Penrith District Rugby League: Latest wrap from around the grounds, round nine
The stars came out to play on Saturday night. There were sizzling hat-tricks, extraordinary individual plays and a trio sin binned. Don Feltis Cup round 9 wrap from all four venues.
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The stars came out to play on Saturday night. There were sizzling hat-tricks, extraordinary individual plays and a trio sin binned.
Following a week’s rest for the annual Luke Lewis Cup weekend, here’s how the action unfolded in round 9 of the Don Feltis Cup.
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In a top-of-the-table clash that had everything and more, Windsor staged a remarkable comeback to edge out St Clair after the Wolves struck against the run of play, scoring two late tries on Saturday night.
On a night where wingers Ezriah Leauanae and Windsor’s Jeshua Maa-Nelson both bagged hat-tricks, it was Maa-Nelson’s third in the 72nd minute that proved the turning point in the 30-22 victory.
Trapped deep in their own half and trailing by two points, the Wolves needed a touch of magic, and it came via the boot of Connor Potter-Jugovac who orchestrated one of the tries of the season.
After identifying vacant territory behind the Comets’ defensive line, the half chipped ahead and regathered before kicking again, this time long, where Maa-Nelson out paced his opposite in a mad dash to the right corner to put the Wolves ahead 24-22.
Then with the siren about to sound, St Clair seemed to have the advantage on the left edge, but hopes of a comeback evaporated when Aidan Ryan intercepted the ball and raced 60m to ignite the home side’s celebrations.
“We’ve got two young halves in Connor and Ben Attard, and sometimes they are worried about making mistakes,” said Windsor coach Dennis Curry of the stunning two-kick play that swayed the result.
“But we encourage them to back themselves and make the one effort people talk about. We noticed the St Clair fullback standing deep, and it was Ben who called the play before Connor came up with the goods.”
In a high quality contest featuring numerous elite individual efforts, Windsor ended up scoring six tries to four after trailing 16-6 just after halftime.
Comets centre Luke Butfield came up with extraordinary passes for two of Leauanae’s three tries. While for Windsor, Maa-Nelson’s first two came from pinpoint kicks from Attard and Potter-Jugovac.
Willing upfront, the backs weren’t the only ones to revel in the frosty conditions at Windsor. With the scores locked at 16-all midway through the second half, a spirited charge by Windsor’s Pat Hollis saw both sides come together in a heated scrap before Hollis was given 10 minutes in the sin bin, alongside two players from St Clair.
In the trio’s absence, both teams crossed the stripe once before the Wolves finished in a frenzy to lock down top spot on the table.
“It was an old school tough A-grade contest”, said Curry. “I told the boys at halftime they need to respect St Clair, they came for the two points and will go along way in this competition.”
Once again Eton Lindsay led from the front and picked up the Wolves player of the match.
“He just continues to do the one percenters,” Curry said. “I was also impressed with the way Lachlan Faint continues to improve at hooker, and Aidan is nearing his best form after spending the majority of last season out with a broken arm.”
CAMBO ON FIRE
Cambridge Park’s return to form continued with a 36-6 thumping of Colyton at Allsopp Patterson Oval.
Both side’s entered the clash with four wins apiece in what shaped as a close battle. And with the home side leading 10-6 just before halftime, it was following the script until prized halves recruit Michael Tuavao broke the contest open several minutes before the interval.
Despite Colyton numbering up on their left edge, Tuavao flew solo, opening the Colts like a can of worms to make it 16-6.
It was the third of three straight Cambo tries, and they came out after the break full of running, adding another four in a resounding victory that leaves them in fourth place and two spots above Colyton.
Coming off a try in last weekend’s Luke Lewis Cup victory, Ben Bragg struck with confidence in the third minute, but it was to be his side’s only joy as Cambo quickly kicked into gear.
Winger Jake Williamson handled twice to score his side’s first in a classy raid along the left touch line.
Lachlan Crossley made it look easy in the 20th minute. Playing like a half, the big prop stepped and weaved through the line, and stood up the fullback to score a remarkable four-pointer.
Once again, Rhys Falconer was never far from the action and the No.13 caught the Colts napping with an inside line to start the second half.
Fullback Blake Mindipi set up the next. Sensing danger on the right the fullback pounced out of dummy half for centre John Vunga to score the first of his second half double.
Not much went right for Colyton after the break, and their night was summed up when Marli Sini ambled across from an unchallenged bomb.
“We thought Colyton would come out firing,” said Cambridge Park coach Kodah Karipa.
“Our aim was to weather the opening 20 minutes and it worked out well. We started Lachlan off the bench because we wanted him to come on and keep the middle together.
“I thought the boys played to their potential. We have everything we need to make an impact in this competition, it’s just a matter of self belief.”
In arguably their best performance of the season, Karipa was delighted with the way his side dominated the ruck and the input from Mindipi down back.
“Our work around the ruck dropped off since our round 6 match with St Clair,” he said. “But I thought we were able to control the middle and it make a big difference, and helped the boys turn Colyton away for multiple sets.
“Blake was outstanding for us. He wanted to make a statement and never faulted under pressure.”
SAINTS FLYING START TOO MUCH FOR JETS
St Marys returned to the winners' circle after the Saints accounted for Minchinbury 42-14 on home turf.
Winger Levi Tago crossed before the Jets had touched the ball, and they added another three tries before Minchinbury winger Ian French stepped back inside to make it 22-4 at halftime.
Eager to make amends after falling to St Clair in round 8, St Marys added another four after the break to cement third spot on the ladder.
Outside backs Hayden Stevens and Lupe Pauli both scored doubles, while for Minchinbury, fullback Marley Skeen and backrower McKennon Kaina added their names to the score sheet.
In better news for the Jets, they retain the Don Feltis Challenge Cup for another week after they managed to protect a handy 34.5 point start.
BROTHERS IN CONFIDENCE BOOST
Brothers kept their season alive with a much needed victory over the winless Riverstone at Basil Andrews.
After opening their account in round 7 and challenging Cambridge Park before the week off, Brothers opened the floodgates scoring 11 tries in the 60-12 win.
Riverstone were made to pay after an error in the opening set when Brothers halfback Donovan Boney sliced through for the first of his three tries, and the points kept flowing until the change of ends at 32-6.
Issac Petrus finished with an opening half double, before his teammates added another five in the second half.
Riverstone crossed twice through Luke Roughley and winger Adam Wallace.
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