Terry Hill 3, John Andrews 2, and David Frame 1.
Just when the fans may have been forgiven for beginning to lose faith in their team, the Liverpool Rockets have returned to form with an emphatic 31-18 win over the talented but hapless Carnarvon Grizzlies. The home side stormed home in a one-sided second half, after having trailed 18-14 at the halftime break.
Liverpool: Paul Atchison, Adam Hughes, Paul March, Lawrence Dallaglio, and Brad Kelly. March 5/6. Hughes 1 fg.
Carnarvon: Leigh Bush, Jamie Venables, and Mitchell Sargent. McLean 3/3
HT Score: Carnarvon 18-14
Penalties: Liverpool 7-6
Completion Rates: Liverpool 61% Carnarvon 65%
Possession: Liverpool 56%
PoM Points: Tai Lavea 3, Paul March 2, and Lawrence Dallaglio 1.
Even the return of world class centre Matt Cooper hasn’t been enough to lift New England into the top eight with a win over Tassie, the Ferrets unable to match the Tasmanian side’s enthusiasm as they fought their way to a 24-16 away victory. Playing in fullback, talented Union convert Clyde Rathbone proved a thorn in the side of the Ferrets’ defence, who were also without their own first choice fullback.
New England: Matt Cooper, Fifita Moala, and Matt Bickerstaff. Briers 2/6
Tassie: Clyde Rathbone, Todd Bates, Shannon Hegarty, and Bradley Mika. Bates 4/6
HT Score: Tassie 12-10
Penalties: New England 8-7
Completion Rates: New England 66% Tassie 67%?Possession: Tassie 51%
PoM Points: Clyde Rathbone 3, Bradley Mika 2, and Simon Woolford 1.
Tamworth City management were crying foul after today’s 24-20 loss to the North Queensland Dolphins, a loss that may see the Titans slip out of the top five for the first time all season. Several crucial calls late in the tight game went against the visiting side, who picked up all of the Dally M points despite the four point loss.
North Queensland: Corey Haim, Albert Hommus, Todd Byrne, and Ben Kirchner. Mehrtens 4/5
Tamworth City: Gordon D’Arcy and Scott Sattler 2. Bates 4/4
HT Score: Tamworth City 18-6
Penalties: North Queensland 6-4
Completion Rates: North Queensland 63% Tamworth City 51%
Possession: North Queensland 51%
PoM Points: Wendell Sailor 3, Ben Pomeroy 2, and Scott Sattler 1.
Newcastle have scored perhaps their most impressive victory of the season, holding Penrith tryless in a 20-2 win over the up and down Highlanders. Penrith’s only points came from a Mark Riddell penalty goal, whilst the Fear turned it on in the first half with three tries.
Penrith: None. Riddell 1/1
Newcastle: Stuart Reardon, Marc Barctholomeausz, and Matt Diskin. Reardon 1/1. Witt 3/3
HT Score: Newcastle 20-2
Penalties: Penrith 8-5
Completion Rates: Penrith 67% Newcastle 58%
Possession: Newcastle 52%
PoM Points: Stuart Reardon 3, Mark Hughes 2, and Brett Firman 1.
In a forgettable match played in torrid Adelaide conditions, the Geelong Bengals have recorded a solid 18-6 win over Port Adelaide to keep their faint hope of a top ten finals’ berth alive.
Port Adelaide: Cameron McIntyre. Sparrow 1/3
Geelong: Kieran Whatuira 2, Craig Frawley, and Kit Walker. Detreaux ¼
HT Score: Geelong 10-2
Penalties: Port Adelaide 10-2
Completion Rates: Port Adelaide 60% Geelong 66%
Possession: Port Adelaide 52%
PoM Points: Nathan Grey 3, Kieran Whatuira 2, and Samuel Regan 1.
The first placed Canberra Chargers have retained their division lead in the best possible way, hammering Redlands 48-6 to both intimidate their opposition and further the gap between themselves and equally placed East Coast. The Chargers scored eight tries to one, with five of them coming in a one sided first half.
Redlands: Bobby Young. Young 1/1
Canberra: Scott Donald, Christophe Lamaisson, Chris McKenna 3, Sean Towers, Isaac Ah Mau, and Richard Peleasina. Gafa 8/8
HT Score: Canberra 30-6
Penalties: Canberra 8-6
Completion Rates: Redlands 62% Canberra 64%
Possession: Canberra 58%
PoM Points: Chris McKenna 3, Sean Towers 2, and Brandon Costin 1.
Another week, and another draw for the Shanghai Traders. In what looked like a carbon copy of last week’s draw, the Traders were inspired by Ryan Girdler, and managed a draw against the Waikato Breakers despite scoring one less try than their opposition.
Waikato: Brian Lima, Brock James, and Gareth Hock. Paul 2/4
Shanghai: Chris Cahill and Nick Fozzard. Caster 4/5
HT Score: Waikato 12-6
Penalties: Shanghai 6-2
Completion Rates: Waikato 55% Shanghai 68%
Possession: Shanghai 52%
PoM Points: Ryan Girdler 3, Gareth Hock 2, and Nathan Sutton 1.
Returning coach Chris Columbo has been welcomed back fittingly by his Colombo Harlequins, the reigning runners up scoring a 24-14 win over Wanganui despite a stirring performance from relative unknown, Matthew Cooper.
Wanganui: Nelson Lomi and Melody Wafawanaka. Cooper ¾
Colombo: Fourcade Abasse, Aaron Moule, Ricardo, and Matt Dawson. Fields 4/5
HT Score: Colombo 24-8
Penalties: Wanganui 11-2
Completion Rates: Wanganui 65% Colombo 56%
Possession: Wanganui 52%
PoM Points: Matthew Cooper 3, Damien Fields 2, and Marcus George 1.
