 |
| 2010 NRL DRAW | NRL LADDER | NEWS HEADLINES | TOYOTA CUP RESULTS | REFEREES | WOMEN IN LEAGUE |
| CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE NEWS |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saturday 1 st May 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 2010 McDonald’s Canberra Junior Rugby League competition was launched today at Raiders HQ, with four former Canberra region juniors on hand to celebrate the start of a new season. Raiders players Joel Monaghan (Tuggeranong), James Stuart (South Tuggeranong), Cy Lasscock (Queanbeyan) and Joe Picker (Crookwell) spent some time talking to the newest batch of junior rugby league players ahead of Sunday’s competition openers. CEO of the Canberra Region Junior Rugby League, Karen Ebsworth, said the competition this year has seen an increase in participants and believed it was related to the number of former junior players in the current Raiders squad. “We’ve increased by around nine teams this year which is around 150 more players than last year,” Karen Ebsworth said. “I think having so many former junior players in the Raiders squad shows the players here in Canberra want to follow in the footsteps of their heroes.” Tuggeranong Buffaloes junior, Joel Monaghan, said it’s great to see so many children keen to play Rugby League and said the Canberra competition is one of the best in the country. “Rugby League is a great sport and I have this competition to thank for getting my chance to be where I am today,” Monaghan said. “It’s a very strong competition with plenty of players and I wish them all the best for the future. Hopefully one day this new group can make their way into the Raiders team.” Local owner and Licensee of McDonald’s Braddon and Canberra Centre, Mark Creelman, said McDonald’s was once again proud to be the sponsor of the local Rugby League in Canberra and said McDonald’s was proud to help develop the talent of the future. “I’m very proud to celebrate McDonald’s sponsorship of the 2010 Junior Rugby League Competition for the second year, on behalf of McDonalds in the ACT region we wish all players the best for the season,” Mark Creelman said. “McDonalds is pleased to be able to support Canberra Junior Rugby League at the Grassroots level. “We are also committed to supporting and encouraging junior development in sport and supporting healthy and active lifestyles. We hope all junior rugby league players have a great time during the season.” |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Friday 30 th April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RED ROOSTER JOIN COWBOYS SPONSOR FAMILY The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys are pleased to welcome Red Rooster as a Silver Sponsor, incorporating sponsorship of the club’s flagship junior development carnival, the Laurie Spina Shield. To be held on 25-26 June (Cowboys v Sharks), the Laurie Spina Shield is one of the biggest underage (under 11) schoolboy competitions in Australia, with a focus on participation, sportsmanship and enjoying the 'greatest game of all'. Together with Red Rooster, the Cowboys are gearing up for an even bigger event in 2010, as nominations arrive from teams across Queensland. The one-year deal also includes sponsorship of the Cowboys’ annual schoolboy competitions – the Cowboys Super 8 Open Challenge, Cowboys Super Under 15 Challenge and the Cowboys Second Tier Challenge. Both Super 8 competitions kick off this week, each consisting of four rounds and a final to be contested by the following eight schools: Cowboys Super 8 Open Challenge: Kirwan High School, Ignatius Park College, Abergowrie College, Mackay State High School, St Patrick’s College Mackay, Woree State High School, St Brendan's College, Emmaus College. Cowboys Super 8 U15 Challenge: Kirwan High School, Ignatius Park College, Abergowrie College, Mackay State High School, Mercy College, Bentley Park College, St Brendan's College, Emmaus College. The Cowboys Second Tier Challenge starts in late May and involves regional representation from Peninsula (Cairns, Tully, Innisfail, Atherton Tablelands), Northern (Townsville), Burdekin/ Whitsunday, Ingham, Charters Towers, Central/Mid West, Mackay and Central Highlands. Cowboys Executive Director Peter Parr is a passionate advocate of the work conducted by the club’s Development team and is pleased to have Red Rooster on board to support their major events. “As anyone involved in organising sporting carnivals will tell you, the costs and logistics in coordinating our junior development carnivals are significant, but these are an essential part of our grassroots rugby league programs and continue to go from strength to strength,” Parr says. “Red Rooster understand our goals and challenges and have pledged their support by helping us to meet some of the costs involved in bringing our young North Queensland players together to compete.” Christine Allen, franchisee of Red Rooster Mackay/Townsville, is pleased to be involved in providing young players with opportunities to expand their competition experience and skill levels. “While we have a national profile, we’re also a locally owned and operated North Queensland business committed to providing the best possible future for our young sports people,” Allen says. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thursday 29 th April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gold Coast Titan Nathan Friend will have another great reason to run hard over the next two months. A GPS device will track Nathan during Wednesday morning’s training session and during upcoming games as he aims to run 72 kilometres by the end of June. It’s all for a great cause, with Nathan helping to launch Life Education Queensland’s new health and fundraising campaign called Ks 4 Life. The launch will be held at the conclusion of the Titans training on Wednesday April 28. Participants in ‘Ks 4 Life’ choose either a number of kilometres to run, walk, ride or swim, or a number of kilograms to lose before June 30 and encourage friends, family and colleagues to sponsor their efforts. All money raised helps to fund Life Education’s vital health education programs for school aged children in Queensland, with the charity aiming to raise $100,000 from the campaign. A recent Queensland survey conducted by Life Education shows that only 17% of Queensland adults are exercising for 30 minutes a day, which is the minimum recommended by health experts. Meanwhile, one Queenslander dies every 25 minutes from chronic disease which could be prevented by living a healthier life. Nathan will be calling on Gold Coasters to get active and sign up for Ks 4 Life at www.ks4life.com, or Titans supporters can sponsor Nathan to achieve his goal. He’ll be joined at the launch by four students from St Augustine’s Primary School who will each read out a short message about the importance of living a healthy life. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SING IN TUNE ON FOOTBALL FIELD St John’s student Billy Sing may be given the opportunity to play State rugby league with his selection in the under-15s NSW Combined Catholic College (CCC) Southern Country rugby league side. The lock forward was chosen based on his performance at a trial held earlier this month at Edmund Rice College in Canberra, where western NSW teams lined up against teams from Wollongong. When he travels to Sydney on May 21 he will vie for a spot in the State side at the NSW CCC State Rugby League Schoolboys trials. Although humble about his selection Sing was pretty pleased to be included. “The trials were pretty hard but there was some good footy played,” he said.. LEARN MORE |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 'PK's' FINALS PREVIEW Many people are asking can the Parramatta Eels emulate the Bulldogs of 2009 and go on and win the junior representative double – the SG Ball and Harold Matthews Cups in the same year? Most observers would tell you their Harold Matthews team is odds on to win the Matthews and the Ball team would probably bow out in the qualifiers. But the Eels demolition of the Melbourne Storm last Saturday by 70-12 has made everyone stand up and take notice. It was an unbelievable effort by the Eels where everything just clicked on the day. Their forwards were breaking the defensive line continually while try hungry backs such as the two Jacobs – Loko and Gagen bagged the tries. Everyone knew Parramatta was a good side but they had just not shown it regularly enough against the top sides this season. They had fallen twice to the Western Suburbs Magpies and once to the Bulldogs. The Dogs won the round one clash by 18-14. That game was marred by constant rain and the slippery conditions made it extremely difficult to play good football. I watched that game and felt at the time that the Eels would have won that day given a dry field. They have that opportunity on Saturday at St Mary’s Leagues Club Stadium with fine weather predicted right through to next week. The Bulldogs are a team in form as well. Their last two games they defeated the Storm in round 9 and the Sharks in the round of 16 two weeks ago. In my view the Dogs are a very strong team who try to out-muscle their opposition and the backs are competent enough to finish the job. But they lack the try-scoring flair of the Eels and the pace and footwork of their backs. If the Eels can hold the ball and complete their sets. I think the Eels could win by twenty points. PLAYERS TO WATCH: Bulldogs – Fullback Gerard McCallum, centre Chris Taripo, hooker Dean Janda and lock Paul Carter. Eels – Halves Jason Seage and Jason Wehbe, prop Junior Paulo, centre Trent Jennings, centre Jacob Loko and winger Jacob Gagen. CANTERBURY BULLDOGS 1. Gerard McCallum 2. James O'Brien 3. Siua Lapuaho 4. Chris Taripo 5. Brad Cameron 6. Samisoni Langi 7. Jaline Graham 8. Damien Karipa 9. Dean Janda (c) 10. Oliver Gordon 11. Wilson Faanoi 12. Leilani Latu 13. Paul Carter 14. David Minute 15. Joshua Rainbow 16. David Klemmer 17. Jack Buchanan 19. Brenden Santi 20. Keelan Akavi 21. Matthew Fukofuka 22. Matthew Hartney 23. Brad Spencer 24. Aaron Sowter COACH: Nathan Towney PARRAMATTA EELS 1. Chris Ulugia 2. Vai Toutai 3. Trent Jennings 4. Jacob Loko 5. Jacob Gagan 6. Jason Whebe 7. Jason Seage 8. Junior Paulo 9. Dean Blackman 10. Michael Inskip 11. Matthew Eisenhuth 12. Joseph Ualesi 13. Jake Lewis 14. Troy Errington 15. Josh Neale 16. Cameron Picker 17. Josh Batalibasi 18. Stefano Takafa 19. Luke Fishburn 20. Sione Hehepoto 21. James Tuitahi 22. Jarrod Azar 23. Zacc Douglas COACH: Greg Boulous Saturday 1 May 2010 St Mary’s Leagues Club Stadium 1.30 pm |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This should be a great game. The Roosters shocked the league world last week by beating the minor premiers Cronulla Sharks 28-16 at St Marys last week. But it wasn’t by accident because the Rooster boys probably played their best game of the season. The return of classy back Cheyse Blair has helped their cause. He played a good game last week beating the defensive line and setting his backs up. In an interesting move Roosters coach Adam Hartigan has selected him at five eight opposite Wests Mitchell Brasington – a move designed to test the tackling capabilities of the Magpies pivot. Other Roosters players to shine last week were half Jacob Miller and the fullback, Keebra Park High School product Honare Wells. Can they beat Wests? Only if their big guns can play at their absolute best because this Wests side is the real deal. They have beaten the Dogs, Penrith and Parramatta twice. They only lost to the Melbourne Storm this year and that was in round 8 by 28-16. I think Wests will win this one by ten points. PLAYERS TO WATCH: Wests – Fullback David Nofoaluma, winger James Tedesco, prop Matthew Groat, second row Jessie Sue and lock Inno Inosesio. Roosters – Fullback Honare Wells, centre Apisell Fine, winger Eddy El-Zebidiah, halves Miller and Blair, prop Tai Tuivasa. SYDNEY ROOSTERS 1. Honare Wells 2. Paul Rokolati 3. Tau Tau Moga 4. Asipell Fine 5. Eddy El-Zebidiah 23. Cheyse Blair 7. Jacob Miller 8. Nick Dorante 9. Jared Allen 10. Adam Brent 11. Dane Atkinson 12. Daniel Arona 13. Jason Antonelli 14. Keanu Te Kiri 15. Tai Tuivasa 16. Inoke Vunipolo 17. Jarryd Clarke 18. Kane Evans 19. Dylan Strickland 20. Brendan Newtown COACH: Adam Hartigan WESTERN SUBURBS MAGPIES 1. David Nofoaluma 2. Sevao Stowers 3. Ed Murphy 4. Theo Leato 5. James Tedesco 6. Mitchell Brasington 7. David Atuau 8. Matt Groat (c) 9. Sam Atuau 10. Tim Sloman 11. Tunui Joseph 12. Jessie Sue 13. Inno Inosesio 14. Sebastion Sell 15. Sonny Bristow 16. Jordan Tuiavii 17. Shane Lalogafau 18. Ngamanu Winitana 19. Zac Blackshaw 20. Crete Wakka 21. Peter Brown 22. Zane Ioane 23. Keanu Rodgers 24. Thomas Sauvao 25. Willie Skelton COACH: Derek McVey Saturday 1 May 2010 St Mary’s Leagues Club Stadium 3.00 pm |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Old PK learnt a lesson a couple of weeks back and that was to never tip against this mighty Eels Harold Matthews team. For those that remember silly old PK tipped the Rabbitohs to win over the Eels. The Eels smashed Souths that day 52-0. The egg is still on my face. Can anyone beat this marauding Eels juggernaut? I honesty don’t think so now. I tipped against them because I thought they were just going through the motions and they went close to losing a couple of times. What impressed me most about their demolition of the Rabbitohs were the efforts of their un-sung heroes. Players such as fullback Corey Makelim, centre Danny Fualalo, lock Chad McGill and replacement forward Tepai Moeroa really stepped up to the plate. The Knights are a good team and they have plenty of good players that will take it up to Parramatta. But the Eels are undefeated this year and in the process have accumulated a massive points for and have the best defensive record in the competition. It’s a big question whether the Knights can handle the big Eels pack. They send fear into the hearts of opposition teams when they let loose props Frazer Masinamua and Pauli Pauli and second rowers Kalausa Leha and Kelepi Tanginoa. All these guys are SG Ball size. Throw in hooker Zach Clay and it’s no wonder Eels supporters are comparing this team to their 2004 premiership winning Matthews team that included Jarryd Hayne. The Eels to win. PLAYERS TO WATCH: Newcastle – Fullback Stephen Widders, centre Daniel Hennessy five eight Sam Keenan second row Mitchell Stanton. Parramatta – The whole team! NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 1. Stephen Widders 2. Steven Turnbull 3. Daniel Hennessy 4. Jack Jones 5. Mitch Nakhoul 6. Sam Keenan 7. Jarrad Rotumah 8. Blake Chaffey 9. Jack Laing 10. Jeremy Cropper 11. Jake Lawrence 12. Mitchell Stanton 13. Josh Trotter-Whitlam 14. Brad Russell 15. Kilu Pangai 16. Ryan Siluia 17. Ricky Shien 18. Jayden ENELIKO COACH: Kurt Hancock PARRAMATTA EELS 1. Corey Makelim 2. Jeremy King 3. Carlos Lopa 4. Danny Fualalo 5. Ben Fiso 6. Robbie Kamoto 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Frazer Masinamua (c) 9. Zach Clay 10. Pauli Pauli 11. Kalausa Leha 12. Kelepi Tanginoa 13. Chad McGill 14. Kaysa Pritchard 15. Jordan Latham 16. Lomio Mafi 17. Christian Kagiassis 18. Tepai Moeroa 19. Nicholas Galatoulas 20. Jack Delaney 21. Nathan Rumsby 22. Jordie Hedges 23. Tepai Tepu-Smith COACH: Chris Bradbury Saturday 1 May 2010 St Mary’s Leagues Club Stadium 12.00 noon |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This game will decide which team plays Parramatta in the Grand Final next week. I watched Illawarra go around last week in that great golden point extra time win over South Sydney. They have some real goers in the team including fullback Anthony Akkary who has scored ten tries this year. Centre Dee-Jay Harris is another fine prospect. I know Penrith desperately want to win this game so they can play Parramatta in a traditional battle of the west grand final next week. They also have some great players. Prop Jakiel Fuimaono and lock Bryce Cartwright were blooded in the Western Academy Matthews team last year. That experience counts for a lot. Throw in try-scoring machines in centre Joseph Mapusua and winger Jackson Hoffman and you have a team that is going to be hard to beat. Panthers by 12. PLAYERS TO WATCH: Penrith – Fuimaono, Cartwright, Mapusua, Hoffman, second row Wiki Tuavao and hooker Jarrod Brackenhofer. Illawarra - Anthony Akkary, Dee-Jay Harris, half Shannon Crook and lock Jack Bird. PENRITH PANTHERS 1. Rikki Willie 2. Jackson Hoffman 3. Joshua Walker 4. Joseph Mapusua 5. Peau Aleni 6. Aiden Glanville 7. Jacob Maklouf 8. Jakiel Fuimaono 9. Jarrod Brackenhofer 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Brodie Anderson 12. Wiki Tuavao 13. Bryce Cartwright (c) 14. Michael Stig 15. Michael Tauga 16. Joel Le-Guier 17. Jaye Fuimaono 18. David Andjelic 19. Mark Alaelua 20. John Tuliatu 21. Ryan Casey 22. Tyrone Glassie 23. Leonati Feiloakitau COACH: Brett Atkinson ILLAWARRA STEELERS 1. Anthony Akkary 2. Corey-James Dunn 3. Dee-Jay Harris 4. Cameron Docker 5. Sam Fulton 6. Hayden Carpenter 7. Shannon Crook (c) 8. Josh Vaartjes 9. Brock Skelly 10. Andrew Chard 11. Dylan Collie 12. Adam Jeffery 13. Jack Bird 14. Donohoe 16. Brodie McGhie 17. Blake Herzog 18. Nathan Rose 19. Chad Cleary 20. Josh Brown 21. Luke Monds COACH: Adam Sargent-Wilson Saturday 1 May 2010 St Mary’s Leagues Club Stadium 10.30 am GOOD LUCK TO ALL TEAMS |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wednesday 28 th April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story & Photo By :  After weeks of training and trials the VRL have announced their opens and under 15 team to compete in this years Australian Secondary School Rugby League (ASSRL) Championships The Under 15's Championships are hosted by the ACT Schools Rugby League and are to be played between Sunday 27 th June to Friday the 2 nd of July, these u15 Championships will be played at West Belconnen Leagues grounds The Opens Championships are hosted by the Queensland Secondary Schoolboys Rugby League at Burleigh Head on Queenslands Gold Coast. Kick off for the Opens Championship will be Saturday 11 th July to Friday the 16 th July when the Australian Schollboys side will be announce for this years tour to France and the United Kingdom
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
YOUNG WHISTLE BLOWER RELISHES THE ROLE Refereeing rugby league is a tough business. We often hear the call ‘who’d want to be a ref’. However Canowindra local, and Cowra Magpies player Nick Whatman says being a referee has taught him more about himself and those around him. “We’re finding it hard to get refs out here, probably because everyone knows how much pressure you’re put under, but it helps you as a person I think,” Whatman said. “I’ve gained confidence in life in general, just talking to people, and developing the people skills that I wouldn’t have got if I wasn’t a referee. “A healthy lifestyle also comes with being a referee. It’s good fitness and I’m having fun doing it.” Whatman decided he wanted to be a referee five years ago, so he could better understand the rules of the game. Whatman said that after a nervous start, he has relished the role of controlling games and encourages young kids who have a passion for rugby league to give it a try. “It’s hard to start off with, but you slowly gain the belief in yourself and it’s really enjoyable now,” Whatman said. “If you’re a player it also helps because it’s made me understand how the refs interpret the rules of the game.” Confidence is what being a referee is all about, and Whatman says its taken him a while to gain enough confidence to make the big decisions, and surprisingly the players have been receptive to his calls on the field. “The players I’ve refereed so far have been really good to me, the main problem you have to overcome is the scrutiny from spectators, but it’s never fazed me,” Whatman said. “Confidence is the main thing you need to gain in order to become a good ref. Not long ago I had to send five players from the field due to fighting—it’s probably taken me four or five years to get my confidence high enough to do that, so it’s good.” Whatman will be taking his next big step in June when he referees the Country Rugby League Championships, and one day hopes to control games of the highest level. “One day I’d like to referee at the NRL level, and I’m working real hard right now to improve my mental preparation before games,” Whatman said. “I just got to work on my positional play a bit more—being in the right positions so I can see what’s going on is essential, and that just comes with match practice.” If you are interested in becoming a referee, call referees co-ordinator, David Tidswell on 0439083108 for more information. If you live in Sydney and you would like to become a referee, please comtacy Doug Keen at the NSWRL |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tuesday 27 th April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CENTRAL COAST BEARS KEEP MARCHING ON After the success of the Central Coast Bears fan day at Bluetongue Stadium on April 10th, the Bears are back with another major event. The Central Coast Bears along with SeaFM are preparing a supporter’s march on Saturday 15th May from the Gosford Sailing Club to Bluetongue Stadium. This march will demonstrate the widespread support for the Bears 2013 NRL bid. Central Coast Bears members, fans and supporters will come together and meet at the park adjacent to Gosford Sailing Club at 4pm to commence the march at 4:30pm. Once at Bluetongue, Bears’ membership and merchandise will be available for purchase and fans of the red and blacks can show their support to the NRL by taking part in the Bears’ bay to watch the Roosters v Knights match at 7:30pm. Central Coast Bears Chief Executive Officer, Greg Florimo says that this is going to be the biggest show of support yet. “I believe that this will be massive event, and people from all over the Coast and right through to those supporters in Sydney will have the opportunity to take part in something big.” Florimo said. “We are expecting a huge turnout of our loyal supporters, who will be there to support the NRL on the Central Coast”. Central Coast Radio (SeaFM and 2GO) are proudly supporting this event through radio campaigns and promotional giveaways. All supporters planning to attend the march are asked to register on the SeaFM website (www.theradio.com.au) for their chance to win one of five double passes to the Roosters v Knights game. SeaFM will also be running their ‘Bear Your Support’ promotion. All Central Coast Bears supporters are being asked to create their own banners, which they’ll be encouraged to hold high during the march. Secret SeaFM judges will scan the banners to decide the best five, who will receive a double pass to the Roosters v Knights game. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| STINGERS WIN EPIC DECIDER THE Townsville Stingers defeated the Norths Devils 26-24 in Saturday's Mal Meninga Cup grand final at Langlands Park. The Cyril Connell Cup decider produced an identical scoreline, with the Norths Devils prevailing against a gallant Gold Coast Blue outfit. Norths scored with two minutes remaining and kicked the conversion to beat the shattered Gold Coast side. In a thrilling finish to the Mal Meninga Cup decider, Sam Foster kicked a difficult penalty goal to secure the win for the North Queensland side. MAL MENINGA CUP FINAL TOWNSVILLE STINGERS 26 (Nathan Norford 2, Jamaal Richards, Rhyse Martin tries; Sam Foster 5 goals) def NORTHS DEVILS 24 (Alex McCann, Zach Koitka, Robbie Tavete, Jayden Sheck tries; Bryce Hegarty 4 goals) at Langlands Park. CYRIL CONNEL CUP FINAL NORTHS DEVILS 26 (Rhett Webster 2, Chris Frost, Alex Bishop, Adam Harris tries; Kane Zalewski 3 goals) def GOLD COAST BLUE 24 (Jordan Dulay, Dallas Wells, Dan Donovan, Carne Rhodes tries; Nathan Wilson 2, Zach Walsh 2 goals) at Langlands Park. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the second straight year the Western Rams under-18s have fallen one game short of the NSW Regional Country titles final after losing a 28-24 thriller to the Central Hunter Power on Saturday at Carrington Park. Against an imposing forward pack and a slick set of backs, the Rams did everything in their power to come away with the points, and were literally centimetres from levelling the scores after the siren. Bathurst Panthers centre Andrew Mendes - for much of the match the man most likely for the Rams - found space down the left edge as the siren blew, and kicked deftly in a last-ditch effort to get his side on level terms, and almost got a miraculous hand on his attempted touch-down but had the ball kicked away. It was a fitting end to a quality game that see-sawed from virtually the opening whistle. Another Panther and Rams skipper Doug Hewitt scored in the opening minutes to give his side the ideal start but like they did for the whole match, the Power answered almost immediately with a try to Umine centre Blake Hill. The added another try through replacement Josh Walsh with 12 minutes to play until half-time and for a time they looked to be assuming control of the match. Mendes halted the momentum with a well-timed intercept that led to a 50 metre dash to the line but the 12-10 lead to Western was brief. Massive Power lock Dale Watson made a devastating 40m run before drawing and passing to Brady Hammond who juggled before restoring his team’s advantage, 16-12 at half-time. The Rams had plenty of intent in the second half but it mattered little when a sweeping backline movement resulted in a superb Power try, and in next to no time they looked to have completely taken over proceedings. They spent the best part of 20 minutes camped on the Rams' line, getting regular line-drop-outs and stretching their lead to 28-12. Western showed plenty of courage though and when they finally got some field position, they scored two remarkably simple tries through Dubbo’s Matt Langby and Orange Hawk Lachlan Sturgeon. That set up a frenetic final 10 minutes but too often Western handed over possession trying to throw an impossible pass - or, as they did on three occasions, being caught on the last tackle. “To be honest we probably lost the match in the first half when we didn’t complete a lot of sets,” a disappointed but proud Western coach Graeme Osborne said. “We probably didn’t read the game particularly well at times, to get caught three times with the ball on the last tackle just shows that our mind maybe wasn't on the job 100 per cent. It was pretty intense too which may have had something to do with it. “We had a few players injured and really it was only that little gap in the second half where we were able to really dominate so I think the boys acquitted themselves very well to stay so close." |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| JETS HANDED A REALITY CHECK BY TIGERS The Balmain Tigers have ensured that they will retain the Ryan-Pringle Shield for 2010, having seen off Newtown's challenge at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday by 39-14. In direct contrast to last week's inspiring win against Wentworthville, the Jets turned on a dreadful first half of football with the Tigers taking a commanding 26-6 lead into the half-time break. Balmain led 18-0 before Newtown responded with a try to fullback Johnathon Ford. The Tigers added a penalty goal and scored a soft try just prior to half-time to extend their lead to 26-6. Jets centre Tu'u Maori showed strength and determination to score early in the second half but in keeping with the general tenor of Newtown's afternoon, a sixth-tackle kick that went astray ended in a 90 metres try for the Tigers, effectively ending any hope of a Newtown fightback. While the two sides had similar completion rates in the second half, Newtown's kicking game had let them down and the Jets lacked the backline thrust of previous weeks. Newtown's "big battalions", the front-rowers who had wrought such destruction against Wentworthville, made little impact against the Tigers. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monday 26 th April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Friday 23 rd April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 MACKAY High School’s aims in schoolboy competitions are expanding after the city’s Queensland Cup team got behind the school’s rugby league academy yesterday. The STM Mackay Cutters has signed a three-year deal to share coaching structures, resources and facilities with the school’s academy, with the aim of providing a pathway for players through to the Queensland Cup and the NRL. “The Cutters are a professional organisation and this can only strengthen our status as an elite program,” academy head coach Nathan Doyle said. Doyle said over the past four years Mackay High School had consistently proved itself to be one of the top eight schools for rugby league in the state, giving academy members the opportunity to test themselves at the highest level of schoolboy competition. “Not only will Mackay High remain a force in rugby league, but the Cutters will certainly reap the rewards through their under-18 and under-16 development programs,” he said. “This consistent approach will enhance the development of young local rugby league talents.” But he said the Cutters were not exclusive to Mackay High and were looking to work with other schools, including Mirani where there is also a rugby league program. “We are working with the junior and senior clubs and schools to ensure that everybody who plays rugby league has the same benefit,” he said. Mackay High and St Patrick’s College will play a local derby to kick off this season’s Cowboys Super 8s competition in Mackay next Wednesday. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Blue Haven Raiders J.R.L.C application to compete within the Central Coast Division of Junior Rugby League 2007 competition was granted on Thursday, November 14th 2006. This year Blue Haven have over 260 registered players from U/6s to U/16s thus providing 20 teams. The Raiders have quickly established themselves as one of the fastest growing sporting clubs within Australia. The Raiders commenced the 2007 season with 125 registered players, that amounts to 10 teams from 6 to 13 years of age. 2007 TEAM HIGHLIGHTS: 7s Maitland Gala Day Champions 13'3s Semi Finalists 2008 TEAM HIGHLIGHTS: 9's Kincumber Colts Mod Gala Carnival Champions 14'3s Premiers 2009 TEAM HIGHLIGHTS: 14'3s Undefeated Minor Premiers & PremiersBlue Haven's 2009 season kicked off tremendously, with over 220 players from the ages 6 to 16 years providing 17 teams. Brent Smith (U/16s) became the Raiders first junior representative after his selection within the Central Coast team. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
OXLEY Pioneer under-18s are one win away from a third straight Country Rugby League championship final. OXLEY Pioneer under-18s are one win away from a third straight Country Rugby League championship final. The side won both opening round matches at Scone on the weekend, downing Southern Redbacks 34-10 on Saturday before coming back one day later to beat Southern Stingrays 22-6. The Woolgoolga connection of winger Mitch Dockrey and reserve back Steve Goodwin figured prominently in both encounters with Dockrey crossing for a try against the Redbacks and Goodwin kicking a goal after coming off the bench in game two. Jubilant coach Peter Barrett feels this combination may eventually prove the best he’s been involved with. “The North Coast side which won the title in 2007 had six or seven kids who went on to the NRL but this squad may eventually have more,” he said. “That first win on Saturday was awesome in the way they took control and shut down the other side completely. “Sunday’s game was a lot closer but I loved the way they toughed it out and if you can win the close ones, you can win just about anything.” The side plays its semi-final this Saturday at Bathurst against Newcastle Rebels, the team coached by Paul Skovgard who was elevated ahead of Barrett in controversial circumstances to coach the CRL junior rep team. But Barrett says he has no problem with his rival and is playing down any thoughts of payback. “Paul and I get on well and his manager is my old halfback from Penrith days, so there are no worries there,” he added. “And politics has nothing to do with the kids ... all they have to do is get out there and give it their best shot.” Should the side win on Saturday they get to play the grand final on home soil as a curtain raiser to City versus Country Origin at Port Macquarie on May 7. Meanwhile, another bunch of elite junior players go on display this morning at Advocate Park in the Coffs Harbour Zone rounds of the CRL North Coast Country Cup. Bishop Druitt College confront Macksville High at 10.30am. CRL Development organiser Pat Preston has urged league fans to get to the ground early to catch the action. “Schoolboy footy is always thrilling,” he said. The overall winner will progress to the North Coast final in Port Macquarie on June 23. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MELBOURNE STORM STATEMENT Story By : Melbourne STORM Media Release MELBOURNE STORM HAS THIS AFTERNOON ISSUED THE FOLLOWING MEDIA STATEMENT: “Melbourne Storm has today accepted the findings and outcomes of an NRL investigation in to the club’s salary cap accounts,” Melbourne Storm Chairman, Dr Rob Moodie, said. “The rules are very clear and some former members of management have wrongly decided to break them. “On behalf of the Melbourne Storm I would like to sincerely apologise to our players, our staff, our sponsors, our members and our supporters, and we will continue to assist the NRL with their investigation. “The Melbourne Storm Board became aware of these possible salary cap indiscretions on April 13 this year. “At that point the Board initiated its own full investigation into any possible salary cap indiscretions. “Today is a most unbelievable blow and this is the lowest day in the club’s history. “We will absolutely endeavour to return this club back to the great heights where it deserves to be. “Melbourne Storm is full of people with great character who will not turn their back on this next great challenge. “We will repay our fans. The biggest sufferer here is our support base. They have not had any role in what has been uncovered here. “For that we are absolutely sorry. “All we can ask of them is to remain resolute and loyal to the Melbourne Storm and we make the commitment that we will never ask them to ever experience anything like this in the future.” “Personally I am heartbroken. “But this football club has great character and values. We will not walk away from this challenge. “We will stick tight together as a group and fight our way back from this.” |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thursday 22 nd April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story & Photo By : Charlie Payne Mackay State High School's rugby league academy warmed up for the opening round of the North Queensland Cowboys Super 8s competition with a trial match against Townsville's Kirwan High yesterday. Kirwan scored two tries to nil in a 10-0 victory at Mackay High, in what coach Nathan Doyle described as a high quality game. “They were the second-best school in Queensland last year,” he said. “They scored from two of our mistakes, but otherwise we played well. “We've only trained three times because of the weather, so it was a good effort.” Halfback Taylor Ridland was strong with solid defence, Corben Duffy had a big game in the backs and lock Jordan White was outstanding in the forwards. Mackay High and St Patrick's College will play a local derby in the opening round of the Super 8s next Wednesday in Mackay, at a venue to be confirmed. Other teams competing in the Super 8s are Kirwan High, Ignatius Park College, Abergowrie College, a Cairns qualifier and Emmaus and St Brendan's colleges. Meanwhile, the Mackay High Rugby League Academy will today announce an alignment with the Mackay Cutters Queensland Cup team. “They're going to be doing junior development with our school, which is good for us,” Doyle said. “We'll be developing the Cutters style of play, and giving a pathway for our players to go through to the Queensland Cup.” |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MACKAY HIGH DOES
On Monday 19 April 2010 the Mackay Cutters board members signed off on a 3 year agreement with the Mackay State High School Rugby League Academy. This agreement is a big step for the Academy and will ensure Rugby League talent in the district will have access to a consistent coaching philosophy and structure. Head Coach Nathan Doyle said 'the Mackay Cutters are a professional organisation and this relationship can only strengthen our status as an elite program.' He is also looking forward to sharing ideas with premiership winning Queensland Cup coach, Paul Bramley. Essentially the agreement ensures that both parties will share coaching structures, resources and facilities. Over the past 4 years Mackay SHS has consistently proven itself to be one of the top 8 schools for Rugby League in the state, and students enrolled in the Academy consistently have the opportunity to test themselves at the highest level of schoolboy Rugby League. With this in mind, the agreement is seen as a very positive move by both the Cutters and Mackay SHS. Not only will Mackay SHS remain a force in Rugby League, but the Cutters will certainly reap the rewards through their Under 18 and under 16 Cutters programs. This consistent approach will enhance the development of young local Rugby League talent who have aspirations of playing in the Queensland Cup or at a representative level. While the Cutters administration are very excited about this new partnership, they are also very conscious of their image as a team for the community. As such, they will continue the very positive work they do in many local schools within the district. Mackay SHS is looking forward to a very productive relationship in the coming years. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wednesday 21 st April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
YOUNG MAGPIES CLAWED DOWN BY MANLY'S EAGLES IN what turned out to be a one-sided encounter in the elimination quarter final of the Harold Matthews Cup the Manly Sea Eagles shattered the Magpies' dreams of progressing through the finals series with an emphatic 54-4 victory at St Mary's Leagues Stadium on Saturday. Despite an encouraging season from the Wests Magpies' under-16s team, which included memorable victories over more fancied rivals, to reach the play-offs, the young Magpies met their match against an impressive Manly team who were relentless for the entire match despite amassing a 28 points to 4 lead at half-time. In the S G Ball Cup under-18s quarter final, the Magpies defeated Parramatta 24-18 at St Marys Stadium. Their next finals' match, the time and venue will be on the club's website www.westsmagpies.net. In the NSW Cup, the Magpies defeated a Windsor Wolves team comprising five NRL players, 14-8, at Windsor on Saturday night. The Magpies now meet North Sydney at North Sydney Oval this Saturday, 3pm, in round seven. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fullback Jyie Chapman and prop Jordan Hay have been given the tick of approval by their Western Rams coach ahead of their Country Under-18s Championship semi-finals. Chapman, second-rower Matt Langby and bench forward Jackson Merritt are all products of the Macquarie Raiders, while Hay and winger Chris Allport are from Gilgandra - Hay playing his under-18s football with Dubbo CYMS. On the weekend at Muswellbrook Western defeated Bidgee Bulls 40-30 and then backed up to eliminate Northern Thunderbolts 26-6 on Sunday. In the semi-finals at Bathurst this Saturday, Western will play Central Hunter Power at 12.30pm while Oxley Pioneers take on Newcastle at 11am. Western coach Graeme Osborne from Lithgow is confident of continued good form from the Dubbo district boys on the weekend. “Jyie Chapman did a fantastic job in the first game. He chased a big Polynesian kid and put an ankle tap on him with about 20 [metres] to go and then scored the next set, so he basically pulled off a 12-point play,” Osborne said. “And Jordan Hay, well if I had to pick one standout for the weekend it would be Jordan Hay. I would be really disappointed if the Country selectors didn’t pick him.” There is class all through the Western side and it’s now hoped they can go on with the job. Last year Bathurst Panthers centre Andrew Mendes scored a hat-trick in the Country Championships final to help Group 10 to success and while he has stepped up an age division for 2010 and is now wearing the green and white of the Western Rams, the points have just kept coming for him. One of six Bathurst Panthers in the Rams side, Mendes finished the weekend with a personal haul of 22 points. He booted four conversions on Saturday against the Bidgee Bulls while on Sunday he kicked five goals and ran in a try to help down the Northern Thunderbolts 26-6. Coach Graeme Osborne was delighted with the way his whole squad, comprised of Group 10 and Group 11s best, performed over over the weekend given many are still 16-years-old. “It was just a really good effort and actually I think we surprised ourselves in how we performed,” he said. “A lot of them are still 16-year-old kids coming up against older guys. “After half-time though we came out an absolutely blitzed them before we shut up shop.” Western Rams 40 (Jake Davis 3, Carl Planicka 2, Blake Baxter, Jyie Chapman, Sam Coster tries; Andrew Mendes 4 goals) def Bidgee Bulls 30 (Manhoni Lei, Larenzo Tafili, Luke Ashlin, Jonathan Sila, Ben Hall tries; Kane Hammond 5 goals). Western Rams 26 (Jake Davis, Andrew Mendes, Doug Hewitt, Kirk Roberts tries; Andrew Mendes 5 goals) def Northern Thunderbolts 6 (Hayden Strong try; Nick O’Roberts goal). |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| STINGERS PRIMED FOR CUP REVENGE Story & Photo BY : QRL IT will be a case of deja vu when the Townsville Stingers line up against the Norths Devils in this weekend’s Mal Meninga Cup final at Langlands Park. The two clubs met in the Queensland final of the Under 18s competition last year, with the Devils taking the honours in a contest played at Bishop Park. Townsville booked their place in this year’s final with an impressive 36-24 win over the Wynnum Manly Seagulls. The Stingers, who maintained their unbeaten record in the Mal Meninga Cup competition with their semi-final victory, will face off against the Norths Devils, who knocked over top-ranked Southern Conference side the Easts Tigers 34-10 in their semi-final. The Stingers played the early game on Saturday, and with their place secured, the team sat in the Langlands Park grandstand to see who their grand final opponents would be. It was a tight contest in the first half, with the only try coming from Easts forward Keron Kolo-Buckle. In the second half however, things opened up for the Devils. Their defence held strong to withstand all of the Tigers attacking efforts and they managed to turn the attack around and ran away with the win in the late stages of the half with tries to Kieran Flynn, Jerome Leedy, Josh Jaggle, BJ Burgess, Iain Riccardi and one to Zach Koitka down the right hand side as the fulltime siren sounded. In the Cyril Connell Cup final, Norths Devils will again feature following their commanding 46-16 win over the Cental Comets at Dolphin Oval. Kodi Nikorima scored a hat-trick in the game, while Tristan Law bagged a double. They will meet Gold Coast Blue in the Langlands Park final after the Coast team held on to beat a committed Souths Logan Magpies side 30-24. MAL MENINGA CUP CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: Saturday, April 24: Townsville Stingers v Norths Devils @ Langlands Park 1pm CYRIL CONNELL CUP CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: Saturday, April 24: Gold Coast Blue v Norths Devils @ Langlands Park 3pm |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
It was a mixed bag of results for Keebra as they embarked on their 2010 campaign in the Broncos run competitions. The under thirteens were very impressive as they held a representative laden Coombabah to an 18 all draw and were only denied the win through some poor last tackle options. Keanu Dawson put in a top effort and laid some go forward that Arion and the backs were able to expolit. In the fourteens the boys started slowly and left themselves a bit to do as the game progressed. Controlling the play for the majority of the game they eventually went down to a fighting Coombabah who to their credit dug deep and scored a last ditch try to steal the game. The boys are sure to learn a lesson from this and will be a much better side for the experience. The fifteens were far too dominant through the middle for Coombabah today and while C-Bah showed some awesome speed out wide they were not really able to control vast passages of play due to their inability to compete around the ruck. While Keebra are happy with the win it was also good to see a couple of players have impressive debuts in new positions and a man of the match performance to budding number 6 Jayden Warbrick. Thanks for all the supporters who gave the games today a good atmosphere and heres looking forwardto next weeks encounters. LEARN MORE ABOUT KEEBRA PARK RUGBY LEAGUE |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tuesday 20 th April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOUTHERN COUNTRY TEAMS SELECTED Wollongong again hosted another very successful NSW CCC Southern Country Trial on Monday 19th. On a perfect day the Wollongong and Western teams lined up against each other at Edmund Rice College, where some great football was seen, by a very good crowd of parents and supporters. Thanks to John Sparks (Wollongong Diocesan Sport Convenor) for his organisation, the Principal and Staff at Edmund Rice College and the many staff who assisted with coaching and selection, of the teams on the day. Special mention must go to the following NRL clubs (and staff) West Tigers, St George Illawarra, Canterbury, Canberra, Penrith and Newcastle that have supported the Southern Country selection process with donation of gear and assistance with selections, this assistance and support at grass roots level is noticed and much appreciated. VISIT THE CCC LOCKER ROOM TO VIEW SELECTED SIDES |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monday 19 th April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Jetstar Gold Coast Titans under-16s have secured the club's first ever grand final berth with a 30 - 24 victory over Cyril Connell Cup front-runners Souths Logan Magpies on Saturday. Fighting back from an early 12 - 4 deficit, the Titans managed to overpower their rivals in a six-tries-to-four victory. After tries to Jayden Jacky (2), Zac Walsh, Sam Harrold and Jordan Dulay, it was an individual piece of brilliance by Dallas Wells to soccer the ball through and score next to the posts that finally broke the Magpies back. The Gold Coast will now play the Norths Devils in the grand final this weekend after the Devils beat the Central Comets 46 - 16. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| REBELS RIDE BULLS OUT OF TOWN
The Newcastle Rebels have progressed through to the semi finals of the Under 18's AAMI Country Championships with a victory over the Bidgee Bulls at Muswellbrook today. The Rebels put together a much improved display as they accounted for their Southern counterparts by 28 points to 16 to move into next week's semi finals with an undefeated record. It was the Bulls who opened the scoring though an unconverted try to Dean Turner in the right hand corner after some slick lead up play from the Bidgee side. The Newcastle left side of attack picked up from where they left off in yesterday's Round 1 Match when Thomas Morton showed plenty of speed to break the line and beat the fullback to score. The Rebels led 6 - 4 after Matt Ireland converted the try and were never headed as they continued to put the pressure back onto the Bulls. Morton was at it again from a clever scrum play and found himself in another foot race with the fullback after Mitch Cullen created him some space and the Rebels extended their lead to 12 - 4. A mistake from a 20 metre re-start gifted Newcastle possession and Tom Rouse took full advantage crossing under the posts to send Newcastle to the half time break 18 points to 4 leaders. Rebels coach Paul Skovgaard challenged his players to continue the pressure in the second half and to build on their lead and they did just that. A weight of possession created some space down a short side for Liam McKenna to barge over and when Lukas Grace crossed a few minutes later any hope of a comeback from the Bulls was now out of reach. A couple of late tries to the Bulls rounded out the scoring with Newcastle completing a comfortable 28 - 16 victory and will now head into the semi finals for the second year in a row. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RAMS THROUGH TO SEMI-FINALS The Western Rams under-18s, containing Jordan Hay (Dubbo CYMS), Matt Langby, Jyie Chapman and Jackson Merritt (Macquarie Raiders) have advanced to the semi-finals of the Country Rugby League Regional Championships following a comprehensive 26-6 victory over Northern Thunderbolts at Olympic Park, Muswellbrook yesterday. Both semi-finals will be played at Carrington Park, Bathurst next Saturday, with Western against Central Hunter Power (12.30pm kick off) and Oxley Pioneers taking on Newcastle (11am). Try scorers for Western yesterday were Jake Davis, Andrew Mendes, Doug Hewitt and Kirk Roberts while Mendes added five goals. Western lead 14-0 at half-time. Western’s second win came after a 40-30 result over Bidgee Bulls in the opening game played on Saturday. A devastating second half onslaught by the Rams blew the Bulls off the paddock, piling on 24 points in the opening 15 minutes of the second half. The Bulls struck first in the 9th minute when front rower Maohoni Lelei crashed over to the left of the posts and halfback Kane Hammond converted. Rams replied two minutes later when a perfectly executed Doug Hewitt-pass hit Blake Baxter on the edge of the ruck and he sailed through to score under the posts. Andrew Mendes easily slotting the conversion to make it 6-all. Midway through the half the Bulls applied back-to-back sets on the Rams and their defence couldn’t hold out second rower Larenzo Tafili, with Kane Hammond once again converting to push the Bidgee team ahead 12-6. The Rams gained the ascendancy in the dying minutes of the half with Jake Davis scoring the first of his three tries following a good backline sweep of the ball. Three minutes later Sam Coster scored in the corner and Mendez converted from the sideline. Half-time score had the Rams ahead 16-12. The Rams wasted no time scoring after the break with Jyie Chapman accepting an inside pass before performing swivelling his way across the line. Mendes once again added the extras. Following a string of missed tackles by the Bulls around the ruck Carl Planicka scored at the 7th minute of the half and was quickly followed by Jake Davis before Planicka scoring again at the 12-minute mark. Not to be outdone Jake Davis scored his third try and with the Mendes conversions the score had blown out to 40-12. With the game all but over, coach Graeme Osborne rested Hewitt, Jordan Hay and Matt Langby. The Rams took their foot off the accelerator and Bidgee added some respect to the scoreline with some good tries of their own. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sunday 18 th April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CRL CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY 2 Oxley Pioneers 22 def. Southern Stingrays 6 Newcastle Rebels 28 def. Bidgee Bulls 16 Western Rams 26 def. Northern Thunderbolts 6 Central Hunter Power 34 def. Southern Red Backs 14 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 CUP SEMI-FINAL BOILOVERSStory By : QRL.com.au THE top ranked Southern teams in the Mal Meninga Cup and Cyril Connell Cup were today knocked out of the title race. In the Meninga Cup semi-final at Langlands Park, the Norths Devils booked their spot in the championship final with a 34-10 victory over Easts. The Devils will play the Townsville Stingers, who beat Wynnum Manly 36-24. Gold Coast Blue advanced to the Cyril Connell Cup final with a 30-24 victory over Souths Logan. The Coast will play Norths in the Under 16 final after the Devils beat the Central Comets 46-16. MAL MENINGA CUP TOWNSVILLE STINGERS 36 (Nathan Norford 2, Chris Grevsmuhl 2, Joseph Veukiso, Francis Veukiso, Kurtis Ritchie tries; Sam Foster 4 goals) def WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 24 (TJ Fualema 2, Benaiah Bowie, Gerard Anderson tries; Kurt French 4 goals) at Langlands Park. NORTHS DEVILS 34 (Kieran Flynn, Jerome Leedy, Josh Jaggle, Zach Koitka, BJ Burgess, Iain Riccardi, Josh Tunnicliffe tries; Iain Riccardi 2, BJ Burgess goals) def EASTS TIGERS 10 (Kyran Tanuvasa, Keron Kolo-Buckle tries; Jack Joass goal) at Langlands Park. CYRIL CONNELL CUP GOLD COAST BLUE 30 (Jayden Jacky 2, Jordan Dulay, Dallas Wells, Sam Harrold, Zach Walsh tries; Zach Walsh 3 goals) def SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 24 (Patrick Mago 2, Brenko Lee, Luke Bateman tries; Scott Doyle 3, Anthony Milford goals) at Dolphin Oval. NORTHS DEVILS 46 (Kodi Nikorima 3, Tristan Law 2, Rhett Webster, Justin Sleep, Jack Creighton, Francis Molo tries; Kane Zalewski 5 goals) def CENTRAL COMETS 16 (Connor Broadhurst, Hayden Buckman, Luke Guinane tries; Luke Guinane 2 goals) at Dolphin Oval. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CRL AAMI UNDER 18 REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Friday 16 th April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story & Photo's By : 'PK' & It’s game on tomorrow in the race for the Harold Matthews Cup with the first of the finals series games to be played at three venues around greater Sydney. St Mary’s Leagues Club Stadium host Manly against Wests and Parramatta against Souths. Erskineville Oval host Penrith and Newcastle while Win Jubilee Stadium will see Illawarra and the Bulldogs do battle. PARRAMATTA EELS (1) VS SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (4) It’s 1 v 4 here. This will be the match of the season – no doubt about it. It is the forwards muscle of Parramatta versus the backs flair of the Rabbitohs. The Eels are undefeated and amassed 392 points for and 69 against. In the process they have scored 73 tries averaging just over 8 tries a game. Wow, that’s just too good! The Rabbitohs have lost two games this year, a round 5 clash against Sydney Roosters 16-14 and a round 6 game against Manly 22 - 20. They scored 272 points for and eighty against (second best defence after the Eels). They have scored 50 tries averaging over 5 per game.
The Rabbitohs fullback Tyrone Phillips has contributed eleven of the tries total while fast winger Rabieh El-Zbaidieh has notched seven four-pointers. Clearly, if Parramatta wants to win tomorrow they will have to shut down the space of these two brilliant players. Phillips is a great attacking and defending player. He is very fast and powerful and can pass both sides as well as break through defensive lines at will. He will surely be one of the first players picked in the NSW under 16 team. Half back Lawrence Lucas is a gifted player and he is one of the top point scorers in the competition with four tries and thirty two goals to his credit. Parramatta’s strength lies in their big powerful forwards. Props Frazer Masinamura and Pauli Pauli and second rowers Kelepi Tanginoa and Kalausa Leha strike fear into the opposition with their strong runs and ruthless big hits in defence. Earlier in the season I wrote how Eels supporters were comparing this side to the 2004 premiership winning Harold Matthews team that included Jarryd Hayne. I have seen the Eels play a couple of times this year and I have, at various times, been impressed and unimpressed. There is no doubt that the Eels have deficiencies. Manly, mainly through centre Latrell Schaumkel, exposed defensive weaknesses out wide. The Balmain Tigers nearly beat them a couple of weeks ago at New Era Stadium Cabramatta when the Tigers took on the Eels pack with some big hits. Souths will have to play a similar game if they are to win tomorrow. The Eels don’t like being put under pressure. If the Rabbitoh forwards can hold their own I expect their backs to finish the Eels off. Yes folks it’s the upset of the year. Rabbitohs by six. PARRAMATTA EELS 1. Corey Makelim 2. Jeremy King 3. Carlos Lopa 4. Danny Fualalo 5. Ben Fiso 6.Robbie Kamoto 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Frazer Masinamua © 9. Zach Clay 10. Pauli Pauli 11. Kalausa Leha 12. Kelepi Tanginoa 13. Chad McGill 14. Kaysa Pritchard 15. Jordan Latham 16. Lomio Mafi 17. Christian Kagiassis 18. Tepai Moeroa 19. Nathan Galatoulas 20. Jack Delaney 21. Nathan Rumsby 22. Jordie Hedges 23. Tepai Tepu-Smith COACH: CHRIS BRADBURY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS 1. Tyrone Phillips (c) 2. Alex Johnston 3. James Delprado 4. Aaron Gray 5. Rabieh El-Zbaidieh 6. Dylan Walker 7. Lawrence Lucas 8. Jack Leger-Ryan 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Wesley Lolo 11. Andrew Belluco 12. Matt Bateman 13. Jaidan Haidar 14. Matt Gordon 15. Kingsley Dennsion 16. Patrice Siolo 17. Lino Fenukitau 20. Sam Tawamacala COACH: CHRIS O’CONNELL Saturday 17 April 2010 2.30 pm St Mary's Leagues Club Stadium |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
It’s 2 v 3 here. These two teams met in round 5 with the Panthers taking the honours 18-12. Both have only lost one game during the year with the Panthers loss being against Souths in round four by 22-4. They have similar points for and against. Both teams have plenty of players to watch. Newcastle Knights fullback Stephen Widders and five eight Sam Keenan have scored fourteen tries between them this year and their flair will have to be watched. Penrith lock and captain Bryce Cartwright is a very good player. Normally a centre he played Matthews Cup for Western Academy last year and has plenty of experience. He resumed playing last week after being injured in the early rounds. He just might be the difference. Prop Jakiel Fuimaono also played at the Academy last year and he also is a good player. Centre Joseph Mapusua is a strong fast centre and has found the line eight times this season. I’m leaning to a Penrith win here with Cartwright back in action. Panthers by 10. PENRITH PANTHERS 1. Riki Willie 2. Jackson Hoffman 3. Joshua Walker 4. Joseph Mapusua 5. Peau Aleni 6. Aiden Glanville 7. Jacob Maklouf 8. Jakiel Fuimaono 9. Michael Stig 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Brodie Anderson 12. Wiki Tuavao 13. Bryce Cartwright(c) 14. Michael Tauga 15. Joel Le-Guier 16. Jaye Fuimaono 17. David Andjelic 18. Mark Alaelua 19. John Tuliatu 20. Jarrod Brackenhofer 21. Ryan Casey 22. Tyrone Glassie 23. Leonati Feiloakitau COACH: Brett Atkinson NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 1. Stephen Widders 2. Steven Turnbull 3. Daniel Hennessy 4. Jack Jones 5. Mitch Nakhoul 6. Sam Keenan 7. Jarrad Rotumah 8. Blake Chaffey 9. Jack Laing 10. Jeremy Cropper 11. Jake Lawrence 12. Mitchell Stanton 13. Josh Trotter-Whitlam 14. Brad Russell 15. Kilu Pangai 16. Ryan Siluia 17. Ricky Shien COACH: Kurt Hancock Saturday 17 April 2010 Erskineville Oval 12 pm |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
It’s 6th v 7th here. These two teams met in round four at Hillier Oval with a commanding win to the Sea Eagles 44-16. Wests other two losses were against Parramatta in round 6, 28-26 and last week against Penrith 28-6 at Hillier Oval. The Sea Eagles have lost to Newcastle and Parramatta but they did beat South Sydney. Wests have some good players such as second rower Daniel Alterio but Manly will have too many big guns for them tomorrow. Manly will have an edge in the centres through Jamil Hopoate and Latrell Schaumkel while prop Jake Trbojevic is always a handful. Manly by 16 points. MANLY SEA EAGLES 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Jordan Menzies 3. Jamil Hopoate 4. Latrell Schaumkel 5. Sam Gerrey 6. Blake Lang 7. Luke Walsh (c) 8. Jake Trbojevic 9. Fabian Natoli 10. Vinniey Baranyi 11. Luke Bartley 12. Fabian Goodall 13. Jackson Kelly 14. Joey Lussick 15. Chris Alavanos 16. Wayne Anae 17. Luke Gosling 18. Eddie Faingataa 19. Robert Wolfgramm 20. Richard Anae WESTERN SUBURBS MAGPIES 1. Harry Grove 2. Kyle Adams 3. Sol Kamuta 4. Tylan Tanuvasa 5. Dylan Noble 6. James Ryan 7. Billy Kitt 8. Bucky Solia Fuea 9. Rhys Norman 10. Saxon Sell 11. Josh Cullen 12. Daniel Alterio (vc) 13. Luke Bonnell (c) 14. Antonio Inzitari 15. Ulajasi Moala 16. Josh Seupule 17. Jye Douglas 18. Hayden Patterson 19. Josh King 20. Lachlan Yule 21. Daniel Tavae 22. James Kovac 23. Armani Tofaeono 24. John Stephens 25. Trey Woodland COACH: Scott Hartas Saturday 17 April 2010 11.30 am St Mary's Leagues Club Stadium |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
It’s 5th v 8th here. These two teams met in round four at Hammondville Oval with the Dogs winning 22-20. Illawarra other loss during the season was to South Sydney in round 2, 24-20. The Dogs lost their first three games, to Parramatta 42-0 in round one, 28-10 to Manly in round 2 and 18-12 to Western Suburbs in round three. Since then they have beaten their opposition including their opponents tomorrow. Illawarra fullback Anthony Akkary will have to be watched. He has crossed for nine tries this season. Bulldog centre Alan Niulesa is the dangerman for the Steelers. I think the Bulldogs have improved since their first round hammering at the hands of the Parramatta Eels. They go into this game with all the momentum and that’s why I’m tipping them to edge out the Steelers by 6 points. ILLAWARRA STEELERS 1. Anthony Akkary 2. Corey Dunn 3. Dee-Jay Harris 4. Chad Cleary 5. Sam Fulton 6. Hayden Carpenter 7. Shannon Crook (c) 8. Josh Vaartjes 9. Brock Skelly 10. Andrew Chard 11. Dylan Collie 12. Adam Jeffery 13. Jack Bird 14. Jack Garrett 15. Tom Donohoe 16. Brodie McGhie 17. Blake Herzog 18. Nathan Rose 19. Cameron Docker 20. Josh Brown 21. Luke Monds COACH: Adam Sargent-Wilson CANTERBURY BULLDOGS 1. Brendan Cox 2. Dwayne Brown 3. Alan Niulesa 4. Guy Hollingshead 5. Chris Assad 6. Troy English 7. Guston Jasmin (c) 8. Jordan Abouhaidar 9. Luke Vella 10. Daniel Mailata 11. George Tsikrikas 12. Uafu Lavaka 13. Addison Demetriou 14. Ben Hughes 15. Tuuta Langi 16. Cameron Stweart 17. Jacob Sooalo 19. Jeremy Fuller 20. Adrian Baissari 21. Jake Kamire 22. Jok Dokonivalu 23. Curtis Riley COACH: JAMES WHITNEY Saturday 17 April 2010 12 pm WIN Jubilee Stadium |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CRL AAMI UNDER 18 REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Some of New South Wales’ finest junior Rugby League talent will converge on Muswellbrook this weekend to contest the CRL AAMI Country Under 18 Championships. Top flight talent from regional areas around the state will compete for the right to play for the Tom Nelson Shield in Port Macquarie on May 7th. ROUND 1 DRAW Saturday 17th April Game A Kick off 10am Oxley Pioneers V Southern Redbacks Game B Kick off 11.25am Newcastle Rebels V Southern Stingrays Game C Kick off 12.50pm Bidgee Bulls V Western Rams Game D Kick off 2.15pm CENTRAL HUNTER POWER V NORTHERN THUNDERBOLTS Round 2 draw Sunday 18th April Game E Kick off 9am Winner A v Loser B Game F Kick off 10.25am Winner B v Loser C Game G Kick off 11.50am Winner C v Loser D Game F Kick off 1.15pm Winner D V Loser A Team List OXLEY PIONEERS Ryan Pooley (Farrer) Steve Goodwin (Woolgoolga) SOUTHERN REDBACKS Jubeelee Teofilo (St Andrews) Steven Townsend (Liverpool)
NEWCASTLE REBELS Mitchell Cullen (Kurri Kurri) Shannon Harmer (Kurri Kurri)
SOUTHERN STINGRAYS Zac Smith (Cooma) Simon Harris (Albion Park/Oak Flats)
BIDGEE BULLS Brendon Robinson (Temora Dragons) Ben Hall (Lavington Panthers) WESTERN RAMS Jyie Chapman (Dubbo Macquarie) Josh Crow (Mudgee Dragons)
CENTRAL HUNTER POWER Scott Griffiths (Singleton) Josh MacDonell (Greta Branxton)
NORTHERN THUNDERBOLTS Nicko Roberts (Ballina) Thomas Gordon (Lismore Marist Brothers) Carlton Elliott (Grafton Ghosts) Cam Copeland (Ballina) Hayden Strong (Armidale) Coach – Graham Lees Manager – Peter Stevens Trainers – Tony Maluta |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thursday 15 th April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'PK's" SG BALL FINALS PREVIEW After nine rounds of enthralling footy the wheat has been sorted from the chaff and the top seeds have emerged. The cream of the crop is amongst us. Yes folks, the business end of the season is now upon us with four great matches to kick off the 2010 SG Ball Cup finals series. This is the time of the season where old PK gets out his dusty crystal ball and looks for winners and losers in the greatest under 18 rugby league competition in the world.
It’s 1 v 4. How good are the Cronulla Sharks going? They created history last weekend by becoming the first Sharks team in history to be minor premiers in the SG Ball Cup. The surfie boys from “the Shire” in Sydney’s south are now my competition favourites. They come into the finals race in good form after knocking over South Sydney last week 44-0. They have also recorded wins against competition heavyweights Roosters, Storm and Bulldogs. Their only loss was in round two when Penrith defeated them 30-24 in a close one at CUA Stadium. Some of their players are really “A” class. Take Elvis look-a-like Joel Tubbs. The big prop not only has a big appetite for food but he loves the work. The north coast product is now one of the best props in the competition. Second rower DJ Lokeni Purcell is the go-to man in this impressive squad at present. He has one mission in life; tackle everything that moves above grass level and boy does he do a good job of that. And just when you see DJ getting replaced for a well deserved break on comes James “Hitman” Hasson who knows how to shorten the opposition up with his fierce tackling. Then you have former Eel Rodney Moefaauo who has added much needed starch to the Sharks pack. Wouldn’t the Eels love to have this bloke in their pack this year? The halves pairing of Sam Clune and Penani Manumalealii is one of the best in the competition rivaling that of the Eels “two Jasons”, Seage and Wehbe. These two teams met in round eight at Chester Hill on Easter Thursday night. The Sharks won in a close encounter 18-16. If the Dogs have any chance in this game they must close down boom centre Luke Pickerd who has crossed the line thirteen times this season. The former Australian under 15 player really challenges the line and his defence is also strong. He should be a contender for the NSW under 18 team this year. I think the surfie boys have a slight edge in the forwards and a major edge in the halves where Sam Clune and Penani Manumalealii have dictated terms all year. Surfies by 12 points. CRONULLA SHARKS 1. Nesiasi Mataitonga 2. Zach Rasmussen 3. Daniel Moroko 4. Luke Pickerd 5. Blake Sorenson 6. Sam Clune 7. Penani Manumalealii (c) 8. Tyrone Viiga 9. Brendan Sexty 10. Joel Tubbs 11. DJ Lokeni Purcell 12. Rodney Moefaauo 13. Paul McClory 14. Michael Lichaa 15. Dylan Hill 16. Ben Stratton 17. Dane Rogers 18. Steve Berkeley 19. James Hasson 20. Isi Fitikefu 21. Tokeru Raru 22. Rodney Coates 23. Steve Tavita 24. Rea Pittman COACH: David Howlett CANTERBURY BULLDOGS 1. Greg McCallum 2. James O'Brien 3. Siua Lapuaho 4. Chris Taripo 5. Brad Cameron 6. Samisoni Langi 7. Jaline Graham 8. Keelan Akavi 9. Dean Janda © 10. Oliver Gordon 11. Wilson Faanoi 12. Lelani Latu 13. Paul Carter 14. David Minute 15. Brenden Santi 16. David Klemmer 17. Jack Buchanan 19. Joshua Rainbow 20. Damien Karipa 21. Nathan Taotua 22. Matthew Hartney 23. Brad Spencer 24. Aaron Sowter COACH: Nathan Towney Saturday 17 April 2010 1.30 pm WIN Jubilee, Kogarah |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
It’s 2 v 3. These two teams met in round six at Hillier Oval and it was an emphatic win to the Magpies 32-14. That day Wests deserved their win and the ability of their big forwards, led by props Matthew Groat and Tim Sloman, to offload to support players was the catalyst for their win. Parramatta will need to man-up in the forwards to have any hope of defeating the men in black and white. They have tradesman like workers in their pack but they need to hit hard in defence and put the Magpie players on the deck. Junior Paulo has been the only Eels forward to break the line in the big matches but this has changed in the last couple of weeks. Enter Jacob Loko the Eels sensational backrower/centre who has returned from injury and has been a handful for opposition teams. He is now the Eels X factor. If the Eels can contain the Magpie forwards for the full seventy minutes then I give them a chance. I still believe the Eels have the edge in the backs. If they click watch out. But it’s a big “if”. But the Magpies have defied the critics this year with some great performances so I’m tipping them to win by 12 points over the Eels. WESTERN SUBURBS MAGPIES 1. David Nofoaluma 2. Sevao Stowers 3. Ed Murphy 4. Theo Leato 5. James Tedesco 6. Mitchell Brasington 7. David Atuau 8. Matt Groat © 9. Sam Atuau 10. Tim Sloman 11. Tunui Joseph 12. Jessie Sue 13. Inno Inosesio 14. Sebastion Sell 15. Sonny Bristow 16. Jordan Tuiavaii 17. Shane Lalogafua 18. Ngamanu Winitana 19. Zac Blackshaw 20. Crete Waka 21. Peter Brown 22. Zane Ioane 23. Keanu Rogers 24. Thomas Sauvao 25. Willie Skelton COACH: Derek McVey PARRAMATTA EELS 1. Chris Ulugia 2. Vai Toutai 3. Trent Jennings 4. Jacob Loko 5. Jacob Gagan 6. Jason Whebe 7. Jason Seage 8. Junior Paulo 9. Dean Blackman 10. Michael Inskip 11. Matthew Eisenhuth 12. Joseph Ualesi 13. Luke Fishburn © 14. Troy Errington 15. Josh Neale 16. Cameron Picker 17. Jake Lewis 18. Stefano Takafa 19. Jarrod Azar 20. Sione Hehepoto 21. James Tuitahi 22. Josh Batalibasi 23. Zacc Douglas COACH: Greg Boulous Saturday 17 April 2010 1.00 pm St Mary’s Leagues Stadium |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
It’s 5 v 8. These two teams met in round two at Henson Park with the Roosters recording a close come from behind win 26-24. The Knights only other loss was to Penrith 22-12 in round 5. The Roosters on the other hand go into the finals suffering from a loss last week against Western Sydney 24-22. They also lost during the year to big guns Cronulla and Melbourne. However my spies tell me that the Roosters may have rested some players last week against Western Sydney including full back Cheyse Blair. Knights centre Dale Clacherty has been in great form this year scoring eight tries. His clash with boom Roosters centre Asipelli Fine will be worth the price of admission alone. I’m leaning to a Roosters win in this one. Roosters by six points. NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 1. Geordie Connelly 2. Nick Ritter 3. Chanel Mata’utia 4. Dale Clacherty 5. Edan Price 6. Api Pewhairangi 7. Will Smith 8. Zac Kosiek 9. Chris Knight 10. Tye Alchin 11. Royce Geoffery 12. Ben Roose 13. Nathan Cooper 14. Jeremy Ma’a 15. Dale Vaerstrappen 16. Adam Clydsdale 17. Daniel Foster 18. Pat Mata'utia 19. Tyrone Dodd 20. Josh Neilsen 21. Michael Steele COACH: Phil Williams SYDNEY ROOSTERS 1. Henare Wells 2. Paul Rokolati 3. Tau Tau Moga 4. Asipell Fine 5. Eddy El-Zebidiah 6. Jacob Miller 7. Keanu Te Kiri 8. Nick Dorante 9. Jared Allen 10. Adam Brent 11. Dane Atkinson 12. Daniel Arona 13. Jason Antonelli 14. Brendan Newtown 15. Tai Tuivasa 16. Inoke Vunipolo 17. Ken Aunese 18. Jesse Hoara 19. Kane Evans 20. Mitchell O'Neill 21. Nathan Antonelli 22. Dylan Strickland COACH: Adam Hartigan Saturday 17 April 2010 1.30 pm Erskineville Oval |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
It’s 6th v 7th. These two powerhouses played each other in round 6 at CUA Stadium with the Storm winning a close one 36-34. Both teams enter the finals race after suffering losses last week. The Storm were beaten by the Bulldogs last week in Cranbourne 32-22 while the Panthers got smacked by the Western Suburbs Magpies 32-6 at Hillier Oval. Not the best of form to go into the finals series but both teams have the ability to bounce back in style. The week before the Storm beat one of the competition favourites Wests 28-16 at Hillier Oval. So what about this game? Both teams share similar points for and against. Penrith has lost three games while the Storm has lost two games during the season. Penrith have been the only team to beat premiership favourite Cronulla but have lost to Souths, Storm and the Magpies last week. Melbourne have beaten Western Suburbs but lost to Cronulla and the Bulldogs. It’s a tough one to pick. I’m leaning towards Melbourne because I think they are more consistent than the Panthers who appear to fall asleep at times. The Storm will probably have an edge in the forwards with big second rower Mahe Fonua a danger. He has scored eleven tries this season. Another to watch is Storm winger Young Tonumaipea who has crossed for ten tries while five eight Maipele Morseu has six tries. The Storm by 10. MELBOURNE STORM 1. Cameron Hansen 2. Young Tonumaipea 3. Kirisome Auva'a 4. Richard Kennar 5. Justin Tavae 6. Maipele Morseu 7. Ben Hampton 8. Jarome Wilson 9. Herschel Gideon 10. Tohu Harris 11. Jake Keating 12. Mahe Fonua 13. Matt Constantinou 14. Luke Wati 15. Adam Millgate 16. Jerome Henry 17. Oscar Bruce 18. Tala Titi 19. Kane Walker 20. Keiran Pickles 21. Ray Ertl 22. Eman Carlos 23. Jai Ingram COACH: Kim Williams PENRITH PANTHERS 1. Sean Pickup 2. Keti Nanai 3. Tevita Feiloakitau Fetuani 4. Nick Mataia 5. Michael Compton 6. Harry Siejka 22. William Beale 8. Johnathan Taefu 9. Blake South 10. Sam Hollis 11. Corey Carl 12. Tom Eisenhuth 13. Regan Verney 14. Robert Mate 15. Kaisa Matavao 16. Michael Pio 17. Jacob Brenner 18. Kyle Burkhardt 19. Ryan Wilson 20. Jake Butler-Fleming 23. Joshua Leslie 24. Tony Satini 25. Darcy Horgan 26. Vapunia Tia-Kilifi 27. Dilan Curtis COACH: Brad Liggins Saturday 17 April 2010 3.15 pm WIN Jubilee, Kogarah |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PRESEASON RUGBY LEAGUE GAMES GETTING INTO ACTION THE rugby league season is back. The combined Wests/Group 6 Rugby senior grades preseason competition began last weekend with the finals in first, second, third and the two under-18s grades competitions played this Sunday at Victoria Park, Picton. And the senior grades' competitions start on Saturday, March 20 and Sunday, March 21. Western Suburbs Junior Rugby League executive officer Julie Luke said last year was the first time the seniors' competitions were played in the combined format from under-18s upwards with Group 6. The junior-age competitions from under 6s to under 16s start Saturday, April 24. ``Registrations are progressing very well with the juniors and a lot of interest is being generated for the combined competition in the senior age grades,'' Luke said. ``This season we have 16 affiliated clubs and hope to have up to more than 4000 registered players. ``We're looking forward to the new season.'' Luke said the junior league welcomes back Claymore after several years away from competitions. Details: wests.leaguenet.com.au. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wednesday 14 th April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 A BIG response from the Hunter Valley has made this year’s Country Rugby League development camp at Farrer High School one of the biggest. Seventy-three young players aged 12-16 from across the north of the State are attending the camp, which saw a drop in numbers last year. “We’re back to where we were two years ago,” CRL development officer Jamie McCormack said. “There’s a huge number from Group 21, from the Hunter Valley. “Singleton, Muswellbrook, Aberdeen, probably about half of them are from down there.” They have also come from Groups 2, 3, 4 and 19. “Of the rest, about half are from the coast,” McCormack said. “Places like Kempsey, Forster and there’s a few from Coffs. “Also Pilliga, so obviously Wee Waa kids, Armidale, Warialda and about 10 from Tamworth. The camp is all about teaching kids some new ideas, helping develop their skills and letting them have some fun too. It started with a lecture on hydration, but then the kids went out onto the field and started getting into the more practical side of things. “The first day is about getting to know each other and picking team names, some of the more enjoyable aspects of rugby league,” McCormack said. “They’ll do some skills like running lines and tackling techniques and then go into game activities. “Obviously we want to improve their skills but this is a holiday camp so we want them to enjoy it so they’ll come back again next year.” The camp features CRL coaches from across northern NSW. It continues today and wraps up tomorrow. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U18'S MISS OUT IN CUP Story bY :  FOUR wins and just two losses is a good effort by the CQ Comets but unfortunately not good enough to get them into the Meninga Cup semi-finals. The Comets under-18 team completed its Meninga Cup program with an emphatic 48-16 victory over Mackay Cutters but it was not enough overtake a dominant Townsville side. Many of the Townsville squad are a part of the Cowboys development program and that was a telling feature, with the team winning six matches and recording a massive for and against ratio. Townsville finished their program with a 52-4 hammering of Northern Pride and meet Wynnum Manly in the next stage. Nevertheless, the Comets can be satisfied with the win over Mackay with Kurt Mann and Brett Rediex scoring two tries apiece in the 10-tries-to-three mauling. The other tries for the Comets were spread around with Joel Cook, Kane Stevens, Denzel Mooney, Jack Madden, Simon Gregory and Ty Hetherington scoring one each at Browne Park on Saturday. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Friday 9 th April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 THE Paul Davis-Welsh memorial junior rugby league tournament was held in Kempsey on the weekend. Organisers of the tournament secured the services of Melbourne Storm, Queensland and Australian superstar Greg Inglis to help with the running of the event. Inglis was present both days and handed trophies to the winning teams and individual awards on Sunday. The Macleay Argus talked to one of the organisers Paul Davis about the event. “It was a great weekend,” he said. “We can build on what we did this year and make it bigger and better in years to come.” Davis said the weekend was not just about football. “We want to raise safety awareness amongst youngsters. We want to educate young people about the dangers of motor vehicles and also drug and alcohol.” Organisers were a little disappointed with the number of teams who registered for the event and hoped the clubs from group 2 would support the event in future years. Davis said to be able to achieve their goals they need the support of not only clubs from the group but also business houses and the whole community. “We want to get more people involved and not only have the rugby league tournament but have stalls and different groups at the field to educate young people,” he said. Davis also said he would like to organise a netball tournament on the same weekend so there is something for girls. Organisers of the memorial tournament would like to thank everyone who was involved with the event. Nulla Sunrise beat Dunghutti Bronocs Memeorial Dream Team in the under 17s grand final. Braydon Johnston from Nulla Sunrise was named the player of the grand final and also took home the Most talented player of the weekend award. The best forward of the grand final went to Ralph Quinlan from the Dream Team; Adrian Hoskins won the best back in the final and Darren Holten won the player of the series. Kempsey Dragons beat Nulla Sunrise in the under 15s grand final, but Nulla got revenge in the under 13-14s grand final beating the Dragons. Smithtown and Dragons battled it out in the under 11s and 12s grand final with Dragons winning. The Dragons won the under 10s and 7s finals against their club counterparts. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story & Photo by : Doug Gillett  BUNDABERG'S budding crop of league talent impressed Wide Bay selectors last week, with eight young footballers handed a representative schoolboys guernsey. Local hopefuls put their best boots forward last Wednesday in a knockout round robin against Wide Bay's best teams. Anthony Lanskey, convener of Wide Bay School Rugby League and Bundaberg State High School vice-principal, oversaw a gruelling afternoon of football and was pleased to see some local faces attract the eye of selectors. “How many make the squad varies from year to year, so to see such a strong representation of Bundaberg footballers is great,” he said. The round-robin competition produced an intense afternoon of football, with Bundaberg players stepping up to representative squads from the North and South Burnett, Fraser Coast and Cooloola. Lanskey said the team had shown considerable form in the lead-up to the selection and had managed to stay composed during the round-robin competition to impress selectors. “It was a long afternoon and it took considerable stamina and focus from the guys to produce good football all the way through.” Patrick Kaufusi, 16, played beyond his years in the second row to make the under-18s Schoolboys Squad, attracting the eye of selectors with solid defence and calculated passes. Matthew Craven earned his place at halfback, combining water-tight defence with solid attack, while winger Shane Gorman was light on his feet and impressed selectors with streaking runs up the flank. Workhorse Reece Maughan was penned in to the clipboards of selectors with an impressive defensive effort, dismantling opposition attacks again and again. While Lanskey commended the Bundaberg team for its performance in the trials, he said those selected for the Wide Bay squad had the odds stacked against them in the Queensland School Boys selection trials between May 12 and 15. With the state's best footballers from the Tweed Coast to the tip of Cape Cork converging on Roma for the competition, competition would be fast and fierce, he said. “They're going to be up against kids from Rugby League Schools of Excellence like Palm Beach Currumbin and Keebra Park, so they will need to play the best brand of football they can muster to compete,” he said. With the competition running for four days, fitness will be crucial for Bundaberg's Queensland Schoolboys hopefuls. “Sustaining intensity can be hard over that length of period so stamina will be important,” he said. “You can't just go out there and have one good game. You have to play consistently over the entire tournament.” Making the cut for the U15s Wide Bay Schoolboys team were Dylan Bredhauer, Riley Blundell, Zak Bainbridge and Joshua Birch. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thursday 8 th April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 DANIEL Mortimer and James Maloney are two of the highest profile Orange exports running around in the National Rugby League at the moment but it may not be long before they are joined by another. Playing SG Ball for the Canberra Raiders this season is CYMS product Jack Wighton, who was home for the Easter weekend, and the five-eighth has impressed in his first year at the nation’s capital. Scoring in his side’s 42-20 victory over the Western Sydney Academy of Sport, Wighton has been a regular performer in the number six jersey for the green machine and knows his side’s three wins from eight matches is not indicative of the way his team has performed throughout the year. “It has been a really close competition,” Wighton said. “There isn’t much separating the top few sides and the games we have lost have only been by a few points.” Currently sitting in 10th position on six points, the Raiders have no chance of making the top eight with only one round remaining and Wighton is hopeful he will continue playing once his Canberra season is complete, this time for his new school Erindale College. “Our last game is next week against the Tigers so it’ll be good to get a win against them,” he said. “I haven’t been allowed to play for Erindale yet because of my Raiders commitments but hopefully when the season is over I can have a run. “Erindale College is a really good school, it is pretty relaxed which is good. I live at a place called Wanniassa which is right near school so it is pretty comfortable were I am at the moment.” Once back playing for Erindale, Wighton has his sights set on making the ACT Schoolboys side that will contest the Australian Schoolboys championship to be held at Burleigh in July. Still eligible to play for the Raiders’ under 18s side again next year, the high standard of rugby league hasn’t daunted the 17-year-old and making the next step up to the National Youth Competition, the Toyota Cup, may not be far away. “It is good. A lot different to around here (Orange). There is more structure which takes a bit of getting used to,” he said. “Training is a bit more full on too. It is three times a week and we are nearly in the gym every time.” “I’d be happy to make the step up the under 20s in the future. I know a couple of the under 20s boys and they help out a lot with the younger guys. You can often bump into the first grade guys too and say hello and they’ll stop and have a chat which is good.” Wighton will line up for Canberra this Saturday in their final match of the season against the Balmain Tigers at Seiffert Oval, Queanbeyan. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Young Magpie Tim Grob has been selected in the 2010 Northern Thunderbolts U/18’s squad. Grob 17, is one of only four to be selected from Group 19 and the only player from Glen Innes. He travelled to Grafton last weekend where he competed for a spot in the centres against players from the North Coast and Northern Rivers. Fellow Magpies player Beau Dawson travelled to Grafton for the trials but he was unsuccessful in his bid for a spot in the Thunderbolts squad. Grob who will feature in the Magpies A-grade side this year said he was looking forward to the opportunity of playing for the Thunderbolts. “They picked a squad of 18, we play the Country Championships on April 17 and 18,” he said. The NSW Country side is picked from the Country Championships. “I have played a lot of footy lately and everything is starting to fall into place.” “The work is starting to pay off.” His side will also play the curtain raiser for the City vs Country match on May 7. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wednesday 7 th April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Parramatta Eels have torn the stripes off the Balmain Tigers by defeating them 46-8 at New Era Stadium Cabramatta last Saturday in the SG Ball Cup fixture. The game was played in fine conditions. The good news for Parramatta fans is the return from injury of second row gun Jacob Loko. He scored two tries and his defence softened up a few of the Tigers boys. This boy isn’t slow either as he showed plenty of pace during the game. The Eels scored eight tries to two and I think that reflected the difference between the two teams. The Parramatta halves Jason Seage and Jason Wehbe – known as the “two Jasons” – directed play all day and gave the players outside them every opportunity to shine. If the Eels can keep this form up they will be one of the teams to beat in the finals race coming up in two weeks time. In contrast I felt the Tigers halves never really threatened the Eels defence. Indeed I thought Balmain’s best were Eels discards winger George Khoury who continually looked for opportunities and hooker Ben Saunders. Big Tigers centre Keliti Vaingalo had his moments in the first half and looked dangerous but he looked disinterested in the second half. Best for the Eels were prop Junior Paulo, centre Trent Jennings, Seage and Loko. The Eels have now progressed to fourth spot on the ladder and will play North Sydney next Saturday. The Tigers play their last game next week in Canberra against the Raiders. Parramatta's SG Ball coach Mr. Greg Boulous said after the game, " yeah mate, they (the Tigers) came here with nothing to losewe look forward to biulding for the next game and into the finals." Did anyone impress you today Greg ? " Junior Paulo played strong, i am just proud of the whole team, it was good to get the win, now we want to prepare well for Norths next week" PARRAMATTA 46 (J Loko 2 T Jennings J Wehbe S Hehepoto D Blackman L Fishburn J Paulo tries J Wehbe 7 goals) bt BALMAIN 8 (K Lovett B Saunders tries) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Balmain Tigers almost caused the biggest boilover this year in the Harold Matthews Cup competition last Saturday at New Era Stadium Cabramatta. In the end the Eels prevailed 26-20 but Parramatta coach Chris Bradbury looked like he needed a stiff drink after the game when his team received the fright of their lives. Parramatta stays on top of the competition but unfortunately for the Tigers the loss may have signaled the end of their season as they have slipped out of the eight to tenth position. But this game had everything – big hits, great attack and a nail biting finish. How on earth aren’t the Tigers in the top four after witnessing a top performance from the men in black and gold? The best hit of the day belonged to Balmain prop Paea Munakia who shortened up gun Eels prop Pauli Pauli. The hit reverberated around the ground and sent the big Pauli into Disneyland. Unfortunately for Munakia the referee deemed there were no arms in the tackle and he was penalised for a shoulder charge. Oh well it looked good anyway! The Eels led 16-10 at half time. Tigers half Luke Brooks scored a runaway intercept try to get his team into the game. The pass came courtesy of his Holy Cross College Ryde mate and Eels half Mitchell Moses. I bet there will be some geeing up by the Holy Cross boys when they next catch up with each other! Parramatta threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Tigers but they kept in the contest by taking penalty kicks at goal. At one stage I thought I was at a rugby union game when the Tigers elected to kick for goal. In the end the Eels scored five tries to two but the penalty goals certainly helped keep Balmain in the contest. The Eels are a good team and deserve to be on top of the competition but they are a team that can be bustled. If they are to win the premiership this year they will have to lift their game to another level by the time of the quarter finals which are only two weeks away. Best for the Tigers were half Luke Brooks and prop Paea Munakia. Best for the Eels were prop Frazer Masinamua and second rower Kalausa Leha.PARRAMATTA 26 (F Masinanua K Leha K Pritchard L Mafi T Moeroa tries M Moses 3 goals) bt BALMAIN 20 (M Dimarco L Brooks tries M Farrell 3 goals M.Mouawad 3 goals) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tuesday 6 th April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NSWCCC SELECTS WESTERN TEAMS
Last Wednesday students from Catholic Schools and Colleges from Lithgow, Dubbo, Mudgee, Orange, Forbes, Wagga, Young, Temora, Cootamundra, Temora, Cooma, Goulburn, Griffith, Leeton travelled to Red Bend, Forbes for the first round of selection trials. With 70+ fifteens and 48 eighteens the day provided some excellent rugby league. Two very strong squads were selected to take part in the NSW CCC Southern Country Trials against Wollongong Dio. These trials will take place on Monday 29th April at Edmund Rice College. Kickoff times are 10.00 am for fifteens and 12 noon for eighteens.Steve Hooper (Southern Country Convenor)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MOnday 6 th April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Parramatta once again showed their class by defending their titles in the Straits Opens Boys and ITT Water and Wastewater 15’s divisions at the 2010 Nyngan Easter Rugby League Challenge. Parramatta outclassed Penrith in the final 48 – 12 to win the Straits Open Boys. While in the ITT Water and Wastewater 15’s Parramatta just scrapped home defeating the CRL Far West Academy 10 – 6. Ten teams from across the state travelled to Nyngan to take part in the fourth Nyngan Easter Rugby League Challenge. NRL Junior Development sides Parramatta and Newcastle attended for the fourth consecutive year while Penrith and Western Suburbs attended for the second year in a row. Representing the country areas were Group XI, Group XIV, Macquarie Raiders and CRL Far West Academy. The teams converged on the Nyngan Showground on Friday night where they were welcomed by local Aboriginal elder, Kenny Leigh, from the Wongaibon tribe, and Bogan Shire Council Mayor, Ray Donald. Ray commented on how proud and honoured that the community of Nyngan are able to host this great event in the Far West of NSW. Following the formalities the teams had to display their bush skills participating in the Golden Tusk Games. Players had to cook damper, boil billy’s, milk cows and herd and shear sheep. It was obvious that some had never been over the Blue Mountains while some displayed some good bushman skills. Newcastle were named the winners of the Golden Tusk Games. The challenge kicked off on Saturday morning with the CRL Far West Academy taking on the Newcastle Knights in the Straits Open Boys. Despite a nervous start, where the Academy dropped the ball from the kick off and let in a soft try in the first set, the Academy side competed well against there more fancied opponents. Going in to halftime they were down only 12 – 4. After the break Newcastle put on two more tries to win 24 – 4. Penrith and Newcastle played in the game of the day on Saturday. Newcastle looked they had booked their place in the final leading Penrith 14 – 4 with less than 8 minute remaining. Wests came home strongly scoring two late tries to tie the scores up at 14 all at fulltime. The match of the day on Sunday was in the ITT Water and Wastewater 15’s, where Parramatta took on the CRL Far West Academy side. It was a very physical match and at halftime Parramatta led 10 – 0. The Academy side were the dominant side in the second half but could not convert that into enough points going down 10 – 6. Sean Hampstead, NRL Official, once again attended the event for the third consecutive year. Sean spent the weekend educating and working with the local officials and refereed several games over the weekend including the final of the Straits Open Boys. At the conclusion of the Challenge each team was asked to nominate the Most Valuable Player (MVP) throughout the Challenge: CRL FAR WEST ACADEMY OPENS – Ray Ebsworth PARRAMATTA 15’S – Matthew Whitehouse At the presentations Col Wright, CRL Far West Academy Head Coach and event organiser, was once again honoured that teams have travelled to Nyngan to participate in the 2010 event. Col was the driving force in starting up the Challenge back in 2007. “I would like to congratulate all teams on their performance both on and off the field over the weekend. There was some great rugby league played over the weekend, and I believe that the standard has once again improved this year. There were also some highlights off the field with the players participating in the Golden Tusk Games” said Mr Wright. “It was a great experience for our Far West Academy sides to play against some of the best junior talent in the state, and I know they had been looking forward to the challenge. Our Opens team were competitive in every match they played and had a good win over Macquarie, while the 15’s only lost one match all weekend which was to Parramatta by four points” “It’s great to see Newcastle and Parramatta travelling out for the fourth consecutive year, and Wests and Penrith for their second year. It shows that these clubs see the Challenge as a great experience for their players. We look forward to having them participate again in 2011 and invite clubs throughout NSW to attend next year.” “An event of this magnitude would not be possible without the support of volunteers, associations and most importantly sponsors. I would like to thank ITT Water and Wastewater and Straits for their sponsorship. The support from the Bogan Shire Council, Nyngan Senior and Junior Rugby League committees, Far West Academy of Sport, New South Wales Rugby League and Country Rugby League has been invaluable. Most importantly I would like to thank the Nyngan community and all the volunteers who assisted in hosting the event” added Mr Wright. The Nyngan community looks forward to holding the fifth instalment of the Challenge over the Easter Long Weekend in 2011. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sunday 4 th April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday will see a rematch of last years final with Parramatta playing Penrith in the Straits Open boys. While in the ITT Water and Wastewater the final match between Parramatta and CRL Far West Academy will determine the 15's champion.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saturday 3 rd April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
THE second rounds of the Dave Sheldrick Shield and Cup featured one dour struggle and a lop-sided affair last Tuesday night at No. 1 Oval. Tomorrow night's final shield match between St Francis College and Yanco Agricultural High School is set to be an exciting rugby league clash with both schools having a win to their names. Defending champion YAHS got on the board last Tuesday with a whopping 56-16 thumping of Leeton High School, averaging more than a point a minute in the 25-minute each way game. Anthony Scott, Jack Glyde and Brett Taylor crossed the line three times in the win. ARL development officer Dean Whymark said YAHS was impressive, but LHS fought gallantly until the end. "YAHS were really strong up the middle and were very well organised," he said. "To Leeton High's credit, they got on the board a few times and never gave up at any point. "It makes for an interesting last round (tomorrow)." The girls' cup game was a closer affair, with the match finishing in a nil-all draw. Heading into tomorrow's last round, St Francis has one win and will need just to draw with YAHS to win the cup and repeat its 2008 success. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Friday 2 nd April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Sharks under-18 SG Ball side continued its march to the semi finals with a hard fought 18-16 victory over fellow finals contenders the Canterbury Bulldogs, while the Matthews Sharks were beaten 30-22 in a matches played at Terry Lamb Complex at Chester Hill on Thursday night. The Sharks have struggled to overcome the Bulldogs in the past but in a game bringing the second and third placed sides together it was destined to become a cracker. It was the Sharks who always seemed to hold the upper hand, building on a 6-0 lead at the half time break, before going ahead 12-4, then 18-10, however a late Bulldogs try brought the home team within two points but the Sharks held firm during a tense final few minutes to record an impressive victory. The Sharks forwards stood up against a bigger opposition pack, while in the backs the likes of winger Ben Stratton and Daniel Moroko, along with centre Luke Pickerd, relieved many a dangerous situation while threatening the Bulldogs defence on numerous occasions with clever ball running. Halves Penani Manu and Sam Clune also controlled proceedings well in leading their team to victory. In the earlier match the Matthews Sharks climbed back into the contest in the second period but after giving up a big half time lead couldnt peg the Bulldogs back in going down by 30-22. Behind by 24-4 at the break the Sharks closed the gap to within just two at 24-22 behind, however a late Bulldogs try, followed by a penalty goal as a result of prop Daniel Byrne's second sin-binning of the match, put the result beyond doubt. On eight competition points the Matthews Sharks will now need a win in their last regular season match against Souths and other results to go their way if they hope to make the upcoming final series.MATTHEWS CUP SHARKS 22 Sam Rauicava, Jason Gray, David Tavita, Daniel Pappas tries, Gray 3 goals lost to BULLDOGS 30 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NYNGAN EASTER CHALLENGE READIES FOR KICK OFF The Nyngan community is gearing up for the fourth annual Nyngan Easter Rugby League Challenge to be held over the Easter Weekend, 2nd – 5th April. Ten teams will be travelling from across the state all vying to be crowned winners of the fourth Nyngan Easter Rugby League Challenge. Parramatta and Newcastle will be coming back for their fourth time while Western Suburbs and Penrith are returning for their second visit. Representing the country areas will be CRL Far West Academy, Macquarie Raiders, Group XI and Group XIV. The Challenge will kick off on Friday night at the Showground where the teams will be officially welcomed by Aboriginal elder, Kenny Leigh, and the Bogan Shire Mayor, Ray Donald. Following the welcoming ceremony athletes will participate in the “Golden Tusk” Games where they will try to cook damper, boil a billy, perform Aboriginal dances, shear and muster sheep. The Rugby League will kick off on Saturday morning at Larkin Oval with the CRL Far West Academy taking on Western Suburbs in the opening match to be played at 9:00am. This will be followed by 10 hours of non stop action rugby league action with the final game to kick off at 6:00pm. “We would encourage anyone who has an interest in Rugby League to come along to the event. You will have the opportunity to watch some of the most talented juniors in NSW play” said event organiser Col Wright. “There will be some great games on Saturday especially in the Straits Opens Boys as they will all be trying to finish top of their pool to qualify for the final on Sunday afternoon” The Straits Opens finals series will commence on Sunday at 10:30am with the third placed team in each pool to play against each other. There will also be two ITT Water and Wastewater 15’s games played throughout the day, which will ultimately decide the winners of the ITT Water and Wastewater division. “Sunday will culminate in the Straits Open Boys final which should be a cracker. The game will commence at 2:40pm and at this stage it s too hard to tell who will compete in that match. It really could be any of the four Sydney sides” commented Mr Wight. “I’m sure that Penrith will be out for revenge after losing to Parramatta in the final last year and Newcastle will also be looking to make it three wins from four attempts at the Challenge.” Following the final, the Challenge presentations will commence at 4:00pm at Larkin Oval. All spectators are encouraged to stay around for the presentation and to see who will be named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of each team. The committee hopes to see a bumper crown at Larkin Oval over the two days. Gates open at 8:30am Saturday and 9:30am on Sunday. Entry fee is only $5 with children U14 free. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thursday 1 st April 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UNDER 16 TIGERS SUFFER FROM DEPLETED BENCH Canowindra Tigers U16s travelled to Parkes to play the U16 Spacemen in hot conditions last Saturday. With 3 players out and no bench players (until some U14s arrived hot and weary from playing in West Wyalong) the Tigers prepared themselves for a hard game. Parkes kicked off and with Canowindra dropping the ball went on and opened the scoring. The next ten minutes saw both teams battling hard for field position. On the last tackle halfback Dan Middleton put up a bomb and fullback Nick Willson leaped high, caught it and scored. Poor ball control from Canowindra gave Parkes field advantage and they scored off a kick, to take the lead again. Hard running from Lock -Kain Earsman and Centre - Mick Clyburn put the boys in good field position. Taking advantage of this Dan Middleton dummied and sliced through from 30 metres out getting tackled just short of the line. From there Nick Willson went to dummy half and dived over for try number two. Dylan Beer converted and the scores were locked at 10 all. Parkes then kicked a penalty goal to go into half time leading 12-10. Early in the second half poor ball control from the Tigers in their own half let the boys down, with the Spacemen scoring 2 tries. Then the Tigers fired up in defence resulting in Parkes dropping the ball. In the next set Second Rower Dylan Beer scooted down the blind side scored and then converted his own try. Parkes scored again, but the Tigers didn’t give up working hard in defence and forcing Parkes to make a mistake, from which Jayden Brown scooted down the blindside and scored. The Tigers were still in it with a chance with the score 28-22 to Parkes, however the Spaceman stole the game with another try for a final score of 34-22. The boys played with great attitude and commitment, but once again poor ball control let them down. Notable mentions must go to back rowers Kain Earsman, Simon Whatman and Dylan Beer who made the bulk of the tackles for the team and ran hard all game. Mick Clyburn had his best game of the year, with good runs out wide and solid defence. Special thanks to the U14 players Alex Willson, Josh Trayhurn and Tim Middleton for backing up again and supporting the U16s. If the boys improve their ball control a win is just around the corner |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 NINE Fraser Coast junior rugby league players are proving hard to stop while they are on representative duty. A strong contingent from the region helped keep Central Division unbeaten after two rounds in the Queensland Rugby League Cyril Connell and Mal Meninga cups. A week after beating the Mackay Cutters in both under 16 and 18 games in Rockhampton, Central did just the same against the Central Comets in Toowoomba. The under 16 team, which included Jayk Rangihaeata (Burrum Miners), Matt Milzewski (Rovers), Owain Davies (Rovers) and Tom Ryan (Hervey Bay Seagulls) in its line-up, won a thriller 34-32. Maryborough’s Gary Brown is the coach of the under 16. The under 18 team made it a clean sweep after winning its showdown 16-10. Daniel Gillen (Wallaroos), Robbie O’Donnell (Hervey Bay Seagulls), Adriaan Meiring (Burrum Miners), Brad Davis (Wallaroos) and Chris Ahon (Hervey Bay Seagulls) were in the team. Meiring, who scored two tries last week, scored another in this win. O’Donnell kicked two goals. Maryborough’s John Bignell, the Queensland Rugby League Region co-ordinator, said the Fraser Coast contingent had again performed really well. “Serious consideration should be given to the inclusion of some of these players in Queensland teams as the form they showed in this competition has been outstanding,” Bignell, who travelled with the teams, said. “You can also be sure their performances will have not gone unnoticed by State League team personnel and talent scouts who were present at both games. “The players showed plenty of determination to make the most of the opportunity to play at the highest level available and to remain undefeated in their inaugural Central representative careers.” “I can tell you that these players are united and are looking forward to repeat opportunities in the future. “The performance of the teams augurs well for the future of this new Division – it’s exciting times for sure,” he said. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wednesday 31 st March 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 For more local news and photos grab a copy of the Bay Post or Moruya Examiner. The club, due to sponsorship support, has decked out all 15 teams, from juniors, third grade to first grade in the same uniforms. The Bay Junior Tigers club president Dick Freeman said that the presentation of the players is part of a new direction for the club. “The focus is on participation, fun and enjoyment,” he said. The strategy is working so far, with 70 new players this season. The junior players have been in training for the past five weeks. “There have been hundreds of kids running around the field which is a good sight to see,” Freeman said. He said that it’s important for the boys fitness and social skills. Bay Tigers publicity officer Danny Whitter would love to see some victories on the field. “A couple of wins along the way won’t be missed,” he said. The teams first competition games will be held this Saturday at various away locations. The results will be published in next Wednesday’s sports scoreboard page of the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner. Freeman would like to thank club treasurer Jeff Cox for designing the uniform strip. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOP OF PAGE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OCTOBER 2009 NEWS ARCHIVES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SEPTEMBER '09 NEWS ARCHIVES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AUGUST NEWS ARCHIVES HERE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| JULY NEWS ARCHIVES HERE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| JUNE NEWS ARCHIVES HERE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE NEWS |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 CONTACT US |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NEW RUGBY LEAGUE BOOK A DECISON NOT REGRETTED.  THE EARLY YEARS FO RUGBY LEAGUE IN SYDNEY SCHOOLS
A MUST FOR ALL THOSE INTERESTED IN RUGBY LEAGUE Life in the city of Sydney from the 1880s to the 1930sThe beginning of Rugby Union, Australian Rules, Soccer and Rugby League in Sydney The problems faced by schools wishing to play Rugby League The first school to play Rugby League The first schoolboys Rugby League competition in Sydney and Australia Profiles of the pioneer schools The development of Rugby League in Catholic schools during World War One, the 1920s and the 1930s The beginning of Rugby League in Country NSW and Brisbane schools A great story on an area of Rugby League history about which little was previously known DOWNLOAD ORDER FORM |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 2009 AIS TOUR |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL NSWCCC CUP MANUAL |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 NSWRL JANUARY PLAYERS CAMP |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NSWRL SG BALL CUP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NSWRL HAROLD MATTHEW'S CUP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CYRIL CONNER CUP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MEL MENINGA CUP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 30 YEARS of NSW CCC SCHOOLBOYS RUGBY LEAGUE BOOK LAUNCH The NSW CCC have launched a brand new book. 30 years of NSW CCC Rugby League. Its a fantastic book filled with great stories & photos of the history of the NSW CCC rugby league system. This book is available for sale at the bargain price of only $20.00, if you would like a copy, contact us and we can point you in the right direction. | LeaRN MoRe | ORDER NOW |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 2010 STRUDDY'S CHALLENGE DRAW & TEAM LISTS |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ATTENTION
Download the .pdf (1.22 mg) RUGBY LEAGUE FANS! The first ever fiction rugby league books just for young kids, are NOW available....  Switch young kids into reading and order these action packed, high interest reading books |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WANT TO GET OURFOOTY NEWS Well then JOIN HERE |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NATIONAL SCOREBOARD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
QUEENSLAND SCOREBOARD |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NSW SCOREBOARD |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 CHEERLEADER of the WEEK |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2009 
2009 ARRIVE aLIVE CUP
2009 
PATRICK O'HANLON 
OBE GEIA 
Jeff HARDY
Bulldogs win Harold 2007 Matthews Cup Grand Final | NATIONAL SCOREBOARD |
| CHS VS FRENCH JUNIORS NSW CHS 12 - 24 FRANCE |
| CONTACT US |
SPORT IS ABOUT THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE, NOT THOSE WHO WISH TO ORGANISE GAMES |
NSWRL DISTRICT REP'S |
NSW JUNIOR LEAGUES |
 CRONULLA JUNIORS |
COMMUNITY SCOREBOARD |
| G8 GIFT IDEA'S |
| NATIONAL SCOREBOARD |
 ARRIVE aLIVE CUP |
COMMUNITY SCOREBOARD |
| CHEERLEADER OF THE WEEK |
ASSRL | PROFESSIONAL WEBSITE HOSTING & EMAIL SYSTEMS BY : |
|