Post by padds on Mar 18, 2021 11:28:46 GMT
Match of the Day was Byron Brewers against Mandurah Maples at the Byron Stadium. Top against 3rd so fireworks were expected. 100% Byron were without Reimis Smith and Nicho Hynes, while Tom Lineham and Andre Savelio were called up by the first team. Mandurah were without Andrew Fifita.
Byron got off to the perfect start as Joe Shorrocks knocked on near his own line and Brewers collected the ball. Good forward play followed and Charnze Nicol-Klokstead linked up from fullback to score his 3rd try in 4 games. Jamayne Isaako added the 2 and Brewers were off. Byron extended their lead on 10 minutes as their forwards dominated again and Ben Garcia trundled over for a try. Isaako goaled and it was 12-0 after 10. A couple of minor injuries disrupted the Brewers flow and veteran Kane Linnett nicked a try on 20 minutes for Mandurah. This was converted by Tuimoala Lolohea, and Byron led 12-6 at the half.
The Brewers got the second half under way. After 10 minutes of nothing happening something happened, but not to the Maples liking. Scrumhalf Reuben Cotter went down under a pile of players and finished up in agony having a problem with his shoulder. He bravely managed to walk the three metres to the sideline and disappeared down the tunnel. Reliable reports say he will miss 5 weeks. Still the two teams laboured to find some cohesive rugby and when Keaon Koloamatangi made a great line break and played the ball quickly Mandurah were caught offside. Isaako kicked the ensuing penalty and suddenly it was a two score game. Just when it looked like the Brewers were getting on top, back came the Maples. On the last tackle Mandurah played a set piece straight from the training ground as Sam Lisone raced through throwing dummies right and left and the sent in Linnett for his second try. Linnett was injured as he made the score and is likely to be missing next week. Lolohea added the goal and finally the MOD was living up to its name. Down to the last five minutes and Man of the Match Dylan Walker showed a clean pair of heels and crashed over in the corner, seeming to knock on in the action of scoring. Video ref ‘’Rabbitoh’ Bob Townsend awarded a controversial try and Byron were almost home. As the Maples pushed for a reply they lost the plot and a head high tackle resulted in an easy penalty for Isaako. Byron ran out 22-12 and maintained their 100% record 4 from 4. Ben Garcia limped off at the final hooter and looks doubtful for next week. Also injured was Junior Tatola who took several knocks and could be out for 3 weeks.
The early game was joint bottom Balmain storm at home to Surfers Paradise Punks at the Leichardt Oval. Balmain were missing Ash Taylor and Blayke Brailey along with Danny Richardson from the previous week. In came Anthony Milford, Beau Fermor and Nat Butcher. Chris Maunder made a raft of changes to give his overload of players game time, the only injuries being Zak Hardaker and Blake Ferguson. Rotating players doesn’t always work and the Punks form has been sporadic this season.
Like their big brothers at Brisbane the Punks took an early lead when good forward play earned a gap on the right and Nene MacDonald strolled over in the corner. The conversion was missed. After a period of unproductive play veteran Cameron Smith raced through a gap near the line and was pole-axed by a Storm player who cannot be named as Smith may be suing him for assault. After 5 minutes of treatment Smith bravely stepped up and converted the ensuing penalty. Why the Balmain player wasn't sent off, or at least sin-binned is beyond this writer's comprehension. Storm were the team most affected by this episode and Surfers took full advantage as Peter Mata'utia raced though a gap down the right again only to be stopped metres from the line. As he was struggling in the tackle he managed to find an offload and as a good halfback does, Jacob Miller was there to touch down under the sticks. Smith added the goal and suddenly the Punks led by 12. Tempers were running high now and both teams were penalised for dangerous and head high tackles, several of which put on report and could led to suspensions further down the line. A lot of the problems could be laid at the feet of referee Ashley Klein, who was not strong enough in his decision making.
After 15 minutes break tempers had subsided but tacked were a bit tentative and Balmain took full advantage as as Surfers were playing touch rugby when Anthony Milford walked through paper thin tackling and scored an easy try. Inexplicably Jarrod Croker missed a fairly easy conversion, which Balmain were later made to regret. Croker was having a stinker and knocked on 5 times before at last he held a pass and made a great run to send in Taniela Paseka for try. Croker goaled and Storm were only 2 behind. There were a few scares before the final hooter, but the Punks managed to hold on for a scrappy 12-10 win. In the end a win is a win and it’s 2 points on the League ladder. No reward for Balmain as they now have 4 defeats from 4 games. For the Punks Mark Nicholls is definitely out of next weeks game and possibly Adam Pompey, too. To add to Balmain's woes Zane Musgrove and Nat Butcher were both injured.
At the Hindmarsh Stadium Kensington Highrollers took on South Lancs Saints without star goal kicker Marc Sneyd while the Saints were missing Ben Crookes. The Highrollers were looking to stop a losing run of 3 and Connor Watson came in for Sneyd. A few cosmetic changes were made by coach Anthony McElroy. For South Lancs Jake Wardle replaced Crookes. Saints had won 2 of their 3 games and were looking for an easy ride against Kensington.
Both sides were struggling to find any kind of form and the Saints suffered an early setback when losing influential looseforward Morgan Smithies to injury while tackling Briton Nikora. Smithies managed to limp from the field, but it was confirmed later that he will miss 4 weeks. This injury upset South Lancs and in next minutes they gave a way a penalty for holding down. Herbie Farnworth kicked the goal and Kensington were in a rare position of being in the lead, To make things worse for the Saints prop Mikolaj Oledzki suffered a serious injury to his leg and was carried off. 6 weeks out is the estimate from the South Lancs medical team. The Saints were now on the ropes and ready for the knockout, Kensington, suffering from poor confidence couldn’t press home the advantage and only led 2-0 at the break.
As expected South Lancs were not in good mood to start the second half and gave a way a penalty after 3 minutes. Farnworth kicked the goal. The Saints were losing it now, and youngster Cameron Smith ducked a potential head high tackle to score near the post Farnsworth added the 2 and the Highrollers led by 10. The next 25 minutes were forgettable and Kensington must have been suffering from a nosebleed as they scaled the heights if a first win. They tried to throw it away as they allowed South Lancs to score through Aaron Smith, goaled by Semi Valemei, It was too little, too late and the Highrollers held on to win 10-4. Briton Nikora took a nasty knock and is doubtful for next week for Kensington., while Jordan Rapana looks likely to miss next week. South Lancs have the excuse of injuries for thee performance, but this was not a good advert for the ASRL.
Sunshine Coast Fury took on Trafford Metro at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in what turned out to be the best game of the weekend. Both teams had players missing, Fury Chris Randall and Declan Patten and Metro Tony Gigot and Fouad Yaha. Otherwise it was cosmetic changes and both had a 2/1 record.
Both sides started the game playing Heavy Metal rugby and something had to give, as Trafford were penalised for st ripping the ball. Jake Clifford kept up his 100% kicking record as he slotted the goal. Fury were on top now and Luke Metcalf, making his seasonal debut poached a try as Trafford’s defence made a mess of defending a kick in goal. Metro shrugged off this setback and came back strongly. Good work by the forwards produced a chance for Lee Gaskell, who scored his first try of the season. He also added the goal. The metronome swung the other way immediately as Trafford were penalised for offside. From the resulting position Fury ran the ball and their backs were excellent as youngster Tony Francis made room for himself and he scored his first try in the ASRL. Trafford were now reeling and Sunshine Coast took advantage as Jack Howarth made a great break to send in Clifford for his 2nd try this season. Clifford added the goal. As the Metro now defended for their life youngster Fanitesi Niu limped off with an ankle injury, which will keep him out for 4 weeks. Instead of folding Trafford regrouped and started to play some good rugby which resulted in a score. Good forward play saw Man of the Match Ryan Hall break the line and send in Gaskell for hos 2nd try, which he goaled. That was it for the first half and Sunshine Coast led 20-12.
After such a good first half referee Chris Sutton spoiled the match by constantly giving penalties, mainly in favour of the home side. One rare award to the away side resulted in a sin-bin for Francis for a head high tackle. With 15 minutes to go the result looked up in the air but as often happens the team with 12 men score. Trafford’s bad defence allowed Jake Clifford to sneak over for his 2nd try of the match. He goaled and surely Fury were home and hosed. Metro had other ideas. From his own 10 metre line Josh Curran made a great break. He couldn’t go the distance, but saw prop Oregon Kaufusi backing and sent him in under the sticks. Gaskell gaoled and it was a 4 point game. Trafford had left it too late and Sunshine Coast hung on to win 26-22. A couple of bad knocks resulted in Metcalf and Howarth both being sidelined for possibly 3 weeks. This could have been a great game, but was spoiled by over officiating by the referee.
The evening kick-off was Partick Pirates against Alice Springs Dingoes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Jazz Tevaga was missing fo Alice amd surprisingly in form centre Dale Copley was dropped. Alice were slight favourites having won 2 of their first 3 games.
Alice started off the best of the two teams and scored after 4 minutes. They were on the attack and bad defence from Partick allowed youngster Tommy Talau to touch down for his 2nd try of the season. Ace goalkicker Rhyse Martin pulled the kick wide. The game see-sawed back and forth until Partick managed to get on the scoreboard with and unconverted try by Kallum Watkins. Alice allowed him to kick through and collect to score in the corner. Again the see-saw got working with the game drifting towards halftime with the sides level. Martin had different ideas, however, and after bad defence by Alice he crashed over for his 3rd try of the season. Again he missed the conversion, a rarity of him missing consecutive kicks, but managed to get one when Alice were penalised for offside. Partick led 10-4 at the break.
Once again Alice started off best and pulled back the arrears after 2 minutes. James Donaldson made a break down the middle and Marion Seve marked his first appearance this season with a fry in the corner. Mason Lino missed his second attempted conversion and the score was 10-8 to Partick. 5 minutes later the Pirates took the game by the scruff of its neck when prop Moses Leota made a great break. As the defence covered he amazingly put up a bomb. Nick Meaney collected and scored. After a check by the video ref for a foot in touch the try was awarded. Partick were right on top now and again Leota broke the line. This time instead of kicking he passed to Matt Purcell who plunged over for a try. Martin converted and the Pirates were in complete control, but Alice responded when Partick went to sleep and Donaldson scored a try converted by Martin. Pirates worries were settled when the Dingoes were guilty of a head high tackle and Martin kicked the penalty. The plucky Partick saw the game out and won 24-14.
Byron got off to the perfect start as Joe Shorrocks knocked on near his own line and Brewers collected the ball. Good forward play followed and Charnze Nicol-Klokstead linked up from fullback to score his 3rd try in 4 games. Jamayne Isaako added the 2 and Brewers were off. Byron extended their lead on 10 minutes as their forwards dominated again and Ben Garcia trundled over for a try. Isaako goaled and it was 12-0 after 10. A couple of minor injuries disrupted the Brewers flow and veteran Kane Linnett nicked a try on 20 minutes for Mandurah. This was converted by Tuimoala Lolohea, and Byron led 12-6 at the half.
The Brewers got the second half under way. After 10 minutes of nothing happening something happened, but not to the Maples liking. Scrumhalf Reuben Cotter went down under a pile of players and finished up in agony having a problem with his shoulder. He bravely managed to walk the three metres to the sideline and disappeared down the tunnel. Reliable reports say he will miss 5 weeks. Still the two teams laboured to find some cohesive rugby and when Keaon Koloamatangi made a great line break and played the ball quickly Mandurah were caught offside. Isaako kicked the ensuing penalty and suddenly it was a two score game. Just when it looked like the Brewers were getting on top, back came the Maples. On the last tackle Mandurah played a set piece straight from the training ground as Sam Lisone raced through throwing dummies right and left and the sent in Linnett for his second try. Linnett was injured as he made the score and is likely to be missing next week. Lolohea added the goal and finally the MOD was living up to its name. Down to the last five minutes and Man of the Match Dylan Walker showed a clean pair of heels and crashed over in the corner, seeming to knock on in the action of scoring. Video ref ‘’Rabbitoh’ Bob Townsend awarded a controversial try and Byron were almost home. As the Maples pushed for a reply they lost the plot and a head high tackle resulted in an easy penalty for Isaako. Byron ran out 22-12 and maintained their 100% record 4 from 4. Ben Garcia limped off at the final hooter and looks doubtful for next week. Also injured was Junior Tatola who took several knocks and could be out for 3 weeks.
The early game was joint bottom Balmain storm at home to Surfers Paradise Punks at the Leichardt Oval. Balmain were missing Ash Taylor and Blayke Brailey along with Danny Richardson from the previous week. In came Anthony Milford, Beau Fermor and Nat Butcher. Chris Maunder made a raft of changes to give his overload of players game time, the only injuries being Zak Hardaker and Blake Ferguson. Rotating players doesn’t always work and the Punks form has been sporadic this season.
Like their big brothers at Brisbane the Punks took an early lead when good forward play earned a gap on the right and Nene MacDonald strolled over in the corner. The conversion was missed. After a period of unproductive play veteran Cameron Smith raced through a gap near the line and was pole-axed by a Storm player who cannot be named as Smith may be suing him for assault. After 5 minutes of treatment Smith bravely stepped up and converted the ensuing penalty. Why the Balmain player wasn't sent off, or at least sin-binned is beyond this writer's comprehension. Storm were the team most affected by this episode and Surfers took full advantage as Peter Mata'utia raced though a gap down the right again only to be stopped metres from the line. As he was struggling in the tackle he managed to find an offload and as a good halfback does, Jacob Miller was there to touch down under the sticks. Smith added the goal and suddenly the Punks led by 12. Tempers were running high now and both teams were penalised for dangerous and head high tackles, several of which put on report and could led to suspensions further down the line. A lot of the problems could be laid at the feet of referee Ashley Klein, who was not strong enough in his decision making.
After 15 minutes break tempers had subsided but tacked were a bit tentative and Balmain took full advantage as as Surfers were playing touch rugby when Anthony Milford walked through paper thin tackling and scored an easy try. Inexplicably Jarrod Croker missed a fairly easy conversion, which Balmain were later made to regret. Croker was having a stinker and knocked on 5 times before at last he held a pass and made a great run to send in Taniela Paseka for try. Croker goaled and Storm were only 2 behind. There were a few scares before the final hooter, but the Punks managed to hold on for a scrappy 12-10 win. In the end a win is a win and it’s 2 points on the League ladder. No reward for Balmain as they now have 4 defeats from 4 games. For the Punks Mark Nicholls is definitely out of next weeks game and possibly Adam Pompey, too. To add to Balmain's woes Zane Musgrove and Nat Butcher were both injured.
At the Hindmarsh Stadium Kensington Highrollers took on South Lancs Saints without star goal kicker Marc Sneyd while the Saints were missing Ben Crookes. The Highrollers were looking to stop a losing run of 3 and Connor Watson came in for Sneyd. A few cosmetic changes were made by coach Anthony McElroy. For South Lancs Jake Wardle replaced Crookes. Saints had won 2 of their 3 games and were looking for an easy ride against Kensington.
Both sides were struggling to find any kind of form and the Saints suffered an early setback when losing influential looseforward Morgan Smithies to injury while tackling Briton Nikora. Smithies managed to limp from the field, but it was confirmed later that he will miss 4 weeks. This injury upset South Lancs and in next minutes they gave a way a penalty for holding down. Herbie Farnworth kicked the goal and Kensington were in a rare position of being in the lead, To make things worse for the Saints prop Mikolaj Oledzki suffered a serious injury to his leg and was carried off. 6 weeks out is the estimate from the South Lancs medical team. The Saints were now on the ropes and ready for the knockout, Kensington, suffering from poor confidence couldn’t press home the advantage and only led 2-0 at the break.
As expected South Lancs were not in good mood to start the second half and gave a way a penalty after 3 minutes. Farnworth kicked the goal. The Saints were losing it now, and youngster Cameron Smith ducked a potential head high tackle to score near the post Farnsworth added the 2 and the Highrollers led by 10. The next 25 minutes were forgettable and Kensington must have been suffering from a nosebleed as they scaled the heights if a first win. They tried to throw it away as they allowed South Lancs to score through Aaron Smith, goaled by Semi Valemei, It was too little, too late and the Highrollers held on to win 10-4. Briton Nikora took a nasty knock and is doubtful for next week for Kensington., while Jordan Rapana looks likely to miss next week. South Lancs have the excuse of injuries for thee performance, but this was not a good advert for the ASRL.
Sunshine Coast Fury took on Trafford Metro at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in what turned out to be the best game of the weekend. Both teams had players missing, Fury Chris Randall and Declan Patten and Metro Tony Gigot and Fouad Yaha. Otherwise it was cosmetic changes and both had a 2/1 record.
Both sides started the game playing Heavy Metal rugby and something had to give, as Trafford were penalised for st ripping the ball. Jake Clifford kept up his 100% kicking record as he slotted the goal. Fury were on top now and Luke Metcalf, making his seasonal debut poached a try as Trafford’s defence made a mess of defending a kick in goal. Metro shrugged off this setback and came back strongly. Good work by the forwards produced a chance for Lee Gaskell, who scored his first try of the season. He also added the goal. The metronome swung the other way immediately as Trafford were penalised for offside. From the resulting position Fury ran the ball and their backs were excellent as youngster Tony Francis made room for himself and he scored his first try in the ASRL. Trafford were now reeling and Sunshine Coast took advantage as Jack Howarth made a great break to send in Clifford for his 2nd try this season. Clifford added the goal. As the Metro now defended for their life youngster Fanitesi Niu limped off with an ankle injury, which will keep him out for 4 weeks. Instead of folding Trafford regrouped and started to play some good rugby which resulted in a score. Good forward play saw Man of the Match Ryan Hall break the line and send in Gaskell for hos 2nd try, which he goaled. That was it for the first half and Sunshine Coast led 20-12.
After such a good first half referee Chris Sutton spoiled the match by constantly giving penalties, mainly in favour of the home side. One rare award to the away side resulted in a sin-bin for Francis for a head high tackle. With 15 minutes to go the result looked up in the air but as often happens the team with 12 men score. Trafford’s bad defence allowed Jake Clifford to sneak over for his 2nd try of the match. He goaled and surely Fury were home and hosed. Metro had other ideas. From his own 10 metre line Josh Curran made a great break. He couldn’t go the distance, but saw prop Oregon Kaufusi backing and sent him in under the sticks. Gaskell gaoled and it was a 4 point game. Trafford had left it too late and Sunshine Coast hung on to win 26-22. A couple of bad knocks resulted in Metcalf and Howarth both being sidelined for possibly 3 weeks. This could have been a great game, but was spoiled by over officiating by the referee.
The evening kick-off was Partick Pirates against Alice Springs Dingoes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Jazz Tevaga was missing fo Alice amd surprisingly in form centre Dale Copley was dropped. Alice were slight favourites having won 2 of their first 3 games.
Alice started off the best of the two teams and scored after 4 minutes. They were on the attack and bad defence from Partick allowed youngster Tommy Talau to touch down for his 2nd try of the season. Ace goalkicker Rhyse Martin pulled the kick wide. The game see-sawed back and forth until Partick managed to get on the scoreboard with and unconverted try by Kallum Watkins. Alice allowed him to kick through and collect to score in the corner. Again the see-saw got working with the game drifting towards halftime with the sides level. Martin had different ideas, however, and after bad defence by Alice he crashed over for his 3rd try of the season. Again he missed the conversion, a rarity of him missing consecutive kicks, but managed to get one when Alice were penalised for offside. Partick led 10-4 at the break.
Once again Alice started off best and pulled back the arrears after 2 minutes. James Donaldson made a break down the middle and Marion Seve marked his first appearance this season with a fry in the corner. Mason Lino missed his second attempted conversion and the score was 10-8 to Partick. 5 minutes later the Pirates took the game by the scruff of its neck when prop Moses Leota made a great break. As the defence covered he amazingly put up a bomb. Nick Meaney collected and scored. After a check by the video ref for a foot in touch the try was awarded. Partick were right on top now and again Leota broke the line. This time instead of kicking he passed to Matt Purcell who plunged over for a try. Martin converted and the Pirates were in complete control, but Alice responded when Partick went to sleep and Donaldson scored a try converted by Martin. Pirates worries were settled when the Dingoes were guilty of a head high tackle and Martin kicked the penalty. The plucky Partick saw the game out and won 24-14.
