Macarthur Rugby League: Mittagong Lions sound warning, round 14 wrap

After nearly two years, the Camden Rams’ unbeaten run in Macarthur RL has finally come to an end on the road to Mittagong. All the fallout from a chaotic weekend, R14 wrap

Levi Dodd was outstanding as Mittagong brought an end to Camden’s 30-game winning streak. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

It’s been nearly two years in the making, but Camden’s unbeaten run in Macarthur RL has finally come to an end. In a massive weekend of results with huge ramifications for the finals, see how all the action played out in round 14.

Latest from all five matches.

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LIONS CORNER RAMS

Like all good things, Camden’s unbeaten streak had to come to an end at some point. However, few would have predicted the proud club’s 679-day run being broken by a Mittagong side fighting to save their season.

Coming off a narrow escape against Oakdale - their 30th consecutive victory since falling to Thirlmere in the 2023 decider - the Rams trailed from the outset and despite a late surge failed to overcome a desperate Lions team, who moved into a share of fifth spot after the 26-18 upset victory.

Camden’s day unravelled from the outset following an early error. It was all Mittagong needed to post first points, and when Levi Dodd sent Joseph Eccleston into the right corner the Lions were never headed.

Fellow winger Mitchell Barbuto was next to score, finishing off slick work by Jake Steadman and centre Liam Cassidy to make it 8-0 after as many minutes.

The Rams countered through John Ryan and trailed by four, but in a defining moment after the half time siren had sounded, Cassidy swooped on a Steadman kick to make it 14-6.

Since returning from a serious hand injury, Dodd has been among Mittagong’s best and the star centre proved his worth after the break, scoring twice within four minutes to blow the margin out to 24-6.

He handled the ball twice in the first, then with kick pressure, was on hand to clean up a fumbled kick to score near the posts.

Refusing to roll over, the Clayton Cup champions hit back through centre Fiohiva Siale Fainga’a and closed to within six when Brad Speechley sent Trent Peoples across untouched with 15 minutes to play.

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With a handful of minutes remaining, the home side were awarded a penalty within kicking range, but Dodd’s attempt to build a crucial eight-point buffer sailed wide. However, typical of the Rams’ day, Jackson Willis’ restart went out on the full, and Steadman stepped up from in front to secure a memorable Lions victory.

“We simply had to win or our season was probably over,” said Mittagong co-coach Russell Lewis, whose team sit fifth - level on 18 points with Oakdale (4th) and City (6th).

“I thought our players came up with a pretty good execution of the game plan. We thought we could match them in the middle and isolate their halves with offloads, but Camden also came up with a lot of mistakes too.

“I was blowing up when we had a chance to kick a penalty goal to make it 10-0. They scored to make it 8-6, but then everything fell into place when Liam scored on halftime.”

Jake Steadman kicked three goals and had a hand in two tries. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

While Dodd was a standout, Lewis also singled out lock Nicholas Eccleston who was everywhere in Mittagong’s third win on the bounce.

“Nick isn’t the biggest forward going around, but he made a million tackles and a stack of hit ups,” he said.

Despite the loss, Camden were gracious in defeat and joined the Lions post match in a moment not lost on Lewis.

“To Camden’s credit, they came back to our player presentations which doesn’t usually happen. It shows the character of the club.”

Speaking on Monday afternoon, Speechley said there’s plenty of lessons for the Rams to take out of the defeat.

“There’s no excuses from us, Mittagong were hungrier and deserved the win,” said Speechley.

“There has been questionable aspects creeping into our game, but they’ve been pushed aside because of the wins. We know teams will still come after us, and it’s good we face second placed Collegians next week because it will be a good gauge of where we are at.”

COLLIES STRIKE LATE

There was not shortage of drama at Bradbury Oval where Collegians held on to down Oakdale 25-24 in a thriller.

In a contest that featured three lead changes, Collies reeled in a 10-point deficit to draw level in the second half, then hit the front when Sitiveni Moceidreke calmly slotted the winning field goal in the final minute.

But in chaotic scenes with seconds remaining, Oakdale’s hopes of drawing level from an attacking scrum were dashed when a discrepancy between the official time and the scoreboard clock — which lagged several seconds behind — was noticed.

Alerted to the issue, the referee halted play, confirmed that time was officially over, and blew his whistle to end the match.

In a contest between two sides destined to feature in the thick of the finals, Collies’ depth was on show when gun half Tyrone Harding left the field in the second half nursing a neck injury.

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A former Fijian international with NRL experience, Moceidreke proved the perfect sub, landing the killer blow to move Collies within four points of top spot.

Byronn Laupepa got Collies away to a flyer. A regular in the Wests Tigers pathways, the lock crossed for two early tries before Alex Isdale stepped up for the visitors, playing a part in the next two tries before Josh Carr put the Workers ahead 18-12.

Byronn Laupepa for Wests Magpies in SG Ball earlier this year. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

The side’s traded four-pointers after the break. Then with Oakdale clinging to a 24-18 advantage with less than 10 minutes remaining, Collies enforcer Ako Tuima extended his fine performance, scattering several defenders with a try that Adam Hoffmann converted to level the scores.

A week after they ground to a narrow victory over The Oaks, while delighted with the victory, Collies team manager Mitch Hoffmann said there’s still work to be done.

“There’s lots of belief in the side, but we need to be at our best given how tight the table is,” said Hoffmann.

“We invited Oakdale back into the game, and still need to work on being patient in key moments.”

In an intense battle upfront, Hoffmann was super impressed with the effort of Tuima.

“I thought it was Ako’s best game. He’s scored the late try and it was his line break that set up Byronn’s second of the match.” he said.

PICTON BLAST JETS

Picton kept its season alive after the Magpies ran riot with a 13-try hiding of Narellan at Victoria Park.

Needing a victory to remain within two-points of the top five teams, the Magpies fired out of the blocks and gave their differential a much-needed boost in the 74-16 victory.

Winger Kobe Tooala kicked 11 goals in a personal total of 26 points and was among 12 other try scorers.

Kobe Tooala had a big day out for Picton. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

CITY IN THE MIX

Campbelltown City kept its finals hopes alive after downing South West 40-12 at Onslow Oval.

The Kangaroos’ seventh win keeps them in sixth spot, level on 18 points with four other teams including The Oaks and Oakdale in third and fourth spots.

City half Sadee Sub Laban crossed for a hat-trick, while fullback Anthony Leatham continued his good form scoring two tries and landing six goals from seven attempts.

The Goannas crossed twice, through props Aubrey French and Greg Eastwood.

EAGLES SOAR OVER ROOSTERS

In the battle of the birds at Thirlmere, the Eagles outclassed the Roosters 35-22.

Once again, new recruit Tyran Pettit-Young was the star of the show. The halfback finished with three of his side’s six tries as East Campbelltown moved above Thirlmere into eighth spot, still six points adrift of fifth spot with four rounds to play.

Backrower Justin Smith scored two of the Roosters’ four tries.