Penrith District Rugby League: A-grade theft, round three talking points, 60+ gallery
There was a sneaky steal, a Colt on the run and an amazing party trick. Round three of local Penrith footy had it all and entertained on all levels. Talking points, 60+ photo gallery.
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A host of quirky plays highlighted round three of local Penrith footy, and one of them is unlikely to be seen again in the near term.
On a sour note, the season is over for one player, while on the flip side, another looks headed for higher honours.
Round three talking points.
TRICK SHOT
After holding their own for the majority of the opening half against Windsor on Anzac Day, not much went right for Glenmore Park in the run home.
But one play from Noah Smith will take some topping. Following another Wolves try, the winger launched the restart high into the sky, only to see it come down on the crossbar and bounce over the dead-ball line on the full.
YOUNG COLT ON THE RISE
Jenson Tuaoi continues to impress for Colyton. The energetic hooker sparked the Colts’ attack in the narrow loss to St Clair, and almost got them over the line with two tries.
But all going well, the teenager might not be in Colyton colours for too much longer. After a full season of SG Ball with Penrith, he’s every chance of continuing his progression in Jersey Flegg.
CLEVER RIP
St Marys speedster Josh Baravilala had a day out with four tries in the win over Brothers, but it was the build up to the first that impressed us the most.
With Brothers rucking the ball out of their own territory, St Marys five-eighth Tyrone Glassie stole the ball one-on-one. When the Brothers players finally realised, Baravilala was diving across the line.
SEASON ENDING
In a blow to St Marys and Henry Togise, the prop has been ruled out for the remainder of the season following the week three contest with Glenmore Park at the Kingsway.
During a regulation hit-up, the forward fell to the ground in an awkward tackle and had to be stretchered from the field. Earlier this week, St Marys coach Tama Taoho revealed the key forward had suffered a broken leg.
No player involved in the tackle was reported during or after the game.
INCOMING
St Clair halves Bronson Tuhaka and Malakai Houia had the ball on a string in the narrow win over Colyton. All four Comets tries came from kicks, with each playmaker finishing with two try assists.
St Clair have a bye this week, but it would be fair to assume the Windsor back three have already commenced preparations ahead of their round five meeting.
WINNERS ARE GRINNERS
It’s been tough going for both Brothers and Minchinbury during the opening rounds of the season.
Both have suffered heavy defeats in their first three outings, but this weekend one will be smiling following their clash at Federation Forest.
ROUND FOUR (5 MAY)
St Marys v Colyton, St Marys Leagues Stadium
Cambridge Park v Windsor, Allsopp Patterson Oval
Glenmore Park v Emu Plains, Ched Towns Reserve
Minchinbury v Brothers, Federation Forest
ROUND THREE WRAP
In a big round of local Penrith footy, the first of four matches kicked off on Anzac Day at Windsor, while the remaining three took place on Sunday.
Once again the top sides flexed their muscles, and there were a host of strong individual performers.
Here’s how all the round three action played out.
COMETS KICK CLEAR IN THRILLER
St Clair showed why they’re the kings of the tight tussle after the Comets capped a third straight nail biting win, edging out Colyton 20-12 at Peppertree Sporting Complex.
Only six points separated the sides heading into the final minute before a Leha Fakatava penalty goal kicked St Clair eight clear.
Colyton posed a major threat all day but paid the price with numerous handling errors down back, as the Comets raced in four tries – all from kicks.
After a scoreless opening half-hour, substitute hooker Jenson Tuaoi struck the first blow, burrowing over to put the Colts six points clear.
St Clair’s reply was swift. Colyton grassed a Malakai Houia bomb and with the error cleaned up, five-eighth Bronson Tuhaka fired a long-ball to unmarked winger Liam Pearce.
And they took an 8-6 lead to the sheds. Another dropped bomb, this time from the boot of Tuhaka, was grounded by centre George Logo for the simplest of four-pointers.
St Clair continued the air raid after the break. This time Fakatava grasped a Tuhaka high-ball before showing good pace to dash over in the right corner.
With goals hard to come by, despite conceding three tries to one, Colyton remained in the contest and drew level when Tuaoi danced past several tired defenders in the 54th minute to make it 12 apiece.
Both sides had chances to edge clear, but once again it was the brilliance of Houia that busted the game open. Only this time the crafty No. 7 broke the line before putting boot to ball.
Chas Riddle gave chase, and the Comets winger arrived first, grounding the perfectly weighted grubber to score the match winning try.
Despite the loss, Colyton coach Scott Thompson was pleased with his side’s effort.
“We had our chances towards the end, but unfortunately we couldn’t come up with the right play,” said Thompson.
“It was a top quality A-grade match. Both teams completed at over 80 per cent and our defence was strong, all four St Clair tries came from kicks.”
With little separating the teams, Thompson singled out St Clair captain Tinirau Arona and a couple of his Colyton forwards.
“With his elite level experience, Tinirau knows how to control the ruck and it made a big difference,” he said.
“We were good upfront. Prop Blake Hill was real tough, and lock Damon Finn was outstanding for the full 80 minutes in his first game of the season.”
FOUR-TRY HERO SPEARHEADS ST MARYS WIN
Flying centre Josh Baravilala is the toast of St Marys following his four-try effort in the breakthrough win over Brothers.
Winless in the opening rounds, both teams arrived at Parker Street Reserve desperate to open their account and it was still in the balance when St Marys led 10-4 at the break.
In a tense opening, Baravilala showed glimpses of what would follow when he stepped across for St Marys’ second try five minutes before the interval.
Brothers came out roaring after the break and equalised through centre Lawrence Craigie. From there is was all Baravilala, as he calved up the right edge scoring the next three in a blistering 15 minutes to open a 14-point advantage.
The first two were served on a plate by halfback Will James, while the third was an individual long range effort from a scrum deep in St Marys territory.
In a vastly improved performance compared to the opening rounds, Brothers struck back through hooker James Hunter and trailed by eight with five minutes to play. But hopes of a comeback were dashed when James scored the sixth St Marys try in the 78th minute.
“It was scrappy, but it was good to get a win,” said St Marys coach Tama Taoho.
“Baravilala was brilliant. He joined the club this year from rugby union, he has loads of skill and our plan was to get him early ball.
“In the forwards, young Jai Williams was excellent again after picking up our player of the match last week. And it was good to have prop Adam Petrus back, he’s an old experienced head.”
WOLVES IN ANZAC DAY MARCH
Windsor and Glenmore Park kicked off the round with an Anzac Day blockbuster at Windsor Sporting Complex.
Spurred on by a healthy crowd and support from a heaving Windsor Leagues Club, the sides traded tries in an even first 20 minutes before the home side clicked into overdrive en route to a comfortable 56-24 victory.
Hulking prop Mana Aonga crashed over to give the Brumbies a 12-6 lead, but Windsor struck back immediately. Rampaging backrower Dallas Burns attracted defenders, before holding up a clever pass for prop Jai Wynbergen to score under the posts.
From there it was all Windsor. Halfback Connor Mason added another, and it was 22-12 when winger Jamie Davison won the race to a Cohen Benson kick on the stroke of halftime.
Led by Eton Lindsay, the Wolves took control through the middle. Then with acres of space, Windsor ran in another six tries including a double to Tori Willie, who finished the day with a personal haul of 24 points.
It was the Brumbies’ first loss of the season, but they showed enough to suggest they’ll finish among the top teams. Classy fullback Campbell Byrd crossed twice, and winger Noah Smith outpaced the cover defence after collecting a magic Kenneth Koro flick pass.
EMU PLAINS UNTROUBLED
Emu Plains continued its impressive start to the season as the reigning premiers eased past Minchinbury 60-0
Alexander Myles was unstoppable. The wide running backrower stormed across the line three times in a whirlwind first half that delivered eight tries and a 44-0 scoreline.
Winger Lachlan Mason scored a hat-trick, while on the opposite side of the field, Daniel Warren crossed twice.
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