Macarthur Rugby League: Brotherly love, Bryce long bomb, round 12 talking points
In a round featuring several amazing tries, it was a long bomb in reserve grade that stole the show in last weekend’s Macarthur Rugby League. Catch all the latest, round 12 talking points.
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Here’s the latest talking points from round 12 of Macarthur Rugby League.
NEW CITY COACHING STAFF
Following the decision of former coach David Fauonuku to accept an offer from Auckland Rugby League, City has moved quickly to bed down its coaching staff for next season. According to interim coach Alex Melville an announcement for 2024 is just around the corner.
UNDERSTRENGTH LIONS IN DANGEROUS TERRITORY
With backline stars James Coyne and Bryson Goodwin enjoying mid-season leave, the Lions will be plugging holes for another couple of weeks.
The light at the end of the tunnel comes in round 16 when according to captain-coach James Grehan, it will be all hands on deck.
In the absence of the dynamic duo and experienced prop Keiran Rankmore the Lions have dropped a cog, and could find themselves in a battle to save second spot when they head to Oakdale in round 15.
TRY OF THE WEEK
In the 10th minute at Fullwood Reserve City’s Manoa Veikoso swooped against the run of play. After recovering the ball on his own line the winger scooted 70m along the right touchline before being rounded up by the Picton defence.
From there, the Kangaroos shifted the ball to the opposite sideline. Chris Williamson found Isileli Uilou, and the centre stepped back inside before some fancy footwork by halfback Bailey Rye finished the length of the field effort under the posts.
PROP BY NUMBER ONLY
Speaking of quality plays, Mitchell Gough’s spectacular try for Oakdale in the 30th minute at Waminda Oval came from an unlikely source.
Workers prop Michael Bullock saw it unfold before everyone else. After being stationed on the right edge, he made a mad dash to the left taking possession one off the ruck before finding the unmarked winger with a perfect cutout pass.
BRYCE BURIES RAMS
The reserve grade comp might be heating up but you can bet The Oaks’ Bryce Hoskin will be glowing for weeks.
With time for one last play and the Rams and Tigers locked 12 apiece, the No.6 took possession 35m out to the right of the posts and went kaboom!
And with the sweetest of strikes, the right-footer’s field goal not only broke the deadlock, it sailed above post height before coming to rest deep in the Dudley Chesham car park.
TOUGH BROTHERLY LOVE
There’s no love lost between the Dodd brothers at Narellan.
After scoring a first half double in the Jets’ upset victory over Collies, winger Terrence was quickly put back in his box by younger brother and captain, Levi.
“We are very close and keep each other accountable, but we needed that from Terrence, he let us down the other week,” said Levi.
BATTLE FOR FIFTH HEATS UP
Despite going down to Narellan, Collegians remain in a three-way battle for fifth spot.
East Campbelltown and The Oaks share fifth on 14 points with Collies two points behind in seventh.
SHORT ROUND NEXT UP
The action will be limited to just three matches next weekend with five teams taking a well deserved round 13 bye.
ROUND 13 – Sunday 9 July
Camden v South West at Kirkham Park
Narellan v Thirlmere at Narellan Sports Ground
Picton v The Oaks at Victoria Park
Bye: Campbelltown Collegians, Oakdale, Campbelltown City, Mittagong, East Campbelltown
ROUND 12 WRAP
It’s been a tough season for Campbelltown City, the Kangaroos still can’t take a trick after an ambulance was called to their match for the second week running. Elsewhere, the scores blew out while Collegians’ season took an unexpected turn.
Macarthur Rugby League Round 12 wrap.
AMBULANCE CALLED AGAIN
A Steven Dengate hat-trick in Picton’s 44-20 win over Campbelltown City was overshadowed by an unfortunate incident that saw Kangaroos playmaker Adam Rye depart Fullwood Reserve in the back of an ambulance.
With his side trailing 32-16, the young half’s day finished after his headed collided with a Picton ball carrier’s shoulder midway through the second half.
Following a lengthy delay, play resumed once Rye was transported to hospital.
“Adam unfortunately got his head in the wrong spot, but he's doing okay now,” said City interim coach Alex Melville on Monday morning. “He was given the all clear of any spinal injuries at hospital last night.”
Earlier, a determined Picton set about ending a four-match losing streak with two quick tries and on the back of a Dengate double headed to the sheds in command 26-16.
Prop Alec Susino impressed through the middle while Dengate shredded City’s right edge, going on with the job after the interval to bag his third on the stroke of full time.
While finishing well behind on the scoreboard, City showed glimpses of what lies ahead scoring several nice tries including a length of the field team effort that was finished under the posts by Bailey Rye.
According to interim coach Alex Melville, City’s future looks bright.
“Chris Williamson is doing most of the coaching in first grade, while I’m helping with coverage in both firsts and seconds,” said Melville.
“We’re really focusing on providing a pathway for our under-18s and 19s. Our reserve grade side is starting to come together as well, we believe there is a strong nucleus for next season.”
OAKDALE IN SEVENTH HEAVEN
Oakdale joined forces with East Campbelltown to promote it’s annual Jack Beasley Foundation round, but on the field the Workers dictated terms 34-16 with a memorable seventh straight victory.
Suiting up in the unfamiliar No. 13 jumper, Oakdale playmaker Jake Steadman had his fingerprints all over the victory. His cut-out pass to Nathan Davis saw the Workers skip clear 10-0 inside 15 minutes. The roles were reversed after the interval when Steadman crossed for his second, steaming over off a one-arm Davis offload.
The Eagles struck back and trailed 18-6 at halftime, but they couldn’t get out of second gear when five-eighth Brett Lahey failed to return in the second half.
“Aside from the result, Oakdale really helped to look after us with their involvement promoting the Jack Beasley Foundation Day, and we can't thank them enough,” said Eagles coach Richard Barnes.
“It was different on the field though, we just couldn’t get into the game. Oakdale are a big side and fast all over the park, they are a difficult side to compete with.
“Our attacking structure was knocked around when Brett came off before halftime and we finished with an empty bench, it was just one of those days.”
PATIENT RAMS STRIKE LATE
Camden maintained top spot on the table after getting the better of The Oaks 46-16 in a contest that was anything but one-way traffic.
When Toby Huxley crashed over for the Rams’ second try in the sixth minute, the premiers looked in a mood.
But as they've done all season, the Tigers rebounded after a slow start and levelled at 10-all following tries to Aaron Farkas and Cooper Smith.
Brad Speechley snuck through to put the Rams in front at the break. But in a measure of the halfback’s high regard for the Tigers, the captain opted for two points instead of four to put Camden clear 18-10 after 45 minutes.
Speechley was at it again just minutes later, this time delivering a double cut-out ball for Kienan Power-Tempest to cross out wide.
Even without mercurial half Daniel Payne, the Tigers kept pushing and got within eight of the lead when centre Challis Tupuola put winger Bailey King over in the right corner.
From there it was all Camden, new centre Aiden Menzies gave the final pass for two John Ryan tries before Huxley and Steele Brown rounded out doubles of their own.
“They missed Daniel Payne, he’s one of the best players in the comp,” said Speechley.
“The Oaks never go away, that’s why we took the penalty goal just after halftime.
“We had a few things go our way, but we had four out including Danny Fualalo and Atini Gafa, but the guys who came in all did their job.
“Aiden Menzies just joined us,” said Speechley. “He’s a Moss Vale junior and played with Kiama last year. He’s versatile too, and will be very handy as the season unfolds.”
HUGE UPSET ROCKS COLLIES
A resurgent Narellan have dealt a hammer blow to Campbelltown Collegians’ finals hopes with a blistering first half performance at Bradbury Oval.
A win would have lifted Collies into a share of fifth spot, but they simply had no answer to the late blooming Jets who struck four times to lead 22-6 at halftime.
Fuelled by memories of their opening round 46-6 hammering to Collies, skipper Levi Dodd donned the No. 7 jumper and alongside brother Terrence piloted Narellan to its fourth win in six starts.
Narellan wasted no time getting on the board when backrower Zak Clarke pounced on his captains grubber in the third minute. And they crossed again 10 minutes later through Terrence Dodd, who benefited from the silky lead up of Levi and backrower Henry Lealuga-Puhotau.
Fullback Norwin Latu pegged one back for the home side before the Dodd boys shared the spoils going into the break. First it was Terrence, when the winger dashed over out wide before Levi reached out to score next to the posts.
With 20 minutes to play Narellan had opened a massive 32-6 lead. But they logged off early and Collegians struck back to score the final three tries of the match.
“We had some old wounds we wanted to mend,” said Levi Dodd in reference to the previous meeting.
“And there was quite a bit of rivalry there especially with some former Jets boys in the Collies squad,” he said. “It only added more fuel to the fire for us.”
“The boys came out firing but in the second half we went back into old habits which is something we really need to work on for this year and heading into next year.”
LIONS GO SLOW
Mittagong recorded its first victory in four weeks in a high scoring 56-30 contest against a willing Goannas at Onslow Oval.
Hooker Blake Barbuto crossed three times, including once from the wing, to add to the four he scored against South West back in round one.
Fullback Michael Meadows bagged a double in place of James Coyne, while for the Goannas, Brenton Doyle O’Donnell finished with a brace in another commanding performance.
In the earlier game, South West forfeited reserve grade for the third successive week.
“It was one of those games we just wanted to get done and move on,” Lions captain-coach James Grehan said.
“Everyone was a bit flat, the reserves won on forfeit and there was not atmosphere. South West did well, they only had two on the bench.”
In a positive, Grehan unleashed some Lions young guns.
“Harley Rebbeck is a playmaker from the Wests Tigers pathways, and he made his debut off the bench. And Jackson Devine came off the bench too, he just joined us, he’s a tall middle forward who has played in the Cronulla junior reps.”
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