Eight sides did battle earlier today to decide who would receive a place in the lucrative Bob Fulton Cup- which promises to deliver a record $750,000 to the winning club.

Capetown and Auckland played out a thriller in South Africa, the Ravens and Marlins exchanging tries before two late field goals from the Capetown halves pairing sealed a memorable 28-22 win.
Capetown: Hunter Tylerson, Andrew Mehrtens, Joost van Derwestuizen, and Mark Miniciello. Mehrtens 5/6. Mehrtens 1 fg. Gateshead 1 fg.
Auckland: Adam Tippet, Glenn Hall 2, and Dumisani Mpofu. Flatley 3/4
PoM Points: Glenn Hall 3, Dumisani Mpofu 2, and Adam Tippet 1.

Rookie coach Josh Hussey has record his first win as a top flight coach, the South Queensland Drovers easily accounting for local rivals, Ipswich, 20-8.
Ipswich: Lolea Milford. MacNamara 2/2
South Queensland: Nick Bradley-Qualilawa, Anthony Tyan 2, and Matthew Rodwell. Rodwell 2/4
PoM Points: Steve MacNamara 3, Anthony Tyan 2, and Florian Chaubert 1.

Amidst the news of big name signing Monty Betham, it was Penrith's lesser lights who led the side to an emphatic 16-10 win over Sydney rivals, Fairfield.
Penrith: Jamie Russo, David Berthezene, and Mark Riddell. Turley 2/4
Fairfield: Matt Crowther and Dean Walker. Magro 1/2
PoM Points: Matt Crothwer 3, Dean Walker 2, and Jamie Russo 1.

Redlands' reputation as a disappointment continued today, a big crowd on hand to see the Rhinos annihilated 30-6 by the Cairns White Pointers. It was never in doubt, the White Pointers murdering the Rhinos in hot conditions.
Redlands: Paul Sterling. Takawira 1/1
Cairns: Augustine Justine 2, Quentin Pongia, Dan Hills, Dallas Johnson. Lamaison 5/7
PoM Points: Augustine Justine 3, Quentin Pongia 2, and Dan Hills 1.

ROUND OF THIRTY TWO
The opening round of the Bob Fulton Cup is always full of tight games, upsets, and dominant displays as sides seek to adjust to new squads and impress their faithful fans. The 2003 BFC was no different, with one match having to go into extra time- whilst two games were decided by field goals.

REPORTS
The Port Moresby Power have won the first 'battle of the islands', accounting for the Union oriented Suva Suns, 18-6. New buy Tommy Martyn was the star, having a hand in every Power try and most line breaks.
Port Moresby: Matthew Burke, Etienne Fynn, and Tommy Martyn. Burke 3/6
Suva: Christian Cullen. Dieter Fisher 1/1
PoM Points: Tommy Martyn 3, Marcus Bai 2, and Jamie Bloem 1.

The Eastwood Pumas have already caused the upset of the tournament, winning 19-18 against the reigning champions, the Central Phoenix, courtesy of a last ditch Lance Hohaia field goal. It was a mirror finish to Eastwood's final try, in which they pulled off a similar victory over Carnarvon.
Central: Barrie McDermott and Gorden Tallis. Schifcofske 5/6
Eastwood: Francis Maloney, Wayne Evans, and Todd Byrne. Furner 3/5. Hohaia 1 fg.
PoM Points: Clinton Schifcofske 3, Dom Peters 2, and Wayne Evans 1.

After indifferent trial form, the Carnarvon Cowboys have put on a real footballing display to blow Darwin out've the water. The Cowboys were dominant in both halves, winning 30-8 in a one sided clash.
Carnarvon: Johnathon Thurston, Mark Gasnier, Justin Morgan, Ryan Girdler, and Brad Drew. Taylor 5/5
Darwin: Alan Watts. Paul 2/3
PoM Points: Ryan Girdler 3, Justin Morgan 2, and Iestyn Harris 1.

A 77th minute Nathan Sologinkin try has lifted Canberra to an unprecedented victory over the in form Central Coast Falcons. The Falcons, who have recently taken Canberra's place in Premier League, were far from their best in a sloppy clash.
Central Coast: Robbie O'Davis and Phillipe Bernat-Salles. El Masri 5/5
Canberra: Chris McKenna 2 and Nathan Sologinkin. Towers 4/7
PoM Points: John Carlaw 3, Joel Caine 2, and Chris McKenna 1.

North Sydney's inability to down bitter rivals Manly has continued to haunt them, the Cannons winning a spite-filled encounter 28-18. The match involved three fights, and a whopping 19 penalties were conceded between the two sides.
North Sydney: Ben Ikin 2 and Jason Stevens. DeVere 3/4
Manly: Mat Rogers, Aaron Moule, Marc Stcherbina, and Steve Menzies. Rogers 6/7
PoM Points: Ashley Harrison 3, Steve Menzies 2, and Mat Rogers 1.

The Penrith Highlanders have one-upped fellow Sydney side, Eastwood, upsetting the Perth Taipans 26-16 in a messy match. The Highlanders dragged Perth down to their level, and despite having a handling quality of just over 50%, won the game.
Perth: Darren Lockyer, Deon Bird, and Keiran Cunningham. Locker 2/3
Penrith: Lance Rhodes, Neil Turley, Lee Ralleigh, David Berthezene, and Danny Sullivan. Turley 3/7
PoM Points: Neil Turley 3, Glen Hughes 2, and Lee Ralleigh 1.

After a tight first half, the Newcastle Fear have been unable to convert their opportunities, and eventually let themselves be outclassed by Wollongong in an entertaining game full of end to end football. Despite a 16 all deadlock lasting until the 67th minute- the Wollongong Destructors have been able to record a 30-16 win.
Newcastle: Melvin Hart, Malcolm Alker, and Craig Greenhill. Fien 2/3
Wollongong: Jamie Ainscough 2, Paul Gallen, Regan King, Michael Withers, and Lee Radford. Orr 3/7
PoM Points: Jamie Ainscough 3, Paul Gallen 2, and Lee Radford 1.

The New England Ferrets have embarassed themselves and their fans today, hardly showing up as they were massacred by regional rivals, Tamworth City, 40-14. The Titans won a tight first half 12-6, before continue on with it in the second stanza.
New England: Brian Leauma, Andy Farrell, and Bryan Fletcher. Farrell 1/4
Tamworth City: Brian O'Driscroll, Kurt Gidley, Shayne Dunley, Byron Kelleher, Justin Harrison, Tony Tatupu, and Adam Peek. Cummins 6/8
PoM Points: Mtombe Msabo 3, Byron Kelleher 2, and Tony Tatupu 1.

A length of the field intercept try from rookie winger Alwyn Simpson has sealed a tight clash up north, the Townsville Dolphins winning 22-12 after the game was locked at 18-12 for much of the second half.
Townsville: Alwyn Simpson, Eric Grothe Jr., and Andrew Gee. Elken 4/5. Grothe Jr. 1/2
Cairns: Dan Hills and Chris Motu. Lamaisson 2/4
PoM Points: Alwyn Simpson 3, George Smith 2, and Travis Elken 1.

In the game of the round, Gold Coast have backed up last week's dominant win with a tight 20-12 win over the Surfers Paradise Punks. The Punks turned it around after last week's poor form, but were outclassed by the premiership favourites.
Surfers Paradise: Dominik Bush and Luke Ricketson. Hannay 1/1. Tallic 1/1
Gold Coast: Craig Hall, Andrew Johns, and Josh Perry. Wilkinson 4/7
PoM Points: Craig Hall 3, Steve Simspon 2, and Jonny Wilkinson 1.

The round of upsets continued when Hawkesbury were able to down Adelaide 14-6 in a defensively intense clash. The Mavericks played with the pride and passion its fans have missed in recent years, but it was recent signing Mick Van Der Wall who proved the difference between the sides.
Hawkesbury: Brad Meyers and Mick Van Der Wall. Rats 3/4
Adelaide: Sean Long. Paul 1/1
PoM Points: Stephen Kearney 3, Ben Roarty 2, and Mick Van Der Wall 1.

The Capetown Ravens and Coffs Harbour Wyrms have shown they'll both be forces to be reckoned with in this year's Division Two competition- with Coffs Harbour coming from 22-16 down to win 23-22 in the dying stages. It was a game Capetown should've won, as evidenced by PoM polling.
Coffs Harbour: Stirling Mortlock, Michael Eager, Adam Woolnough, and Peter Cusack. Opan 3/4. Sheridan 1 fg.
Capetown: Steve Williams, Bronsen Saunders, and Darren Rogers. Mehrtens 5/7
PoM Points: Brenton Bowen 3, Andrew Mehrtens 2, and Steve Williams 1.

The two New Zealand based Premier League clubs have shown neither will be willing to give an inch this season, the Wellington Cougars having to fight tooth and nail to score a 16-10 victory.
Christchurch: Carlos Spencer and Jason Ferris. Singh 1/2
Wellington: Timana Tahu, Trent Barrett, and Caleb Ralph. Luana 2/3
PoM Points: Caleb Ralph 3, Timana Tahu 2, and John Sitizien 1.

The Parramatta Vikings have shrugged off last week's embarassing home loss to Newcastle, and put on a fine display to down North Melbourne 20-14 in their opening BFC clash. Both sides are finals contenders, and Parramatta showed plenty of class in the tight win.
Parramatta: Brent Webb and Francis Meli 2. Fitzgibbon 4/5
North Melbourne: Anthony Mundine, Desi Kadima, and Shontayne Hape. Walker 1/3
PoM Points: Luke Phillips 3, Adrian Morley 2, and Brent Webb 1.

A Sydney side sporting a vastly different squad has still managed to put together a solid 26-16 win over the South Melbourne Devils. The Oilers' lesser known recruits shined, with Roy Asotasi scoring a vital try.
South Melbourne: Neil Cowie, Steve Witt, and Terry Newton. O'Neill 2/3
Sydney: Roy Asotasi, Ali Lauititi, and Jason Robinson 2. Burrow 5/5
PoM Points: Neil Cowie 3, Shane Laloata 2, and Matthew Gidley 1.

The South Queensland Drovers have defeated Brisbane in extra time, after eighty minutes of football had both sides locked at 10 all. The Drovers scored a try in each ten minute period of extra time to win the game 22-10.
Brisbane: Nathan Merrit 2. Sinfield 1/2
South Queensland: Matthew Rodwell, Sean Rutgerson, and Anthony Tyan. Rodwell 5/5
PoM Points: Willie Leyshon 3, Kevin Sinfield 2, and Nathan Merritt 1.

ROUND OF SIXTEEN
As always the round of sixteen has provided some thrilling results, with four of the six eligible Premier League sides making it through. With the ledger set at 50/50, it's Division Two's chance to score some points off their richer cousins.

Sydney have been absolutely hammered at home courtesy of a dominant first half from cup favourites, Wellington. The Cougars scored 22 first half points, and although Sydney's defence improved in the second half, the Cougars still managed a 28-0 away win.
Sydney: None.
Wellington: John Sitizein 2, Ruben Wiki, Caleb Ralph, and Graham Luana. Luana 4/5
PoM Points: John Sitizein 3, Ruben Wiki 2, and Graham Luana 1.

Manly have won a surprisingly close and intense encounter at Brookvale, 28-22, over a much improved Townsville side. Boosted by the return of star threequarter Linden Drummond, the Dolphins turned back the clock to their return season, but couldn't match last year's semi-finalists.
Manly: Stanley Tepend, Stacey Jones, Steve Menzies, and Awen Guttenbiel. Rogers 5/8
Townsville: Linden Drummond, Craig Bowen, Carl Webb, and Marty Turner. Drummond 3/5
PoM Points: Stanley Tepend 3, Steve Menzies 2, and George Smith 1.

The Tamworth City Titans have won a tight encounter with Parramatta, the Scully Park faithful again lucky enough to see their side firing, as the Titans won 14-12.
Tamworth City: Kurt Gidley, Justin Harrison, and Justin Ryder. Cummins 1/4
Parramatta: Francis Meli and Dean Widders. Fitzgibbon 2/3

Coffs Harbour, courtesy of a dominant performance from former NSW winger Stirling Mortlock, have registered a tight fought 20-14 win over fellow Division Two big guns, Canberra.
Canberra: John Carlaw and Anthony Quinn. Towers 4/4
Coffs Harbour: Luke Priddis, Stirling Mortlock, and Raymond Karl. Opan 4/4
PoM Points: Stirling Mortlock 3, Luke Priddis 2, and Michael Eager 1.

Wollongong's stellar start to the season continuted this afternoon, the Destructors breaking a 12 all halftime scoreline to register a 20-14 win. Despite an extremely disciplined performance in defence (Carnarvon conceding one penalty to eleven), the Grizzlies were outscored four tries to two. The Destructors now face Gold Coast, and will be missing four regular first graders.
Carnarvon: Freddie Banquet and Ian Hindmarsh. Taylor 3/3
Wollongong: Regan King, Simon Woolford, Grahem Bond, Scott Naylor. Orr 2/4
PoM Points: Paul Gallen 3, Regan King 2, and Freddie Banquet 1.

The Gold Coast Crusade have blown South Queensland out of the water with a five try first half, up 32-10 after forty minutes of football. The Drovers saved some face in the second half, only letting one more try through, but the Crusade cruised through to the quarter finals with a 38-10 win.
Gold Coast: Gary Connolly, Tommy O'Reilly, Jonny Wilkinson, Andrew Johns, Craig Gower, and Paul Stringer. Wilkinson 7/7
South Queensland: Semi Taduala and Willie Leyshon. Rodwell 1/2
PoM Points: Nathan Cayless 3, Jonny Wilkinson 2, and Andrew Johns 1.

The Eastwood Pumas have endured a lot of first half pressure and scored a length of the field try to have a 6-0 halftime lead, before turning it on in the second half to register a 22-0 win. The Pumas now face Manly at home, which they'd be quietly confident of winning.
Hawkesbury: None.
Eastwood: Todd Byrne, Narem Ekhbatana, Dom Peters, and Matt Adamson. Furner 3/6
PoM Points: Todd Byrne 3, Dom Peters 2, and Matt Adamson 1.

The Port Moresby Power have won the game of the round against Penrith, registering a 30-20 home win in a see-sawing affair. The game saw a total of nine tries scored, as the lead changed throughout, only a late flurry of points setting up Port's away tie against the Cougars.
Port Moresby: Steve Bell, Billy Slater, and Michael Marum 3. Burke 5/5
Penrith: Jamie Russo 2, Steve Trindall, and Neil Turley. Hughes 1/2. Turley 1/3
PoM Points: Billy Slater 3, Michael Marum 2, and Tommy Martyn 1.

QUARTER FINAL RESULTS

The round of eight has produced four lop-sided scorelines, with the four winning sides doing it easy against less fancied opposition. In what was a very disappointing weekend for people who wanted close fought games- the smallest winning margin was sixteen.

The Coffs Harbour Wyrms are the only remaining Division Two club in the Bob Fulton Cup, coming from 6-4 down at the break to register a solid 28-12 home win against in form Tamworth City. The injury battered Titans were spirited, but couldn't match the quicksilver Wyrms' backline.
Coffs Harbour: Anthony Minichiello, Howard Opan, Michael Eager, and Raymond Karl. Opan 6/8
Tamworth City: Brian O'Driscoll and Kurt Gidley. Cummins 2/2
PoM Points: Howard Opan 3, Adam Woolnough 2, and Anthony Miniciello 1.

Steve Menzies' stellar star to the season continues to go from strength to strength, the Manly captain snaring a hat-trick in Manly's 34-18 win over the Eastwood Pumas. The Cannons were in control throughout, capitalising an a 22-10 halftime lead to score an away tie against cup favourites, Wellington.
Eastwood: Todd Byrne, Narem Ekhbatana, Francis Maloney, and Trent Waterhouse. Duckworth 1/4
Manly: Mat Rogers, Matt Sing, Logan Swann, and Steve Menzies 3. Rogers 5/6
PoM Points: Steve Menzies 3, Mat Rogers 2, and Stacey Jones 1.

The Gold Coast Crusade's daunting pre-season form received another boost today, the Crusade murdering Wollongong 48-16 to set up a relatively easy home semi-final against Coffs Harbour. It was another faultless performance by the Crusade, who look like definate contenders for 2003.
Gold Coast: Kris Radlinski, Tommy O'Reilly 2, Andrew Johns 2, Danny Buderus, Craig Gower, and Daniel Abraham. Wilkinson 8/8
Wollongong: Scott McLean, Lee Radford, and Richard Goddard. Orr 2/3
PoM Points: Daniel Abraham 3, Jonny Wilkinson 2, and Andrew Johns 1.

Some debatable refereeing after half time, which saw Port Moresby have two tries disallowed, may have cost Port Moresby a possible semi-final appearance, the Power capitulating shortly after to lose 38-12. Had the tries been allowed, the game could've been deadlocked at 22 all. Wellington now progress to the semis, where they face Manly.
Wellington: Brett Hodgson, John Sitizein, Timana Tahu, Kylie Leulai 2, Wairangi Koopu, and Graham Luana. Luana 5/7
Port Moresby: Steve Bell and Michael Marum. Burke 2/2
PoM Points: Timana Tahu 3, Graham Luana 2, and Kylie Leulai 1.

SEMI FINAL DRAW
Gold Coast vs. Coffs Harbour
Wellington vs. Manly

The two favourites for the Bob Fulton Cup have progressed to the Grand Final, but neither side had it easy, both having to fight tooth and nail in nail-biting finishes.

The Coffs Harbour Wyrms have pushed Gold Coast for one hundred minutes, the game dead-locked at 12 all after the Wyrms came out and shell-shocked Gold Coast in the first half, before Connolly and Johns fought back to force extra time. The Crusade clicked into gear in the extra time however, a try in both 'halves' sealing a 24-12 win for the Crusade.
Gold Coast: Andrew Johns, Gary Connolly 2, and Nathan Cayless. Johns 4/4
Coffs Harbour: Tana Umaga and Raymond Karl. Opan 2/2
PoM Points: Gary Connolly 3, Mohammad Zian-Ali 2, and Tana Umaga 1.

The Wellington Cougars have almost blown a seemingly unassailable lead, up 38-12 with ten minutes to go, the Cougars choked to let in four tries in the final ten, but managed to hold on for a 38-30 home win. The game looked like a carbon copy of New Zealand's 44-6 semi-final thrashing of Manly from last year, but the Cannons rallied to save face despite bowing out.
Wellington: Caleb Ralph, John Sitizien, Jeff Wilson 2, Kylie Leulai, and Willie Talau. Luana 7/7
Manly: Slick Cupples, Matt Sing 2, Phillip Grahem, and Logan Swann. Rogers 5/6
PoM Points: John Sitizein 3, Stanley Tepend 2, and Jeremy Paul 1.