Central Coast Rugby League: Full wrap, results, standouts from round nine

There were send-offs, sin bins and records as one side was reduced to 10 men during an action packed round nine in the Rugby League Central Coast competition.

There were plenty of fireworks during a shortened round nine of the Rugby League Central Coast competition, with Terrigal and Woy Woy’s game not taking place due to a forfeit.

After a tough start, one team managed to continue its recent renaissance with back-to-back wins, while another ran riot with a 2024 record.

Elsewhere, one team was remarkably reduced to 10 men as four were sent from the field in another fiery clash.

Catch up with a wrap of the action below.

WYONG GOES BACK TO BACK

Wyong chalked up back-to-back wins for the first time in 2024. Picture: Sue Graham

Wyong has recorded back-to-back wins for the first time in 2024 after downing Kincumber 20-10 at MacKillop Oval.

Some devastating attacking footy from Roos’ five-eighth Kyle Tukapua proved to be the difference as Wyong chalked up its second win of the season to climb up into sixth on the ladder.

Fresh from its first victory over Woy Woy last weekend, Wyong came out of the blocks quickly, with a nice short ball from Zac Gillett finding lock Jye Boyle on the angle for the game’s first try.

However Kincumber, who have improved considerably in 2024, hit back 10 minutes later when prop Ben Thomas crashed over from close range to make it 6-4.

The game remained tight until the 28th minute when a lovely double cut-out from Tukapua put Roos centre Isaac Akuoko over out wide.

Sam Paul crossed for Kincumber’s second try. Picture: Sue Graham

But just as they did earlier in the game, the Colts struck back shortly after. Five-eighth Blake Fletcher put up a huge spiralling bomb that landed in no man’s land. The Colts received a favourable bounce as centre Sam Paul did well to take the ball in traffic and then run through to score under the sticks to score for his side, who trailed 12-10 at the break.

The game remained in the balance for the opening stages of the second half until a moment of brilliance from Tukapua once again gave Wyong the edge.

Taking on the blind side, the five-eighth chipped the ball over the top of the Kincumber defensive line. As Tukapua and Kincumber’s fullback both ran towards the ball, the Roos playmaker stuck a toe out and kicked it forward again before regathering and scoring to make it 16-10 after 53 minutes.

Ahead by a converted try, Wyong then sealed the match eight minutes from time when a nice spread to the left put fullback Oliver Young over.

After a difficult start to the season, the Roos have now won two straight to make ground on the top four, while Kincumber remain one spot further back in seventh with one win of four losses.

Wyong 20 defeated Kincumber 10

SLICK HAWKS RECORD 2024 BEST

Toukley clicked into gear with a big win. Picture: Sue Graham

Toukley has bounced back from a last-start loss in style by hammering Berkeley Vale 56-4 at Darren Kennedy Oval.

Winger Harrison Packham bagged a double as the Hawks ran in 10 tries to one to rack up the equal biggest win of the season so far, with the 52-point margin equalling The Entrance’s 52-0 win over Wyong in round two.

Smarting from a narrow loss to ladder leaders Erina last weekend, Toukley started fast out of the blocks with tries to Jakob Giles and Packham sending the team out to an early 12-0 lead.

Berkeley Vale hit back with a try of their own midway through the first half, but the Hawks maintained the rage with Packham’s second and another to back-rower Jarrod Kessler giving the side a 22-4 lead at the break.

By the team’s own admission, Toukley’s attack in 2024 hasn’t flowed as well as in previous seasons, however the Hawks well and truly clicked in a second half clinic, with four-pointers to Aaron Heaven and skipper Jake Fitzpatrick early in the second half pushing the lead out beyond 30.

Fullback Kiran Page got on the scoreboard midway through the second half before tries to Joshua Kessler, Jye Tudehope and Jacob Griffin late in the match capped off the impressive win.

The victory moves Toukley up into third place on the ladder, while the Panthers remain in eighth with one win from five starts so far this year.

Toukley 56 defeated Berkeley Vale 4

THE ENTRANCE DOWN 10-MAN DORA CREEK

The Entrance continued its strong start to the season. Picture: Sue Graham

The Entrance has continued its strong start to the season with a 34-6 victory over a Dora Creek side that was at one stage reduced to 10 men.

Winger Matthew Gentles claimed a hat-trick as the Tigers ran in seven tries against Swampies, who had two players sent off and two sent to the sin bin in the clash.

“We’ve really put the emphasis on our defensive side and the attack just flowed after that. We also started the game a little faster than we have in previous weeks and it definitely worked in our benefit,” said The Entrance coach Jarod Hamer.

“It was good to see that we stuck to what we know, stuck to our game plan and the points came our way by sticking to the structure. It all came through at the end.”

Indeed, the Tigers got off to a flyer with three tries inside the opening half an hour to race out to a 14-0 lead.

It was just after this that Dora Creek winger Aaron Simon was given his marching orders for a high shot after shooting out of the line.

Despite being down a man, the Swampies managed to pull things back to 14-6 early in the second half before The Entrance once again took control of the contest to run out comfortable 28-point winners.

Swampies winger Aaron Simon was given his marching orders for a high shot late in the first half. Picture: Michael Gorton

The home side was reduced to 10 men towards the end of the clash after back-rower Corey Willmott was also given his marching orders with just over 10 minutes to go in the contest, while two other players were given some time in the sin bin in what was an at times ill-disciplined performance from Dora Creek.

“They’re a very good footy side and it made it even tougher when we had 12 men,” said Swampies coach David Hoban. “And then when you go down to 10 men it makes it very, very difficult,” he added.

“But that’s no excuse. We need to be better, discipline-wise as well.”

Despite the loss, Hoban said he was proud of his team’s effort.

“To my boys’ credit, it was 14-0 at halftime and then we scored after halftime to make it 14-6, we had plenty of energy. But then we made a couple of mistakes and they ran away with it.

“They’re a great footy side and credit to them. But this is the beauty about this comp, we’ll turn up again next week and away we go.”

The Entrance 34 defeated Dora Creek 6