Macarthur Rugby League: Roosters punch above weight, R14 talking points, 50+ gallery
The result of an upcoming boxing bout could have a major influence on the makeup of the Macarthur Rugby League finals. Veterans and juniors on the rise, R14 talking points, 50+ gallery.
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There was only three games in a waterlogged round 14 of the Macarthur Rugby League, but with several new faces and the finals race heating up, there’s no shortage of things to talk about.
One team’s hopes could rest on the outcome of a major boxing bout, while a couple of new faces are a generation apart.
All that and more, here’s what’s making news.
ROOSTERS PUNCHING ABOVE THEIR WEIGHT
It’s been a difficult month for Thirlmere, but with a close loss, a draw and two narrow victories the premiers have maintained a grip on fifth place.
With player availability crucial in the big games ahead, the Roosters are expecting the return of some familiar faces in the coming weeks.
Former NRL strike weapon Ken Sio and hooker Rielly Smith aren't far off, while all eyes will be on Curtis Scott after Wednesday night’s bout with former AFL star Barry Hall.
ONCE A WINGER
Thirlmere props Jack Greene and Levi Bromfield combined for an unlikely length of the field try in the victory over Collies.
Greene did the heavy lifting from the restart, before the speedier Bromfield closed out the play with a mad dash to the corner.
Turns out those in know were far from surprised, recalling Bromfield’s days as a rising winger.
UPSET BREWING
It wasn’t that long ago when Collegians were regularly leaking six tries a match. In the last fortnight combined, they’ve only conceded six against The Oaks and Thirlmere.
It makes this weekend’s clash with Oakdale at Bradbury Oval compulsive viewing. It’s a must win for Collies, while the Workers will be desperate to remain inside the top-three.
PIE ON THE FLY
Rising winger Kobe Tooala showed what all the fuss is about with a try in his first grade debut against Mittagong.
A member of the Wests Tigers Laurie Daley Cup squad earlier this season, the Picton speedster made the most of an opportunity handed to him by Leon Longbottom in the 13th minute.
Will ball in hand, the flyer made short work of the remaining 30 metres to cross untouched.
VETERAN EAGLE
East Campbelltown’s signing of Arthur Little caught plenty of fans off guard, but the veteran playmaker showed he’s lost none of his touch.
A former Waratah in the union ranks, the now 43-year-old last strapped on the boots nine months ago for La Perouse in the South Sydney comp.
Prior commitments means he won't travel to Mittagong on Sunday, but he’s sure to cause headaches in the closing rounds.
CHECK YOUR WATCH
This weekend sees a full card of matches originally scheduled for round seven. With two games on Saturday and the remainder on Sunday, be sure to check the kick off times as they vary across the board.
ROUND SEVEN (CATCH UP)
Picton v Camden, Victoria Park (Saturday, 3:00pm)
Thirlmere v Campbelltown City, Thirlmere Sports Ground (Saturday, 4:30pm)
South West v The Oaks, Onslow Oval (Sunday, 2:00pm)
Campbelltown Collegians v Oakdale, Bradbury Oval (Sunday, 3:00pm)
Mittagong v East Campbelltown, Mittagong Sports Ground (Sunday, 3:00pm)
ROUND 14 WRAP
Rain washed away a couple of matches in round 14 of the Macarthur Rugby League, but two of the three contests that did get underway went right down to the wire.
In a venue swap, Collies and the Roosters met at Thirlmere for the second time this season. South West hosted East Campbelltown at Kirkham, while Mittagong headed to Victoria Park to face Picton.
City’s clash with Camden and Narellan versus The Oaks have been rescheduled to take place on Sunday, August 4.
LOCKED AGAIN
East Campbelltown and South West shared the spoils for the second time this season after playing out a thrilling 18-all draw.
After finishing 24 apiece back in round three, they headed to Kirkham desperate for a victory to remain within touching distance of the top five.
Among six lead changes both sides crossed for three first half tries as the Eagles held a slender 16-14 advantage.
Goannas winger Juwon Faumui latched onto Brad Takairangi kick to open the scoring before the Eagles returned serve with a length of the field effort to fullback Viliame Saukuru.
Both sides added to their tally with simple tries from dummy half, but in great signs for East Campbelltown, mid-season recruit Arthur Little began to work his magic. The veteran five-eighth showed his golden touch, holding up a short ball for Felix Smith to crash over.
Expectations of a second half shootout faded with the change of ends. The tries dried up as both sides traded errors and resolute goal line defence.
South West regained the lead with a pair of Takairangi penalty goals, but once again Sean Connor had the final say. With the Eagles gifted a penalty in front of the posts, just as he did at Waminda Oval earlier in the season, the five-eighth locked the scores with the final goal of the match.
With the draw, the Eagles remain in sixth spot but are now three points behind Thirlmere. South West have jumped Collies into seventh, and are now five adrift of fifth.
ROOSTERS HOLD ON
Campbelltown Collegians looked like taking centre stage at Thirlmere for the second time this season before the Roosters held on in the dying stages to win 16-12.
In a result that has major ramifications in the race towards the finals, the crucial two points extends Thirlmere’s buffer in fifth place to three points.
Following a scoreless opening 17 minutes, Collies were well placed to repeat their round three boilover at the same venue. But in the blink of an eye, Thirlmere posted three tries to lead 14-0 in the 26th minute.
A try to winger Marika Tuilau was quickly followed by one of the more extraordinary tries of the season.
Charging off the back fence, unheralded forward Jack Greene broke through the line and carried the restart past the halfway line. Not to be outdone, fellow prop Levi Bromfield capped off a bookend extravaganza.
Parked a couple wide of the ruck, the No.8 beat several defenders and continued the unthinkable, outlasting the cover in a spirited 40 metre dash to the left corner.
Seemingly with all the momentum, Thirlmere went to the break leading 16-0 following a Corey Norman penalty goal.
But as they’ve shown all season, Collies regrouped and struck several minutes into the second half. And with 25 to play, centre Norwin Latu cut the margin to eight with a length of the field effort against the run of play.
Latu then put winger Justin Stowers over for Campbelltown’s third in the 60th minute. Unfortunately for Collies, all three tries were scored out wide and none were converted.
Not that Latu was concerned. He was having a field day on the left edge, and quickly found the back field again, only for the opportunity to be shut down.
Although the points dried up in the final quarter, it wasn’t without hiccup as Collies almost drew level with several promising raids.
“We thought we’d nearly lost another one at the death,” said Thirlmere coach Darren McLeod, in reference to his side’s previous outing against Mittagong.
“To Collies’ credit, they came back and we did well in the end to hang on.
“There’s a good vibe at the moment, and with several players due back we are slowly building for the closing rounds.”
LIONS CLIMB LADDER
Mittagong continued its charge up the ladder after the Lions posted seven tries to three in a comfortable 34-12 win over Picton.
With a third consecutive victory and The Oaks’ game washed out, Mittagong have now moved to third place on the table.
Following last week’s narrow escape at Thirlmere, the Lions got away to a fast start on Indigenous Day at Victoria Park and were never threatened following a 20-4 first half.
Halfback Nicholas Eccleston only needed five minutes to put Jordan Tencate across for the opening try. From there, Jake Brisbane continued to shape the result in an extension of his recent red-hot form.
The No.6 drilled a 40-20 and then in the next set hit winger Michael Meadows with a long pass to make it 10-0. Picton winger Kobe Tooala celebrated his first grade debut, quickly pegging one back for the Magpies before Brisbane and Bryson Goodwin combined to put Liam Henry over for the Lions’ third.
Keiran Rankmore raced over just before the interval, and the backrower had another when he steamed onto a Brisbane short ball to make it 24-4 after 43 minutes.
But it wasn’t just the playmakers calling the shots. Recent signing Giordan Patea showed his class, sending fellow prop Troy Martin through a gap to score under the posts.
Alec Susino and winger Matthew Dengate hit back with consecutive tries for Picton, before Thomas Eccleston landed the final blow for the visitors in the last minute.
PHOTO GALLERY
First Grade: South West v East Campbelltown
First Grade: Picton v Mittagong
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