PREMIER LEAGUE
Phoenix Outclassed by Grizzlies
The Carnarvon Grizzlies’ incredible run of good form lately clashed with a desperate Central Phoenix outfit today, and fans were treated to an exciting football spectacle. Locked at 12 all at halftime, the Grizzlies scored three quick tries to lead 28-12 by the 60th minute. A late Shane Rua try had the home side down 28-18 and a chance of winning, but no more scoring came, and Carnarvon recorded a valuable away win. The appalling goal kicking of captain, Schifcofske, also hindered the home side’s hopes of a comeback.
Central: George Gregan 2, and Shane Rua. Schifcofske 3/7
Carnarvon: Hunter Tylerson, Stuart Fielden, Christophe Lamaisson, Brad Drew, and Danny Williams. Luana 4/5
PoM Points: Graham Luana 3, Lesley Vainakolo 2, and Stuart Fielden 1.
Newbloods Hammer Christchurch
Christchurch’s woeful foray into Premier League football got a lot worse today, as the New Zealand based franchise barely turned up for their clash against premiership contenders, North Sydney. The Newbloods lead 22-6 at halftime, and doubled their score to win convincingly, 44-10.
North Sydney: Matthew Burke 2, Paul Bowman, Ben Ikin, Jamie Goddard, Nathan Wood 2, and Keith Wood. Burke 6/8
Christchurch: Stuart Spruce and Fourcade Abasse. Paul 1/2
PoM Points: Nathan Wood 3, Matthew Burke 2, and Jonah Lomu 1.
Dead Heat
A rematch of the 2001/2002 Grand Final was always going to be intense, but thirty five degree temperatures in Perth made sure that both sides would have to fight and fight hard if they wanted to escape with the points. The clash was everything it’d been billed to be, with the Crusade and Taipans going blow for blow before a final Darren Lockyer penalty goal squared things up at 22 all in the 77th. The deadlock couldn’t be broken, with Tommy O’Reilly shaving the upright with his forty-metre field goal attempt right on fulltime.
Perth: Darren Lockyer 2 and Stephen Larkhim. Lockyer 5/6
Gold Coast: Ryan Girdler, Matthew Gidley, Tony Puletua, and Josh Perry. Johns 3/4
PoM Points: Billy Slater 3, Darren Lockyer 2, and Robert Salvatori 1.
Late Flurry Lifts Falcons
The clash between Manly and Central Coast has gone right down to the wire, and don’t let the full-time score fool you. Twenty points came in the last eight minutes, starting with a Craig Emmerton field goal in the 72nd to make it 11-6 in favour of the visitors. Menzies crossed for his second from the kick-off, and Manly lead 12-11. Then it was Matt Utai who rampaged downfield to score in the 76th after Logan Swann was bundled into touch. A field goal to Jason Bell from the kick-off had it at 18-12, before Darren Britt, who today announced his retirement, scored a final try in the 79th to seal a 24-12 victory for the CCF.
Manly: Steve Menzies 2. Rogers 2/2
Central Coast: Matt Utai, Brad Commins, Darren Britt, and Nigel Vagana. El Masri 3/4. Bell 1 fg. Emmerton 1 fg.
PoM Points: Hazem El Masri 3, Jason Bell 2, and Michael Vella 1.
Amahl’s Radar Boot
Darwin and Adelaide played out an absolute thriller in the country’s north, with the Cyclones triumphing 34-28 courtesy of a perfect day with the boot from Indian sensation, Amahl Singh. Whilst both sides scored five tries, it was a seven from seven effort from Singh which proved the difference, and sees Darwin firm in premiership betting after daunting recent form.
Darwin: Andrew Ryan, Jason Cayless 2, Craig Hall, and Richard Villasanti. Singh 7/7
Adelaide: Joe Black, Henry Paul, Doug Howlett, Adrian Vowles, and Harry Prince. Deacon 4/6
PoM Points: Amahl Singh 3, Angel Withers 2, and Adrian Vowles 1.
Five Eighth Show
Scintillating performances from North Melbourne’s three big name stand-offs; Paul Sculthorpe, Anthony Mundine, and Scott Hill- has seen the side triumph easily over the struggling Surfers Paradise Punks, 18-6. It was a game full of surprises and skill, as the three five eighths switched constantly to bamboozle the Punks’ defence.
Surfers Paradise: Chris Flannery. Tallic 1/1
North Melbourne: Scott Hill, Anthony Mundine, and Robbie Kearns. Walker 3/4
PoM Points: Paul Sculthorpe 3, Scott Hill 2, and Anthony Mundine 1.
Cougar Massacre
The New Zealand Cougars have not only shown they’re one of the dominant Premier League sides, but they’ve also highlighted South Melbourne’s defensive weaknesses in a 40-10 romp at Eden Park. The Cougars showed no mercy in the game, as Timana Tahu and Ben Tune had a field day against the weaker South Melbourne backs.
New Zealand: Ben Tune 3, Anthony Minichiello 2, John Sitizien, and Brent Sherwin. Sinfield 6/7
South Melbourne: Ian Sibbit and Julian O’Neill. O’Neill 1/2
PoM Points: Timana Tahu 3, Ben Tune 2, and Kevin Sinfield 1.
Destructors Upset Parramatta
The Wollongong Destructors have caused a major upset and cast serious doubts over Parramatta’s premiership credentials with a 20-10 home win. The few fans there witnessed Wollongong’s finest Premier League performance, but also one of Parramatta’s worst.
Wollongong: Matt Giteau, Regan King, and Danny Orr. Orr 4/5
Parramatta: Jamie Lyon and Nathan Cayless. Fitzgibbon 1/2
PoM Points: Danny Orr 3, Regan King 2, and Todd Payten 1.
DIVISION TWO
Bulls Outgun Suva
A dominant first half from the Brisbane Bulls, lead by new recruit Willie Talau and the boot of Preston Campbell, has seen them go into halftime at 16-2. The Suns hit back in style early in the second half however, and with ten to go, only trailed 16-14. But a bullocking try by Brad Thorne in the 72nd sealed a memorable Brisbane win at 22-14.
Brisbane: Shannon Hegarty, Brad Thorne, and Wayne Bartrim. Campbell 5/5
Suva: Chad Randall and Brian Carney. O’Gara 3/3
PoM Points: Willie Talau 3, Wayne Bartrim 2, and Paul Green 1.
Wyrms’ Form Slump Continues
The Coffs Harbour Wyrms’ worrying form crash of late continued today, but the boot of Howard Opan kept the former division favourites from leaving Canberra without any points. In a low-scoring and messy affair, Canberra scored the only try to lead 6-0 heading into fulltime. However four goals from Coffs Harbour’s Howa Opan, and a late one from Sean Towers had things at an 8 all deadlock at fulltime.
Canberra: Michael Monaghan. Towers 2/2
Coffs Harbour: None. Opan 4/4
PoM Points: Scott Staniforth 3, Sean Towers 2, and Paul Whatuira 1.
Back in Business
After last week’s demoralising 20-0 loss to Auckland, many had tipped Capetown’s dominant season to come to a grinding halt against the hot and cold Titans this week. But doubles to Freddie Banquet and Bronsen Saunders, as well as a record haul of three forty-twenties in one game by Derek Gateshead, ensured Capetown maintained their flawless home record- defeating the Titans 22-8.
Capetown: Freddie Banquet 2 and Bronsen Saunders 2. Mehrtens 3/4
Tamworth City: Shayne Dunley and Mtombe Msabo. Cummins 0/3
PoM Points: Derek Gateshead 3, Braam van Straaten 2, and Andrew Mehrtens 1.
Cairns Find Their Feet
Cairns today regained some composure after the struggling form of the last few weeks, outlasting Newcastle at EnergyAustralia to record an important 18-12 victory. The game’s biggest highlight was the injury of Newcastle bench player, Jamie McDonald, who left the field in the 73rd minute after a dominant performance with a badly broken jaw.
Newcastle: Mark Hughes and Bill Narwan. Fien 2/3
Cairns: Nathan Tutt, Harris Knofke, and Justin Smith. Knofke 3/3
PoM Points: Justin Smith 3, Jamie McDonald 2, and Nathan Tutt 1.
Clash of the Titans
Whilst a clash between 1st and 18th may seem like a mismatch, today’s match between Fairfield and Sydney was anything but. With Roger Bossert’s Oilers desperate to make the finals, the Sydney coach has been engaging on a verbal war with rookie coach, Michael Magro. The match delivered everything Bossert had predicted, Fairfield edging out an improved Oilers’ pack 22-20 in a nail-biting finish. The Oilers never lead, but fought tooth and nail to the very end. Perhaps the highlight of the clash was the much-anticipated battle between NSW representative Ben Kennedy, and his younger brother, Matt.
Fairfield: Tony Price, Laurent Carrasco, Matt Kennedy, and Danny Sculthorpe. Magro 3/5
Sydney: Gary Vinae, Brent Tate, and Jason Ryles. Covell 4/5
PoM Points: Matt Kennedy 3, Danny Bampton 2, and Shayne McMenemy 1.
Mavericks Edge Out Eastwood
A late field goal from new recruit, Patrick Varune, as well as some staunch defence on their own line has seen Hawkesbury emerge 13-8 victors over the always improving Eastwood Pumas. In a game characterised by big hits and gutsy defence from both sides, it was the hard-hitting of English international Barrie McDermott which lifted Hawkesbury.
Hawkesbury: Matthew Rieck and Mick Van Der Wall. Hodgson 2/2. Varune 1 fg.
Eastwood: Todd Byrne. Furner 2/3
PoM Points: Barrie McDermott 3, Sam Murphy 2, and Danny Lima 1.
Port Moresby Power On
The Port Moresby Power have stayed in touch with Fairfield courtesy of a dominant 32-0 win over the New England Ferrets. After indifferent recent form, the Power reasserted their position as premiership contenders with the six try romp.
Port Moresby: Timothy Rice 2, Marcus Bai, Ryan Cross, Michael Smith, and John Morris. Rice 4/6
New England: None. Farrell 0/1
PoM Points: Matthew Bowen 3, Michael Smith 2, and John Morris 1.
Rhinos Stave Off Burrow Treble
A treble to former Oiler five-eighth, Rob Burrow, has not been enough to lift Ipswich to an unlikely win over the resurgent Redlands Rhinos. The game was closely contested, and highlighted the skill level that both sides can aspire to, but Redlands’ experience in tight games served them well- emerging 30-24 victory in a high quality clash.
Redlands: Allianya Takawira, Jason Demetriou, Melvin Hart, Geoff Bell, and Brett Finch. Takawira 5/6
Ipswich: Rob Burrow 3, Junior Langi, and Dean Young. Burrow 2/6
PoM Points: Matthew Lyons 3, Brett Finch 2, and Melvin Hart 1.
Crushers Record Win!
Despite only landing two goals from seven attempts, the South Queensland Crushers have still achieved the impossible and recorded a 24-20 win over the recently dominant Auckland Marlins. The win, only the third for South Queensland this season, sees Ipswich as sole holders of last position.
South Queensland: Ty Williams 2, Jason Smith, and Anthony Farrell 2. Crocker 1/5. Gorrell 1/2
Auckland: Anthony Farrell 3, Ty Williams 2, and Steve Stacey 1.
Highlanders Take the High Road
The Penrith Highlanders have kept their slim hopes of a 2003 finals berth alive today, triumphing 16-6 over a fellow contender for an eight position, Townsville. It was a scrappy affair at best, but the Highlanders drew on the experience of players like Monty Betham and David Vaealeki in the crucial away win.
Townsville: Ben Black. Drummond 1/1
Penrith: Jason Moodie and Jamie Russo. Riddell 4/5
PoM Points: Jake Lamia 3, Julian O’Neill 2, and Stephen Crouch 1.
Yeah for the Magro brothers. Soooo, how's thrid last going for you Roger.
I think I will take B.K at the end of the year cause the way your going, man u'll be cutting another mil of your cap plus losing your player loans like Gower, Mertians and Beathem.
Cheers
"The Oilers will be back next season".. ha
You have said that for the last three seasons. It seems that each and every year, your squad performs worse and worse.... can you string two straight wins in a row?
Anyone else with B.K, Ryles, Hindmarsh and all those other superstars in their squad would be flogging the shit out of Div 2 but some how, you find the inner strength each and every week to suck balls.
I can't wait till Adam Millz comes back, he'll show you how to coach!
