Local Rugby League Wrap: All the latest local footy news from the big leagues around New South Wales

A Newcastle cellar dweller knocked off the defending premiers for the second time in a month as a winless Illawarra side pulled off the upset of the season to break its drought in style. LOCAL WRAP.

An incredible weekend of local rugby league across the state saw a host of surprise results.

In Newcastle, the Butcher Boys showed they have the number of Maitland with another defeat of the Pickers, while Corrimal took down a leading contender in one of the upsets of the season.

Canberra saw the Queanbeyan heavyweights go toe-to-toe, while De La Salle flexed its muscles in Cronulla.

Catch up on all the weekend action in our local footy wrap:

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Central Coast

Northern Rivers

Group 2

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CANBERRA

The Queanbeyan derby was turned into a one-act affair as the Blues ran out dominant 48-20 victors.

It was the Kangaroos that started best, leading 10-6 after Rob Sheffield crossed out wide.

The Blues were able to strike twice before the break however, and in the blink of an eye they were in front 36-10.

The win moves the Blues into outright first.

Yass came from as much as 12 down in the second half to snatch a late 27-26 win over Goulburn City.

The Bulldogs looked to be cruising as Haimona Hiroti’s second try of the afternoon pushed them ahead by two converted tries.

The Magpies weren’t to be denied, levelling the scores before Kaidan Bell stepped up to slot the one pointer with four minutes to go.

Woden Valley continued its solid form after downing West Belconnen 24-18.

The two were engaged in a fierce battle that saw the Warriors tie up proceedings with little over 10 minutes to go.

Gabriella Savage. Picture: Martin Ollman

That changed when Sua Ingram was turned underneath and proved too powerful, lifting the Rams home.

Tuggeranong edged out Gungahlin in and old-fashioned shoot out, recording a 36-34 victory at Greenway Oval.

The two combined for 12 tries in an attacking spectacle, with Lachlan Davis and Julian Haywood-Whiley scoring twice for the Bush Rangers and Apenisa Driti and Earldeic Pehara doing the same for the Bulls.

STANDINGS: Queanbeyan Blues 14, Queanbeyan Kangaroos 12, West Belconnen 11, Woden Valley 10, Gungahlin 6, Belconnen United 6, Goulburn City 5, Tuggeranong 4, Yass 4

West Belconnen flexed its muscles in a big way, taking down second-placed Woden Valley 38-4.

The Warriors remain the only undefeated side in the Katrina Fanning Shield after doubles to Aaliyah Lomas and Gabriella Savage saw them climb into top spot on their own.

Tuggeranong was boosted by a strong showing from Teliya Heteraka on their way to a 22-10 defeat of Gungahlin.

The halfback scored two tries and had 14 points as they claimed their third win of the season.

Gabrielle Davis was the star for Yass as it edged out Goulburn City 20-18.

The Magpies dummy half scored a hat-trick of tries as she carved the Bulldogs up around the ruck.

STANDINGS: West Belconnen 13, Woden Valley 11, Belconnen United 10, Gungahlin 8, Yass 6, Tuggeranong 6, Goulburn City 2

GROUP 9

A key 16-minute stretch in the second half propelled Gundagai to a narrow 20-18 win over Junee at Anzac Park.

The Tigers were trailing 12-0 before piling on four tries in the period, including a Will Herring double to put them ahead in the blink of an eye.

It was a tough blow for a Diesels side looking to push into the top-five.

Wagga Kangaroos kept their unbeaten season alive with a solid 32-12 defeat of Albury.

Nathan Rose and Charles Barton both had doubles for the Kangaroos as their record improved to 9-0 for the season.

A stunning last period has lifted Tumut to a 22-18 defeat of Young.

Kai Parker had a first half double as Young led by eight at the break.

Callum Rossiter made it a one-score game with over 30 minutes to play.

Young took the lead through big Thomas Giles inside the final 10 mintues, before Tumut launched a stunning late blitz.

They tied things up again as Jacob Sturt pounced from dummy half, before Malik Aitken probed the hero when he was able to get past the defence from close range.

Southcity heaped further pain on the winless Wagga Brothers, securing a 52-4 success.

Halfback Kyle McCarthy scored a double as the Bulls raced in nine tries to keep their finals hopes alive.

Temora moved a win clear of fourth as it ran rampant over the Bulldogs, scoring a huge 42-4 win in Cootamundra.

Timoci Vatubuli had two tries, as did Drew Robinson as the Dragons extended their undefeated run to four games.

STANDINGS: Wagga Kangaroos 18, Gundagai 14, Temora 13, Tumut 11, Young 8, Albury 8, Southcity 6, Junee 6, Cootamundra 4, Brothers 0

Dragons pathways player Zac Nachar scored twice for Corrimal Picture: Sean Teuma

ILLAWARRA

It’s been a tough season for the Corrimal Cougars, but they broke their winless drought in style with one of the upsets of the Harrigan Cup season.

With Wests coming into the round in a share of top spot and leading 14-6, it looked like it would be a procession for the Devils.

But a 29-minute stretch saw the Cougars race in four tries to leave Wests stunned.

It started with Jordan Morris hitting and spinning at the line, with Brandon Tikinau’s chip over the top for Saifiti Junior Saifiti seeing them take the lead.

Zac Nachar’s second pushed them further ahead, before the sheer strength of Morris sealed the upset.

Dapto prevailed in a fiery encounter with Thirroul, coming out on top 26-18 to move into outright third.

Tempers flared over just before the break as Paul Roberts resented contact on the ground from Brad Deitz, with both sent to the sin bin as Dapto held a 20-6 advantage.

Thirroul hit back through Aaymon Fitzgibbon, but some crafty play from Justin Faughlin out of dummy half gave them a big enough break.

Roberts was controversially sent off on full-time for a late shoulder charge.

STANDINGS: Collegians 12, Wests 10, Dapto 8, De La Salle 6, Thirroul 4, Corrimal 2

NEWCASTLE

Central Newcastle recorded its second win over Maitland in the space of a month, taking down the Pickers 22-14 in a grand final rematch.

The Butcher Boys were on from the opening whistle, scoring less than 90 seconds into the contest when Isaiah Olsen crashed over.

It sparked a 16-0 first half, before the Pickers were able to hit back with two quick tries of their own to get back within a score.

Central extended with a penalty before a towering Olsen bomb was swooped upon by Trachon Lemalama to seal the result.

Kurri Kurri picked up a crucial win, knocking off Cessnock 16-14.

The Bulldogs were coming off back-to-back losses, and found themselves behind after Joshua Charles scored, only for Damian Scott to get the green light to level the scores after appearing to bounce the ball.

The Goannas held a 14-10 lead with less than 10 minutes to play, when Matthew Woolnough kicked ahead, and had a deflection go his way as he got the bounce and touched down for the win.

Kauri Aupouri-Puketapu was the hero for Wyong. Picture: Brett Costello

Wyong climbed into second spot after a thrilling 20-18 win over Wests.

The Rosellas looked in control up 18-0 early in the second half, before the Roos mounted an almighty comeback.

It started with Matt Ikuvalu, before Jakob Giles and Max Buderus got them back within two with 20 to play.

Kauri Aupouri-Puketapu levelled the scores with a penalty, before they received another with minutes to play and 40m out.

The halfback calmly stepped up and slotted it to secure the comeback.

Northern Hawks almost had their first win of the year, before The Entrance denied them 23-16.

The Hawks led by 12 with 24 minutes to play, before the Tigers scored three times over the final stretch to deny them, with Luke Geary scoring the matchwinner.

South Newcastle held top spot after overcoming Lakes United 32-20.

Matthew Moon scored a hat-trick and Jacob Afflick had a double as the competition’s premier side showed why they are the team to beat.

STANDINGS: Souths 14, Wyong 13, Maitland 13, Wests 12, The Entrance 12, Cessnock 10, Macquarie 10, Kurri Kurri 10, Lakes United 8, Central 8, Northern Hawks 2

Central Newcastle made a major statement in the women’s competition, handing Maitland its first defeat of the season after prevailing 22-14.

The Butchers were always in control, running in four first-half tries to take a 16-6 advantage.

That lead grew in the second half with Brandy Simpson’s second coming on the end of a perfect Brodii Ingram kick.

South Newcastle almost caused a major boilover, but was forced to settle for a 10-all draw with Lakes United.

Tori Brazier struck first for the Seagulls out of dummy half, before Jas Whitelaw levelled up soon after with a strong effort out wide.

Claire Spain then sparked an incredible 65m effort that was finished off with some fancy footwork from Sarah Stewart to put Lakes United ahead once again.

As they looked set for victory, a moment of madness at the death saw Amber Stokes toe a loose ball ahead twice to score as the siren sounded.

STANDINGS: Maitland 10, Lakes United 9, Central 9, Northern Hawks 4, Souths 3, Wests 2, Macquarie 0

Blake Ferguson. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

PETER MCDONALD PREMIERSHIP

Blake Ferguson scored a try as Wellington had to hold out a determined Dubbo Macquarie side 12-10 at Apex Oval.

Lining up at fullback, the former Australian rep converted both tries as the Cowboys held a share of second spot by a narrow margin.

They remain a point behind Forbes who had to pull out all stops to get past a stubborn Nungan side 30-26.

Both teams crossed for five tries, including competition leader Jack Smith for the Magpies and doubles to Tigers pair Jamies Tuitahi and William Black.

But the accuracy of Nicholas Greenhalgh’s boot was the difference in the end.

Dubbo CYMS proved way too strong for Parkes, running in seven tries as they ran out dominant 42-6 winners.

Jarryn Powyer had two tries for Dubbo, with Bayden Searle also scoring two as he netted 22 points in the contest.

Mudgee built a big enough advantage early on to take down Bathurst St Pats 20-16.

By the time Thomas Lawson crossed in the 35th minute they held a 16-6 lead, before both Nathan Orr and Haze Reweti were sent to the sin bin.

Tye Siakisoni gave St Pats one last chance at a win to get them back within four, but that was as close as they would get.

The Orange Hawks turned in one of their most impressive performances of the season, smashing the Bathurst Panthers 46-6.

Five-eighth Thomas Toohey came alive in the second half with a hat-trick to cap a big win.

Title contenders Orange CYMS had to fend off a late charge from bottom-place Lithgow, prevailing 38-30.

An early Thomas Hickson double saw them lead 24-0 inside 20 minutes, a lead that would grow to 36-12 with just over 20 minutes to play.

That’s when Workies clicked into gear as Riley Dukes got them back to within two scores inside the final five minutes.

STANDINGS: Forbes 15, Dubbo CYMS 14, Wellington 14, Mudgee 14, Orange CYMS 14, Bathurst St Pats 10, Orange Hawks 9, Dubbo Macquarie 8, Nyngan 6, Parkes 6, Bathurst Panthers 4, Lithgow 4

Jade Etherden and the Cougars continued their winning ways. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

SOUTHERN CORRIDOR

It was a family affair for Corrimal as they kept their unbeaten run intact with a 38-6 defeat of Shellharbour in round eight.

Both Taimani and Saane Kolomaka, and Katrina and Jennifer Latu were able to get across the line in the victory.

They’ve now won six of their seven games, with a draw their only blemish.

Helensburgh had to dig deep but was able to overcome Campbelltown City to the tune of 26-18.

The Tigers were lifted by a double from centre Eliana Huemer to move them into third and well in contention for a top-two finish.

If they want that, they’ll have to get past Campbelltown Collegians who were on fire in a 38-8 thrashing of rivals The Oaks.

Collies had all of the running with Alafou Fatu picking up a double and Teina Clark doing the same, finishing with an 18-point haul.

STANDINGS: Corrimal 20, Campbelltown Collegians 16, Helensburgh 15, Cronulla Caringbah 13, Shellharbour 13, The Oaks 11, Campbelltown City 9

SOUTHERN SYDNEY

De La Salle climbed into a share of third after knocking off Bosco 16-10 in an arm-wrestle at Boystown Oval.

The Bulldogs enjoyed a perfect start with Jack Metcalfe crossing inside two minutes after pouncing on a bouncing ball.

Andrew Fifita came into his own, putting Cameron Goodger over before picking up a dropped bomb to give De La Salle the lead.

Bosco hit back just minutes later to tie it up at 10-all with Metcalfe’s second, and that looked destined to be the full-time score.

That was before a rampaging Fale Lualua proved too hard to stop from close range, carrying a defender over the line to seal the win with three minutes to go.

Joeys showed why they remain competition favourites with a relentless 44-8 demolition of Engadine.

Tokahirere Sopoaga and Tom Pitkethley both crossed for hat-tricks in the big win.

Gymea remains within touching distance of top spot after a comfortable 38-6 win over Como Jannali.

Ryan Peake had a double, as did Lawson Cotter as the Gorillas raced away in a seven-try effort.

STANDINGS: Joeys 24, Gymea 22, Bosco 20, De La Salle 20, Como Jannali 13, Engadine 9

Andrew Fifita and De La Salle took down Bosco. Picture: Adam Wrightson Photography

WOODBRIDGE CUP

A late Mathew O’Beill field goal put the finishing touches on a classy Orange United win, downing Molong 23-18.

Despite trailing 22-8 early in the second half, the Bulls mounted a spirited comeback to give themselves a shot at victory late in the piece, but couldn’t muster one last charge as the Warriors moved above them on the standings.

Oberon gave its points differential a major boost after smashing Grenfell 66-4 at home.

Fullback Robby Walsh was at his blistering best with a four-try effort with doubles to Senio Lefaoseu and Nathan Barlow inspiring a monster Tigers victory.

Cowra had to survive a major scare from Trundle, before coming out on top 32-24 at Berryman Oval.

Adam Richards scored twice to give the Boomers a shot at an upset, but two to Jayden Williams was enough for the Magpies to hold on.

Manildra keeps top spot on differential after defeating Cargo 36-12 on their home soil.

Front rower Ben Sharpless did what all props dream of, crossing for a hat-trick as the Rhinos continue on their stellar season.

A hot start from Condobolin was enough to see them hold off Canowindra to the tune of 30-14.

A 24-0 advantage at just under a point per minute gave the Rams a huge buffer that the Tigers were simply unable to reel in.

STANDINGS: Manildra 16, Oberon 16, Cowra 16, Orange United 12, Condobolin 12, Molong 11, Canowindra 10, Eugowra 10, Trundle 10, Peak Hill 9, Cargo 2, Grenfell 2

Originally published as Local Rugby League Wrap: All the latest local footy news from the big leagues around New South Wales