Andrew Johns/Laurie Daley Cup: wrap, results, photos from round five
There were records broken, stunning tries and arguably the match of the season as the finals spots were decided during round five of the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup.
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The stakes couldn’t have been any higher heading into round five of the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cups, with teams pushing for finals spots during the last round of the regular season.
As a result, there were incredible tryfests, epic top-of-the-table clashes and a record-breaking match as sides went at it all over the state.
In addition, there were also some incredible individual performances that lit up the weekend.
With it all on the line, find out which teams rose to the occasion and booked their spots in the final four below and check out some of the best shots from the Knights-Roosters local derby.
ANDREW JOHNS CUP
DOMINANT RAMS FINISH TOP
The Western Rams have secured top spot in the Southern Pool and in the process sounded a warning shot to the rest of the competition following a 52-10 demolition of the Northern Tigers at Cale Oval in Narromine.
The Rams put on an absolute clinic in the final game of the regular season, running in 10 tries to two, with fullback Taj Jordan claiming a hat-trick in a 22-point haul and Ravai Tulevu, Jai Ashby and Callum Miskell all scoring doubles.
While the Rams scored after just a couple of minutes through Tulevu to open the scoring, the Tigers were very competitive in the early stages, with Oliver Milsom and Casey Milton crossing for the side as the teams went tit-for-tat to be locked at 10-all after a quarter of an hour.
However from here Western hit the power button and ran in three tries in six minutes to take a 24-10 lead into halftime.
It was a similar story after the break as the Rams ran in another five tries, highlighted by a brilliant 80m effort from Jordan just after halftime.
The victory ensures that Western finish top of the Southern Pool on points difference with a record of four wins and one loss, while the winless Tigers stay bottom of the Northern Pool.
MACARTHUR STORM INTO FINALS
The Macarthur Wests Tigers will join the Rams in the finals from the Southern Pool after a comprehensive 42-6 victory over the South Coast Illawarra Dragons at Centenary Field in Wollongong.
After a tight opening half, Macarthur blew the Dragons away after the break, running in eight tries to one in total to storm into the finals.
Needing a win to secure their spot and end the Dragons’ season, the Tigers got off to the perfect start with halfback Curtis Lakeman firing an incredible cut-out ball through to right-edge centre Elijah Sefo to score inside two minutes.
Shortly after they found success on the left, with winger Ronel Ribucan finishing one off in the corner after a nice spread.
Needing a win to give themselves any chance of sneaking into the finals, the Dragons hit back on 20 minutes when interchange forward Cruz McGuinness crashed over next to the sticks after a determined run.
However the Tigers once again showed their class, with right-side winger Joshua Vella showing plenty of athleticism and acrobatics to plant the ball down in the corner and give his side a 12-6 lead at the break.
While the first half was a contest, it was all one-way traffic afterwards as Macarthur flexed their attacking muscles.
Thomas Goodfield and Kye Penfold scored as the team sliced through the Dragons’ middle, Ribucan grabbed his second, while interchange forward Forgiveness Tila bagged a late double in the rout, with the big forward capping off a wonderful 60m team try after the bell.
The victory ensures the Tigers finish in second place in the Southern Pool, while the Dragons will travel to the north coast playing for nothing but pride when they take on the Northern Rivers Titans in a rescheduled clash this weekend.
KNIGHTS AND ROOSTERS SHARE SPOILS IN EPIC CLASH
The Newcastle-Maitland Region Knights and Central Coast Roosters have shared the spoils not only in round five but also on the competition ladder after an epic 24-all draw at Cessnock Sportsground.
The undefeated Northern Pool leaders went blow for blow in a classic contest that had a bit of everything and an excellent highlights reel.
Knights halfback Kuda Hall got the ball rolling for the home side after seven minutes, showing plenty of speed, footwork and a nice dummy to slice through the Roosters’ defence to score an excellent 50m effort.
The Roosters’ halves had their own response just four minutes later when five-eighth Jack Dean-Potaka put centre Chase Kapua through a hole to score.
It was then over to the Knights’ lethal left edge, which once again clicked into gear with a brilliant spread that put winger Kade Paton over in the corner.
However in what was a tit-for-tat opening 20 minutes, Central Coast prop Duncan Gatt-Smith shrugged off some sloppy defenders to charge over and give his side a 12-8 lead.
The sides continued to go blow for blow in the frenetic first half, with Knights winger Jett Taylor showing off some excellent footwork to squeeze over to put the Knights in front 14-12, before the Chooks put on the play of the half right on the bell to take the lead into the break.
With the ball on half way, five-eighth Dean-Potaka put backrower Tulsyn McCulloch through a gap. As the siren sounded, he chipped the ball over Knights fullback Cody Field, regathered and then threw the ball back for Dean-Potaka to cross for an excellent try to give his side in front 18-14.
Wayward goalkicking had the Knights behind and they found themselves in more trouble 10 minutes into the second half when Central Coast backrower Cooper Gibbs forced his way over to put the Roosters up 24-14.
The Chooks smelt blood in the water and were on the attack with seven to go to try before a massive play changed the match. Attacking the Knights’ line, Central Coast halfback Owen Knowles threw a cut-out ball that was intercepted by Newcastle interchange player Riley Martin, who then showed enough toe to run 95m to score a remarkable try.
The try gave the Knights an extra spring in their step, and with just two minutes to go that lethal left edge delivered again for the Hunter side, with Chase Butler and Cody Field combining to put centre Chip Valentish over to lock things up at 24-all.
Field had the chance to win the game for his team, however his conversion attempt from out wide fell just to the left-hand side of the posts.
But there was more late drama, with the Knights failing to stop the Roosters’ kick-off from going over the dead-ball line, which forced a dropout and gave the Central Coast one last chance.
Fortunately for Newcastle, some desperate defence saw the Knights charge down a drop goal attempt to leave the game even.
The result saw both sides finish undefeated on top of the Northern Pool, with the Knights edging out their local rivals on points difference.
TITANS EDGE DOGS IN NORTH COAST DERBY
The Northern Rivers Titans have recorded back-to-back wins after seeing off local rivals the North Coast Bulldogs 24-20 in a local derby clash played at the Port Macquarie Regional Stadium.
Goalkicking proved to be the difference in the end, with both sides crossing for four tries apiece in the entertaining encounter.
The Titans got off to the perfect start after front-rower Billy Mulheran showed his ball-playing skills by firing off an excellent ball for lock Klay Jones to score in just the second minute.
The Dogs hit back five minutes later when five-eighth Bodhi Kennedy showed some excellent footwork to evade the Titans defenders and score.
In what was an even opening, Northern Rivers hooker Rory McInnes scooted over before Bulldogs William Sudewa had too much footwork and strength for the defence to level things at up 12-all at the break.
The Bulldogs carried the momentum into the second half, with Rory Clarke finishing off a nice spread to the left to put his side in front for the first time.
However, typical of the nature of the clash, it was the Titans who hit back just a couple of minutes later through Chase Penna, with Ryan Holland’s successful conversion putting his side up 18-16.
Replacement hooker Kobi Hawke then put the Titans eight clear when he fooled all the defenders with a nice dummy to score close to the line.
And while centre Aidan Langham scored for the Dogs with four minutes to go after another successful spread to the left, the Titans held on for a narrow four-point win.
COLTS SIGN OFF AS WINNERS
The Monaro Colts have ended their campaign in style, recording a comfortable 34-8 victory over the Riverina Bulls at McDonalds Park in Wagga Wagga.
Centre Darcy Baldwin bagged a double and five-eighth Rhys Chapman claimed a 14-point haul as the side finished the competition with back-to-back wins.
The Colts got off to the perfect start, with Baldwin stepping off the left to put his side on the scoreboard after less than two minutes.
Some fast hands on the right edge put backrower Tyla Hope over five minutes later before a barnstorming run from Latrell Dyer saw the centre crash over for the team’s third to lead 18-0 at the break.
The Bulls came out with more flair in the second half and a combination of clever kicks and excellent hands saw Dane Mott cross for the first try of the second half.
However Baldwin put an end to any thoughts of a comeback with his second with 18 minutes to go.
And while Riverina centre Jye Little-Parker put his name on the highlights reel with an excellent 75m intercept try to get things back to 24-8, that was as close as the Bulls came as two late tries capped off the win for Monaro.
The victory sees the Colts finish third in the Southern Pool courtesy of back-to-back wins, while the Bulls are in fifth place with a record of one win and four losses.
LAURIE DALEY CUP
TIGERS SECURE TOP SPOT
The Northern Tigers have sewn up top spot in the Northern Pool after a comprehensive 30-6 win over the Western Rams in a fiery clash that saw both teams finish with 12 players.
One of the best attacking teams all season, the Tigers once again flexed their muscles with the ball in hand, piling on five tries to one to ensure that they finished first in the group and will go into the finals in good form.
Just as they’ve done all season, the Tigers started strongly with lock Braydon Allan crossing from close range in the 17th minute.
Already in front on the scoreboard, the Northern side soon found themselves with a numerical advantage shortly after, with Western’s Harrison Kukla sent to the sin bin for an ugly lifting tackle that saw Tigers’ fullback Reece Josephson land awkwardly on his head.
The Tigers then took advantage in the very next set as tryscorer Allan turned provider with an excellent step and pass to put Sam Carr over.
Front-rower Nate Rothall then crashed over from close range to give the Northern Region side an 18-0 lead at the break.
Lock Allan continued his excellent game in attack in the second half with a nice pass that ultimately led to a try for winger Keandre Johnson-Vale, before Carr crossed for his second with 20 to go to put the team up 30-0.
Cooper Black pulled back a consolation try for the Rams, before both teams had a player given an early shower.
With five minutes to go Northern Tigers’ halfback Jordan Hamlin was sent off after being penalised for an infringement in the ruck, while Western forward Angus Thompson was sent to sin bin two minutes from time for a professional foul after holding down in the ruck as both sides finished with 12 on the field.
The victory saw the undefeated Tigers clinch top spot in the pool, while the Rams finished in third in the Southern Pool with a record of two wins and three losses.
CLINICAL ROOSTERS FINISH UNDEFEATED
The Central Coast Roosters have flexed their muscles ahead of the finals, wiping away local rivals the Newcastle-Maitland Region Knights 40-12 in a dominant display at Cessnock Sportsground.
Five-eighth Chaice Bayley put on a playmaking masterclass for the ages, setting up an incredible six of the team’s eight tries as the Chooks turned on the fireworks in what was their most fluent attacking performance of the season so far.
The rout started in just the third minute when Bayley put centre Zahn McKay over from close range.
The Knights had no answers for the Roosters’ blistering start, with Bayley feeding Cooper Ausburn and then Tumeke Huriwai through gaps as the Roosters led 14-0 after 15 minutes.
McKay crossed for his second on 21 minutes, before a brilliant backline move to the right saw that man again, Chaice Bayley, fire a brilliant cut-out ball to Huriwai for his double and the team’s fifth inside 28 minutes.
Seemingly everything Bayley touched turned to gold, with a grubber into the Knights’ in-goal area taking a wicked bounce and landing in the arms of Bailey Simpson for his fifth assist to give the Chooks a 28-point lead at the break.
Playing for nothing but pride, the Knights got on the scoreboard through back-rower Harry Kearsey in the second half, before the Chooks crossed for two more through Josiah Fesolai and Simpson, who was once again teed up by Bayley after a brilliant step and offload.
And while excellent young Knights half Jack Thompson crossed for his sixth try in just two games and then put up a bomb that led to a Joe Salter four-pointer, the team finished their disappointing campaign with a heavy 26-point loss.
The Roosters, who won four and drew one of the team’s five games, finished second in the Northern Pool and will come into the finals in good touch.
MACARTHUR END DRAGONS’ HOPES
The Macarthur Wests Tigers have ensured they will feature in the finals of both grades after a blistering start saw the team defeat the Illawarra South Coast Dragons 24-10.
The Tigers led 16-0 at halftime and then 24-0 late in the match before the South Coast side scored a couple of consolation tries in what was a must-win clash for the Dragons if they were to have any chance of making the finals.
Centre Brady McMillan opened the scoring after 13 minutes after some nice hands from edge backrow partner Archie Duncombe.
The backrower then did it all himself 10 minutes later, first dummying, then palming off would-be defenders and showing enough speed to score his sixth try of the season and put his side 10-0 up.
It was an impressive first half from Macarthur, who put the cherry on top just before the break when a nice short ball from prop Lucas Rossi put his front-row partner Kohen Lewis over next to the posts to give the Tigers a 16-0 lead.
It was the same old story after the break as winger Saint Fuatimau capitalised on a Dragons error to score, before the flyer leapt high to catch a Sonny Edwards-Moeke kick to cross for his seventh of the season and put Macarthur up 24-0 with just seven minutes to go.
The Dragons finally got onto the scoreboard with late tries to Malokai Tomo and Ezekiel Kennedy, however that wasn’t enough as the Tigers ran out comfortable 24-10 winners.
The win ensured that Macarthur will play finals football after finishing second in the pool, while the Dragons will go into their rescheduled round three clash playing for pride after losing their third game from four starts.
TITANS PILE ON POINTS IN DERBY WIN
The Northern Rivers Titans have claimed bragging rights over their local rivals with an entertaining 44-20 victory over the North Coast Bulldogs.
Five-eighth Harry Chadburn had a day to remember, scoring one, setting up two others and finishing with an individual haul of 16 points as the Northern Rivers side crossed for eight tries to four to earn its second win of the season.
In a round featuring plenty of intercepts, Chadburn pulled off one of his own in just the seventh minute, snatching an attempted Bulldogs’ cut-out ball before running 90m to give his side an early lead.
The playmaker was in the thick of the action once again, firing off a nice cut-out ball to put winger Will Doyle over for the team’s second.
The Titans found success down the right edge again as some nice hands saw Doyle cross for his second of the half.
In a blistering opening period, the Titans went 22-0 ahead after 22 minutes when Robert Smith crossed under the posts.
The Bulldogs appeared shell-shocked, but managed to get on the scoreboard after 25 minutes when Rielly Laverty put centre Zayne Shutes over with a lovely cut-out ball to make it 22-6 at the break.
Sadly there was no comeback for the Dogs, with Titans’ players Kaleb Smith and Ayden Byrnes scoring the first two tries of the half to stretch the scoreline out to 34-6.
And while the Bulldogs scored three tries to two in the final stages, they were never a chance of chasing down the Northern Rivers side, who will be hoping to finish with three wins to their name when they take on the Illawarra South Coast Dragons in the rescheduled round three clash this weekend.
As for the Bulldogs, it was a disappointing end to a season in which the team had showed plenty of promise, pushing some of the competition big guns all the way as they improved over the course of the campaign.
COLTS CLAIM SEASON BEST IN RIVERINA DEMOLITION
The Monaro Colts have warmed up for the finals in style after hammering the Riverina Bulls 62-12 to finish top of the Southern Pool.
In what is the biggest winning margin of the season, the Colts piled on an incredible 12 tries to two, with winger Lachlan Cunanan claiming an impressive four.
Monaro didn’t waste any time getting on the scoreboard, with prop Alex Hardy crashing over underneath the black dot after just 95 seconds. They were then 10-0 up in the blink of an eye after some nice hands saw centre Luke Tuialii score untouched in the right-hand corner.
Already well on top, Cunanan chimed in with a 14-minute hat-trick as the Colts ran riot down their right edge.
Then when prop Jesse Milin barged over from close range, Monaro took a 32-0 lead into the break.
The pain didn’t stop in the second half as the Colts ran in another six tries in what was a ruthless performance, with Cunanan grabbing his fourth, and backrower Toby Ferris and front-rower Hardy both crossing for doubles.
And while the Bulls scored through Dylan Bendall and Lachlan Breed, the heavy defeat drew a close to a difficult season for the side, which lost all five of its games.
The win saw the Colts finish top of the Southern Pool with plenty of momentum ahead of the finals.
PHOTO GALLERY
Newcastle-Maitland Region Knights v Central Coast Roosters - Andrew Johns Cup
Newcastle-Maitland Region Knights v Central Coast Roosters - Laurie Daley Cup
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