Souths Juniors A-grade rugby league: Five key talking points from round four

With four rounds down, we look at what made headlines on a big weekend of rugby league in the Souths Juniors competition. Catch up on the five talking points, plus the results and updated ladder.

The five talking points from round five of the Souths Juniors competition.

WITH round four of the Souths Juniors competition in the books, we look at the five major talking points from the weekend.

YOUNG GUNS GET IT DONE

We’ve seen many a young star emerge from this competition over the years, and 2023 looks to be no difference.

Harley Lester (La Perouse) and O’Shay Tyerman (Redfern) both produced scintillating efforts for their respective sides and came up with some memorable moments in the process.

The future is looking bright with the likes of these and other young talents running around south-east Sydney.

NOT PANIC STATIONS.... YET

It’s not the end of the world for South Eastern, but the defending grand finalists are looking to find some form soon.

Their third defeat of the season has them sitting in second-last spot after back-to-back defeats.

A game against local rivals La Perouse on their home deck at Pioneers could be the catalyst for a turnaround to start now.

TIGERS EARN FAVOURITISM

Matraville has been impressive in four wins so far and they’re very deserving of the title of favourites at present.

With a large number of players out, they had to rely on their defence to hold off Mascot at the weekend.

They’ll be boosted by the return of a few players this weekend for what is shaping up as the match of the round against Redfern.

EARLY BLITZ SINKS DOLPHINS

A key period from the midway point in the first half through to the break set La Perouse up for success against the Dolphins.

They piled on four tries in that period and took the game from a stalemate to firmly within their keeping.

It was a performance that had coach Robert Longbottom pleased, and keeps them two wins clear of fourth.

DEFENCE SHINES IN RESERVES

There’s no coincidence that the top three sides in reserve grade have built their success on the back of their defence.

Both the Rovers and South Eastern have conceded just eight points per game, with La Perouse averaging less than five points against them per contest.

It’s a testament to their attitudes and has them already looking very strong to start the season.

The round five wrap of the Souths Juniors competition.

ROUND FOUR WRAP

FOUR rounds of the Souths Juniors competition are in the books.

Catch up on the full wrap and results from an entertaining round four.

PANTHERS REGAIN WINNING FORM

La Perouse is back in the winner’s circle following a solid 26-14 defeat of the Coogee Dolphins at Yarra Reserve.

Harley Lester was in the thick of things out in the centres, starting with a beautiful flick pass to put his winger Jamie Ingram over to start the scoring.

He backed it up soon after, getting early ball 35m out from the line and putting on some footwork for a spectacular individual try.

“He’s carved them up. It was only his second game but in both he’s killed them,” coach Robert Longbottom said.

“Harley brings an energy and toughness. Aaron Grech steered us around all day, got us to our points and started our attacking sets. He was named man of the match.

“The most pleasing thing was we played the way we trained during the week. The first half was clinical which was good to see.”

LATE INTERCEPT KEEPS RAB NEAR TOP

A length of the field intercept from O’Shay Tyerman has lifted Redfern to its third win of the season after downing South Eastern 28-16.

With the Seagulls fiercely attacking the RAB line down by six and with time winding down, the speedy winger timed his run to pick off a pass and put the result beyond any doubt.

It capped off a strong comeback from the All Blacks, who trailed 16-12 after a Connor Higgins double, before Jay Belgrove helped them take their first lead of the game after 62 minutes.

The Redfern All Blacks improved to 3-1 at the weekend. Picture: Contributed

“It was a tough game. We made it tough on ourselves in that first half with plenty of errors,” RAB official Bradley Anderson said.

“We had to defend our line at the end before O’Shay took the intercept and ran the length. He was very impressive. Exekiel Phillips played a full game in the middle and was a standout.

“The boys have been consistent with their training and getting big numbers. We’re a big squad so it’s tough to get a position.

“Fitness is what got us home in that game. We’ve worked on that at training and it’s translating onto the field.”

DEPLETED MATRAVILLE REMAINS UNBEATEN

Missing almost a large chunk of their top 17 wasn’t enough to stop Matraville from making it four wins to start the year, defeating Mascot 22-6 at Mascot Oval.

With their starting halves and key players missing, the Tigers defied that to hold a 12-0 advantage at the break.

The Matraville Tigers celebrate a try against Mascot. Picture: Contributed

Their defence was tested in the second half, with a deflection off the posts getting the Jets back to within six, before they were turned away a number of times as they tried to level up, only for the visitors to post two tries late to seal the win.

“That really tested our depth,” coach Grant Hyde said.

“We really had to grind it out and play it tough against a team who hadn’t had a win and was hungry.

“There was a real old-school toughness about the win. Our defence has been top notch.

“Emmanuel Di Bartolo was sensational at five-eighth. His kicking game got us home. Both he and Wyatt Rangi (halfback) were good at going to the line and putting boys through holes.”

RESERVE GRADE

A three-way tie remains at the top of the standings.

With La Perouse winning on forfeit and South Easter enjoying the bye, it was left for the Alexandria Rovers to get the job done on the field with a 24-4 victory over Marrickville.

The Redfern All Blacks remain just behind them in fourth after accounting for Moore Park 36-22.

Mascot made it back-to-back wins after downing the Coogee Dolphins 24-6.