Central Coast are now the only undefeated Premier League team, with several big upsets in both divisions.


PREMIER LEAGUE
Manly have come out fired up and achieved the unachievable, scorching the Cougars with three first half tries and scoring a further two in the second half to score an upset 32-6 win over the premiership favourites. The Cannons looked a far cry from recent weeks, playing with plenty of passion and pride.
Wellington: Paul Stringer. Luana 1/1
Manly: Mat Rogers, Steve Menzies, Stacey Jones, Patrick Ventrue, Phillip Grahem, and Leigh McWilliams. Rogers 4/6
PoM Points: Mat Rogers 3, Leigh McWilliams 2, and Kit Walker 1.

Wollongong’s woeful initiation into Premier League continued today, the Destructors become Adelaide’s second scalp in as many weeks- outclassed 12-6 in front of a vocal Adelaide crowd. The Destructors again failed to cross the line, their points entirely from the boot of Danny Orr.
Adelaide: Stephen Kearney and Joe Black. Paul 2/3
Wollongong: None. Orr 3/4
PoM Points: Stephen Kearney 3, Matt Giteau 2, and Richard Goddard 1.

Parramatta have almost thrown away a 12-0 halftime lead in their clash of the league minnows with Christchurch. The Carnage drew level late in the first half, before a long range Craig Fitzgibbon penalty goal gave the visiting Vikings the two points and a 14-12 win.
Christchurch: Tom O’Reilly and Toa Koh-Love. Paul 2/2
Parramatta: Francis Meli and Brent Webb. Fitzgibbon 3/3
PoM Points: Lee Hopkins 3, Carlos Spencer 2, and Brent Webb 1.

Tactical kicking from captain Andrew Johns and two late tries have seen Gold Coast avoid a humiliating home loss to the struggling North Melbourne Maulers. The win lifts Gold Coast over fellow premiership rivals, Wellington- and sees them as the side possessing the best for and against in the league.
Gold Coast: Luke Davico, Tommy O’Reilly, Mark Hughes, and Tony Puletua. Johns 6/6
North Melbourne: Desi Kadima 2 and Ben Kirchner. Walker 1/3
PoM Points: Luke Davico 3, Tommy O’Reilly 2, and Desi Kadima 1.

A 30-20 fulltime scoreline in North Sydney’s win over Darwin hardly reflecting the Newbloods’ dominance- the Cyclones scoring two late tries to improve what was looking like an embarassing scoreline at 30-8. Bench relegated half, Ben Ikin, again outplayed his replacement, Akido Li.
Darwin: Adam MacDougall, Leigh Bush, and Bill Rhyven. Singh 4/4
North Sydney: Paul Bowman, Matt Rua 2, Lars Ojanssen, and Ashley Harrison 2. Burke 3/7
PoM Points: Chev Walker 3, Matthew Burke 2, and Ben Ikin 1.

It just isn’t Carnarvon’s season, the former powerhouse club continuing to be the laughing stock of the All-Star Rugby League’s Premier League. The Grizzlies were embarassing today, unable to cross the line in their 16-0 loss to Surfers Paradise at home.
Carnarvon: None.
Surfers Paradise: Rhys Wesser 2 and Josh Hannay. Hannay 2/3
PoM Points: Mark Calderwood 3, Josh Hannay 2, and Rhys Wesser 1.

A late try to bench back Brian Tabuli, as well as a Craig Emmerton field goal, has allowed Central Coast to leap to first courtesy of a 25-18 win over the surprisingly solid South Melbourne side. The Falcons looked on track for a loss early on when they trailed 12-0, but showed plenty of class in recording their fifth win of the season.
Central Coast: Phillipe Bernat-Salles, Brian Tabuli, Darren Britt, and Mark O’Neill. El Masri 4/4. Emmerton 1 fg.
South Melbourne: Ian Sibbit, Edward Oaken, and Julian O’Neill. O’Neill 3/3
PoM Points: Shaun Timmins 3, Jason Bell 2, and Steven Price 1.

Despite the return of big names such as Steven Larkhim, Glenn Morrison, and Keith Senior- the Perth Taipans have not come without cooee of the fired up Central Phoenix at Alice Springs. The Phoenix were dominant, former Gold Coast centre Gary Connolly snatching a double in the 26-6 home romp.
Central: Gary Connolly 2, Lesley Vainakolo, Tyler Durden, and George Gregan. Schifcofske 3/5
Perth: Tony Grimaldi. Lockyer 1/1
PoM Points: Tyler Durden 3, Glenn Morrison 2, and Gary Connolly 1.


DIVISION TWO
Canberra have again rallied late in the game to record an important victory over the in form Cairns White Pointers. The visitors lead 16-14 with ten to go, but two late tries to Ben Hornby had Canberra leading 26-16. A late try to Cairns saved respectability, but the game was ultimately won by the better side- Canberra finally looking like a former Premier League force.
Canberra: Ben Hornby 2, Yaccine Dekkiche, and Scott Staniforth. Towers 5/5
Cairns: Bilal Najjarin, Quentin Pongia, and Chris Flannery. Lamaison 4/6
PoM Points: Paul Whatuira 3, Paul Franze 2, and Ben Hornby 1.

The Penrith Highlanders have belted the Suva Suns 24-6 in front of a dismayed Fiji crowd. The Highlanders continue to be hot and cold, this week showing plenty of flare and defensive steel to record a vital away win.
Suva: Christian Cullen. O’Gara 1/1
Penrith: Lance Rhodes, Stuart Kelly, Jamie Russo, and Lee Gilmour. Riddell 4/4
PoM Points: Martin Gleeson 3, Mark Shipway 2, and Lee Gilmour 1.

Redlands continued the trend of Queensland’s dominance over the struggling Sydney Oilers- two late penalty goals giving the Redlands Rhinos a shocking 30-24 win over the over-paid and underperforming Oilers’ pack. Once again the Sydney side were listless and passionless, and coach Roger Bossert continue’s to be threatened from all sides.
Redlands: Ben Beckett, Hudson Smith, Michael Crocker, and Josh Smith. Takawira 7/9
Sydney: Brent Tate, Daniel Fitzhenry, Shane Laloata, and Nathan Hindmarsh. Fields 2/2. Smith 2/3
PoM Points: Ben Beckett 3, Daniel Fitzhenry 2, and Geoff Bell 1.

Capetown have cemented their position as leaders of Division Two, bashing out a 30-12 win over a woeful Port Moresby side. The Ravens continued from where they left off last week, never looking endangered after leading 20-0 at halftime. Once again it was out of favour Sydney five-eighth, Andrew Mehrtens, who lead the side to victory.
Port Moresby: Michael Marum and Jamie Bloem. Rice 2/2
Capetown: Michael Robertson, Alois Bunjiara, Derek Gateshead, Hunter Tylerson, and Mark Meredith. Mehrtens 5/5
PoM Points: Andrew Mehrtens 3, Hunter Tylerson 2, and Derek Gateshead 1.

The return of ‘star centre’ Dean Walker has sparked a minor upset in Division Two, the bulky centre earning man of the match honours courtesy of his eighty minute game in the 12-4 win over the Coffs Harbour Wyrms. The Wyrms are fast losing the respect of fans and opponents alike after being premiership favourites earlier this year.
Fairfield: Chris Kendra and Darrell Trindall. Magro 2/2
Coffs Harbour: Justin Hodges. Opan 0/2
PoM Points: Dean Walker 3, Scott Magro 2, and Darrell Trindall 1.

Suva bench halfback, Lincoln Withers, has continued the trend of imports starring for their clubs- earning man of the match and snaring a double in leading Hawkesbury to a 24-0 win over the South Queensland Crushers. After last week’s debacle, the Mavericks played no risk football, and outclassed their inexperienced opposition.
Hawkesbury: Wise Kativerata, Lincoln Withers 2, and Mick van der Wall. Prescott 4/5
South Queensland: None.
PoM Points: Lincoln Withers 3, Mick van der Wall 2, and Wise Kativerata 1.

Tipsters and fans alike were left scratching their heads this afternoon, wondering where the Ferrets went after last week’s 44-4 win over Newcastle. This week, despite fielding the same squad, the Ferrets were crushed 34-4 by the usually flareless Auckland Marlins. The Marlins showed plenty of finesse in the win, their biggest to date.
New England: Brian Leauma. Farrell 0/1
Auckland: Alfred Songoro 2, Matthew Petersen, Steve Stacey, Adam Tippet, and Elton Flatley. Detreaux 5/7
PoM Points: Alfred Songoro 3, Huia Edmunds 2, and Matthew Petersen 1.

A hat-trick in the second half to utility star Motu Tony has lifted Eastwood to an emphatic 17-8 win over the struggling Newcastle Fear. The Fear held a tenuous 8-0 lead at the break, but brilliant forward play and the speed of Tony lead the visitors to a crucial win.
Newcastle: Melvin Hart. Wilshere 2/2
Eastwood: Motu Tony 3. Furner 2/3. Travis 1 fg.
PoM Points: David Furner 3, Tyran Smith 2, and Bill Narwan 1.

A coaching shakeup lead by Chris Walker-Bush has helped Brisbane to a crucial 32-22 win over the Tamworth City Titans. After coach Brendon Meynell retired during the week for ‘personal reasons’, Walker-Bush and his team stepped in to avoid a debacle. The Bulls were quality throughout, lock and captain Kevin Sinfield leading by example in the absence of big names such as John Hopoate, Shannon Hegarty, and Shaun Berrigan.
Tamworth City: Justin Ryder, Keiran Kerr, Byron Kelleher, and Trent Leis. Cummins 3/6
Brisbane: Kevin Sinfield 2, Stefano Saghini, Sean Ryan, and Brad Thorne. Sinfield 6/7
PoM Points: Kevin Sinfield 3, Stefano Saghini 2, and Brad Thorne 1.

Ipswich have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, and left Townsville’s Kris Radlinski shaking his head after he was collected high in the 80th minute. The hit sees Radlinski out for a possible six weeks, made worse by the fact the ball was knocked loose and swooped on by new signing Shane Rigon for the match winner. The ref ignored the hit, and Townsville officials are up in arms over the dubious finish to what had been an entertaining match.
Townsville: Eric Grothe Jr, Marty Turner, and Pat Howard. Ncube 4/6
Ipswich: Dean Young, Shane Rigon, Craig Field, and Grant Wooden. MacNamara 3/4
PoM Points: Ben Galea 3, Pat Howard 2, and Eric Grothe Jr.