Although Round 6 was overshadowed by the Wallabies vs. Kangaroos clash, that didn't stop thirty six teams giving it their all in a round of tight encounters. Central Coast remain undefeated, whilst Division Two remains impossible to pick.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Villasanti Double Sinks Wellington
A double from big Kiwi forward, Richard Villasanti, as well as stellar performances from a number of other players, has allowed the Darwin Cyclones to score a 31-22 victory over the visiting Wellington Cougars. The loss is the second for Wellington in as many weeks, and fans must be left shaking their head after their side conceded over sixty points in two games.
Darwin: Richard Villasanti 2, Jessie Kidman, Tom Bowman, and Craig Hall. Singh 5/5. Withers 1 fg.
Wellington: Caleb Ralph, Trent Barrett, Brent Sherwin, and Graham Luana. Luana 3/5
PoM Points: Craig Hall 3, Richard Villasanti 2, and Jason Cayless 1.
The Rain Comes for Wollongong
After a five week drought, the Wollongong Destructors have finally found points- winning an entertaining clash with fellow relegation favourites- Christchurch. A man of the match performance by former Sao Paulo Bears captain, Richard Goddard, was key in the Destructors’ 31-24 win.
Wollongong: Michael Withers, Jamie Ainscough 2, Richard Goddard, and Danny McGuire. Orr 5/6. Goddard 1 fg.
Christchurch: Fourcade Abasse, Robbie Paul, and Tom O’Reilly 2. Paul 4/4
PoM Points: Richard Goddard 3, Simon Woolford 2, and Danny Orr 1.
Finegan Puts Pressure on Morrison
Current Australian lock, Glenn Morrison, is looking over his shoulder again after benched Wallaby Owen Finegan, scored man of the match honours again in Perth’s 26-12 win over the visiting Attitude. The loss sees Adelaide’s two game winning streak grind to a halt.
Perth: Darren Lockyer, Ardent Rivers, Keith Senior, Keiran Cunningham, and Stephen Larkhim. Lockyer 3/5
Adelaide: Stephen Kearney 2. Paul 2/2
PoM Points: Owen Finegan 3, Ardent Rivers 2, and Deon Bird 1.
Sattler Inspires Lacklustre Crusade
Veteran lock, Scott Sattler, has saved Gold Coast a major embarrassment today- scoring a decisive try and defending like a man possessed to lead Gold Coast to a sloppy 19-10 victory over the tenacious South Melbourne Devils. The Crusade lead throughout, but it wasn’t until Sattler’s 75th minute try that they looked comfortable.
South Melbourne: Skip Williams and Steve Witt. O’Neill 1/3
Gold Coast: Scott Sattler, Mark Hughes, and Tommy O’Reilly. Wilkinson 3/4. Johns 1 fg.
PoM Points: Scott Sattler 3, Tony Puletua 2, and Tommy O’Reilly 1.
Another Tall Poppy Lopped
Manly’s ‘giant killer’ reputation grew again today, the Cannons dominating the final quarter against Central to record a 28-18 home win. The Cannons, particularly captain Steve Menzies, were all class after a slow start, whilst Central can blame their loss on the early injury to Clinton Schifcofske.
Manly: Mat Rogers, Phillip Grahem, Awen Guttenbiel, Leigh McWilliams, and Michael Russo. Rogers 4/7
Central: Clinton Schifcofske and Barrie McDermott 2. Shayne 3/3
PoM Points: Steve Menzies 3, Scott Donald 2, and Barrie McDermott 1.
Parramatta Welcome Grant Johnston in Style
New North Melbourne coach, Grant Johnston, must be in shock after his side surrendered an 18-16 lead late in the game to lose 28-18 to the pathetic Parramatta Vikings. Two late tries and ill-discipline from the 2002 premiers allowed Parramatta to score a boil-over win.
Parramatta: Francis Meli, PJ Marsh, Martin Lang, and Lee Hopkins. Fitzgibbon 6/6
North Melbourne: Hefin O’Hare, Scott Hill, and Stephen Smith. Campbell 3/3
PoM Points: Tonie Carroll 3, Francis Meli 2, and Craig Fitzgibbon 1.
Hot Harris Harasses Punks
Rising star, Ben Harris, has again proved the difference today, dominating Surfers Paradise’s more renowned backs in a 28-16 away win for the as yet undefeated Central Coast Falcons. Harris is looking more and more like an Origin starter with every week.
Surfers Paradise: Jason Hooper, Paul Mellor, and Luke Ricketson. Hannay 2/4
Central Coast: Robbie O’Davis, Sam Isemonger, Guiseppi Magro, Craig Emmerton, and Gunter Franz. El Masri 4/5
PoM Points: Ben Harris 3, Craig Emmerton 2, and Jason Bell 1.
Iestyn Sparks Carnarvon Revival
A new look halves combination including Welsh international, Iestyn Harris, has allowed Carnarvon to storm back from a 20-0 deficit to register a 20 all draw with the North Sydney Newbloods. After a shaky start to the season, the Grizzlies are beginning to look daunting- with centre Ryan Girdler in hot form.
North Sydney: Nathan McAvoy, Jason Stevens, and Jonah Lomu. Burke 4/5
Carnarvon: Mike Forshaw, Ryan Girdler, and Mark Gasnier. Taylor 4/4
PoM Points: Jonah Lomu 3, Ryan Girdler 2, and Lars Ojanssen 1.
DIVISION TWO
Brilliant Bulls Upset Capetown
The hot and cold Brisbane Bulls, lead by inspirational captain Kevin Sinfield, have today scored an emphatic 25-22 win over the in form Capetown Pulls. The game was deadlocked at 22 all with minutes to go, but a Paul Green field goal and subsequent Sinfield penalty sealed a memorable win for the struggling Brisbane side.
Brisbane: Fifita Moala, Stefano Saghini, Kandy Tamer, and Neil Sweeney. Sinfield 4/5. Green 1 fg.
Capetown: Mark Meredith, Brenton Bowen, and Ross McKinnon. Mehrtens 5/5
PoM Points: Fifita Moala 3, Kevin Sinfield 2, and Mark Meredith 1.
Bossert Spray Lifts Oilers
After heavy criticism from their own coach earlier this week, the Sydney Oilers have made ammends for recent poor form by thrashing Canberra 30-6. The win, highlighted by solid performances by young players such as Damien Fields and Patrick Gibson, has provided hope for fans expecting to see their side languish another year in Division Two.
Sydney: Nigel Vagana, Matt Utai, Brent Tate, Craig Gower, and Ben Kennedy. Fields 5/5
Canberra: Scott Staniforth. Towers 1/1
PoM Points: Paul Whatuira 3, Damien Fields 2, and Patrick Gibson 1.
New England Fans Attack Coach Kelly
Fans have threatened New England coach, Rowland Kelly, after the side’s humiliating 30-0 loss against local rivals, Tamworth City. The Ferrets’ defence was paper thin, making a shocking thirty missed tackles as they were overrun by a spirited Tamworth City attack.
Tamworth City: Mtombe Msabo 2, Trent Wright 2, and Mark Corvo. Cummins 5/5
New England: None.
PoM Points: Toutai Kefu 3, Trent Wright 2, and Justin Ryder 1.
New Look Townsville Impress Fans
Playing in front of a vocal home crowd, a barely recognisable Townsville side have upset in form Suva, winning 26-12 on the back of no-frills football and some impressive defence. The game also marked the return of goal-kicking freak, Linden Drummond.
Townsville: Ban Galea, Alwyn Simpson, Pat Howard, and Lewis Williams. Drummond 5/5
Suva: Christian Cullen and Todd Olliver. O’Gara 2/2
PoM Points: Lewis Williams 3, Ryan Thumper-Knox, and Pat Howard 1.
Upredictable Rhinos Sink Again
Redlands continue to be impossible to tip, the side who tore apart Sydney last week capitulating to a 22-12 away loss against the much less glamorous Penrith Highlanders. Redlands were never in contention, their two tries coming fifty minutes apart.
Penrith: Lance Rhodes, Trent Williams, Stuart Kelly, and Mark Riddell. Riddell 3/6
Redlands: Brett Finch and Kieron Dawson. Takawira 2/2
PoM Points: Matt Lockyer 3, Stuart Kelly 2, and Lance Rhodes 1.
Toschak Continues to Dominate
Port Moresby lock, Mat Toschak, was again the deciding factor in the side’s tight 18-14 win over the South Queensland Crushers. Toschak again combined with former Gold Coast teammate, Tommy Martyn, in the PNG side’s tough win.
South Queensland: Anthony Farrell and Anthony Tyan. Rodwell 3/3
Port Moresby: Tommy Martyn, Timothy Rice, and Etienne Fynn. Rice 3/3
PoM Points: Mat Toschak 3, Anthony Farrell 2, and Timothy Rice 1.
Hawkesbury win in Torrential Rain
The driving rain overshadowed the big clash between Cairns and Hawkesbury today, as both sides battled the elements in an intense but messy encounter. The final score of 11-6 showed just how tough it was for sides to score points, Hawkesbury eventual winners in a tight affair.
Cairns: Quentin Pongia. Lamaison 1/1
Hawkesbury: Brad Meyers. Prescott 3/4. Roff 1 fg.
PoM Points: Waisale Sovatabua 3, Steve Prescott 2, and Augustine Justine.
Newcastle Crash Coffs’ Party
The Newcastle Fear have done the seemingly impossible, scoring a 14-6 away victory over the Coffs Harbour Wyrms, and spoiling what was their thirtieth clash on Coffs’ soil in their two year history. It was a torrid affair, Newcastle scoring fourteen points in twenty minutes, and spending the remainder of the game defending their lead.
Coffs Harbour: Justin Hodges. Opan 1/1
Newcastle: John Wilshere and Leon Pryce. Fien 3/3
PoM Points: Howard Opan 3, Richard Peleasina 2, and Robbie Ross.
Eastwood Comeback Completes New Zealand’s Nightmare
The Eastwood Pumas have stormed home from 12-6 down to record a 20-12 victory over the visiting Auckland Marlins, meaning that all three New Zealand teams were defeated on Aussie soil this week. The Eastwood forwards, again lead by David Furner, dominated their more intimidating opposition in the gutsy win.
Eastwood: Sam Murphy, Tyran Smith, and David Furner. Furner 4/4
Auckland: Damien Mostyn and Miguel Detreaux. Detreaux 2/2
PoM Points: Tyran Smith 3, David Furner 2, and Sam Murphy 1.
Magro: ‘I Want Lock of the Week’
Fairfield lock, Scott Magro, has made his intentions at a lock of the week award clear today, scoring twenty points in Fairfield’s 32-8 routing of the Ipswich Reds. Both new clubs, the Stallions stamped their authority on it early, and continued on to record another crucial away win.
Ipswich: Marc Reed. MacNamara 2/2
Fairfield: Scott Magro 2, Chris Kendra, Danny Bampton, and Martin Crompton. Magro 6/7
PoM Points: Scott Magro 3, Matt Crowther 2, and Matt Kennedy 1.
