Penrith District Rugby League: Round three talking points, full wrap

There were plenty of positives to come out of the Anzac Day round in local Penrith footy, although it didn’t end well for one rising junior reps star. Latest talking points from round 3.

Emu Plains winger Nicholas Hancock is no stranger to running the length of the field to score a try. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

Here’s what’s making news after three rounds in local Penrith footy.

RELATED CONTENT: LOCAL PENRITH RL SEASON PREVIEW

SERIOUS INJURY TO U19S STAR

A serious leg injury caused a significant delay in the under-19s Division 1 match between Colyton and Brothers at Whalan Reserve last Sunday. In the second half, Colts five-eighth Junior Fagalele was heading towards the try line at top speed when he fell awkwardly during a tackle.

Extensive treatment was required on the field, leading to the match being completed on an adjacent field. The injury is a major setback for the promising playmaker, who recently completed a successful campaign in the SG Ball competition with the Western Suburbs Magpies.

On Tuesday evening, Colyton representative Scott Thompson provided an update on Junior’s condition, confirming that he suffered a dislocated right knee. X-rays showed no broken bones; however, the full extent of the damage won’t be known until a report from the MRI scan is provided.

Colyton’s Junior Fagalele during his SG Ball stint with Parramatta in 2024. Picture: Adam Wrightson Photography

RUNAWAY SPECIALIST

Emu Plains speedster Nicholas Hancock stole the show with his blistering effort that spanned the length of the field at Leonay Oval. However, this isn’t the first time he has outpaced St Clair in the top grade.

Filling in at fullback in round six last season, he torched the Comets in the second minute, racing a kick return 100m.

SEEING DOUBLE

With arguably the two biggest halfbacks on the books, Cambridge Park have left some fans second guessing themselves.

Used to seeing Marli Sini calling the shots in the No.7 jumper, many thought they were seeing double against Riverstone with Harry Lohia directing the play.

With Sini expected to return this week against St Marys, the guessing game is set to continue.

PROP DOWN

Beau Ferguson became the latest addition to a growing Emu Plains injury list in the dying stages of the win over St Clair.

The tireless prop came off second best while attempting to tackle Joseph Otuhiva following a restart.

“He was knocked out,” said captain-coach Tom Romer. “He ended up walking off the field, but we’ll miss him, he has to follow the 21-day stand-down period.”

St Clair prop Joseph Otuhiva is tough to handle with a head of steam. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

BYRD TAKES OFF

Campbell Byrd’s Anzac Day hat-trick is further proof of the fullback’s seamless transition to the Windsor backline.

Tough to contain in combination with popular five-eighth Tori Willie, Byrd is making a habit of finding the try line in the Anzac clash, having notched a double last season for Glenmore Park.

BLOCKBUSTERS

There’s a host of reasons to get out and support local footy this weekend. Seven months after they went to the wire in last season’s decider, Emu Plains and Colyton headline round four in the grand final rematch.

While both sides have made a subdued start to the season, they’re sure to have Leonay Oval rocking.

Speaking of rocking, St Marys can expect a vocal reception when they take on the vastly improved Cambo at Allsopp Patterson Oval in what promises to be a cracker.

ROUND FOUR (SUNDAY, MAY 4)

Windsor v Riverstone, Colonial Reserve

St Clair v Minchinbury, Peppertree Sporting Complex

Emu Plains v Colyton, Leonay Oval

Cambridge Park v St Marys, Allsopp Patterson Oval

Bye: Bothers

Former Glenmore Park fullback Campbell Byrd is now scoring tries for Windsor. Picture: Panthers Juniors

ROUND THREE WRAP

The Anzac Day tradition continued in the Don Feltis Cup with three blockbuster clashes in round three of local Penrith footy.

Colyton and Brothers closed out the round on Sunday. Full wrap from all four venues.

SOLO EFFORT SINKS COMETS

After a couple of false starts, Emu Plains are on the board after they edged out St Clair 14-8 to record their first win of the season.

In a gritty affair between two sides destined to finish at the pointy end of the ladder, it was a moment of brilliance from young Emu Plains winger Nicholas Hancock that proved the difference at Leonay Oval.

With the scores locked at 4-all early in the second half, the No.2 retreated behind his own try line to recover an attacking Liam Vella grubber kick.

Replying with interest, the illusive speedster exploded into the backfield and then raced the length of the field to score a stunning four-pointer.

Nicholas Hancock changed the game for Emu Plains. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

New Emu recruit Jarrod Brackenhofer showed glimpses of class. Typically busy in attack, the No.6 helped winger Kailub Smith cross in the first half, while Greg Alderson continued his strong start to the season.

Leading 8-4, the big centre almost found the line in the 67th minute, but with the St Clair defence shot to pieces, hooker Albert Mahe dived across from dummy-half to seal the result.

Winger Liam Pearce pegged one back for the visitors in the closing stages, but it wasn’t enough to stop the reigning premiers from scoring their first win in three starts.

“The monkey is finally off our back,” said relieved Emu Plains captain-coach, Tom Romer.

“We still haven't gelled with the ball, but we pride ourselves on defence and that has kept us in each game.

“Jarrod was good for us, but it has been a challenge with different halves each week. Now it looks like we’ll be without our halfback Cam Williams who finished with an injured ankle.”

In a contest that was willing through centrefield, Romer was delighted with his team's effort across the park.

“Ryan Starr was excellent in the back row,” he said.

“Aiden Tosswill got through a stack of work off the bench, and our back five all stepped up with strong carries.”

WOLVES ON FIRE

Windsor turned on the flair to sink Minchinbury 30-12 as the Wolves maintained their unbeaten record before a healthy home crowd on Anzac Day.

Coming off a draw with reigning champions Emu Plains, Windsor were kept in check for the majority of the opening half by a vastly improved Jets.

It took some brilliance from Windsor veteran Tori Willie to open the floodgates. After stepping across and slamming the ball under the crossbar, the Wolves immediately clicked into gear and headed to the break with a 12-0 lead.

With the likes of Frank Toomalatai leading the charge through the middle, Willi and fullback recruit Campbell Byrd came into their own.

Windsor’s Luke McDonald scored a runaway try in the win over Minchinbury. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

After cutting against the grain to score before the break, Byrd combined with Willi to score his second and backed up on the hour to complete a well deserved hat-trick.

Minchinbury tried hard, but it simply wasn’t their day. With points on offer in the dying stages, Luke McDonald scooped up a Marley Skeen grubber and ran the length of the field to make it 30-0.

Skeen eventually crossed for the Jets following a determined change by Anthony Tulua, and they had the last say when Brad Pittman barged over in the last minute.

CAMBO HAT-TRICK

Cambridge Park extended its unbeaten start to the season to three victories with a commanding 38-12 win over Riverstone.

In a much improved showing, Riverstone held their own in the first half and headed to the sheds at 10-all, before the home side raced away after the break with five unanswered tries.

Centre Jumon Siulai muscled over for the Razorbacks first, and when hooker Connor Moore burrowed across in the 18th minute, the visitors hit the front 10-6.

Winger Sione Haumono levelled the scores five minutes before half time, and much to the delight of a boisterous Allsopp Oval crowd, Cambridge Park went on with the job.

Some hot hands opened the way for back-rower Kobi Collins to cross, and when lock George Talatonu found the line in the 62nd minute the score had blown out to 32-10.

The locals scored another before Riverstone closed out the contest in unusual circumstances through Elijah Tua, who slotted a penalty goal after the final siren.

Kobi Collins scored a try for Cambridge Park. Photographer: Warren Gannon Photography

COLTS HALF RETURNS TO HAUNT BROTHERS

Colyton halfback Harrison Reid-Porter has returned to haunt his former club Brothers, turning on a masterclass as the Colts opened their account with a 36-10 victory.

In a vital clash, both sides headed to Whalan Reserve eager to secure their first victory, and it was Brothers who set the early running with tries to centre Zane Lang and Jarrod Considine before a double to Colyton centre Jye Bolt made it 10-all at halftime.

Colyton’s Harrison Reid-Porter was unstoppable against Brothers. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

Reid-Porter had the ball on a string for the Colts. He had a hand in Bolt’s first try and returned after the break to torch his ex-teammates.

The No.7 busted clear to send Jesse Poulsen across, and the fullback nabbed his second in the 50th minute when raced onto a Reid-Porter pass to make it 22-10.

Having dished off for his teammates, the No.7 then closed out the match with a double of his own.

After pouncing on his own grubber kick, he backed up to score off a Lifi Tia-Kilifi offload.