Casuarina Cougars continue charge towards Darwin rugby union finals with decisive win over Palmerston Crocs

CASUARINA Cougars captain Mark Ross was proud of his side’s win over Palmerston but feels they need to address discipline as they progress in the Darwin A-grade rugby union competition

Casuarina and Palmerston forwards contest the ball in the lineout. Picture: Glenn Campbell

CASUARINA Cougars captain Mark Ross was proud of his side’s front foot efforts in their 34-17 win over Palmerston but felt his side would need to address discipline as they progress further in the Darwin A-grade rugby union competition.

Cougars managed six tries in the win with coach Joe Albert dotting down twice at the number 8 position.

Trey Crowley, Daniel Heikkinen, Suliasi Tavodi and Joshua Phillips also scored for the winning side.

However, discipline woes got the better of the Casuarina outfit at times with two yellow cards giving Palmerston a bite at the line through Daniel Norris and Isaaka Tekopua.

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“It was a hard effort. Palmerston did well with back-to-back games for a lot of their guys. It was a tough grind, a bit sloppy but the boys picked it up,” Ross told the NT News.

“We were getting on the front foot through the phases. Our discipline let them into the game a little bit but our front foot ball from our forwards got us over the line.”

Cougars will now have one eye on preparing for the finals after scoring their fourth win of the season.

Cougars now sit second only behind the undefeated University Pirates.

“We’ve got to look at our discipline as we let a few too many penalties go which resulted in two yellow cards,” Ross said.

“Our biggest loss was by five points so we have been in the contest every game and are in the fight for the title when it comes to finals.”

The Cougars will face South Darwin in the final round of the regular season on Saturday and will look to seal second place heading into finals.

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Meanwhile in other Darwin rugby union action, University Pirates’ unbeaten run remained with a 24-5 win over reigning premiers Darwin Dragons.

Jesse Thomson, McKenzie Fairfax and Liam Walker all crossed the line for the Pirates with player-coach Robbie Butcher kicking the extras in a dominant display by 2020’s top side.

Tim O’Neil was the lone scorer for the Dragons who will now be looking towards the finals having played their final game of the regular season.