PREMIER LEAGUE
Attitude Crush Falcons
The Adelaide Attitudes have not only handed out Central Coast’s first scoreless loss, but have also dropped the high flying Falcons from first to third in one fell ‘swoop’, if you’ll forgive the pun. The Attitude turned things around after last week’s humiliating 38-6 home loss, leading 12-0 at halftime, the Attitude never looked back in a solid 22-0 win.
Adelaide: Paul Deacon 2, Joe Black, and James Lowes. Deacon 3/4
Central Coast: None.
PoM Points: Doug Howlett 3, Harry Prince 2, and Paul Deacon 1.
Parramatta Half Century Revives Season
The Parramatta Vikings have revived their season and breathed some life into the top eight race by thrashing fellow rivals, Manly, 50-12. The game was always Parramatta’s, with Mark Gasnier scoring a hat-trick and man of the match honours in his finest game in recent memory.
Manly: Slick Cupples and Mat Rogers. Rogers 2/2
Parramatta: Brad Meyers, Mark Gasnier 3, Nathan Cayless, Richard Swain, Mark Shipway, Dean Widders, and Brent Webb. Fitzgibbon 7/9
PoM Points: Mark Gasnier 3, Brad Meyers 2, and David Solomona 1.
Lyons and Carnarvon Win Rookie Clash
The much-anticipated clash between new coaches Brian Randell and Matt Lyons came to a head today, as the Carnarvon Grizzlies lifted to give their coach a 30-14 win, and cement their position as definite finals contenders in 2003.
Carnarvon: Luke Patten, Tevita Vaikona 2, Danny Williams, and Jason Taylor. Luana 5/5
Christchurch: Vinnie Anderson, Carlos Spencer, and Steele Retchless. Spencer 1/3
PoM Points: Danny Williams 3, Graham Luana 2, and Matt Seers 1.
Cougars Seize First
The Wellington Cougars have seized first place in Premier League courtesy of a 44-2 annihilation of the hopeless Surfers Paradise Punks. The Cougars were at their dominant best, and looked ominously similar to the side who took at last year’s premiership.
Wellington: Kevin Sinfield 2, Jamie Peacock, Brent Sherwin, Jerry Seu Seu, Scott Sattler, and Clinton Toopi. Wilson 3/3. Sinfield 5/5
Surfers Paradise: None. Tallic 1/1
PoM Points: Jamie Peacock 3, Kevin Sinfield 2, and Brent Sherwin 1.
Norths Crush Souths
The North Sydney Newbloods have crushed the South Melbourne Devils 30-8 in a one sided clash in torrid conditions in Sydney. The Newbloods were at their dominant best, and now sit just outside the top four courtesy of the one-sided win.
North Sydney: Matthew Burke, Lars Ojanssen, Keith Wood, Evan Mears, and Ashley Harrison. DeVere 5/5
South Melbourne: Luke Lewis and Uri Novavich. O’Neill 0/2
PoM Points: Mark Muggleton 3, Ashley Harrison 2, and Paul Bowman 1.
Perth Break Hoodoo
After two straight draws, the Perth Taipans have thrown the monkey off their backs with a 24-12 win over the resurgent Wollongong Destructors. After indifferent recent form, the Taipans were far from their best, but did enough to secure a valuable win.
Perth: Deon Bird, Ardent Rivers, Mark McLinden, and Mitch Healy. Lockyer 4/4
Wollongong: Todd Payten and Lance Thompson. Orr 2/2
PoM Points: Mark McLinden 3, Mitch Healy 2, and Glenn Morrison 1.
Maulers Young Guns Hammer Cyclones
The North Melbourne Maulers may possess talents such as Scott Hill and Paul Sculthorpe, but it was their younger stars who lifted them today in a high scoring clash against Darwin. Prop Brian Randall, as well as superstar in the making, Dominik Bush, dominated the play in a 34-20 win.
Darwin: Amahl Singh, Angel Withers, Lee Jackson, and Jason Cayless. Singh 2/4
North Melbourne: Hefin O’Hare, Mark Calderwood, Paul Wellens, Paul Sculthorpe 2, and Joven Clarke. Walker 5/6
PoM Points: Brian Randall 3, Dominik Bush 2, and Paul Sculthorpe 1.
Central Return to Form
After weeks of indifferent form, the Central Phoenix have all but turned their season around in a thrilling clash with the Gold Coast Crusade. The Phoenix were the dominant side for the first half, leading 12-0 at the break, but were outclassed in the second half. Despite that, the Crusade couldn’t put the Phoenix away, with Tommy O’Reilly scoring in the 76th minute to set up a 16 all draw.
Central: Terry Hill, George Gregan, and Adrian Morley. Schifcofske 2/3
Gold Coast: Andrew Johns, Tommy O’Reilly, and Dennis Moran. Johns 2/3
PoM Points: Tony Puletua 3, Dennis Moran 2, and Tommy O’Reilly 1.
DIVISION TWO
Marlins End Sydney’s Season
The Auckland Marlins have all but ended Sydney’s hopes of a finals appearance and a miraculous ascension into Premier League. The Marlins out-shone Sydney in both attack and defence, but it was in the latter that the New Zealand side showed their strength. The final score was 20-16, with Sydney never playing to the level expected of a side desperate to win.
Auckland: Matthew Petersen, Alfred Songoro, Steve Stacey, and Mark Minichiello. Flatley 2/4
Sydney: Ben Harris, Nathan Hindmarsh, and Travis Norton. Kimmorley 2/3
PoM Points: Russell Richardson 3, Darren Fleary 2, and Aaron Cannings 1.
Brisbane Win Local Derby
The Brisbane Bulls continue to pressure the Division Two top three, today dominating cross-town rivals, Redlands, in a 20-6 display. Out of favour NSW winger, John Hopoate, was the centre of Brisbane’s attack, terrorising his smaller opposites in the clash.
Brisbane: Sean Ryan, Willie Talau, and Wayne Bartrim. Campbell 4/4
Redlands: Paul Sterling. Takawira 1/1
PoM Points: John Hopoate 3, Sean Ryan 2, and Nathan Merrit 1.
Newlands Remains the Graveyard
Capetown’s Newlands Stadium continues to be a graveyard for visiting sides, with Capetown recording another dominant 44-8 win over the visiting Eastwood Pumas today. After being behind 8-2 early in the game, the Ravens were rallied by star five-eighth Andrew Mehrtens to keep their faultless home record intact.
Capetown: Freddie Banquet, Darren Rogers, Andrew Dunemann, Braam van Straaten, Luke Rooney, and Alois Bunjiara 2.
Eastwood: Wayne Evans. Maloney 2/2
PoM Points: Andrew Mehrtens 3, Alois Bunjiara 2, and Freddie Banquet 1.
O’Keefe Silenced
After a week of heated feuding between Cairns coach Chris O’Keefe, and Hawkesbury coach Brian Randell- the White Pointers have been humbled 26-10 in front of a disappointed Cairns crowd. After looking good going into the clash, O’Keefe’s White Pointers barely turned up as they were romped over by the Titans.
Cairns: Chris Motu. Smith 3/3
Tamworth City: Justin Harrison 2, Francis Cummins, and Byron Kelleher. Cummins 5/7
PoM Points: Justin Harrison 3, John Wilson 2, and Justin McKay 1.
Towers ‘Towers’ Over the Suns
Former Queensland halfback, Sean Towers, has lead Canberra to a dominant and important 34-20 thrashing of the Suva Suns. The Suns, currently in the middle of controversy regarding their unhappiness with the UAF, were simply outclassed by a Canberra side full of enthusiasm.
Canberra: Michael Monaghan, Joel Caine, Chris Logan, Yaccine Dekkiche, and Chris McKenna. Towers 5/7
Suva: Wes Davies, Brian Carney, and Matteo Giocometti. O’Gara 4/4
PoM Points: Sean Towers 3, Franco Luullai 2, and Calvin Jones 1.
Dolphins Shock Stallions
The Townsville Dolphins have shocked the Fairfield Stallions and ended their impressive winning streak in style with a 24-12 win. The Fairfield home crowd were close to rioting after the clash, which saw Eric Grothe Jr. live up to his father’s name with some astounding attack and cover defence.
Fairfield: Matt Kennedy and Phillipe Bernat-Salles. Magro 2/2
Townsville: Eric Grothe Jr, Kris Radlinski, and Rowland Rockachelli. Drummond 6/7
PoM Points: Eric Grothe Jr 3, Ben Galea 2, and Lewis Williams 1.
Stupid!
Coach Josh Hussey has labelled his side ‘stupid’ after they scored two tries to nil, but conceded eleven penalties and cost themselves what could have been a solid win against New England. The Crushers produced a typically stupid performance, drawing 10 all despite dominating possession and scoring.
South Queensland: Nick Bradley-Qalilawa and Jason Smith. Gorrell 0/1. Crocker 1/1
New England: None. Farrell 5/5
PoM Points: David Peachy 3, Albert Torrens 2, and Jason Smith 1.
Seventy Point Thriller
It’s not often that seventy points are scored and you can still call it a thriller, but Port Moresby and Coffs Harbour achieved this feat today in a 36-34 nail-biter. Port Moresby leap-frogged rivals, Fairfield, courtesy of the win- but remain behind the dominant Capetown Ravens. It was Port Moresby’s lesser lights who shone, with Tim Jonkers and Tavis Zephyr the stars.
Port Moresby: Timothy Rice, Jamie Bloem, John Morris, Etienne Fynn, Tavis Zephyr, and Tiri Toa. Rice 6/8
Coffs Harbour: Justin Hodges, Tana Umaga, David Raelke, Adam Woolnough, and Mat Toschak 2. Opan 5/6
PoM Points: Tim Jonkers 3, Tavis Zephyr 2, and Tiri Toa 1.
Maleky Leads Mavericks
The much anticipated big game debut of Irish sensation, Maleky O’Connor, has coincided with a 34-4 thrashing of the visiting Ipswich Reds. O’Connor came on after only ten minutes, and former a brilliant backline partnership which saw Brett Hodgson snare a double. O’Connor also provided a piece to Hawkesbury’s goal-kicking puzzle.
Hawkesbury: Brett Hodgson 2, Wise Kativerata 2, Adrian Lam, and Darren Treacy. O’Connor 5/7
Ipswich: Rob Burrow. Burrow 0/1
PoM Points: Brett Hodgson 3, Adam Perry 2, and Adrian Lam 1.
Vaeleki Terrorises Fear
Former Wellington Cougar and Surfers Paradise Punk, David Vaeleki, has finally asserted himself in Division Two with a dominant performance against the Newcastle Fear. Vaeleki gave Penrith an extra forward, and snared a double in Penrith’s upset 22-14 win over the Fear.
Newcastle: Shontayne Hape and Willie Mason. Wilshere 3/3
Penrith: David Vaeleki 2, Martin Gleeson, and David Berthezene. Turley 3/4
PoM Points: David Vaeleki 3, David Berthezene 2, and Jamie Feeney 1.
