High-flying South Darwin suffers first loss of the NTRU premiership season as Cougars seal 28-22 victory with three second half tries

CASUARINA pounced to the top of the NT Rugby Union A-grade ladder with a comprehensive 28-22 win over the previously unbeaten South Darwin at Rugby Park on Thursday night.

Action from the NTRU premiership clash between Casuarina and South Darwin at Rugby Park on Thursday night. Picture: Ivan Rachman

CASUARINA pounced to the top of the NT Rugby Union A-grade ladder with a comprehensive 28-22 win over the previously unbeaten South Darwin at Rugby Park on Thursday night.

The Cougars trailed by two points at half-time but three unanswered tries in the last 40 minutes overwhelmed their rivals.

Wanderers’ NTFL player Jerome Motlop raced over for tbe first try of the match when quick hands by his Casuarina teammates saw the No.11 jumper touch down in the far corner.

But Jason Lim’s conversion from the corner missed, opening the door for a piece of Setefao Cakau magic when he ran through a series of Cougar hands to score five metres in from the touch line.

A late penalty goal by Lim narrowed the difference to two points at lemon time, a score that told the story of a high standard half of rugby.

Tries by both sides at the start of the second half kept the crowd entertained.

TJ Norris did his best disco impersonation by skipping around three Rabbitoh defenders to score next to the touch line.

But Lim again missed, resulting in the inevitable turnover that saw his opposite No.16 score next to the right touch line for Souths.

But it was Jake Rainger’s turn to scrub his conversion attempt, leaving Souths with a dangerous two-point lead.

Back came Casuarina to attack the Souths line, assisted by a number of infringements at the breakdown.

Lim took the third infringement by booting a penalty from close in and giving Casuarina the lead.

There was more drama to come when Motlop’s run from the breakdown looked certain to result in a try.

He was grabbed from behind by Cakau and later awarded a penalty try, meaning Lim had a simple kick from right in front to give the Cougars an eight-point lead.

The Rabbitohs scored on the final buzzer when Tajane Rauunoudama’s try was converted by Rainger.

Palmerston caused the upset of the season on Wednesday night when they beat defending premiers University Pirates 15-8.

The Crocodiles played an outstanding defensive game, limiting the influence of Pirates playmakers Robbie Butcher and Shaun Wauchope, who never really got into the match.

Palmerston pair Michael Killner and Anthony Smith continued their good form from the Anzac match with superb games.

The Darwin Dragons did what was expected when they beat a gutsy but overwhelmed Swampdogs 56-0 on the No.2 ground.