Penrith District Rugby League: Underdogs and comebacks, round seven wrap

Despite a week of heavy rain, local Penrith RL officials got the better of Sydney’s weather and the players didn’t let anyone down in round seven of the Don Feltis Cup. FULL WRAP

Despite a week of heavy rain, local Penrith RL officials got the better of Sydney’s weather and the players didn’t let anyone down in round seven of the Don Feltis Cup.

We start off with a full wrap of Windsor versus Cambridge Park. Wraps from the three other games to follow on Monday.

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NEXT MAN UP

An undermanned Windsor have flexed their muscles, showing depth is no problem as the Wolves bedded down second place on the ladder with a convincing 36-14 win over Cambridge Park.

In response to Sydney’s relentless weather, the round seven fixture was pushed back to Sunday and relocated to the Ponds Stadium in a double header alongside Emu Plains and Riverstone.

Missing three of last week’s starting forwards including captain Eton Lindsay, a new look Windsor tackled Cambridge Park’s fearsome pack head on as they opened a commanding 20-8 halftime lead.

Both sides struck twice in the first 25 minutes. Marli Sini was at his ball-playing best for Cambridge Park, sucking in several defenders before delivering the final pass for Rhys Falconer and John Vunga.

Playing off the back foot, Jeshua Maa-Nelson lifted his teammates when the winger got Windsor off the mark with an intercept try, before Samuel Coe added another when the fullback struck from dummy -half following back-to-back sets.

Daniel Arona was a driving force for the Wolves. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

Leading 12-8, fill-in Windsor skipper Frank Toomalatai led from the front just before the break. Shortly after Cambo had turned away multiple attacking raids, the busy lock forced the ball under the posts, and the margin quickly ballooned to 12 with a Connor Potter-Jugovac penalty goal.

After the interval, Windsor’s Luke McDonald returned to the type of form that saw him selected on the wing in last season’s Luke Lewis Cup. First, the No.2 finished off a dazzling run from Coe, before breaking clear on a kick return that led to a Ben Attard try to make it 30-14 with 15 minutes to play.

While most were left surprised by the magnitude of Windsors’ victory, proud coach Dennis Curry sensed something was brewing late last week.

“I actually named the team on Thursday night, and I named it with confidence,” said Curry, knowing several of his regulars would be honouring previously planned arrangements.

“I’ve got belief in these boys. You know, it doesn’t matter what age group they come from, or what grade they’ve played before. I know they’re going to do a job for us.”

Lachlan Crossley took Cambridge Park forward. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

And upfront there were none better than props Jordan Hannon and Daniel Arona. In a fantastic battle in the middle, the pair held their own in the face of strong performances from Lachlan Crossley and hard hitting backrower, Kobi Collins.

“We knew they were going to be a lot bigger than us,” said Curry.

“But our boys have trained hard and I knew that would probably help in the back end of that game.

“Big Daniel was really good for us, he’s a senior leader and goes well. We missed our captain today but Frankie took over and played a big role for us.”

DOUBLE BIN BLOW

Down 18-8 just seconds before the break, Cambo would have banked on their strike power to turn the tide in the second half.

But in a double moment of madness, their hopes of a comeback vaporised when John Hanson and Rjaay Tautalaga were both marched to the sin bin for verbal dissent.

Making the most of the two man advantage, McDonald crossed for his try four minutes before the pair returned to the field.

NO FEAR

While they left home empty-handed, the Cambridge Park forwards didn’t miss with a few well directed punishing tackles.

Kobi Collins dished out one of the best. Charging off the line, the lightning backrower blindsided William Jansen with the hit of the day.