Macarthur Rugby League: Big stage, big plays, round 11 talking points

Macarthur RL continues to pump out the next generation of stars, while one venue delivered a couple of strange events. All that and more in round 11 talking points.

Raymond Mu was outstanding on the wing for Collies at Bradbury Oval. Picture: Steve Montgomery

June has been a big month for one club, with a couple of it’s juniors enjoying the limelight on the big stage.

Things got a little wild at The Oaks with a crazy four-pointer and a friendly send off, while at Bradbury a flying winger made his move.

All that and more in Macarthur round 11 talking points.

FINDING HIS LEGS

It’s been a stop-start opening to the season for Tigers fullback Chris Taripo. The former NSW Cup flyer joined The Oaks in the off-season and following several injuries is yet to hit top gear.

After two seasons away from the game, he’ll need time to get going, but fit and firing he promises to add another dimension to the Tigers’ finals charge.

FULLBACKS SHINE

Speaking of fullbacks, it’s been a massive month for a couple of former Thirlmere custodians.

After picking up the player of the match award in last year’s grand final triumph, Hayden Sutton headed north and has since been rewarded with a Newcastle jersey in the club’s NSW Cup side.

Then last weekend, local junior Heath Mason made his NRL debut for Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.

FRIENDLY SEND OFF

Trailing by 10 and with 30 minutes to play, Mittagong were just finding their groove against The Oaks. It all changed when Giordan Patea was marched to the sin bin.

The big man was ordered to cool down after some push and shove, and although surprised at the referee’s decision, he calmly shook hands with both Tigers props and made his way off the park.

TOP GRADE REVIVAL

Speed machine Ray Mu is having a season to remember on the end of a hot Collegians backline.

Last season in reserve grade he finished the year with nine tries. Last week he smashed out four against the Jets, and now with 11 in the top grade, he’s just two behind Camden’s Eddie Aiono.

Mitagong’s FlynnPickering couldn’t believe his luck in round 11. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

FREAK PLAY

Lions backrower Flynn Pickering could scarcely believe his luck in the final minutes at Dudley Chesham.

After teammate Harley Rebbeck kicked off, the No.12 watched as the ball held up in the breeze. Then after it bounced twice he swooped, racing over for one of the easiest tries of the year.

BIG DAY AT PICTON

This Sunday promises to be a big one when The Oaks head to Victoria Park, as Picton honour seven of the club’s premiership winning teams at the annual Old Boys Day.

Three first grade sides will be celebrated, including the 10th anniversary of the 2014 grand victory over Mittagong.

SKIPPER SIDELINED

The last couple of rounds have not been kind to Thirlmere. In both games against Camden and Oakdale, the reigning premiers have finished with an empty bench.

Skipper Kye Madden remains on the sidelines, but is expected to return in the next couple of weeks.

ROUND 12 (SUNDAY, JUNE 23)

Campbelltown Collegians v Camden, Bradbury Oval

Mittagong v Oakdale, Mittagong Sports Ground

South West v Narellan, Onslow Oval

Picton v The Oaks, Victoria Park

East Campbelltown v Thirlmere, Waminda Oval

Thirlmere captain Kye Madden is expected to return in a couple of weeks. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

ROUND 11 WRAP

A clinical showing by Camden in round 11 once again proved the Rams are playing for sheep stations in 2024.

While the Rams fired at Kirkham, The Oaks showed why they shouldn’t be discounted, while at Bradbury a flying winger had a day to remember.

He’s how the entire round played out.

POINTS SPLIT AFTER LATE PENALTY

Oakdale returned home from Thirlmere with a share of the points after fullback Ben Baker slotted a penalty goal on full time for an 18-all draw.

In a frenetic finish, Oakdale pressed the Roosters’ goal line in the closing minutes and settled for a draw when Thirlmere were penalised for stripping the ball.

On the back of some silky touches from Corey Norman, Thirlmere got away to a flyer and led 14-0.

But just as they’ve done throughout the season, the second placed Workers swept aside a slow start and built momentum after the break. Backrower Josh Carr converted an attacking scrum into four points, and they trailed by four when young half Alex Isdale skipped across with half an hour to play.

From there, the old heads took over as both sides called upon their experienced stars.

Baker backed up a Peter Lett bust to put Oakdale ahead 16-14, before ex-Newcastle winger Ken Sio was gifted his second from another perfectly weighted Norman kick.

Corey Norman showed his class against Oakdale. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

Down by two, Oakdale enjoyed the better field position in the final 10 minutes. And they looked specials to regain the lead, only to be held up over the line on several occasions.

“It was a pretty physical game, Oakdale came out hard,” said Thirlmere coach Darren McLeod, after his side slipped to fifth on the ladder despite scoring four tries to three.

“We had four head knocks and finished the game with no players left on the bench, but we’ll take the one-point and focus on next week.”

In the absence of skipper Kye Madden, McLeod was impressed with his side’s effort upfront.

“Harrison Coskerie, Harry Green and Vince Romeo were good, and hooker Rielly Smith had another blinder.”

RELENTLESS RAMS

Camden’s relentless domination at the top of the table continued as the Rams put 13 tries past a shell shocked East Campbelltown at Kirkham Park.

Unbeaten and four points clear at the top of the ladder, the 76-4 blowout increases Camden’s differential to 380, a whopping 272 clear of the next best.

Second rower Steele Brown and winger Eddie Aiono finished with doubles as Camden went on with the job after building a 30-4 halftime lead.

Scoring machine Jack Miller had another day out with the boot, landing 12 of 13 conversion attempts.

“It’s pretty evident Camden are next level, they’re a beast” said Eagles coach Jake Tonitto.

“They are fit, fast and move the ball from the get-go. We were under no false illusion beforehand, we had a plan but it went out the window.

“We need to brush it off. The players were despondent, but we have a few coming back from injury and are confident of lifting for Thirlmere next week.”

TIGERS EYE TOP-THREE

With a 40-18 win over Mittagong, The Oaks are now one-point shy of the third placed Lions on the premiership ladder.

Despite running into a stiff breeze at Dudley Chesham, it was the home side who jumped early, posting four first half tries to lead 22-6.

Both sides entered the clash minus several regulars, but without James Coyne and Jake Brisbane, Mittagong were unable to keep pace with the class of Mitchell Brasington and returning halfback Daniel Payne.

After an even first 25 minutes, the Tigers cracked the contest open with back-to-back tries just before the interval. After hooker Kyle Bell dashed over, Brasington trailed Payne through the middle to plant the ball under the posts.

Mittagong reduced the gap to 10 when Blake Barbuto dummied his way across, but hopes of a comeback were dashed when Giodan Patea was sin binned in the 50th minute.

In the forward’s absence Payne added another, and from there the score kept mounting. Powerhouse props Joseph Ualesi and Evrett Vaurasi both scored late, and Ualesi capped off a fine afternoon with the final conversion of the day.

Evrett Vaurasi took The Oaks forward. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

“Mittagong are always tough, it was a close tussle for most of the game,” said Tigers captain-coach Brasington.

“Evrettt and Joey got us rolling through the middle and we were able to put on some nice tries. It was Panye’s first game back from a hamstring injury and his performance was set up through his strong defence.”

In another boost, The Oaks welcomed back the return of recruit Chris Taripo. Alongside winger Cruise Iosefa, the fullback was instrumental in running the ball out of trouble.

PICTON’S LATE SURGE

Picton secured its third win of the season after edging out Campbelltown City 22-16 in the annual battle for the Ron Kain Memorial Shield.

The five tries to three victory looks simple enough on paper, but it wasn’t all plain sailing against an improved Roos outfit that led 12-4 at halftime.

After exchanging tries in an even first 30 minutes, backrower Chris Williamson rewound the clock. Now a few games back after shelving retirement, the City favourite steamed through the heart of the Magpies defence for the go ahead try.

Picton rebounded through Tukaha Kyriacou and opened a two-point advantage when Hunter Ackerly snuck over from dummy half.

City had several chances to regain the lead, but the Magpies extended the margin to six points when Michael Lett put Leon Longbottom across for his second in the 66th minute.

Daniel Webb came close to putting City out of reach in the dying stages but was held up over the line. Undeterred, the No.9 backed himself again, weaving through in the final minutes to make it 22-12.

Tukaha Kyriacou scored a crucial try for Picton. Photos Warren Gannon Photography

COLLIES WINGER BAGS FOUR

Talk about a day out. Collegians winger Ray Mu won’t forget Sunday afternoon at Bradbury Oval in a hurry.

It’s rare for a player to dine out with four tries over 80 minutes, let alone punching out as many in just 40. For the record, Collies powered past Narellan 48-24 but the result was secured in an electric opening quarter.

On the back of early ball clever halfback Netane Masima directed play right, and after seven minutes Mu had already crossed twice. He added another in the 13th following a Salesi Funaki break, and on halftime Masima handed him a fourth after racing away with an intercept.

Alfred Smalley pegged one back, but Collegians hit the sheds with a commanding 30-6 lead.

In the second half, Jaycob Oloaga scored two of Campbelltown’s three tries, while Narellan added four including another to Smalley.

With a third win, Collies move to seventh and are now four points adrift of fifth spot.