Penrith District Rugby League: St Marys turn season around with comeback, round 15 wrap

St Marys struck late at Leonay Oval to keep their season on track in local Penrith footy, but a nasty injury suggests their late heroics may have come at a heavy cost. Full wrap, R15.

Lachlan Crossley made another solid contribution for Cambridge Park. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

A heroic comeback has breathed new life into St Marys’ season, but their come-from-behind victory over Emu Plains appears to have come at a heavy cost.

Full wrap from all four round 15 matches.

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LATE SAINTS SURGE

St Marys have come from the clouds to upset Emu Plains 22-20 at Leonay Oval.

Winless in over a month, the Saints seemed headed for a third straight defeat when Isaac Thompson ghosted through the line to make it 20-10 with half an hour to play.

But with Aiden Glanville back calling the shots in the halves, Saints kicked again. The five-eighth out muscled three defenders to get his side with four on the hour, then with Emu Plains threatening to put the result to bed in the closing minutes, he struck with the play of the day.

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Defending his own line, Glanville showed the reflexes of a cat, latching onto a Nick Hancock kick and scooting 70m upfield before being dragged down. With the defence in tatters, winger Sione Lino burrowed over out wide for his second try of the day.

Needing to convert from out wide to win the game, Glanville stepped up again, landing the match-winning kick with a sweet strike off his left boot.

It was a bitter blow for the home side, who looked good in attack following the return of Jarrod Brackenhofer.

Despite the absence of captain-coach John Faiumu to an ankle injury, St Marys still got the job done with a crucial victory that leaves them in fourth place with three rounds to play.

“It was a good grinding win,” said Faiumu.

“Over the past few weeks teams have been finishing stronger than us, and it’s something we needed to address heading into the back-end of the season.

“It’s good to have Aiden back from a broken thumb. He has lots of skills and is very good at reading the play.”

While impressed with the upfront efforts of his team, Faiumu said there was mixed news for the St Marys pack.

“I thought our middles were great, they stayed in the grind and continued pushing forward,” he said.

“ Penita Tuavao was given the captaincy and led from the front, his energy was great, but unfortunately he didn’t finish the game and looks to have broken his arm.”

Despite the loss, Emu remain in third place, one-point ahead of St Marys.

Penita Tuavao had a mixed day for St Marys. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

WINDSOR GO BIG WITH 12

Windsor moved another step closer to the minor premiership after the Wolves cruised past Brothers, recording their ninth straight win with a 52-12 victory.

The only blemish for the Wolves came just before halftime when Sam Hollis was sent off following a verbal exchange. Windsor held a commanding 26-0 lead when the prop was marched, and despite playing a man short, kicked on to post 10 tries.

Connor Potter-Jugovac finished with a try and six conversions. On the wing, Jeshua Maa-Nelson had another day out with a hat-trick, while former Saints centre Xavior Vaoliko Savesi notched a double.

Both Brothers four-pointers came after the break and were scored by Issac Petrus and winger Siaosi Huihui.

Windsor’s Sam Hollis was sent off in the win over Brothers. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

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CAMBO FLEX MUSCLES

Cambridge Park are well on the way to locking down second spot on the ladder following a 20-14 win over St Clair at Allsopp Patterson.

After an even opening where tries were traded, Cambo gained the ascendancy nearing halftime when skipper Lachlan Crossley powered through the middle for Jacob Swann-Knight to dot down under the posts.

Leading by six nearing the hour, Cambo halfback Michael Tuavao turned on the class with a trademark solo effort through the Comets’ left edge defence to make it 14-4.

Showing he’s still got the pace to mix it with the best, Robert Henderson gave St Clair hope when the veteran centre hit top gear and narrowed the gap to four points with a length of the field effort in the 62nd minute.

But hopes of a comeback were rocked when Rhys Falconer burrowed over for his second to make it 20-10. With time almost up, Comets’ backrower Kobe King dashed over for a consolation try.

After the loss and with St Marys’ victory over Emu Plains, St Clair have slipped to fifth on the table, but remain six clear of Colyton in sixth spot.

Lachlan Crossley was strong upfront for Cambridge Park. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

JETS CASH IN

Another week, another $500 in the bank for Minchinbury after the Jets outclassed Riverstone 58-6 to strengthen their grip on the weekly Don Feltis Challenge Cup.

Following a slow start to the season, the Jets have now won two straight and continue to improve with every outing.

Of the 11 tries, Brad Pittman, Anthony Tulua and five-eighth Drew Lloyd all scored doubles. Lloyd also had a big day with the boot, landing seven conversions.

Riverstone fullback Luke Roughley crossed for his side’s only four-pointer.