Local Rugby League Wrap: All the latest local footy news from the big leagues around New South Wales 28/29 June
It was a weekend of bounce backs as Newcastle and Group 9 contenders returned to the winner’s circle in a big way, as De La Salle took down the defending Cronulla champs to stake their own title claims.
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It was the weekend of the big guns hitting back with a pair of Newcastle and Group 9 defending premiers responding in fine fashion.
Then there’s a rising force in Illawarra who is quietly launching its finals charge.
Here’s all the latest from around the grounds:
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CANBERRA
Woden Valley had to settle for its third draw of the season, locked up 20-all with Belconnen United.
Despite a double from Jay Slavin, the Sharks trailed 14-10 at the break, and soon after halftime they were down by 10.
Tristan Eldridge made it a one-score game, before Jacob Piper scored out wide in the final minute, giving Jack Milne a sideline conversion to seal a point.
West Belconnen kept in touch with the top two after a 24-14 victory over a gritty Gungahlin.
A double from Yass’ Cody Bell wasn’t enough to lift the Magpies to a home win, falling 24-16 to Tuggeranong.
Queanbeyan Kangaroos responded from a defeat to the Blues last weekend, smashing Goulburn City 40-16.
Joshua Ayers and Luke Cannon both scored doubles to keep them in a share of top spot.
STANDINGS: Queanbeyan Kangaros 14, Queanbeyan Blues 14, West Belconnen 13, Woden Valley 11, Belconnen United 7, Gungahlin 6, Tuggeranong 6, Goulburn City 5, Yass 4
Woden Valley scored late to claim a crucial 14-12 win over Belconnen United in the Katrina Fanning Shield.
The Sharks led 12-4 at the break, before a second-half double to Lara Cosgrove proved the difference in the end.
Her second came off the back of a scrum, slicing through defenders with seven minutes to play.
West Belconnen remains first after a 28-12 road win at Gungahlin.
Gabriella Savage continued her hot form with a double.
Gabrielle Davis scored twice for Yass as they downed Tuggeranong 18-4.
STANDINGS: West Belconnen 15, Woden Valley 13, Belconnen United 10, Yass 8, Gungahlin 8, Tuggeranong 6, Goulburn City 2, Queanbeyan Blues 0
GROUP 9
Albury took over the Challenge Cup in stunning fashion with a big 44-26 upset win over Tumut.
Despite receiving 5.5 points start, the Thunder launched a stunning first half, running in five tries to lead 28-10.
Lachlan Hampton completed his double in the second half as the Thunder held that buffer and finished strong.
Temora climbed into second spot after taking down Gundagai 22-12 at Nixon Park.
Jock Ward scored twice for the Dragons to help them leapfrog the Tigers, who were unable to convert any of their three tries.
Wagga’s lead at the top of the standings grew to five after a 56-6 thumping of Cootamundra.
Dakota Ruta and Zachary Graham both scored twice for the Kangaroos as they solidified their position as the heavy competition favourites.
South City kept its finals hopes alive, making it back-to-back victories after edging out Junee 19-12.
A Kyle McCarthy field goal late in the piece helped seal the win.
Young got back to its winning ways in big fashion, smashing Brothers 86-6.
Devon Makoare-Bryce scored three tries with doubles to Matthew Noakes, Cathane Hill and Robert Roberts.
Roberts scored 34 points in the win.
STANDINGS: Wagga Kangaroos 20, Temora 15, Gundagai 14, Tumut 13, Young 10, Albury 10, South City 8, Junee 6, Cootamundra 4, Brothers 0
ILLAWARRA
After losing its first six games, Corrimal made it back-to-back wins after downing Thirroul 24-22.
A hot start saw Matthew Payne and Brandon Tikinau score in the space of three minutes to open up a 12-0 advantage.
The Butchers responded with three of their own on either side of the break to lead 16-12, before Zac Nachar and Kye Wright gave them enough of a margin to seal their second win.
De La Salle has made a big move, taking down Wests 24-18.
First half doubles to Te Umuariki Heremia-Tukere (Wests) and Elijah Paea (De La Salle) saw the Devils lead 14-10 at halftime.
They held that four-point buffer until the final 10 minutes, when Meli Nasau scored twice in five minutes to cause the upset.
Collegians now has a four-point buffer at the top of the table after a 42-10 smashing of Dapto on home soil.
James Lee had a double in their seventh win of the season.
STANDINGS: Collegians 14, Wests 10, De La Salle 8, Dapto 8, Thirroul 4, Corrimal 4
NEWCASTLE
Wyong moved into top spot on points differential with a 26-6 defeat of The Entrance in a Central Coast derby at Morry Breen Oval.
Kauri Aupouri-Puketapu continued his hot run of form with a man of the match effort for the Roos, taking advantage of a 10-0 halftime lead and keeping their rivals to just one try.
Central made it three-straight wins after downing Macquarie 24-22.
They now sit just one win out of finals contention after launching a thrilling comeback.
They trailed by 12 inside the final 15 minutes, when Cameron Anderson showed his class with a try from broken play.
Joey Morris tied it up from dummy half just minutes later, before Lachlan O’Brien kicked the winning penalty goal after a high shot.
They now face off with Wyong on Wednesday in a catch-up game with both teams in red-hot form.
Wests bounced back from some patchy form with a big 36-14 win over Souths.
Patrick Achurch and Stephen Widders both scored doubles with Kevin Naiqama also getting over the line in a win that keeps them inside the top-four.
Maitland was solid in a 24-10 defeat of Kurri Kurri, while Nicholas Glohe scored two for Lakes United as they defeated Northern Hawks 28-14.
STANDINGS: Wyong 15, Maitland 15, Wests 14, Souths 14, Cessnock 12, The Entrance 12, Lakes United 10, Central 10, Macquarie 10, Kurri Kurri 10, Northern Hawks 2
Souths claimed its biggest win of the season with a 12-10 defeat of Central at St John Oval.
Central held a 10-8 lead deep in the contest, before second rower Ella Buteux burst straight through the defence to score her second and give the Lions the win inside the final five.
Wests started strong, but the might of Maitland too much as the Pickers prevailed 16-10.
Alex Holliday opened the scoring when she barged her way out of dummy half, but Maitland responded with the next three to remain in first.
Lakes United remains a title threat after a thumping 28-6 defeat of the Northern Hawks.
Lucy Spain, Tyla Brown and Matilda Jones all scored doubles to keep them one point behind Maitland.
STANDINGS: Maitland 12, Lakes United 11, Central 10, Souths 7, Wests 6, Northern Hawks 6
NSWRL OPEN WOMEN
Redfern survived a major scare from Wentworthville, before holding on for a 14-10 victory at Marrickville Oval.
Yilara Widders and Kyla Gordon powered them to a 10-0 lead before the Magpies were able to hit back before the break.
The margin remained at four for much of the second half, with the RAB defence finding enough.
Cabramatta scored two late tries to overcome Marrickville 28-22.
The two went back and forth for much of the contest, with the Queens taking a narrow leading into the concluding stages on the back of a Tahlya Dower double.
Taylah Falaniko was the difference however, scoring four of her own to lift the Two Blues to victory.
Pennant Hills Cherrybrook made a major statement with a 48-12 win over Mascot.
Shenae Cassidy scored a double and Tyra Dymock had a major impact as they climbed into fourth spot.
STANDINGS: Mounties 27, Redfern 26, Mascot 23, Pennant Hills Cherrybrook 20, Wentworthville 19, Cabramatta 17, Marrickville 13, Milperra 13
PETER MCDONALD PREMIERSHIP
In a battle of the heavyweights, Mudgee edged out Forbes 30-26.
Tom Lawson scored a double for the Dragons with ex-NRL players Steven Marsters and Jack Littlejohn also getting across the stripe.
Orange CYMS showed their premiership credentials with a big road win, taking down Wellington 38-12 at Kennard Park.
Rhys Draper scored a hat-trick in the centres with Thomas Hickson and Matthew Whyte posting doubles as they held a share of first.
They’re joined in that spot by the Dubbo CYMS, who were clinical in a 44-10 defeat of Lithgow.
Fullback Troyden Dixon showcased his class with a treble.
Bathurst St Pats picked up a crucial two competition points with a 48-20 defeat of Nyngan.
Leading 18-6 at the break, Bathurst was able to kick right away with the contest on the back of doubles from Joshua Hanrahan and Samisoni Raivaroro.
Parkes are back in business after they put the Bathurst Panthers to the sword to the tune of 56-10 at Jock Colley Field.
Malakai Folau had a hat-trick and Junior Igila starred with four tries in the demolition.
Orange Hawks created breathing room between seventh and eighth after taking down Dubbo Macquarie 48-6.
Adam Hart had a double in the victory.
STANDINGS: Dubbo CYMS 16, Mudgee 16, Orange CYMS 16, Forbes 15, Wellington 14, Bathurst St Pats 12, Orange Hawks 11, Dubbo Macquarie 8, Parkes 8, Nyngan 6, Bathurst Panthers 4, Lithgow 4
SOUTHERN SYDNEY
De La Salle and Joeys turned on one of the games of the season, with the former prevailing in a 22-18 epic at Captain Cook Oval.
Defending premiers Joeys looked to be in full control with a 12-0 lead at halftime on the back of Bailey Leach and Tokahirere Sopoaga tries.
The comeback started in the second half as Conor McFadden scored out wide and Will Stewart sliced through the defence to get them back within two.
Joeys steadied the ship when Max DeMeio put Chris Newell over to extend it to eight inside the final 15.
Kai Capelin soon hit back out of dummy half to make it two once again, when it looked like time would get the better of the home side.
Inside the final three minutes, De La won a penalty for a hit off the ball, with the penalty attempt made easier after Joeys were marched 10 for dissent.
Then with the final set of the game, an Andrew Fifita offload freed up Cameron Goodger, who made a break and gave it to Tarkyn Loloselo, who powered his way to the line.
Gymea moved into to spot on points differential after a crushing 60-4 win over Engadine.
Hayden McCrae scored a double as the Gorillas raced in 12 tries.
Blake Wardrobe scored four and Harrison Cox and Ryan Barden both finished with doubles as Bosco demolished Como Jannali 58-10.
STANDINGS: Gymea 25, Joeys 25, Bosco 23, De La Salle 23, Como Jannali 14, Engadine 10
WOODBRIDGE CUP
Canowindra and Orange turned on the points with a 14-try thriller at Wade Park.
The Tigers came out on top 44-30 despite two tries from Warriors bench weapon Kyle-James Darcy, who also spent time in the sin bin.
Cowra maintains a three-way share of top spot after a 34-14 defeat of Molong.
They’re joined there by Oberon, who had 10 different tryscorers in a 62-8 thumping of bottom-placed Cargo.
Matthew Ranse posted a double and Blake Fitzpatrick had 22 points.
Peak Hill climbed above Eugowra on the table after downing the Golden Eagles 50-14.
Eugowra was forced to do it the hard way with Pita Kengike sent off inside 15 minutes.
Roosters second rower Caleb Cohen scored two and had a stint in the sin bin, with Blaize Fuller also scoring two.
Flynn Fahey scored a treble for the Rhinos as Manildra held onto top spot on points differential.
They were able to down Condobolin 42-10.
STANDINGS: Manildra 18, Oberon 18, Cowra 18, Canowindra 12, Orange United 12, Trundle 12, Condobolin 12, Peak Hill 11, Molong 11, Eugowra 10, Grenfell 4, Cargo 2
Originally published as Local Rugby League Wrap: All the latest local footy news from the big leagues around New South Wales 28/29 June
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