PREMIER LEAGUE
Crusade Avenge ‘02’
The Gold Coast Crusade have one another 2002 Grand Final rematch today, putting on an attacking display in the first half to lead their longtime rivals, 16-6. The final score of 22-12 showed how close the second half was, with the Crusade staying in touch with Wellington courtesy of the win.
North Melbourne: Silvain Houles and Matt Bickerstaff. Walker 2/2
Gold Coast: Tommy O’Reilly, Daniel Abraham, Luke Davico, and Steve Simpson. Johns 3/4
PoM Points: Clint Newton 3, Andrew Johns 2, and Billy Slater 1.
Flannery Triple Sinks Grizzlies
A hat-trick of tries from Chris Flannery has lead Surfers Paradise to its strongest win of the season, a 28-12 hammering of the formerly fifth placed Carnarvon Grizzlies. The win showed how good a side Surfers Paradise can be, and it is now up to the side to rally and make a late charge for the eight and some respectability.
Surfers Paradise: Chris Flannery 3, Stuart Kelly, and Rhys Wesser. Hannay 4/5
Carnarvon: Tevita Vaikona and Luke Patten. Luana 2/2
PoM Points: Chris Flannery 3, Graham Luana 2, and Jamie Venables 1.
Falcons Rally to Save Magro’s Job
After rumours earlier this week that Central Coast coach, Anthony Magro, would quit if his chargers lost again- the Falcons have rallied in the second half to turn a 12 all half-time score into a dominant 36-12 win against the last placed South Melbourne Devils. The Devils have only Christchurch to battle with for the wooden spoon as the season winds down.
South Melbourne: Skip Williams and Nathan Sykes. Silvain 2/3
Central Coast: Robbie O’Davis, Matt Utai 2, Brian Tabouli 2, and Steven Price. El Masri 6/6
PoM Points: Matt Utai 3, Brian Tabouli 2, and Steven Price 1.
Newbloods Send Darwin Packing
North Sydney have warned the top four that they’re a genuine threat today. The old adage ‘it’s a game of two halves’ held true today, and the Newbloods one both halves 30-4 to record a 60-8 annihilation of the struggling Cyclones. The win is North Sydney’s biggest, and sees them leap into fifth position again.
North Sydney: Matthew Burke 2, Akido Li, Michael DeVere, Jonah Lomu, Paul Bowman, Lars Ojanssen, Mark Muggleton, and Nathan Wood. DeVere 10/11
Darwin: Odell Manuel and Kevin Campion. Singh 0/2
PoM Points: Paul Bowman 3, Michael DeVere 2, and Evan Mears 1.
Adelaide in Dire Straits
Glamour club, Adelaide, are in real danger of relegating after the side threw together a woeful performance against the resurrected Wollongong Destructors to lose 26-12. The Attitude were awful, whilst Wollongong continue to improve, leaping Adelaide to leave the Attitude in 15th position.
Wollongong: Shaun Timmins, Scott Naylor, Danny McGuire, and Lance Thompson 2. Orr 3/5
Adelaide: Joe Black and Willie Leyshon. Deacon 2/2
PoM Points: Lance Thompson 3, Michael Withers 2, and Danny McGuire 1.
DIVISION TWO
Coffs Edge Out Cairns
The battle of the coastal gems ended today in a 26-22 victory to the resurgent Coffs Harbour Wyrms, who may not be a chance of a minor premiership, but are making sure they’ll be there for the finals. Coffs Harbour’s halves combination provided the foundation for the win, with Ryan Sheridan earning man of the match honours.
Coffs Harbour: Rodger Randal, Justin Hodges, and Tana Umaga 2. Opan 5/5
Cairns: Augustine Justine 2, Dan Hills, and Justin Smith. Smith 3/5
PoM Points: Ryan Sheridan 3, Asuki Miyamoto 2, and Howard Opan 1.
On the Verge
The Sydney Oilers stand on the very edge of the top eight after another solid win today. The Oilers’ backs were on fire in the side’s 24-14 win over fellow Sydney rivals, Eastwood. In particular Jason Robinson, fresh from a test match against New Zealand, was in fine form.
Eastwood: Kevin McGuinness, Michael Ventrue, and David Furner. Furner 1/3
Sydney: Brent Tate, Jason Robinson, and Roy Asotasi. Covell 6/6
PoM Points: Jason Robinson 3, Luke Covell 2, and Kevin McGuinness 1.
Redlands Fall Short Again
The Redlands Rhinos have fallen achingly short of an upset win for the second week in a row, coming from 20-6 down against Port Moresby to eventually lose 20-18 in a nail-biting final five minutes. The loss all but sees Redlands out of genuine contention for the 2003 finals series.
Redlands: Paul Sterling, Melvin Hart, and Ben Beckett. Takawira 3/3
Port Moresby: Mohammed Zian-Ali 2 and Matthew Bowen. Zian-Ali 4/5
PoM Points: Michael Dallas 3, Melvin Hart 2, and Allianya Takawira 1.
A Third O’Gara DVD
On the back of his latest DVD release, Ronan O’Gara has today given his fans plenty more highlights for a new DVD after he lead Suva to a solid 24-10 domination of the struggling Capetown Ravens. The loss sees Capetown slump to fourth position, whilst Suva are now a threat of an eight appearance should results go their way.
Suva: Ronan O’Gara, Mark Tookey, Sam Harris, and Travis Elken. O’Gara 4/5
Capetown: Steve Williams. Mehrtens 3/3
PoM Points: Ronan O’Gara 3, Caleb Ralph 2, and Travis Elken 1.
Woman of the Match
Roger Bossert will be sending Brooke Martin, the ASRL’s only female player, a bouquet of flowers today after the talented centre lifted Townsville to a 15-10 win over Tamworth City and aided Sydney’s charge for a finals berth. Martin, who has not enjoyed a brilliant league career, was scintillating as she danced and muscled her better known opposition.
Tamworth City: Anthony Sullivan and Justin Harrison. Leis 1/3
Townsville: Ben Black, Rowland Rockachelli, and Linden Drummond. Drummond 1/3. Dykes 1 fg.
PoM Points: Brooke Martin 3, Justin McKay 2, and Adam Peek 1.
[i]Risk Results to Follow{/i]
Just so JD can sleep at night :P
Premier League
Wellington Cougars,16,3,1,509,315, 194 , 33
Gold Coast Crusade,15,3,2,539,272, 267 , 32
Central Coast Falcons,15,5,0,438,310, 128 , 30
Perth Taipans,11,7,2,398,342, 56 , 24
North Sydney Newbloods,11,8,1,441,308, 133 , 23
Carnarvon Grizzlies,10,8,2,403,363, 40 , 22
North Melbourne Maulers,10,9,1,372,364, 8 , 21
Manly Cannons,10,9,1,394,395,-1 , 21
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Parramatta Vikings,9,9,2,387,377, 10 , 20
Darwin Cyclones,9,9,2,451,495,-44 , 20
Central Phoenix,7,10,3,384,367, 17 , 17
Surfers Paradise Punks,8,12,0,272,406,-134 , 16
Wollongong Destructors,6,12,2,294,477,-183 , 14
Adelaide Attitude,6,13,1,322,431,-109 , 13
Christchurch Carnage,4,15,1,244,466,-222 , 9
South Melbourne Devils,3,15,2,268,534,-266 , 8
Division One
Brisbane Bulls,15,5,1,442,329, 113 , 31
Port Moresby Power,14,3,2,416,328, 88 , 30
Fairfield Stallions,14,5,1,398,308, 90 , 29
Capetown Ravens,14,6,0,520,282, 238 , 28
Hawkesbury Mavericks,13,7,0,420,285, 135 , 26
Cairns Great Whites,12,8,0,393,341, 52 , 24
Coffs Harbour Wyrms,11,8,1,426,300, 126 , 23
Auckland Marlins,10,10,0,378,353, 25 , 20
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Tamworth City Titans,10,10,0,386,383, 3 , 20
Sydney Oilers,9,11,0,430,398, 32 , 18
Suva Suns,9,11,0,398,380, 18 , 18
Canberra Chargers,8,10,2,360,370,-10 , 18
Newcastle Fear,9,11,0,274,377,-103 , 18
Redlands Rhinos,8,12,0,348,372,-24 , 16
Penrith Highlanders,8,12,0,340,403,-63 , 16
New England Ferrets,7,11,2,310,424,-114 , 16
Eastwood Pumas,7,12,1,351,401,-50 , 15
South Queensland Drovers,7,12,1,238,405,-167 , 15
Townsville Dolphins,7,12,0,307,372,-65 , 14
Ipswich Reds,3,17,0,208,512,-304 , 6
