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Penrith District Rugby League: Week of firsts, round 13 talking points

Penrith’s rising rugby league talent continue to develop in the local A-grade competition. First grade debuts and major breakthroughs, Don Feltis Cup round 13 talking points.

Round 13 of the Don Feltis Cup had it all on a weekend where Emu Plains captain Thomas Romer received his marching orders once again. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography
Round 13 of the Don Feltis Cup had it all on a weekend where Emu Plains captain Thomas Romer received his marching orders once again. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

The race to the finals is certainly heating up in local Penrith footy, but it’s just as hot at the other end of the table in the race to shake the wooden spoon.

On the field, more juniors were handed their first grade debuts while one team’s skipper stunned his teammates with a spectacular individual effort.

Don Feltis Cup, round 13 talking points.

DROUGHT BREAKER

His Emu Plains teammates have been in his ear all season for not be able to score a try. Not that it worried Thomas Romer, the menacing prop just kept bashing out the metres for the good of his teammates every week.

It explained the wild scenes that followed his barnstorming effort in the win over Glenmore Park. Handed the ball on halfway, Romer charged through the line and after being brought down sprung back to his feet and dashed across the stripe.

“I’ve never seen him get up so quick and run as fast as he did over those last 10 metres,” said Emu Plains coach Darren Bell.

LATE CHARGE

Emu Plains recruit Isaac Thompson has been a standout all season and now the playmaker is starting to dominate the stats.

His 15 tries are the most in the competition, and since taking over the goal kicking duties in round 12 he’s quickly risen up the point scoring list.

Currently in second spot, his 108 points are only 16 behind Windsor’s Tori Willie.

SPOON RACE

Minchinbury are slowly releasing their grip on what appeared to be a wooden spoon season.

Still in last place, the Jets’ win over Brothers leaves them two points shy of St Marys. The side’s meet this weekend, and the result could determine who finishes the season at the foot of the table.

Minchinbury are a chance to climb the ladder. Picture Warren Gannon Photography
Minchinbury are a chance to climb the ladder. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

JUNIORS RISE

The number of juniors flowing through to the top grade shows no signs of slowing down.

At Colyton, Penrith pathways hooker Billy Thompson made his first grade debut in the win over St Marys. After a long run of shoulder injuries, it was great to see the No.14 celebrate his call-up with a late try.

A week after winger Jack Babbage scored on debut for Emu Plains, coach Darren Bell handed Ryan Campbell his first jumper in the top grade.

“Ryan is a big boy, he’s been our best player this year in under-19s,” said Bell.

“He played 50-60 minutes off the bench against Glenmore Park and more than held his own, he’s a very good prospect.”

CAMBO TO MAKE A MOVE

Despite consecutive losses, Cambridge Park have maintained their holding on the all important sixth spot.

Scheduled to face Brothers and Minchinbury in the next fortnight, Cambo will fancy their chances of locking down a finals spot.

Currently one-point ahead of Glenmore Park, there’s every chance the winner of their final round contest will be the side that survives another week.

ROUND 14

Minchinbury v St Marys, Federation Forest (Saturday, 7:50pm)

Glenmore Park v St Clair, Ched Towns Reserve

Emu Plains v Colyton, Leonay Oval

Brothers v Cambridge Park, Parker St Reserve

TyrenRyan and Brothers are at home to Cambridge Park in round 14. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography
TyrenRyan and Brothers are at home to Cambridge Park in round 14. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

ROUND 13 WRAP

It was a day of mixed emotions for Emu Plains as they hosted Glenmore Park at Leonay Oval in a round where all four Don Feltis Cup matches took place on a windy Saturday afternoon.

In the other games, Brothers looked to continue their climb up the ladder against Minchinbury. Colyton hoped to reverse an early season loss to St Marys, while Windsor welcomed Cambridge Park.

Round 13 Wrap.

ROMER MARCHED AGAIN

Emu Plains proved too strong for Glenmore Park, but it was the dismissal of captain Thomas Romer for the second time this season that overshadowed the comfortable 38-10 win.

In a whirlwind day, the tireless prop celebrated his first try of the season before plunging into despair midway through the second half when he was marched for lashing out with his feet while in possession.

The send off comes three weeks after Romer was marched in a heated loss to Windsor at Heber Park.

Thomas Romer was in everything for Emu Plains. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography
Thomas Romer was in everything for Emu Plains. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

On the field, Isaac Thompson and centre Blake McDermott had a field day as Emu Plains raced to a 28-0 halftime lead. Both played key roles in early tries to Jack Babbage and Greg Alderson before the Brumbies stemmed the flow of points until late in the half.

Up by 10 after 35 minutes, Thompson then crossed for one of his own. Romer charged over for another, before Thompson sent Alderson charging down the right edge to score his second on halftime.

Brumbies half Jarred Muller-Dobbe pegged one back after the break, before Emu winger Daniel Warren crossed in the left corner for his 14th of the season.

Alex Myles ran off McDermott to score his side’s seventh and final try before Jake Lewis added another for Glenmore Park.

With their 11th win Emu Plains remain at the top of the ladder. Glenmore Park still remain in the race for the finals in seventh – just one-point adrift of sixth spot.

JETS REVERSE TREND

When it comes to the crunch Brothers are usually the side who deliver the knockout blow, but in round 13 the roles were reversed as Minchinbury struck late to record a 28-24 boilover.

Flying high after their late Magic Round miracle, Brothers returned to Parker Street Reserve hoping to down the last placed Jets and edge one win closer to St Clair in third place.

With halfback Tyren Ryan calling the shots, Brothers jumped clear 12-0 following early tries to centre Siaosi Huihui and backrower Brendan Randall.

Seemingly in control just before the break, the momentum shifted Minchinbury’s way when fullback Royvirianthy Faimanifo raced a loose ball 70 metres. And they levelled at 12-all when William-Lee Pasitoa crashed over in the 40th minute.

The second half was similar to the first. Once again Brothers had the rails run and jumped ahead 24-16 when Zach Nuttall scooted over from dummy half.

It remained that way until the 71st minute when Jets hooker Jack Austin narrowed the margin to two points with a similar move.

In another frantic Brothers finish, this time Minchinbury stole their thunder with a last minute miracle of their own.

After a succession of desperate passes, Pasitoa once again tucked the ball under his arm and crashed over to win the contest.

Still in last place, Minchinbury’s third win leaves them one-point shy of St Marys in eighth.

Halfback Ryan Jones scored a crucial try for Minchinbury in the second half. Picture Warren Gannon Photography
Halfback Ryan Jones scored a crucial try for Minchinbury in the second half. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

COLTS ON FIRE

Colyton are all but assured of playing in the finals following a comprehensive 46-4 demolition of St Marys at Cec Blinkhorn Oval.

After falling to Brothers on the bell last week, Colyton came out all guns blazing in a result that makes up for their narrow loss to Saints back in round four.

Ben Bragg had another blinder for Colyton. The ball-playing hooker was at his crafty best in the early exchanges, opening the door for fullback Jesse Poulsen and Les Kini to cross for the opening two tries.

Centre Dante Filipe-Otai pounced on a grubber kick to make it 18-0 at halftime, and it was game over when Blake Hill powered over in the 41st minute.

In a difficult day for St Marys, Josh Baravilala delivered one of the highlights of the day. After finding space down the right wing, the speedster then beat Poulsen with exquisite footwork to finish a memorable long range effort.

But the Colts were far from done and continued to trouble the scorers. Poulsen completed a double before Bragg jumped from dummy half, then in the final minute Billy Thomspon burrowed over to celebrate his top grade debut.

Ben Bragg was at his scheming best for Colyton. Picture Warren Gannon Photography
Ben Bragg was at his scheming best for Colyton. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

WOLVES ON THE RUN

Veteran hooker Tyrone Shelley scored a hat-trick as Windsor maintained its grip on second place after the Wolves outclassed Cambridge Park 44-14 under lights.

Silky playmaker Tori Willie opened the scoring in a personal tally of 16 points as the Wolves put the result beyond doubt with a 28-4 first half.

Centre Jamie Davison scored a try either side of the break for Windsor. Centre Marli Sini struck early for Cambo and was joined on the score sheet by Reece Lipowicz and Aisea Fainga’Anuku who finished the evening with consolation tries.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/sport/penrith-district-rugby-league-colts-charge-jets-launch-round-13-wrap/news-story/4b33116d6e0245cafb02f5976257b959