Local Rugby League Wrap: All the latest local footy news from the big leagues around New South Wales
A former NRL star saw red, one club honoured a fallen Bali bombings teammate and teams kept their unbeaten streak alive in NSW’s strongest comp. Catch up on all the headlines from around the state in our local footy wrap.
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A host of competitions returned from the Easter break, paying tribute to Anzac Day with the return of footy.
Illawarra’s Harrigan Cup commenced with late drama and thrilling finishes.
Here’s the latest from across NSW in our Local Footy Wrap:
CANBERRA
The Queanbeyan Blues surged to the top of the Canberra Raiders Cup standings with a comprehensive 38-10 defeat of Gungahlin.
They opened up a 22-0 lead at the break, before the Bulls struck twice in the second half to give themselves a fighting hope, only for the Blues to swiftly shut the door on them.
Cody Bell scored a hat-trick for Yass, but it wasn’t enough to give them their first win of the season, falling 40-24 to Woden Valley at home.
Belconnen United remained undefeated with a gritty 32-24 defeat of Goulburn City.
Goulburn held a slender lead early in the second half, before the Sharks stormed home with three of the next four tries to finish on top.
Fullback Ryan McQueen scored all three of West Belconnen’s tries in their 16-12 victory over Tuggeranong.
He completed his hat-trick in style with some fancy footwork to put his side ahead 20 minutes from full-time and secure a lead they would not relinquish.
In the Katrina Fanning Shield, front rower Jessica Nicholas turned in a performance for the ages, scoring a hat-trick in Belconnen United’s 38-0 shutout of Goulburn City.
Halle Constable also had a double in the dominant display.
Lara Cosgrove was the hero for Woden Valley in a narrow 16-14 victory over Yass on the road.
With the Rams trailing in the second half, Cosgrove scored what would prove to be the winner when she got the ball on halfway and sprinted through the Magpies defence, stepping her way to a brilliant solo effort.
West Belconnen was at its clinical best, recording a 26-6 victory over Tuggeranong.
GROUP 9
The boot of Jared McKinnon proved decisive for Temora as they snuck home with a 22-20 victory over Southcity.
Trailing 22-10 at the break, Joseph Graham and Jesse Fitzhenry helped the Bulls get within a score, but they were unable to land the killer blow.
Wagga Kangaroos had to survive a late scare to escape Gundagai with a 22-18 win.
Zeik Foster’s try in the 70th minute opened up a 12-point margin that looked to be enough, before Eparama Navuki completed his hat-trick to give the Tigers a last shot at victory.
Nick Hogarth and Ratu Saurara ran in doubles as Junee put the cleaners through Wagga Brothers with a 50-10 demolition.
Cootamundra went close to recording its first win since reinstatement in the Group 9 competition, narrowly going down to Tumut 22-16.
Young made it back-to-back demolition jobs, taking care of Albury 44-10.
The Cherrypickers led 18-6 at the break in a tight tussle, before racing in five tries in the second half to complete the victory in style.
ILLAWARRA
Callum Gromek was the hero for Collegians in a thrilling 28-26 victory over Wests in the first round of the Harrigan Cup.
The Devils looked to have done enough when Phoenix Vetenibua-Finnerty crossed for his third try of the night with six minutes to play.
That’s when a miracle happened.
Zach Herring put a chip into the in-goal that completely stopped in a heavy puddle, with Gromek there to ground the ball.
De La Salle made an impressive start to its season, running in six tries in a 30-12 defeat of Thirroul.
Jason Gillard scored a double for Dapto as they ran out 36-22 victors against Corrimal.
Saifiti Junior Saifiti had two tries for the Cougars in defeat.
NEWCASTLE
Western Suburbs made it three wins to start the season after knocking off Central Newcastle 28-12.
Racing out to a 22-0 lead, the Rosellas made a big statement to continue their unbeaten run, with the Butcher Boys their biggest scalp to date.
Patrick Achurch scored a double in the win.
Former first grader Dylan Phythian scored a double for Lakes United as it improved to 2-1 with a comfortable 32-10 win over The Entrance.
Wyong put together a strong defensive effort to overcome the Northern Hawks 24-12.
The two sides were locked at 12-all late in the first half before the Roos struck twice, before holding out the Hawks for the entire second half.
Cessnock resigned Macquarie to its third loss of the season after prevailing 40-22.
The boot of Brock Lamb proved the difference in the end as Maitland overcame South Newcastle 20-18.
The Pickers held a comfortable eight-point margin late in the contest before Ethan Fowles scored in the closing stages to give them one last shot at a comeback, to which they ultimately fell short.
SOUTHS JUNIORS
Horrendous weather conditions in the southeast saw Sunday’s two A-grade games postponed.
On Saturday it was the Wombats who prevailed in the battle of Coogee, downing the Dolphins 26-16 and claiming the Gary and Shane Foley Shield.
Shane played for both clubs before his tragic passing in the Bali bombings of 2002.
The Dolphins struck first through Mitchell Kelly, before Tahi Sue scored the first of his three tries.
James Kokkinos scored right on halftime to give the Wombats a slender lead, and despite a double from James Stewart they were able to hold on in front of a healthy crowd at Marcellin Fields.
Redfern recorded its second win of the season with a 40-6 victory on the road against Marrickville.
SOUTHERN SYDNEY
A fiery finish saw tempers flare over in a 20-all draw between Gymea and De La Salle.
With time winding down and the Gorillas in front by four, a high shot from Mitch Wynn drew the angst of Andrew Fifita, with both men sent to the sin bin.
Fale Lualua received the ball on what would prove to be the last play of the game, hurling a hail Mary pass out to winger Conor McFadden to score in the corner and give them a shot at winning on the buzzer.
The kick was waved away with the two sides splitting the points.
Como Jannali picked up its first win of the season when downing Engadine 20-10.
WOODBRIDGE CUP
Cowra’s unbeaten start to the Woodbridge Cup season continued with an entertaining 38-36 victory over Eugowra.
Halfback Ricky Whitton starred with two tries and an 18-point haul as the Magpies prevailed over the Golden Eagles in a shootout.
Manildra improved to 3-0 after showing no mercy at home to the Blayney Bears, racing out big 66-6 winners.
A hat-trick to Will Petrie capped off the 12-try effort.
They’re joined at the top by Orange United, who were too strong for Grenfell to the tune of 38-8.
The Warriors had to overcome the setback of two sin binnings throughout the contest, with Kyran Ah-See scoring a double and spending time in the bin.
Oberon got the job done early as they downed Condoblin 30-18.
The Tigers opened up a big advantage before the Rams stormed home with all three of their tries in the final 20 minutes.
Kade Barrow kicked the winning goal as Molong took down Trundle 16-14 in a thriller at the Molong Recreation Ground.
They scored in the final minute of play, with Barrow calmly slotting their conversion to give them the win.
Canowindra climbed into a prominent position, claiming their second win of the season courtesy of a 22-14 win over Peak Hill.
Originally published as Local Rugby League Wrap: All the latest local footy news from the big leagues around New South Wales
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