PREMIER LEAGUE
Stellar Second Half
The Central Coast Falcons have escaped what could have been a humiliating loss courtesy of a twenty-eight point second half. Down 6-0 and out-muscled by a no-nonsense Christchurch lineup, the Falcons relied on young guns Brad Commins, Braith Anasta, and Dean Walker to secure the 28-12 victory and stay in the hunt for the minor premiership.
Christchurch: Toa Kohe-Love. Paul 4/5
Central Coast: Sebastian Azema, Hazem El Masri, Jason Hetherington, Craig Emmerton, and Dean Walker. El Masri 4/5
PoM Points: Brad Commins 3, Dean Walker 2, and Braith Anasta 1.
Singh Seals Thriller
A 77th minute field goal from Indian sensation, Amahl Singh, has sealed a 31-30 away win for the Darwin Cyclones. The match showcased the hard as nails forward packs possessed by both sides, and was highlighted by hat-tricks by Kevin Campion and Neil Cowie.
South Melbourne: Neil Cowie 3, Danny Nutley, and Nathan Sykes. O’Neill 5/7
Darwin: Adam MacDougall, Kevin Campion 3, and Leigh Bush. Singh 5/6. Singh 1 fg.
PoM Points: Amahl Singh 3, Julian O’Neill 2, and Kevin Campion 1.
Luana’s Dominance
The dominance of 21-year-old lock Graham Luana has continued despite him leaving the much vaunted forward pack of the Wellington Cougars. Luana’s radar boot and aggressive running style today lead the Grizzlies to a dominant 24-4 win over the North Melbourne Maulers.
North Melbourne: Luke Phillips. Walker 0/1
Carnarvon: Tevita Vaikona, Stuart Fielden, Damien Driscoll, and Graham Luana. Luana 4/4
PoM Points: Graham Luana 3, Damien Driscoll 2, and Iestyn Harris 1.
Cougars Escape With the Points
Wellington may have won 28-22 and maintained their lead in the Premier League, but it was under dubious circumstances, with Perth fans and officials crying foul over niggling tactics from the Wellington pack. In particular John Sitizien and Ashley Graham came under fire accused of sledging their opposites all game.
Perth: Julian Bailey, Ardent Rivers, Glenn Morrison, and Keiran Cunningham. Morrison 3/5
Wellington: Ashley Graham 2, Mike Forshaw, and Paul Stringer. Sinfield 6/6
PoM Points: Glenn Morrison 3, Jamie Peacock 2, and Keiran Cunningham 1.
Back in the Hunt
The Central Phoenix, minus influential stars Gorden Tallis and Brad Fittler, have put themselves right back into contention for the finals today with a 36-22 win over a similarly under-staffed Parramatta side. Overlooked fullback, Clinton Schifcofske, was the star for the visitors- snaring a try, defending like a beast, and landing six goals to secure the win.
Parramatta: Francis Meli, Jamie Lyon 2, and Pat Richards. Fitzgibbon 3/6
Central: Clinton Schifcofske, Owen Craigie, Lesley Vainakolo, Gary Connolly, Scott Donald, and Martin Lang. Schifcofske 6/8
PoM Points: Clinton Schifcofske 3, Francis Meli 2, and Justin Morgan 1.
Wilkinson Rescues Crusade
A Jonny Wilkinson double has saved the Gold Coast Crusade from a loss against the Adelaide Attitude. The former English scrum-half used the absence of Andrew Johns to put his hand up for the English five-eighth jumper, his double rescuing Gold Coast when they trailed 14-8 with twenty to go.
Gold Coast: Jonny Wilkinson 2, Ryan Girdler, and Dennis Moran. Wilkinson 4/5
Adelaide: Doug Howlett and Harry Prince. Paul 2/2. Deacon 1/1
PoM Points: Jonny Wilkinson 3, Scott Sattler 2, and Scott Logan 1.
Punks Score Unlikely Win
Despite North Sydney losing two players to the ANZAC test, and having several out injured, it still seemed improbable that the Punks could record a win after their recent form. But a solid performance by Luke Ricketson, and some lucky ref’s calls, has lead the side to a 22-18 win which lifts them clear of the ‘crap’ at the table’s bottom.
Surfers Paradise: Scott Minto 2 and Carl Webb. Tallic 5/7
North Sydney: Akido Li, Michael DeVere, and Keith Wood. DeVere 3/3
PoM Points: Jason Stevens 3, Michael DeVere 2, and Luke Ricketson 1.
Round of Upsets Continues
Wollongong have continued the trend towards top eight sides being upset today, showing no mercy to a rep depleted Manly side in their 18-8 win. The win was arguably Wollongong’s best of the season, whilst the loss high-lighted Manly’s depth problems.
Wollongong: Scott Naylor, Danny Orr, and Darren Senter. Orr 3/4
Manly: Matt Sing. Reeves 2/2
PoM Points: Todd Payten 3, Darren Senter 2, and Scott Naylor 1.
DIVISION TWO
Change of Coach Suits Marlins
Rumours of Auckland’s move to Toronto in NSW next year have done nothing to hinder the Marlins’ juggernaut, with the Marlins toughing out a 30-18 win against the always unpredictable Penrith Highlanders.
Auckland: Russell Richardson, Elton Flatley, Mangus Reece, David Lomax, and Darren Fleary. Flatley 5/6
Penrith: David Berthezene, Justin Murphy, and Mark Riddell. Turley 3/3
PoM Points: Elton Flatley 3, Matthew Petersen 2, and Alfred Songoro 1.
Bulls Dominate Fairfield
The Fairfield Stallions seem to have lost the plot towards the season’s end, the Stallions slumping to an embarrassing 32-6 loss against the fast rising Brisbane Bulls- who leap-frog the Sydney based side to earn third place. The loss showcased Fairfield’s reliance on their English five eighths, Matt Crowther and Martin Crompton, both of whom are out injured.
Brisbane: Scott Prince 2, Wayne Pryce 2, John Hopoate, and Shannon Hegarty. Campbell 4/6
Fairfield: Danny Bampton. Magro 1/1
PoM Points: Wayne Pryce 3, Preston Campbell 2, and Wayne Bartrim 1.
Mehrtensless Ravens Humbled
Capetown’s reliance on New Zealand five-eighth, Andrew Mehrtens, has been highlighted today in the side’s 40-4 loss against the Coffs Harbour Wyrms. The Ravens lacked direction throughout, whilst the man who would have been marking him, Howard Opan, was on fire.
Coffs Harbour: Ryan Sheridan, Tana Umaga, Stirling Mortlock, Howard Opan, Asuki Miyamoto 2, and Peter Cusack. Opan 6/8
Capetown: Malcolm Alker. Gateshead 0/2
PoM Points: Howard Opan 3, Mat Toschak 2, and Josh Stuart 1.
Ipswich Seek to Claim Broome Mantle
The woeful Ipswich Reds continue to showcase talentless players and ill-constructed plans, and are fast approaching the level of infamy that the now defunct Broome Warriors boasted. Today’s 30-10 home loss to the Port Moresby Power is the side’s fifteenth in a row, a new ASRL record.
Ipswich: Luke Finnerty and Rob Burrow. Burrow 1/2
Port Moresby: Timothy Rice 2, Lote Tuqiri, Chris Kendra, and Michael Marum. Rice 5/6
PoM Points: Chris Kendra 3, Lote Tuqiri 2, and Marcus Bai 1.
Lazarus Crushers
The miraculous resurrection of the South Queensland Crushers in the season’s second half continued today, the Crushers winning a messy struggle with Eastwood 20-12. Numerous fights highlighted the match, with Chris Shepherd given ten in the bin after an altercation with Motu Tony in the 70th minute.
Eastwood: Xander Travis and Lance Hohaia. Duckworth 1/1. Maloney 1/1
South Queensland: Ty Williams, Adam Connelly, Chris Shepherd, and Vaine Keno. Gorrell 2/4
PoM Points: Aaron Gorrell 3, Michael Crocker 2, and Ty Williams 1.
Ferret Slump Continues
The New England Ferrets’ winless streak was today extended to six games, with the Ferrets unable to upset the resurgent Cairns White Pointers. The fledgling side continues to impress, the 32-18 away win cementing their position as a genuine contender for promotion.
New England: Dean Dorahy, Albert Torrens, and Lee Harland. Farrell 3/4
Cairns: Tabua Cakacacka, Todd Polglase 2, Quentin Pongia, and Justin Smith. Smith 6/6
PoM Points: Justin Smith 3, Todd Polglase 2, and Nathan Blacklock 1.
Mavericks Maintain Chase
The Hawkesbury Mavericks have kept their hopes of a top four berth alive today, winning a tough encounter with the Suva Suns 30-20. It was a too-and-fro encounter, with the Mavericks employing three different goal-kickers in the clash.
Suva: Barry Eaton 2 and Ronan O’Gara. O’Gara 4/4
Hawkesbury: Joe Roff, Marc Stcherbina, Mick van der Wall, and Adrian Lam. Hodgson 1/2. Rats 4/4. O’Connor 2/3
PoM Points: Solomon Haumona 3, Inoke Ratudina 2, and Barry Eaton 1.
Fear Keep Season Alive
The Newcastle Fear have kept their slim hopes of a Premier League berth alive today, putting third last placed Townsville to the sword with a 28-12 thrashing. The win was built on the back of dominant forwards by Newcastle’s underrated forward pack.
Newcastle: John Wilshere, Gabrielle Yane, Jamie Feeney, Nathan Fien, and Paul Anderson. Wilshere 4/5
Townsville: Matthew Rodwell and Linden Drummond. Drummond 2/2
PoM Points: Matthew Jobson 3, Jamie Feeney 2, and Rowland Rockachelli 1.
Same Old Crap
After a brief resurgence, the Redlands Rhinos have returned to the same indifferent form that they ‘showcased’ a few weeks ago. The Rhinos barely showed up for their vital clash with the Canberra Chargers, who have recently been announced as participants in the lucrative Crown Casino Risk.
Redlands: None. Takawira 0/1
Canberra: Ben Hornby, Paul Whatuira, Chris McKenna, and Alex Chan. Towers 4/4
PoM Points: Nick Graham 3, Alex Chan 2, and Chris McKenna 1.
Sydney Keep Finals Dream Alive
The Sydney Oilers have kept their slim dream of a finals appearance alive today, and did it in style and without their all-star forward pack. Lesser lights Ben Harris and former Crusade bench player, Willie Peters, were integral in the 30-4 thrashing of Tamworth City. The win sees Sydney four points out of the eight with eight rounds remaining.
Tamworth City: John Wilson. Cummins 0/1
Sydney: Luke Covell, Ben Harris, Mark O’Neill, Frank Samia, and Travis Norton. Covell 5/5
PoM Points: Ben Harris 3, Shane Laloata 2, and Willie Peters 1.
Wellington Cougars,14,2,1,491,301, 190 , 29
Gold Coast Crusade,13,3,2,479,256, 223 , 28
Central Coast Falcons,14,4,0,390,278, 112 , 28
Perth Taipans,10,6,2,394,310, 84 , 22
North Sydney Newbloods,10,7,1,367,282, 85 , 21
Carnarvon Grizzlies,9,7,2,369,335, 34 , 20
North Melbourne Maulers,9,8,1,340,330, 10 , 19
Darwin Cyclones,8,8,2,413,415,-2 , 18
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Manly Cannons,8,9,1,362,391,-29 , 17
Central Phoenix,7,9,2,372,343, 29 , 16
Parramatta Vikings,7,9,2,351,373,-22 , 16
Surfers Paradise Punks,7,11,0,224,364,-140 , 14
Adelaide Attitude,6,11,1,306,369,-63 , 13
Wollongong Destructors,4,12,2,244,453,-209 , 10
Christchurch Carnage,4,13,1,240,428,-188 , 9
South Melbourne Devils,3,13,2,256,476,-220 , 8
Port Moresby Power,13,2,2,386,294, 92 , 28
Capetown Ravens,13,5,0,484,248, 236 , 26
Brisbane Bulls,13,5,0,416,317, 99 , 26
Fairfield Stallions,12,5,1,362,302, 60 , 25
Hawkesbury Mavericks,12,6,0,398,269, 129 , 24
Cairns Great Whites,11,7,0,347,293, 54 , 22
Coffs Harbour Wyrms,10,7,1,386,260, 126 , 21
Auckland Marlins,9,9,0,362,345, 17 , 18
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Canberra Chargers,8,8,2,348,344, 4 , 18
Tamworth City Titans,9,9,0,348,358,-10 , 18
Redlands Rhinos,8,10,0,314,330,-16 , 16
Newcastle Fear,8,10,0,268,341,-73 , 16
Eastwood Pumas,7,10,1,315,353,-38 , 15
Sydney Oilers,7,11,0,358,360,-2 , 14
Suva Suns,7,11,0,358,360,-2 , 14
Penrith Highlanders,7,11,0,330,375,-45 , 14
New England Ferrets,6,10,2,286,376,-90 , 14
Townsville Dolphins,6,11,0,284,346,-62 , 12
South Queensland Drovers,5,12,1,220,391,-171 , 11
Ipswich Reds,3,15,0,198,486,-288 , 6
