Post by padds on Mar 24, 2021 8:07:39 GMT
Match of the Day was the matchup of ASRL Giants Dave ‘King of the Poms’ Paddock and ‘Rabbitoh’ Bill Townsend at the Kcom Stadium. . Auckland had made a good start to the season with 3 wins from 4 and were looking for revenge for the last game of the season proper last season when defeat to an understrength Hull side cost the Orcas qualification for the play-offs. Redskins were coming off a nilling at Gold Coast and were looking to get back to winning ways. They were without Kikau, RTS, Clark, Proctor and Tamou so were down to backup players for this titanic task, Orcas rested Cameron Murray and Aiden Sezer,
Auckland took an early lead after 7 minutes when recent signing Tom Trbojevic made a great run down the right and sent in habitual scorer Mikaele Ravalawa for his 3rd try of the season. This was to be his last try for the Orcas as he was part of a deal which took him to Brisbane in exchange for Cameron Smith. Stefan Ratchford kicked his 14th goal of the season and Auckland were on their way. It was end to end stuff as both sides went at each probing for gaps. One was found in the 26th minutes when Hull were attacking just inside their own half. Slick handling by the backs sent in Anthony Don for an excellent try. Don was making his first appearance of the season and he had a great game, walking away with the Man of the Match award. Shaun Johnson had a 100% kicking record for the season, but missed from the touchline. This miss turned to be vital in the end. A quiet period erupted into action as big second rower Nelson Asofa-Solomona caught the Redskins defence napping to score a converted try to put the Orcas in charge at the half.
Hull moved up a gear at the start of the second stanza and it didn't take long for them to reply. Good movement by Hulls backs resulted in a bomb which Kevin Naiqama plucked from the sky and touched down for his 3rd try of the season. Johnson tacked on the 2 and it was a 2 point game. Soon after Redskins almost took the lead as a great move broke down but Josh Jones knocked on with the line at his mercy. With 16 minutes left on the clock Hull did take the lead. Jackson Hastings joined the line in an attack and dummied 2 players to score under the posts. Johnson goaled and it was a 4 point lead to Hull. A great comeback and with 5 minutes left Kalyn Ponga dropped a goal to give Hull a 5 point lead and victory within their grasp. Bad discipline by Hull gave away a penalty and from the resulting position big Tom Burgess crashed over for the four pointer. It all depended on Ratchford’s kick and he showed no nerves as he piloted the ball between the posts for an 18-17 win for Auckland. Heart-breaking for Hull, but the Orcas never gave up. Possibly a draw would have been a fair result. In the end it was Johnson's only missed goal so far that cost Hull.
Darwin Dragons entertained Gold Coast Crusade at the Darwin Dragons Stadium. Crusade had a flawless start to the season with 4 from 4 and Darwin had won their last 2, so a close game was expected. Darwin's injury list is lengthening while Gold Coast had Kodi Nikorima injured last week and out for 2 months.
Darwin started off well and Gold Coast suffered a major blow when Ryan Matterson hobbled off with and ankle injury. After 6 minutes their troubles were compounded when Dragon’s main man, big unit Latrell Mitchell barged through some paper thin Gold Coast defence to score his first try of the season. Mitchell won the Man of the Match for his efforts, but had no real backing from his fellow Dragons. Nathan Cleary missed a fairly easy goal for him and even though they led things didn’t look too good for Darwin. They managed to keep their noses in front, however, as it was pretty lacklustre stuff and neither team really looked like troubling the scorer.
It would have been good to have been a fly on the wall listening to Matt Lyon’s halftime rant, but it worked as Gold Coast started the second half meaning business. Gold Coast had a couple of half chances before star winger Tom Johnstone scored a try from a seemingly impossible position with an acrobatic leap to get a touchdown. Reliable Adam Reynolds kicked his 12th goal of the season and Crusade led. They started to dominate the game now, but lost Dylan Edwards, who had been outstanding, to a knee injury. However, they extended their lead soon after when Alex Johnston made a great break and fed his namesake Tom to score near the posts. Reynolds goaled and it was all over bar the shouting. Gold Coast ran the game down and Johnston showed he has more to his bow than try scoring by dropping a goal to seal the victory 13-4. Reports after the match were that Matterson will miss 4 weeks and Edwards 3. Gold Coast have now won 5 in a row and stand lone at the top.
Brisbane Raiders took on Glasgow Reapers at the Suncorp Stadium, where the Raiders 100% start to the season was on the line. It looked straightforward for Brisbane, who had beaten some decent teams in their 4 wins against an unpredictable Glasgow, who had 3 defeats in 4, although a couple were close. Raiders were missing Aiden Sezer and Cameron Smith was promoted from Surfers Paradise in what would be his last game for Brisbane, before his move to Auckland this week. Although several players were carrying niggles, Reapers named an unchanged side.
Brisbane have been fast starters in the in previous 4 games but it was Glasgow who made the first inroads. After a Raiders attack, which left the Reapers 7 metres off their own goal line, quick hands led to Josh Aloiai, who had a great game, making a great line break and passing onto flyer Jake Bibby who went in at the corner. Man of the Match Mitchell Moses missed his only conversion of the afternoon. Brisbane were obviously rattled by this start and gave away a penalty for fighting. Moses obliged and the Reapers led 6-0 after 8 minutes. Obviously Glasgow had brought their A game and were frustrating the Raiders at every turn. On 15 minutes the lead was doubled as another line break by Aloiai led to a try by Moses, which he converted. Sloppy play by Glasgow brought an immediate reply from Brisbane A break by George Lawler sent in Michael Morgan and Gareth Widdop converted with his 23rd goal of the season. From the kick off the Raiders raced downfield and Martin Taupau crossed for a four pointer. Widdop stepped up to equalise, but hit the post with his attempt. Glasgow took heart from this failure and settled down to their game plan, which seemed to be to frustrate the Raiders. It worked to a tee, and a defensive mistake led to Brenko Lee scoring from a Reaper’s kick in goal. Moses added the 2 and Glasgow were back in control. They now settled down and Brisbane struggled to make any impression. Reapers led 18-10 at the break after a fantastic half and looked on course for the shock of the season.
Brisbane’s flying start deserted them once again and Glasgow looked more confident by the minute. 10 minutes in and Aloiai was at it again, as he raced through the Raiders poor defence and sent Moses in for a converted try. The Reapers fantastic defence faltered once more and George Lawler took advantage to crash over. Widdop converted and a grandstand finale was set up. Glasgow managed to hang on, and when Brisbane, pushing for a score, were caught offside Moses kicked his 5th goal of the afternoon and the Reapers ran oy 26-16 for a well deserved, if unexpected victory. Simon Laing got his tactics right this week and shows Brisbane can be beaten. Glasgow’s excellent win was not without a cost, however. Niggles for Mitch Pearce, Isaah Yeo, Josh Aloiai and Brandon Smith make them doubtful for next week’s match.
Perth Panthers entertained Adelaide Attitude at the Optus Stadium The only change for the Panthers was a strange one as youngster Lachlan Crouch replaced Elliott Whitehead. Attitude were at full strength with Joseph Manu replacing Brian To’o, Adelaide had broken their seasonal duck last week and were looking to build on that, while Perth had lost their last 3.
Newfound confidence by Adelaide, plus the meagre opposition, saw them open the scoring after 6 minutes through Dylan Brown, goaled by James Maloney. Perth hit back straight away with a well worked try by Danny Houghton, which was goaled by Craig Hall who put the Panthers in the lead with a penalty for offside soon afterwards. This setback sparked a purple patch from the Attitude and they scored 3 tries in 15 minutes through Man of the Match Joseph Manu(2) and Nathan Brown, all converted by Maloney. Just before the break Craig Hall converted a try of his own and Perth were within 10 at the half.
Perth started the second half strongly and Israel Folau finished off a move started by Mike McMeeken. Hall goaled and it was a 4 point gap. It looked like Panthers might make a game of it, but Adelaide had other ideas, and Tom Makinson scored another try, Maloney goaling. Once again Perth came back and Darryn Schonig touched down. Hall goaled and with 20 minutes to go it was back to 4. However, Panthers couldn’t produce another comeback and Adelaide ran away with it, scoring 22 points through tries by Josh Griffin(2), Alexander Brimson, his 4th in 5 games, and Sam Tomkins with 3 more goals from Maloney as Attitude hit the half century. 78 points scored in 80 minutes and a great game if you are an Adelaide fan, but Perth crash to a 4th successive defeat and bottom of the league. Adelaide were bottom 2 weeks ago, but are now up to 4th.
The late kick-off saw Merseyside Dockers take on Sydney Oilers at Anfield, and this was the week’s biggest banker, as Sydney had a 100% record, albeit all losses, and were expecting a pasting from early pacesetters Merseyside. However, the Dockers have been picking up injuries galore recently, and were missing star winger Josh Addo-Carr, Josh Morris, David Klemmer, Jake Trbovejic and Will Hopoate. Oilers were almost at full strength with Valentine Holmes replacing Josh Mansour.
In one of the strangest game seen at Anfield Merseyside, with a side strong enough to beat bottom team Sydney at a canter, were humiliated by Roger Bossert’s boys. It took 46 seconds for the Oilers to get the scoreboard moving as quick movement to the right wing in the first attack saw Valentine Holmes touch down for the simplest try he will score all season. As a premonition of things to come Daly Cherry-Evans kicked the goal with aplomb. After 20 minutes of not much happing the Dockers were stunned when forward Lachlan Fitzgibbon suffered what looked like a broken arm. He was in agony as he walked off the park and coach Jim Green was seen to be mouthing obscenities behind his hands, as if to say ‘Haven’t we got enough f*****g problems’ He is on report as to any further action. Fitzgibbon could be out for 2 months depending on the injury. Enthusiasm for the game seemed to drain out of the English side and just before halftime Ryan Papenhuyzen raced 70 metres, only to be caught short of the line. The ensuing play the ball say Matthew Eisenhuth crash over for his first try of the season. DCE converted and the to rub salt into a dejected Dockers side he himself waltzed through a huge gap to score his first 4 pointer of the campaign. The conversion made it 18-0 to Sydney at the break.
Jim Green’s halftime talk on a comeback took 7 minutes to be derailed as Daniel Saifiti limped off with an ankle injury. Amid the confusion of reorganising the side Sonny Bill Williams pushed aside weak tackling to show what the Oilers will be missing next season. He repeated the trick 90 seconds later. DCE converted the first and it was now a case of how many Sydney would score. The Oilers seemed to have sympathy with the Dockers dilemma, and after taking a knock in the first half Dockers forward Luke Thompson collapsed in a heap and was carried off with a possible knee injury. Man of the Match SBW just had time to complete his hat trick to take his tally to 5 in 5 to go to the top of the try scoring list. The worst injury list shows 6 Dockers players in there and Jim Green looks to have a few problems on his hands in the next few weeks. Sydney's first win, as they built on last weeks’ almost win against Brisbane. It’s a shame a depleted Merseyside team were the ones to get the full force of Sydney's resurgence.
In an incredible round of matches all the away teams won.
Auckland took an early lead after 7 minutes when recent signing Tom Trbojevic made a great run down the right and sent in habitual scorer Mikaele Ravalawa for his 3rd try of the season. This was to be his last try for the Orcas as he was part of a deal which took him to Brisbane in exchange for Cameron Smith. Stefan Ratchford kicked his 14th goal of the season and Auckland were on their way. It was end to end stuff as both sides went at each probing for gaps. One was found in the 26th minutes when Hull were attacking just inside their own half. Slick handling by the backs sent in Anthony Don for an excellent try. Don was making his first appearance of the season and he had a great game, walking away with the Man of the Match award. Shaun Johnson had a 100% kicking record for the season, but missed from the touchline. This miss turned to be vital in the end. A quiet period erupted into action as big second rower Nelson Asofa-Solomona caught the Redskins defence napping to score a converted try to put the Orcas in charge at the half.
Hull moved up a gear at the start of the second stanza and it didn't take long for them to reply. Good movement by Hulls backs resulted in a bomb which Kevin Naiqama plucked from the sky and touched down for his 3rd try of the season. Johnson tacked on the 2 and it was a 2 point game. Soon after Redskins almost took the lead as a great move broke down but Josh Jones knocked on with the line at his mercy. With 16 minutes left on the clock Hull did take the lead. Jackson Hastings joined the line in an attack and dummied 2 players to score under the posts. Johnson goaled and it was a 4 point lead to Hull. A great comeback and with 5 minutes left Kalyn Ponga dropped a goal to give Hull a 5 point lead and victory within their grasp. Bad discipline by Hull gave away a penalty and from the resulting position big Tom Burgess crashed over for the four pointer. It all depended on Ratchford’s kick and he showed no nerves as he piloted the ball between the posts for an 18-17 win for Auckland. Heart-breaking for Hull, but the Orcas never gave up. Possibly a draw would have been a fair result. In the end it was Johnson's only missed goal so far that cost Hull.
Darwin Dragons entertained Gold Coast Crusade at the Darwin Dragons Stadium. Crusade had a flawless start to the season with 4 from 4 and Darwin had won their last 2, so a close game was expected. Darwin's injury list is lengthening while Gold Coast had Kodi Nikorima injured last week and out for 2 months.
Darwin started off well and Gold Coast suffered a major blow when Ryan Matterson hobbled off with and ankle injury. After 6 minutes their troubles were compounded when Dragon’s main man, big unit Latrell Mitchell barged through some paper thin Gold Coast defence to score his first try of the season. Mitchell won the Man of the Match for his efforts, but had no real backing from his fellow Dragons. Nathan Cleary missed a fairly easy goal for him and even though they led things didn’t look too good for Darwin. They managed to keep their noses in front, however, as it was pretty lacklustre stuff and neither team really looked like troubling the scorer.
It would have been good to have been a fly on the wall listening to Matt Lyon’s halftime rant, but it worked as Gold Coast started the second half meaning business. Gold Coast had a couple of half chances before star winger Tom Johnstone scored a try from a seemingly impossible position with an acrobatic leap to get a touchdown. Reliable Adam Reynolds kicked his 12th goal of the season and Crusade led. They started to dominate the game now, but lost Dylan Edwards, who had been outstanding, to a knee injury. However, they extended their lead soon after when Alex Johnston made a great break and fed his namesake Tom to score near the posts. Reynolds goaled and it was all over bar the shouting. Gold Coast ran the game down and Johnston showed he has more to his bow than try scoring by dropping a goal to seal the victory 13-4. Reports after the match were that Matterson will miss 4 weeks and Edwards 3. Gold Coast have now won 5 in a row and stand lone at the top.
Brisbane Raiders took on Glasgow Reapers at the Suncorp Stadium, where the Raiders 100% start to the season was on the line. It looked straightforward for Brisbane, who had beaten some decent teams in their 4 wins against an unpredictable Glasgow, who had 3 defeats in 4, although a couple were close. Raiders were missing Aiden Sezer and Cameron Smith was promoted from Surfers Paradise in what would be his last game for Brisbane, before his move to Auckland this week. Although several players were carrying niggles, Reapers named an unchanged side.
Brisbane have been fast starters in the in previous 4 games but it was Glasgow who made the first inroads. After a Raiders attack, which left the Reapers 7 metres off their own goal line, quick hands led to Josh Aloiai, who had a great game, making a great line break and passing onto flyer Jake Bibby who went in at the corner. Man of the Match Mitchell Moses missed his only conversion of the afternoon. Brisbane were obviously rattled by this start and gave away a penalty for fighting. Moses obliged and the Reapers led 6-0 after 8 minutes. Obviously Glasgow had brought their A game and were frustrating the Raiders at every turn. On 15 minutes the lead was doubled as another line break by Aloiai led to a try by Moses, which he converted. Sloppy play by Glasgow brought an immediate reply from Brisbane A break by George Lawler sent in Michael Morgan and Gareth Widdop converted with his 23rd goal of the season. From the kick off the Raiders raced downfield and Martin Taupau crossed for a four pointer. Widdop stepped up to equalise, but hit the post with his attempt. Glasgow took heart from this failure and settled down to their game plan, which seemed to be to frustrate the Raiders. It worked to a tee, and a defensive mistake led to Brenko Lee scoring from a Reaper’s kick in goal. Moses added the 2 and Glasgow were back in control. They now settled down and Brisbane struggled to make any impression. Reapers led 18-10 at the break after a fantastic half and looked on course for the shock of the season.
Brisbane’s flying start deserted them once again and Glasgow looked more confident by the minute. 10 minutes in and Aloiai was at it again, as he raced through the Raiders poor defence and sent Moses in for a converted try. The Reapers fantastic defence faltered once more and George Lawler took advantage to crash over. Widdop converted and a grandstand finale was set up. Glasgow managed to hang on, and when Brisbane, pushing for a score, were caught offside Moses kicked his 5th goal of the afternoon and the Reapers ran oy 26-16 for a well deserved, if unexpected victory. Simon Laing got his tactics right this week and shows Brisbane can be beaten. Glasgow’s excellent win was not without a cost, however. Niggles for Mitch Pearce, Isaah Yeo, Josh Aloiai and Brandon Smith make them doubtful for next week’s match.
Perth Panthers entertained Adelaide Attitude at the Optus Stadium The only change for the Panthers was a strange one as youngster Lachlan Crouch replaced Elliott Whitehead. Attitude were at full strength with Joseph Manu replacing Brian To’o, Adelaide had broken their seasonal duck last week and were looking to build on that, while Perth had lost their last 3.
Newfound confidence by Adelaide, plus the meagre opposition, saw them open the scoring after 6 minutes through Dylan Brown, goaled by James Maloney. Perth hit back straight away with a well worked try by Danny Houghton, which was goaled by Craig Hall who put the Panthers in the lead with a penalty for offside soon afterwards. This setback sparked a purple patch from the Attitude and they scored 3 tries in 15 minutes through Man of the Match Joseph Manu(2) and Nathan Brown, all converted by Maloney. Just before the break Craig Hall converted a try of his own and Perth were within 10 at the half.
Perth started the second half strongly and Israel Folau finished off a move started by Mike McMeeken. Hall goaled and it was a 4 point gap. It looked like Panthers might make a game of it, but Adelaide had other ideas, and Tom Makinson scored another try, Maloney goaling. Once again Perth came back and Darryn Schonig touched down. Hall goaled and with 20 minutes to go it was back to 4. However, Panthers couldn’t produce another comeback and Adelaide ran away with it, scoring 22 points through tries by Josh Griffin(2), Alexander Brimson, his 4th in 5 games, and Sam Tomkins with 3 more goals from Maloney as Attitude hit the half century. 78 points scored in 80 minutes and a great game if you are an Adelaide fan, but Perth crash to a 4th successive defeat and bottom of the league. Adelaide were bottom 2 weeks ago, but are now up to 4th.
The late kick-off saw Merseyside Dockers take on Sydney Oilers at Anfield, and this was the week’s biggest banker, as Sydney had a 100% record, albeit all losses, and were expecting a pasting from early pacesetters Merseyside. However, the Dockers have been picking up injuries galore recently, and were missing star winger Josh Addo-Carr, Josh Morris, David Klemmer, Jake Trbovejic and Will Hopoate. Oilers were almost at full strength with Valentine Holmes replacing Josh Mansour.
In one of the strangest game seen at Anfield Merseyside, with a side strong enough to beat bottom team Sydney at a canter, were humiliated by Roger Bossert’s boys. It took 46 seconds for the Oilers to get the scoreboard moving as quick movement to the right wing in the first attack saw Valentine Holmes touch down for the simplest try he will score all season. As a premonition of things to come Daly Cherry-Evans kicked the goal with aplomb. After 20 minutes of not much happing the Dockers were stunned when forward Lachlan Fitzgibbon suffered what looked like a broken arm. He was in agony as he walked off the park and coach Jim Green was seen to be mouthing obscenities behind his hands, as if to say ‘Haven’t we got enough f*****g problems’ He is on report as to any further action. Fitzgibbon could be out for 2 months depending on the injury. Enthusiasm for the game seemed to drain out of the English side and just before halftime Ryan Papenhuyzen raced 70 metres, only to be caught short of the line. The ensuing play the ball say Matthew Eisenhuth crash over for his first try of the season. DCE converted and the to rub salt into a dejected Dockers side he himself waltzed through a huge gap to score his first 4 pointer of the campaign. The conversion made it 18-0 to Sydney at the break.
Jim Green’s halftime talk on a comeback took 7 minutes to be derailed as Daniel Saifiti limped off with an ankle injury. Amid the confusion of reorganising the side Sonny Bill Williams pushed aside weak tackling to show what the Oilers will be missing next season. He repeated the trick 90 seconds later. DCE converted the first and it was now a case of how many Sydney would score. The Oilers seemed to have sympathy with the Dockers dilemma, and after taking a knock in the first half Dockers forward Luke Thompson collapsed in a heap and was carried off with a possible knee injury. Man of the Match SBW just had time to complete his hat trick to take his tally to 5 in 5 to go to the top of the try scoring list. The worst injury list shows 6 Dockers players in there and Jim Green looks to have a few problems on his hands in the next few weeks. Sydney's first win, as they built on last weeks’ almost win against Brisbane. It’s a shame a depleted Merseyside team were the ones to get the full force of Sydney's resurgence.
In an incredible round of matches all the away teams won.
