Group 2 Rugby League: Sawtell break drought by defeating Coffs Harbour in local derby
There were sin bins, send offs and a longstanding drought was broken in a fiery local derby during round five of Group 2 Rugby League.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Sawtell has broken a longstanding drought by defeating its arch-rivals Coffs Harbour 30-18 in a fiery local derby at Rex Hardaker Oval.
The Panthers overcame a halftime deficit and twice being reduced to 12 men to storm home and claim the 12-point win, the club’s first A-grade victory over the Comets for many years.
With a big crowd on hand for what was the home side’s old boys’ day, the match certainly wasn’t without incident, with two players sent to the sin bin and two other sent off as emotions boiled over at various stages.
“It was everything you’d think a local derby would be. It was a bit fiery and was a seesawing affair,” said Sawtell captain-coach Sam Johnstone.
“At the end of the game we had one player from each side sent off, so a lot went on, but it was good to get the win over the Comets, who we haven’t beat for a few years. It was really good for the club and it was a massive turnout too. We had old boys’ day on and the crowd was pumping, so it was really good.”
In particular, the skipper was pleased with his side’s defensive effort in the six-tries-to-three victory, with Sawtell only conceding tries while fullback Jake Thornton and back-rower Dean Wearing were in the sin bin for separate incidents.
“We were down (12-8) at halftime but we were still very confident at two tries apiece,” said Johnstone.
“Throughout the game we lost two players to the sin bin for 20 minutes in total and that was the only time they put points on us. So when it was 13 on 13 we were very comfortable that we could go on and win the game.”
The Panthers got off to flyer in front of their home fans, with Johnstone charging over for the first try of the match and centre Rob Brilley also crossing to give the side an 8-0 lead midway through the first half.
However the match took a turn on 28 minutes when Sawtell fullback Thornton was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul.
The Comets wasted no time capitalising on their numerical advantage, with winger Billy Griffiths and five-eighth Luke Beaumont scoring in quick succession to jump out in front, with a penalty goal on the stroke of halftime giving Coffs a 12-8 lead at the break.
However with a full complement back on the field the Panthers came out firing, with Jordan Starr held up over the line shortly after the resumption of play.
The hooker wasn’t to be denied a second time though, burrowing over from close shortly after to help put the Panthers up 14-12 in the 46th minute.
Some fundamental errors from the Comets kept handing over cheap ball in dangerous areas, and Thornton took advantage with his team’s fourth try. Corey Willis added the extras to put Sawtell up 20-12.
The Panthers were now running riot and they charged up field in the very next set, with a clever kick in behind leading to a try for Darcy Collins in the corner – the team’s third in 10 minutes – and a 24-12 lead.
Tempers flared midway through the half when Dean Wearing caught a Coffs player high, sparking some more push and shove, with the back-rower becoming the second Panthers player sent to the sin bin in the game.
And just as they’d done in the first half, the Comets took full advantage of their extra man as Beaumont once again put on some excellent footwork for his second to make it a six-point ballgame with 15 to go.
While his team might have been down a man, Sawtell’s Tyke Kemp showed off some nice footwork of his own to step over seven minutes from time to put the Panthers up by 12 and seal the game.
However there was more drama right at the death, with Coffs Harbour’s Nathan Curry catching Sawtell’s Tom Sanders in a nasty lifting tackle that sparked a melee after the fulltime siren. While most players were drawn into the push and shove, the pair were sent off for their part in what proved to be the last act of the game.
The victory sends Sawtell into second place on the ladder with a record of two wins and one draw from its three games, while Coffs Harbour remain winless at the bottom after four losses.
Sawtell 30 defeated Coffs Harbour 18
PHOTO GALLERY
Sawtell Panthers v Coffs Harbour Comets - first grade at Rex Hardaker Oval
More Coverage
Join the conversation
NSWRL Junior Reps Rd 4: Balmain continues dream SG Ball run
The halfway mark of the NSWRL Junior Reps season is almost here as we enter round four. Follow along for all the latest from around the grounds in the four major rugby league divisions.
Read more
‘Kick in the guts’: Central Coast club fumes over axed team
One Central Coast rugby league club has taken aim at administrators after one of its teams was blocked from playing football in 2025.
Read more