Penrith District Rugby League: Round six wrap, Windsor Wolves in control

Windsor hit the road on Saturday evening to kick off round six of the Don Feltis Cup with a clash against Brothers. See how the action unfolded and catch all the reaction from Parker Street.

Luke McDonald scored a spectacular try in Windsor’s 34-6 win over Brothers on Saturday night. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

Brothers and Windsor kicked off round six of the Don Feltis Cup on Saturday night.

See how the action unfolded and catch all the latest from Parker Street Reserve.

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YOUNG AND OLD SEE WOLVES HOME

Windsor are back in the winners’ circle after the Wolves unleashed a potent mix of veterans and rising juniors to overrun Brothers 34-6 in slippery conditions on Saturday evening.

Pat Hollis proved lethal on the left edge. Still finding his feet after years away from the game, the tearaway backrower and former Penrith Panther returned to his line-bending best, scoring two of Windsor’s seven tries as they notched their fourth win of the season.

A focal point of the Wolves’ attack, Hollis struck the first blow in the fourth minute, and they almost crossed from the restart when captain Eton Lindsay thundered into the back field.

Prop Bowen Ryan reached across to score next to the posts in the 12th minute, and shortly after, Brothers narrowed the gap to 10-6 through Ray Mikaele, who combined footwork and strength from close range.

As light rain fell, both sides were guilty of turning over possession. But with superior field position, Windsor headed to halftime with a commanding 20-6 advantage following a couple of late four-pointers to teenage No.9 Lachlan Faint and winger Luke McDonald.

The second half started much like the first, with Hollis converting a repeat set into points, and the score remained 24-6 until Windsor posted another two in the final 10 minutes.

Halfback Connor Potter-Jugovac pounced on a grubber to score first, and he was joined on the scoresheet by Jeshua Maa-Nelson when the tireless winger was rewarded for a fine all-round performance.

Coming off a narrow loss to St Marys, Lindsay said he was impressed with the turnaround and commitment of his team.

“Coming off last week, we had a big focus on defence and winning the ruck and I think we did really well for most of the game,” said Lindsay.

“Our intention was to get them on the back foot straight up. And with Patty on that edge, especially one-on-one, he’s always going to find his front and often get over the line.”

TURNING POINT

Nearing the break and trailing by 10, Brothers attacked from close range and threatened to reduce to deficit to less than a converted try.

But the momentum shifted when fullback Ben Attard defused a potentially dangerous grubber kick. Unfazed by the pressure of oncoming traffic, the teenager scooped up the ball and quickly broke clear before he was eventually rounded up on halfway.

In the same set, Hollis cracked the game open, bumping away from defenders to send McDonald flying into the left corner for an unassailable 14-point lead.

“We’re very lucky to have the depth we have,” said Lindsay.

“Benny’s come up from C-grade (under-19s), and you’ve got to have him in your side. He’s a halfback, he’s a fullback – he plays anywhere and just has a lot of enthusiasm.

“We’ve brought in a few of the boys. Daniel Hoogenboom made his first grade debut in the same side as his brother Brad. Bringing them up just improves our depth across the board.”

Windsor captain Eton Lindsay was happy with his side’s return to form. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

TOUGH START

It was another tough outing for Damien Lane’s men. Weighed down by a lack of ball, they battled gamely despite falling to a fifth consecutive defeat.

Mikaele was a bright spot upfront, while in the backs, Issac Petrus ran with purposes and hit with intent in defence.

When Brothers did manage to control possession for multiple sets midway through the second half, hooker Cooper Bonney showed glimpses of his attacking potential in and around the ruck.

Full round wrap to follow.