Penrith District Rugby League: Round seven talking points, full round wrap
Nearing the halfway point of the Penrith RL season, several sides need a change of fortune. Although one team just turned the corner and hopes to extend a growing curse. Round 7 talking points.
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After round seven of local Penrith footy, there’s a cluster of sides hoping for an immediate change of fortune is we approach the halfway point of the season.
That said, Colyton may have just turned the corner and be on the way to extending a lengthening curse.
All that and more, round seven talking points.
ST MARYS READY TO POUNCE
It’s been a tough start to the season for St Marys. Coming off consecutive losses to competition heavyweights Windsor and Emu Plains, last season’s minor premiers have slumped to eighth spot on the ladder.
The next two rounds against a resurgent Minchinbury and Glenmore Park could determine their finals destiny.
CHANGE OF FORTUNE
Glenmore Park is another side desperate for a change of fortune. Cursed by injuries, the Brumbies were run down by Brothers in round six, while last weekend a late forward pass cost them a comeback victory over Cambridge Park.
But they don’t have to look far for inspiration. Colyton negotiated a similar rough patch, before coming out the other side to upset Windsor.
COLYTON NOT DONE YET
Still on the Colts. Following last week’s big scalp, Colyton coach Scott Thompson said he can’t see his side is resting on their laurels.
“At our best, I believe we are a top three or four side,” he said.
“It doesn’t get any easier next week against Emu Plains, but we have to back up with another strong performance.”
NEW JETS
Minchinbury remain winless after seven outings, but the 60-point hidings from their first three matches seem a world away.
Edging closer to putting two good halves together, the Jets have a handful of new signings and can’t be far away from a major upset.
ONE TO WATCH
Ladder leaders Emu Plains have scored the most points after seven rounds, so it's no surprise they have four players among the top five try scorers.
Josh Baravilala is the odd man out. In a struggling St Marys combination, the quick-stepping speedster has crossed on seven occasions in just four appearances.
COLTS CURSE
In a comp that’s becoming more unpredictable by the week, Emu Plains coach Darren Bell will head to Cec Blinkhorn Oval on Sunday with a touch of nerves.
“We haven’t beaten Colyton in two years. We drew 16-all last year, and in 2022 they beat us twice.” said Bell.
ROUND EIGHT (SUNDAY, JUNE 2)
Cambridge Park v Brothers, Allsopp Patterson Oval
Colyton v Emu Plains, Cec Blinkhorn Oval
St Clair v Glenmore Park, Peppertree Sporting Complex
St Marys v Minchinbury, St Marys Leagues Stadium
ROUND SEVEN WRAP
After a slow start that included several near misses, Colyton caught the entire league by surprise on Sunday with the boilover of the season.
Emu Plains faced an awkward hurdle, while Glenmore Park are gearing up to turn the corner.
Don Feltis Cup, round seven wrap.
COLTS IN BOILOVER
Colyton’s season is back on track after the Colts surprised the previously unbeaten Windsor Wolves 24-14 in the boilover of the season.
Entering the clash at Cec Blinkhorn Oval with just one victory under their belt, Scott Thompson’s men looked to be heading down a familiar path when Windsor opened a 10-0 lead.
Wolves winger Jamie Davidson scored after four minutes and when Tyrone Shelley crossed from a trademark dash, Windsor were well on the way to making it seven wins from as many starts.
Unfazed, a revamped Colyton slowly found their groove and after forcing repeat sets struck through replacement prop Leo Tupe in the shadows of halftime.
Desperate for a change of fortune after several narrow defeats, the Colts returned from the sheds and grabbed the lead in spectacular style. Dante Filipe-Otai steamed onto a BJ Hudd kick and with points on offer, the centre linked with Shaun Va’alepu to open a two-point advantage.
And the points continued to mount following a bust by new five-eighth Damon Finn. With Windsor on the back foot, Colts fullback Jesse Poulsen weaved through to score under the posts.
A James Stonestreet penalty goal gave Colyton a 20-10 lead before Windsor hit back through Kain Howarth in the 67th minute to trail by six.
With their winning streak under threat, Windsor put the foot down and threatened to level the scores through danger men Tori Willie and Connor Mason.
But Colyton’s defence held firm, and with time running out they celebrated the victory in style, when winger Keegan McGrann latched onto a Kohen Wright long ball to score out wide.
“We’ve had some disappointing losses to start the season,” said Thompson.
“Our completion rate has been poor, but we did some soul-searching during the bye and made same changes.
“I think we shocked them in the end. It was a great win for us, especially given we only used five interchanges because of a number of injuries.”
Asked to name his top performers, Thompson highlighted the importance of a couple of new faces.
“Damon Finn played No.6 and sparked our attack. Our pack was strengthened with Jordan Muna coming off the bench for his first game of the season, and prop Blake Hill was outstanding for the entire 80 minutes.”
CAMBRIDGE PARK HANG ON
Cambridge Park defeated Glenmore Park 32-24, but it was a near thing as a 12-man Brumbies surged late to almost snatch a miracle win at Ched Towns Reserve.
Following a dominant first half, Cambridge jumped clear 26-12 and seemed certain to go on with the job when Brumbies skipper Josh Fraser was sent off for verbal dissent in the 57th minute.
But in an extraordinary turnaround, Glenmore Park struck back against the odds through winger Jordan Shelley and trailed 26-24 when hooker Connor Moore charged over with three minutes to play.
Full of running, the Brumbies marched up field from the restart and when centre Kenneth Koro found an unmarked Shelley the comeback seemed complete. Unfortunately for Glenmore Park, Koro’s pass was ruled forward and Cambridge wrapped up the victory with a try to winger Sean Pokia in the final minute.
Will Broadhead was outstanding for Cambridge Park, the prop initiated a three-try blitz that turned the contest in the eight minutes before halftime.
Locked at 6-all, the No.13 spun free from several tackles to score under the posts, then paved the way for Pokia’s first with a crushing midfield charge. When Corey Simpson finished off an Ethan Wheeler bust, Cambridge Park jumped to a 20-6 halftime lead.
“That’s two weeks in a row we’ve lost a game we shouldn’t have,” said Brumbies coach Shawn Stevens.
“The three tries just before the break was where we lost the match. Although we almost got there, I thought the forward pass ruling was a 50:50 call.
“We’re still missing players through injury, and should improve as they return during the next month.”
On a brighter note, Stevens highlighted the efforts of 18-year-old winger Jacob Kelly who finished with a double on his first grade debut, including a long range intercept.
“Jacob is a local junior,” said Stevens. “He played a full game in C-grade at fullback and then backed up with 60 minutes in the top grade.”
“It was a strong performance, and it’s good to know he’s capable at the higher level.”
COMETS HOLD DOWN THIRD SPOT
St Clair cemented third spot on the table after the Comets overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Minchinbury 22-8.
Centre George Logo pounced on a Malakai Houia grubber to open the scoring for St Clair, but it was Minchinbury who enjoyed the better of the first half.
Winger Aisea Rarasea and centre Trent Winterstein both scored from cross-field kicks as the rapidly improving Jets headed to the sheds with an 8-4 lead.
St Clair regained the lead with half an hour to play, and wrapped up the victory with a couple of late tries.
Houia showed glimpses of his best throughout the match, and combined with Cameron Duroux to send Liam Pearce over in the left corner. Then in the final six minutes, halfback Bryson Demanuele worked a short side for Leha Fakatave to round out the scoring.
VICTORY MARRED BY SEND OFF
It was no ordinary day for Blake McDermott as Emu Plains accounted for St Marys 36-6 at Leonay Oval.
In a blistering 54-minute stint, the centre was a key figure in an almost perfect Emu Plains first half before being sent off for an old school coathanger tackle.
With a mountain of ball and field position, Emu Plains scored four first half tries to lead 22-6. McDermott, parked on the right edge, crossed twice and delivered a magic pass for Alex Myles to score another.
In a rare attacking opportunity, centre Josh Baravilala danced across for St Marys’ only joy just before the break.
Even without McDermott, Emu Plains were never threatened and added another three tries including a double to Daniel Warren and another to prop Beau Ferguson, who was among the best in a strong pack.
“That first half was the best we’ve played this year,” said Emu Plains coach Darren Bell, whose side now tops the ladder as the only unbeaten team.
“St Marys are a good side, but I was pleased with our patience with the ball and the character when we lost Blake.”
Already missing Geofery Duku to injury, and with McDermott facing a four-week suspension, Emu Plains will field a new centre combination against Colyton.
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