It was a round which saw records fall and upsets get registered across the board as teams battle it out in a season which is already shaping up as a thriller.
PREMIER LEAGUE
A stellar first half from Craig Wing and George Gregan has seen Central leap to a 12-0 halftime lead and an 18-0 fiftieth minute lead- before Gold Coast raced back to trail 18-14 in a tight finish.
Gold Coast: Billy Slater and Andrew Johns. Wilkinson 3/3
Central: Sean Rudder, Craig Wing, and Matthew Jobson. Shayne 3/4
PoM Points: Craig Wing 3, Lesley Vainakolo 2, and George Gregan 1.
The Wellington Cougars continue to dominate the lesser fancied Premier League sides, again reaching 38 points in their 38-10 domination of the struggling Surfers Paradise Punks. The Cougars’ backline again dominated, Timana Tahu backing up last season’s impressive form with a man of the match performance.
Surfers Paradise: Dane Carlaw and Shane Walker. Josh Hannay 1/2
Wellington: Caleb Ralph, Clinton Toopi, Trent Barrett 2, Brent Sherwin, Justin Holbrook, and Graham Luana. Luana 5/7
PoM Points: Timana Tahu 3, Graham Luana 2, and Clinton Toopi 1.
Wollongong's cruel initiation into Premier League continued today, the Destructors embarassed at home 28-0 by the visiting Perth Taipans. The Wollongong side has yet to score a point, and has conceded 64, setting them up for a humiliating season to come.
Wollongong: None.
Perth: Darren Lockyer, Deon Bird, Mark McLinden, Steve Irwin, and Robert Salvatori. Lockyer 4/5
PoM Points: Darren Lockyer 3, Keiran Cunningham 2, and Mitch Healy 1.
The boot of Hazem El Masri has given Central Coast its second Premier League win, the Falcons coming from 6-2 down at halftime to record a 21-12 victory over the unimpressive Adelaide Attitude.
Central Coast: Jason Bell and Steve Reardon. El Masri 6/6. El Masri 1 fg.
Adelaide: Darren Albert and Henry Paul. Paul 1/1. Deacon 1/2.
PoM Points: Steve Reardon 3, Jason Bell 2, and Steven Price 1.
Christchurch may be rank outsiders for a shot at the title, but they gave Carnarvon a demonstration of the football that saw them promoted- going on from a 6-0 halftime lead to thrash Carnarvon 28-12 in front of a large New Zealand crowd.
Christchurch: Julian Huxley 2, John Skandalis, and Luke O'Donnell 2. Paul 4/5
Carnarvon: Jamie Venables 2. Taylor 2/2
PoM Points: Julian Huxley 3, John Skandalis 2, and Toa Koh-Love 1.
A near faultless game has allowed Darwin to record its second victory of the season, downing North Melbourne 20-12 in front of some very disappointed Victorian fans. Both sides scored two tries, with Amahl Singh’s radar boot proving the difference.
North Melbourne: Richard Taylor and Kris Tassel. Walker 2/3
Darwin: John Waka and Bill Rhyven. Singh 6/7
PoM Points: Adam MacDougall 3, Craig Hall 2, and Lee Jackson 1.
After last week's embarassing showing, Manly visited Parramatta with the intent of saving face, but found themselves 18-2 down after forty minutes. The Cannons scored two tries in the second half, but were never in contention, completely outclassed for the second week running.
Parramatta: Shane Rua, Tonie Carroll, and Craig Fitzgibbon. Fitzgibbon 3/3
Manly: Slick Cupples and Phillip Grahem. Tepend 2/3
PoM Points: Craig Fitzgibbon 3, Francis Meli 2, and Tonie Carroll 1.
Ill-discipline from North Sydney has seen them upset by spoon-bound South Melbourne 12-4. Each side scored a try each, but stupid penalties gave South Melbourne excellent field position and plenty of shots on goal.
South Melbourne: Nihal Silvain. O'Neill 4/5
North Sydney: Keith Wood. Burke 0/1
PoM Points: Nihal Silvain 3, Karl Lovell 2, and Matt Rua 1.
DIVISION TWO
After last week’s big away win over Townsville, Eastwood went into their clash with Cairns confident, and left on the end of a 44-2 spanking. The White Pointers lead 18-2 at halftime, and continued on with it in the second half- scoring eight tries in their first official win.
Eastwood: None. Furner 1/1
Cairns: Ty Williams, Augustine Justine, Waisale Sovatabua, Harris Knofke 2, Chris Motu, Dallas Johnson, and Chris Flannery. Lamaison 6/9
PoM Points: Chris Motu 3, Ty Williams 2, and Augustine Justine 1.
A field goal after the siren has lifted Port Moresby to a lucky 23-22 win over the Auckland Marlins after the Marlins scored two late tries to level at 22 all. The Marlins remain winless, but continue to impress as the season continues.
Auckland: Darren Treacy, Elton Flatley, Braden Oakes, and Ali Williams. Flatley 3/4
Port Moresby: Marcus Bai, Jamie Bloem 2, and Mat Toschak. Rice 3/5. Martyn 1 fg.
PoM Points: Alfred Songoro 3, Ali Williams 2, and Elton Flatley 1.
Canberra have shown plenty of spirit in their win over Newcastle, coming from 30-22 down in the final ten to register an invaluable 34-30 win. It was messy at best, with neither side impressing, but Canberra bounced back from last week's thrashing to impress their home fans.
Canberra: Paul Whatuira, John Carlaw, Yaccine Dekkiche 2, John Cross, and Ben Hornby. Towers 5/8
Newcastle: Leon Pryce, Gabrielle Yane, Jamie Feeney, Daniel Heckenberg, and Malcolm Alker. Fien 5/7
PoM Points: Paul Whatuira 3, Yaccine Dekkiche 2, and Sean Towers 1.
Coach Roger Bossert will again be asked to eat his words today, after the Coffs Harbour Wyrms gave Sydney a footballing lesson in a humiliating 30-12 thrashing.
Coffs Harbour: Anthony Minichiello, Rodger Randal, Tana Umaga, Ryan Sheridan, and Raymond Karl 2. Opan 3/6
Sydney: Cameron Smith 2. Burrow 2/2
PoM Points: Ryan Sheridan 3, Anthony Minichiello 2, and Raymond Karl 1.
If Coffs Harbour are favourites for Division Two, Hawkesbury staked their claim today by thrashing fellow Premier League relegators Brisbane, 52-0. The win is the biggest in recent ASRL history, with Fittler snaring three and both Prescott and Meyers scoring doubles.
Hawkesbury: Steve Prescott 2, Matthew Rieck, Brad Fittler 3, Lupina Kaufusi, Fabien Devichi, and Brad Meyers 2. Prescott 6/10
Brisbane: None.
PoM Points: Brad Fittler 3, Inoke Ratudina 2, and Steve Prescott 1.
South Queensland's unpredictable form continued this week, bouncing back from their 42-10 thrashing to upset heavyweight Division Two side, New England, 20-12. The Drovers lead throughout, and completely outclassed the Ferrets.
New England: Albert Torrens and Lee Briers. Andy Farrell 2/2
South Queensland: Semi Taduala, Michael Hancock, Stephen Crouch, and Chris Chester. Rodwell 2/4
PoM Points: Anthony Tyan 3, Alf Duncan 2, and Bryan Fletcher 1.
The Penrith Highlanders have won the battle of the small towns, thrashing Ipswich 26-4 to ruin coach Ron Jeremy's perfect record thus far. The Highlanders totally outclassed by Penrith, who were lead by Central Coast loan, Graham Mackay.
Penrith: Martin Gleeson, Jamie Russo 2, and Graham Mackay. Riddell 5/5
Ipswich: Steve MacNamara. MacNamara 0/1
PoM Points: Graham Mackay 3, Monty Betham 2, and Steve MacNamara 1.
Fairfield have ended Redlands' longest winning streak ever of one game, with a dominant 26-12 win over Redlands at home. A large crowd (for Redlands) came to see the Rhinos perform, but were sent home disappointed as Redlands returned to their familiar bad form.
Redlands: Harvey Howard and Jamain Lowe. Takawira 2/2
Fairfield: Aaron Mercer, Chris Kendra, Darrell Trindall, Shayne McMenemy, and Dean Walker. Magro 3/5
PoM Points: Scott Magro 3, Darrell Trindall 2, and Shayne McMenemy 1.
A new look halves combination including former Gold Coast fullback Kris Radlinski has allowed Townsville to score an upset win over in form Suva, 18-14. It was a thrilling game, with Suva lock Ronan O'Gara named man of the match after carrying his side defensively and offensively for much of the game.
Suva: Justin Marshal and Brian Carney. O'Gara 3/3
Townsville: Greg Wolfgramm, Eric Grothe Jr, and Kris Radlinski. Elken 2/3. Ncube 1/1
PoM Points: Ronan O'Gara 3, Kris Radlinski 2, and Tim Horan 1.
Tamworth City were again surrounded in controversy this weekend, Capetown crying foul after their 79th minute try (which could have drawn the game) was disallowed when it looked legitimate. The Titans held on to win 30-24.
Tamworth City: Justin Ryder, Justin Harrison, Casey McGuire, Joel Clinton, and Mark Corvo. Cummins 5/7
Capetown: Alois Bunjiara, Braam van Straaten, and Ross McKinnon 2. Mehrtens 4/4
PoM Points: Ross McKinnon 3, Andrew Mehrtens 2, and Derek Gateshead 1.
