Macarthur Rugby League: South West and Camden pile on the points, round seven wrap

Rain washed away play at three venues, while at Kirkham Park, South West almost sent the premiers packing in one of the matches of the season. Macarthur RL, Round seven wrap.

Brad Takairangi bagged a double and kicked five goals for South West at Kirkham Park. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

Sydney’s wild weather saw three games rescheduled, while the points piled up at Kirkham Park and Sip Sharpe Memorial Oval

Round seven wrap.

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GOANNAS SHAKE RAMS

It was another win for Camden, but it was a game like no other for the premiers as South West came within inches of flipping the script before going down 42-34 in a thriller at Kirkham.

In all, 14 tries were scored in a contest that could have gone either way until the Rams skipped clear in the dying minutes when John Ryan crossed from a Goannas turnover.

One again Jackson Willis had his fingerprints all over the win. With South West leading 22-18 at the break, the five-eighth quickly levelled the scores with the first of his second half double that was complimented by a vital five from eight conversions.

While Willis won the day, Goannas playmaker Brad Takairangi wasn’t far behind, helping orchestrate a six-try performance against a Rams combination roundly touted as the best defensive outfit in the competition.

After Brad Hopkins steamed onto a Steele Brown short ball for Camden to opening the scoring, Takairangi picked Willis’ pocket with a 70m intercept try. Then with all the momentum, the former Eel latched onto a Troy Dargin bomb to put his side in front 16-12.

Steele Brown set up Camden’s opening try. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

Soteila Fatui was outstanding on the right edge for South West. Leading into the break, the centre swooped on a fumble for a 10-point buffer and bobbed up again in the second half, running in a stunning solo effort to get his team within four points with 10 minutes to play.

Still sidelined by a knee injury, Rams coach Brad Speechley watched on nervously as his side almost finished on the wrong end of the scoreboard for the first time in two seasons.

“They turned up to play and we didn’t,” said Speechley.

“The boys have been working hard at training, but defensively we’re not up to it. After seven rounds we’ve already conceded way more than we let in last season.

“South West are hard to defend against, and they’ll be really difficult to beat once they get their own defence in order.”

While delighted with the performance, South West coach Luke Deller said it means nothing if his side can’t back it up with another strong showing next week against East Campbelltown.

“We had a defined plan and thought we could provide a stiff challenge,” Deller said of his team’s ability to unsettle the Rams with free-flowing footy.

“Including Greg Eastwood, there were a few regulars missing from out pack, but I can’t recall the last time someone put 34 points on Camden.

“Our challenge is backing it up again next week. Consistency has been an issue, but the guys were disappointed they didn’t get the win – they had that look in their eyes which I haven't seen before.”

THE DIFFERENCE

Not much gets past Rams enforcer Danny Fualalo, and with the game on the line the multiple premiership winning prop came up with two defining plays.

With Camden down by 10 in the shadows of halftime, the No.10 appeared to be well contained by the defence before shaking free to crash over near the posts.

Then as South West threatened to draw level in the closing minutes, the workaholic bookend found his legs, rushing from nowhere to pounce on a kick that had points written all over it.

“Danny had no right to be there,” said Deller. “But that’s what winners do, and that’s the difference between the tops sides and it’s something for us to take on board.”

Mana Aonga was among the best for South West. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

GOANNAS ON THE RISE

The loss sees South West slide to ninth on the ladder, but with a 2-4 record they still remain in the finals race – just two points adrift of Collies in fifth spot.

“We expect to have Greg and Caleb Kasiano back next week, but we were well served against Camden,” said Deller.

“I thought Mana Aonga was one of our best in the middle, and at hooker, Lockyer Pickering-Ratu played another strong game for the full 80 minutes.”

LIGHTNING HAT-TRICK

Oakdale’s Jackson Blatch had a day to remember as the Workers posted nine unanswered tries in a 50-0 thumping of Narellan.

Eager to rebound from last week’s surprise loss to City, Oakdale showed no mercy from the outset as Blatch notched a sizzling hat-trick in the opening nine minutes at Sid Sharpe.

With early ball, Vaiala Tamati took a power of stopping as the centre gifted Blatch an early double, and the winger quickly added a third when he grounded a pinpoint Alex Isdale kick in the right corner.

Alex Isdale scored a try and figured in several others for Oakdale. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

Plagued by turnovers, Narellan were unable to build any pressure and could only watch on as the score blew out to 32-0 by halftime.

They had the better of field position to start the second half, only to see hooker Kynan English sent off for striking with just over half an hour remaining.

With their fourth win of the season in the bag, Isdale sent Zac Jones across before running in a solo effort to score under the posts.

Jarrod Keppie was never far from the action, and the backrower closed out the scoring with a determined effort to bring up the half century.