Local Rugby League Wrap: All the latest local footy news from the big leagues around New South Wales 12/13 July
Canterbury’s HNWP program continued on the good fortune of the NRLW side, while Mudgee survived a major scare in the Peter McDonald Premiership. See it all in our statewide wrap.
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The cases are being mounted for NRLW spots after some strong performances in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership.
In Illawarra a new finals contender emerged, while the battle in Cronulla took another twist.
Catch up on it all in our Local Rugby League Wrap:
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HARVEY NORMAN WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP
Tess Staines continued to push her claims for an NRLW club debut with the Knights after her second four-try effort in the space of a fortnight.
The new recruit ballooned her tally to eight tries from the opening two games as Newcastle crushed Wentworthville 40-6 at Ringrose Park.
She had a double inside 12 minutes and four by the time the 46th minute came along as the Knights improved to 2-0.
South Sydney staged a second-half comeback to keep its unbeaten run alive, snatching a point in a 22-all draw with Penrith.
The Panthers looked well on their way to a thumping victory when they led 22-4 at halftime.
That’s when the Rabbitohs clicked into gear with Jazmon Tupou-Witchman, Kiana Rae and Rebecca O’Brien all crossing.
Mounties flexed its attacking muscles once again with a dominant 46-22 win over Cronulla.
Despite trailing early, Mounties piled on seven unanswered tries to race out to a 40-10 advantage, powered by doubles from Elise Simpson and Tyler Pelligra.
Canterbury is on the board in 2025 after coming from behind to down the Wests Tigers 12-10.
The Tigers held a 10-0 margin through to the 47th minute, before the Bulldogs exploded with three tries in nine minutes, including a double to Sarahcen Oliver.
Illawarra scored three tries in the final 12 minutes to knock off Parramatta 22-12.
Maddie Studdon took over in the home stretch, firstly putting Jessica Patea over before doing the same with a short ball on the chest of Mackenzie Lear in the closing stages to seal the win.
A hat-trick to Anabelle Ross inspired the Central Coast Roosters to a 22-12 defeat of St Geoge at Kogarah.
STANDINGS: Newcastle 4, Mounties 4, Illawarra 4, Penrith 3, South Sydney 3, Central Coast 2, Canterbury 2, Cronulla 2, Parramatta 0, Wests Tigers 0, St George 0, Wentworthville 0
CANBERRA
There’s now a five-point gap between the top-two and the pack after the Queanbeyan Blues downed West Belconnen 34-22.
Tom Haddad and Kylan Edwards helped the Warriors to a 14-12 lead midway through the first half, before the Blues went on a run.
They were able to close out the game strongly in their ninth win of the season.
The Blues share top spot with Queanbeyan neighbours the Kangaroos after they crushed Woden Valley 58-8.
Jesse Dent scored a double and Kain Anderson a hat-trick as they continued their hot form.
Tuggeranong staged a late comeback to defeat Belconnen United 30-28.
The Bushrangers found themselves down eight with seven to play, when Lachlan Davis made that margin two when he sliced through the defence.
Then it was Jayden Pollard’s second that completed the comeback in the same corner to keep their finals hopes alive.
Two tries to Dakai Bolatagici helped Gungahlin record a 36-18 victory over Yass.
STANDINGS: Queanbeyan Kangaroos 18, Queanbeyan Blues 18, West Belconnen 13, Woden Valley 11, Gungahlin 10, Tuggeranong 10, Belconnen United 7, Goulburn City 5, Yass 4
Belconnen United proved too strong for Tuggeranong, running out 32-14 winners at Bruce in the Katrina Fanning Shield.
They opened up an 18-0 lead and were never headed, with a 12-point haul from Halle Constable.
Yass and Gungahlin were unable to be split, finishing tied at 20-all.
Hayley Cahill scored a double for the Magpies in a back-and-forth encounter, with Hayley Liddle scoring with 15 minutes to play to lock the scores.
STANDINGS: West Belconnen 13, Woden Valley 13, Belconnen United 10, Gungahlin 9, Yass 7, Tuggeranong 4, Goulburn City 0
GROUP 9
The competition had a league-wide bye round.
ILLAWARRA
Corrimal continues to find its best, making it three wins from its last four games after smashing De La Salle 36-0.
The Cougars were able to set the pace early with Tom Carr and Brody Rigg crossing inside the opening six minutes.
Their 18-0 halftime lead swelled out on the back of a Brandon Morkos double to keep them in the finals picture.
Wests recovered from a slow start to down Dapto 22-6.
Campbell Lyons gave the Canaries a dream start, but Dane Chisolm responded with a double to give the Devils the lead.
Lachlan Hurst and George Jennings struck early in the second half to seal the result.
They’re all chasing Collegians, who remain four points clear at the top of the table after crushing Thirroul 40-12.
James Lee scored a double in the win.
STANDINGS: Collegians 16, Wests 12, De La Salle 10, Dapto 10, Thirroul 6, Corrimal 6
NEWCASTLE
Kurri Kurri made it back-to-back wins after edging out Lakes United 22-14 at Cahill Oval.
Dylan Phythian had an eventful first half, scoring the Seagulls’ only try before being sent to the sin bin for a shove to the face just before the break.
Brodie Linnane scored with the extra-man advantage to give the Bulldogs a 14-6 lead at halftime.
He set up a try upon his return and scored a second, but it wasn’t enough with a Linnane double lifting Kurri to a key win.
Wyong maintains a share of top spot after downing the Northern Hawks 26-14.
The Roos played from in front and opened up a 26-4 lead early in the second half before the Hawks posted two in quick succession to give themselves a fighting chance.
A double to Travis May wasn’t enough for the Macquarie Scorpions to overcome Cessnock, with the Goannas surging to a 28-12 win.
Cessnock was in full control throughout, before a late sin bin to Jayden Young allowed the Scorpions a late score.
Central Newcastle’s winning run is now at five after they took down South Newcastle on the road 28-12.
Big guns Ty Fletcher and Tyrone Nean both scored doubles as they continue their climb up the ladder ahead of a catch-up clash with Wyong on Wednesday.
STANDINGS: Maitland 19, Wyong 19, Wests 16, Cessnock 16, The Entrance 16, Central 14, Souths 14, Kurri Kurri 14, Lakes United 10, Macquarie 10, Northern Hawks 2
Lakes United was clinical in a 32-0 defeat of Wests.
Their 12-0 halftime advantage continued to grow throughout the second half with Kirby Maslin powering over in the opening exchanges.
Montana Shoesmith scored a double as Central Newcastle downed the Northern Hawks 30-12.
Maitland maintains top spot after defeating South Newcastle 20-6.
Mercydes Faaeteete Metcalf had a big impact off the bench with two tries, countering out a double from Lions winger Jas Whitelaw.
STANDINGS: Maitland 16, Lakes United 15, Central 12, Souths 9, Wests 6, Northern Hawks 6
PETER MCDONALD PREMIERSHIP
Mudgee overcame a huge scare at the hands of the bottom-placed Bathurst Panthers, eventually finding enough to score 30-16.
Bathurst led 10-0 through 15 minutes, before Pacey Stockton scored on the halftime siren to lift the Dragons.
They clicked into gear in the second half, with Stockton adding a second to seal the win.
Bathurst St Pats had to survive a late comeback from Lithgow, prevailing 24-20.
They looked to be in full control at 24-10 up on the back of a Peter Dagi double.
But Riley Dukes picked up his second for the Wolves and Kadiyae Ioka helped set up a grandstand finish with one last set.
Chad Porter scored a hat-trick with Jack Smith and Harrison Leadbitter adding doubles as Forbes crushed Dubbo Macquarie 60-0.
The CYMS took out the battle of Orange, downing the Hawks 34-18.
A slender 12-6 lead became unassailable with three tries early in the second half to keep Orange CYMS in a share of top spot.
Dubbo CYMS holds onto top spot on points differential after a comfortable 26-6 defeat of Wellington.
Jamil Hopoate got over the line and Connor Elwood had a hat-trick as Nyngan scored a 48-24 win over Parkes.
STANDINGS: Dubbo CYMS 18, Mudgee 18, Orange CYMS 18, Forbes 17, Bathurst St Pats 14, Wellington 14, Orange Hawks 11, Nyngan 8, Parkes 8, Dubbo Macquarie 8, Lithgow 4, Bathurst Panthers 4
SOUTHERN CORRIDOR
Cronulla Caringbah raced in seven tries to keep pace with the top dogs in the Southern Corridor comp, downing Helensburgh 32-12.
Both Jashana Teuawiri and Mahana Sijp posted doubles as they held onto outright third spot on the ladder.
The Oaks kept its finals hopes alive with a key victory over fellow Macarthur team Campbelltown City, coming out on top 42-12.
The likes of Abbie Hamilton, Darcy Eade and Katie Stevens were all able to cross the line as they moved to within two points of fourth.
Campbelltown Collegians was forced to work hard, but ultimately took down Shellharbour 30-22.
Lock Teina Clark starred with a double and a personal haul of 18 points to keep the Sharks at bay.
STANDINGS: Corrimal 26, Campbelltown Collegians 24, Cronulla Caringbah 23, Helensburgh 20, Shellharbour 20, The Oaks 18, Campbelltown City 14
SOUTHERN SYDNEY
There are four teams locked into top spot in a thrilling Cronulla competition after Joeys knocked off Gymea 20-16 at Kareela Oval.
The defending champs made an emphatic statement, leading 20-0 early in the second half by the time Jack Keady scored.
Gymea launched a late comeback, with Nicholas Pantelis’ second of the afternoon bringing the margin back to four.
They had one last play, but bizarrely attempted a two-point field goal, enough for Joeys to scrape home.
Engadine put in a strong showing, but ultimately was no match for Bosco who prevailed 24-8.
The Bulldogs led just 6-0 at the break, before Blake Wardrobe was able to complete his second hat-trick in as many weeks to guide them home.
STANDINGS: Bosco 29, Gymea 29, De La Salle 29, Joeys 29, Como Jannali 16, Engadine 12
WOODBRIDGE CUP
Eugowra was back to its blistering best with a thumping 58-6 win over Grenfell.
The Golden Eagles raced in 11 tries to one, led by a Jourdain Girot-Serplet hat-trick and a double to Curtis Wykamp.
An off day with the boot kept Molong in the contest, but title contenders Manildra proved too strong with a 22-6 victory.
Jayden Fahey scored a double for the Rtinhos to keep them just one win off top spot.
Orange United was too strong for Peak Hill to the tune of 59-18.
Matthew O’Neill and Ethan Bereyne both scored twice for the Warriors as they remained in a share of fourth.
One of the teams they’re tied with is Trundle, who were able to grind out a 36-28 win over Condobolin.
The Rams led 18-0 before the Boomers were able to tie things up at the break.
Tom Aveyard scored twice in the second half to see Trundle get home.
Canowindra was never tested as they smashed Cargo 72-10.
Joshua Cooney scored twice as 12 Tigers hit the scoresheet.
STANDINGS: Oberon 22, Manildra 20, Cowra 20, Canowindra 16, Orange United 16, Trundle 16, Peak Hill 13, Eugowra 12, Condobolin 12, Molong 11, Grenfell 6, Cargo 4
Originally published as Local Rugby League Wrap: All the latest local footy news from the big leagues around New South Wales 12/13 July
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