AT the end of the first round in the Carlton Mid Group 2 competition, undefeated leaders Port Macquarie were given an almighty fright and were lucky to defeat Woolgoolga 46-34 last weekend.
A game where defence was limited to a couple of big hits, Woolgoolga exposed the leader’s weakness in defence on the edges of the rucks.
Woolgoolga forwards Sammy Van Hammond and Kelsie Davis showed up their more fancied rivals.
Sharks front rower Matt Blake and lock Joel Asher showed their class, but lacked support from their Port Macquarie team-mates.
Woolgoolga lost Wade Gerhard early in the game, but not before he produced the hit of the day to force Danny Graham off in the opening tackle.
Speedy centre Seb Cottam was another Woolgoolga casualty during the game.
Woolgoolga’s performance gives other contenders plenty of confidence.
Orara Axemen, at home, showed great attack against Nambucca Heads, with exciting winger Nathan Hardy scoring a hat-trick.
Nambucca, after winning its first three, now has lost five in a row and will be looking for answers to turn their season around.
A team who has turned their season into positives is Coffs Comets, who notched their fourth victory in a row with a 48-24 victory over Macleay Valley, the success lifting them into the top five.
Comets forwards, led by Josh Fox and Nathan Sherlock, are doing the hard yards for classy Matt Donovan and Troy Robinson to capitalise.
First round summary
Port Sharks’ young stars Kieran Vale, Adam Greenaway and Harley Gore have come of age, running off the good work of Clinton Foot, Jeremy Lang and Matt Blake.
The Sharks’ lack of size up front will tell in the second round as other clubs discover where to take them on.
Last year’s premiers Sawtell Panthers are still the team to beat, with power and pace across the paddock.
Newcomers, centre Josh Bryan, Lance and Logan Wright, have been outstanding.
Macksville hasn’t lived up to its potential, but with so many stars will be there again in the top three.
And for the first time in years, the Sea Eagles have a good reserve grade side with the likes of Edgar Cowell and Bobby Jarrett to call on.
Coffs Comets are gaining confidence after beating the teams below them and are now ready to tackle the top four in the second round.
Bellingen, Orara, Woolgoolga, Nambucca and Macleay certainly have a lot to prove before they can force their way into the five.
In ‘reggies’, Sawtell leads by two points from Woolgoolga, followed by Macleay, Orara, Comets and Macksville a further two points back.
In a very close competition, it is pleasing to see so many young players staying in the game and providing some entertaining encounters.
The under-18s is the closest of all the grades and having watched the top two, Port Sharks and Woolgoolga last weekend with the outcome not decided until the last five minutes, it promises to be an outstanding second round.
Bellingen continues to improve and their clash with Macksville this weekend will see the winner in equal second.
Men of League
Thank you to all the Woolgoolga supporters who made the boys feel welcome, plus the signing up of new members by Peter Phillips and Darren Leaney.
The response to the sports lunch on Friday, June 18 has been encouraging, so make sure you get your tickets early.
Contact me at Bellbowrie Motors, phone 6656 8737, or email peter@bellbowriemotors.com.au
Defence game
The only match of the round this weekend has both teams under pressure to gain the points and consolidate a top five position.
Bellingen, on 10 points, has had 100 points scored against it in two games. The Magpies take on Macksville, on nine points.
Macksville at home is always hard to beat and it knows the importance of this one.
Bellingen players Danny Russell, at five eighth, Brad and David Hart, along with Bert Gray and Ryan O’Connor, will test any team, but will have to be at their best.
Macksville has young Sam Miles back from Redcliffe in the forwards and along with Troy Grace and Luke Cartwright will have a good go forward.
The classy David Pickvance at five eighth will ensure a great duel against Russell.
The under-18s clash for a top three position will be worth getting there early for.
NRL Update
Queensland must be laughing at our Origin selectors, calling us the state of disarray.
We haven’t been able to pick a team and have bracketed doubtful players because selectors still don’t know where to play the captain Kurt Gidley.
At least they can see the potential of Raiders’ Josh Dugan at fullback and Mitch Pearce at halfback.
Brett Kimmorley was one of the best in Origin I, but NSW needs a quicker attacking option.
Jason King for Josh Perry is not much better, but with four changes again, just like the last four years, it certainly won’t have me backing them with my hard earned.
Queensland’s only worry was picking Lote Tuiqiri or defector Israel Filau.
With no Origin players available there are only five NRL games, but picking the winners won’t be any easier. (My tips in capital letters)
Round 14 NRL
Friday: TITANS v Sea Eagles.
Saturday: Cowboys v RAIDERS.
Sunday: KNIGHTS v Warriors, Broncos v RABBITOHS.
Monday: STORM v Roosters.
Byes: Bulldogs, Dragons, Eels, Panthers, Sharks and Tigers.
Group 2 match of the round
Macksville v Bellingen
Allan Gillett Oval, Sunday, 2.45pm
Macksville
Nigel Hookey
Peter Bulla
Jesse McEwan
Dean Buchanan
Lester Holton
David Pickvance
Nev Donovan
Tyler Searle
Grant Collison
Troy Grace
Sam Myles
Henry Dunn
Luke Cartwright
Remi Bueno
Bobby Jarrett
Coach: Grant Coleman
Port Macquarie
Tyson Morris
Jason Griffith
Richard Cooke
Louie Taylor
Ian Boutell
Danny Russell
Wil Close
David Hart
Brad Hart
Ryan O’Connor
Craig Millan
Bert Gray
Anthony Fenson
Cameron Blair
Jude Erskine
Coach: Josh White
Email a friend
Favourites
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
StumbleUpon
MySpace
Reddit
Newsvine
LinkedIn
Kwoff
Twitter