Erina victory marred by ugly brawl involving players and spectators

ERINA’S elimination-final win over Berkeley Vale in their top-grade Central Coast rugby league clash has been overshadowed by an ugly brawl at Erina Oval.

A fight breaks out involving players and spectators during the Eagles-Panthers first-grade elimination final at Erina Oval yesterday. Picture: NBN TV

ERINA’S elimination-final win over Berkeley Vale in their top-grade Central Coast rugby league clash has been overshadowed by an ugly brawl at Erina Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The Eagles held the lead throughout the entire 80 minutes, but things turned nasty midway through the second half.

Tempers flared after the halftime break with Tim Burrell given his marching orders after a fight with Berkeley Vale’s Tane Tutaki.

Erina’s Tim Burrell is given his marching orders after a fight with Berkeley Vale’s Tane Tutaki. Picture: NBN TV

Moments later, players began to throw punches once again, immediately after the Panthers scored their sole try of the game.

Ben Fitzsimmons and Sean Tooes were sent from the field, and Corey Drew followed soon after.

Things turned from bad to worse as the fight moved from the field to the sidelines, with many players and spectators involved.

The match came close to being abandoned, but fortunately security was able to regain control.

Witnesses say one person was evicted from the venue.

Erina officials would not comment on the incident following the fixture.

The Eagles are now through to the minor semi-final after their 30-6 victory.

Erina captain Shane McFadden is tackled during the Central Coast Division Rugby League first-grade elimination semi-final against Berkeley Vale at Erina Oval yesterday. Picture: Troy Snook

Erina coach Dane Allen was happy with his side’s performance and believes his team achieved their game plan.

“We got the win and that’s the main thing and we look forward to next week now. We had a game plan of being up tempo and energetic and to the boys’ credit it’s exactly what we did,” Allen said.

“I think we had some good performers. Our forward pack was quite good, but Sam Wara, our fullback, he was pretty dangerous all game.”

Caine Wynyard goes over to score a try for Erina yesterday. Picture: Troy Snook

The Entrance will take on Erina next Saturday after a 28-6 loss to Terrigal in today’s qualifying semi-final at Woy Woy Oval.

Meanwhile, minor premiers Wyong have ended the Intrust Super Premiership NSW regular season in style, pulling off a thrilling 30-22 win over Newcastle at Morry Breen Oval.

RUGBY UNION

KARIONG’S finals campaign will continue after a hard-fought 33-27 win over Warnervale in the Premier 1 competition’s minor semi-final yesterday.

Both sides had opportunities to take the win, with the lead changing several times throughout the 80 minutes of action at Woy Woy Oval.

Kariong captain Scott Hanley passes the ball from a ruck during the Central Coast Rugby Union minor semi-final against Warnervale at Woy Woy Oval. Picture: Troy Snook

The Wildcats started the game brightly, posting the first points on the board.

After Warnervale took an early lead, Kariong fought back and had the score locked at 12-all just before the break.

A successful penalty goal saw the Wildcats with a three-point advantage after the first half.

The Wanderers grabbed the first try six minutes into the second half, before the lead changed between the teams on another two occasions during the game.

Kariong’s Lachlan Peruch wins a lineout yesterday. Picture: Troy Snook

It was a nerve-racking final few minutes for fans, but a six-point buffer proved enough to see Kariong through to the preliminary final.

NETBALL

OURIMBAH have booked their place in next Saturday’s Gosford Netball Association division one grand final with Rebels after a commanding 64-38 win over Aqua in the preliminary final yesterday.

Magpies coach Lauren Fahey was pleased with her team’s efforts.

“We thought it was going to be a close game. We started strong, and there was a real difference between that performance and the week before,” she said.

“We kept going, kept building and really worked together. We will definitely be going in and giving it a good shot (next weekend).”

Meanwhile, Bateau Bay will enjoy a weekend off after securing direct qualification to Wyong District Netball Association’s division one grand final with a 40-36 win over Berkeley Vale yesterday.

Shelly Beach will play Some in the preliminary final in their next outing after a 46-29 victory over Wyong Leagues in the minor semi-final.

AFL

CARDIFF will meet minor premiers Terrigal-Avoca in the AFL Black Diamond Cup Grand Final on Saturday after a comfortable 16.13 (109) to 7.6 (48) victory over Nelson Bay in yesterday’s preliminary final.

In the Black Diamond Plate preliminary final, Wyong Lakes’ season came to an end following an 11.11 (77) to 7.7 (49) loss to Singleton.

Meanwhile in reserve grade, Killarney Vale will face Cardiff in next weekend’s decider after the Hawks grabbed an 8.7 (55) to 4.15 (39) win over Warners Bay.

HOCKEY

PREMIERSHIP favourites Gosford secured a 4-1 win over Norths on Sunday to round out their Hunter Coast Premier Hockey League regular season.

These top two sides will meet again next weekend in the major semi-final.

Elsewhere, The Entrance ended their campaign with the wooden spoon after a 9-3 loss away to Maitland.

FOOTBALL

CENTRAL Coast Mariners Academy have booked a place in the NPL 2 NSW finals with a 1-0 win over Spirit FC at Sydney United Sports Centre in the final round of the regular season.

BASKETBALL

IN A major coup for the region, Gosford City Basketball will host the Australian Under-20 nationals and Ivor Burge Championships next February.

Terrigal’s Scholastic Sports Stadium will be used as the main venue for the tournament, which will see over 20 teams play in more than 80 games across five days of action.

CRICKET

THERE was finals action in Ourimbah last Sunday as four teams battled it out at the Last Man Stands T20 Cricket Winter Bash, with P Pots claiming the title after their grand final win over the Concrete Warriors.