The second round of the Bob Fulton Cup has seen plenty of high quality games, prompting organisers to declare it 'the most competitive tournament in BFC history. Eight of the sixteen games had a margin of twelve or less, with the few blowouts involving those few RSC teams lucky enough to survive the opening round of the competition.
Two penalty goals in the final ten minutes to rookie Jonny Maquina have lifted Melbourne to a messy 20-16 win over the Auckland Chiefs today. The Executioners trailed at halftime, and looked like they were headed to golden point football until over-exuberant defence allowed them two gift penalties to seal the win.
Auckland: Glenn Turner and Michael Robertson. Bates 4/4
Melbourne: Dominik Bush and Luke Lewis 2. Maquina 4/7
PoM Points: Michael Robertson 3, Tommy Martyn 2, and Brian Randall 1.
A dominant second half of defence has seen Carnarvon progress through to the round of sixteen, the Grizzlies able to hold Brisbane scoreless in the second half and scored ten points of their own to record a memorable 24-12 win. It was an entertaining game between two improving sides in the Premier League competition.
Carnarvon: Dennis Moran, Alan Watts, Simon Taylor, and Terry Newton. Luana 4/5
Brisbane: Verity Gunnarsson and Danny Williams. Crocker 2/2
PoM Points: Simon Taylor 3, Joe Black 2, and Michael Crocker 1.
Late field goals to Shaun Timmins and Paul Deacon have lifted Central to a thrilling 22-18 win over the Wollongong Destructors in today's game. Billed as one of the most competitive in the tournament thus far, the game delivered in spades as two top quality sides bashed and brawled for the entire eighty minutes. Another sterling performance from local talent, Beau Rivers, was key in the win.
Central: Paul Deacon, Keith Senior, and Steve Menzies. Deacon 4/7. Timmins 1 fg. Deacon 1 fg
Wollongong: Brian Bower and Jimmy Watts 2. Hodgson 2/2. Covell 1/2
PoM Points: Beau Rivers 3, Ryan Bailey 2, and Harley Autitia 1.
2004 RSC runners up, The Entrance, have produced the blowout of the tournament thus far with a shock 30-6 humiliation of an out of form Colombo side. The Tigers showed no mercy against an underdone Harlequins side, and will now progress to the third round against all odds.
Colombo: Shane Millard. Fields 1/1
The Entrance: Guiseppi Magro, Brian Tabuli, James Little, Luke Young, and Roy Asotasi. El Masri 5/6
PoM Points: Roy Asotasi 3, Samer El Masri 2, and James Little 1.
The difference in training and team ethic showed through in Darwin's win over Berlin today, the Premier League side too good for the invitational minnows in their 28-6 home win. Darwin will now play host to Central in what will be their first real challenge of the tournament.
Darwin: Richard Villasanti, Caleb Ralph 2, Tana Umaga, and Blaze Wilson. Wilkinson 4/5
Berlin: Johannes Muhle-Karbe. Ramonov 1/1
PoM Points: Blaze Wilson 3, Caleb Ralph 2, and Tana Umaga 1.
It wasn't the most memorable second half in Gold Coast history, but the Crusade have done enough to progress to the next round of the BFC on the back of a 24-6 win over a plucky Balmain storm outfit.
Gold Coast: Ade Gardner 2 and Scott Sattler 2. Johns 4/5
Balmain: Mitchell Sargent. Collis 1/1
PoM Points: Ade Gardner 3, Scott Sattler 2, and Matthew Gidley 1.
Two tries in the last two minutes have blown out the scoreline between Northern and Waikato, the Cannons getting up 36-18 in a game that was far closer than the final margin shows. The Cannons and Breakers exchanged blows back and force throughout the clash, with Northern leading 26-18 with only five minutes remaining. A late pair of tries to David Lyons and Jason Hooper sealed a far from dominant win.
Northern: Chev Walker, Michael DeVere, Jason Hooper, David Lyons, Evan Mears, and Paul Wood. Ahmed 6/10
Waikato: Richie Barnett Sr, Andre Bowen, and Nathan Blacklock. Humphrys 3/3
PoM Points: Michael DeVere 3, Paul Wood 2, and David Lyons 1.
Penrith have played the finest game in the club's short history to score a resounding 32-8 win over the stunned Adelaide Attitude. The Attitude showed signs of poor form in last week's shaky win over Canberra, and were blown off the park by an enthusiastic and committed Penrith side today.
Penrith: Ben Roarty, Steve Bell, Lee Gilmour 2, Daniel Heckenberg, and Daniel Wagon. Riddell 4/6
Adelaide: Richard Swain. Apokalips 2/2
PoM Points: Lee Gilmour 3, Steve Bell 2, and David Solomona 1.
It was the undoubted finest game in Bob Fulton Cup qualifying history, as the unheralded Port Adelaide Corsairs recording a stunning 19-18 win over the heavily favoured Wellington Cougars. While handling errors were thick and fast in the thrilling game, the David and Goliath battle enthralled a huge Adelaide crowd as the Corsairs got home on the back of a field goal from veteran five eighth, Rob Balachandran.
Port Adelaide: Hayden James and Simon Gwynne. Mason 5/5. Balachandran 1 fg
Wellington: John Sitizein, Danny Orr, and Jamie Peacock. Sinfield 3/4
PoM Points: Shane Mongta 3, Rob Balachandran 2, and Kevin Sinfield 1.
Trailing 32-12 with twenty minutes remaining, North Queensland have shown they'll be a real Division Two force this year, a twenty point turnaround having Port Moresby on the rack with only five minutes of play remaining. The Power, about to embark on their maiden Premier League campaign, steeled their defence for a shaky 32-30 win.
Port Moresby: Matt Sing, Christian Bai 2, Ryan Cross, Tiri Toa, and Paul Anderson. Carter 4/6
North Queensland: Jean Emmanuel-Cassin, Andrew Mehrtens, Lars Gjolnier, Brian O'Keefe, and Kris Radlinski. Mehrtens 5/5
PoM Points: Wairangi Koopu 3, Iafeta Peleaeasina 2, and Olivier Sarramea 1.
Perth look to be on shaky ground after only the goal-kicking of Carlos Spencer could separate the former Premier League giants from the lowly Rabaul Rangers today. The Taipans were eventual 22-18 winners.
Rabaul: Stanley Tepend, Etienne Fynn, and Igor Gavrilin 2. Parks 1/4
Perth: Ardent Rivers 2, Carlos Spencer, and Toa Kohe-Love. Spencer 3/4
PoM Points: Tim Jonkers 3, Daniel Parks 2, and Stanley Tepend 1.
Central Coast recorded the biggest win of the second round, the Falcons humbling Rotarua 46-4 to ensure they'd have a home final in next week's clashes. Whilst Nigel Vagana drew plenty of attention with a powerful hat-trick, it was his outside man, Matt Utai, who impressed with his jarring defence.
Rotarua: Sean O'Loughlin. Lavea 0/1
Central Coast: Nigel Vagana 3, Hazem El Masri, Braith Anasta 2, Brent Sherwin, and Dean Walker. El Masri 7/8
PoM Points: Matt Utai 3, Brent Sherwin 2, and Nigel Vagana 1.
Surfers Paradise have set up a potentially thrilling local derby against the Gold Coast Crusade next week on the back of a dominant 34-14 win over the Capetown Ravens. Glenn Morrison, after jumping from Perth to the Punks in the off-season, continued an outstanding tournament with a hat trick and another man of the match award.
Surfers Paradise: Jason Priest, Iestyn Harris, Glenn Morrison 3, and Robbie Kearns. Hannay 5/6
Capetown: Martin Gleeson, Stanley Gene, and Andy Farrell. Farrell 2/5
PoM Points: Glenn Morrison 3, Adam Perry 2, and Darren Lockyer 1.
A full strength Sydney side has proved far too good for the 'might' of the Katherine Kings today, the Oilers getting up 38-10 in a game that was virtually a training session for last year's finalists.
Sydney: Willie Tonga, Dane Carlaw, Grant Martin, Craig Wing, Brent Tate, and Brett Kimmorley. Gower 7/7
Katherine: Darren Bennet 2. Bennet 1/2
PoM Points: Brett Kimmorley 3, Craig Wing 2, and Ben Kennedy 1.
It was far from pretty, but Parramatta have progressed to the third round of the BFC courtesy of a sloppy 16-12 win over the Victoria Voltage. The Voltage, who will see two of their number taking the field in RSC sides this season, played hard but were undone by a late Craig Fitzgibbon try.
Victoria: Stuart Littler and Denis Korolev. Prichard 2/3
Parramatta: Craig Fitzgibbon 2 and Luke Bailey. Fitzgibbon 2/3
PoM Points: Craig Fitzgibbon 3, Dean Widders 2, and Chris Thorman 1.
Sunshine Coast follow The Entrance through to Round 3 of the BFC courtesy of their own upset win this week. The Wizards showed they've got more then enough talent to make the grade in Division Two on their way to a solid 24-14 win over the newly formed Wagga Redbacks.
Wagga: Stefano Saghini, Terrance Brown, and Marc Reed. Saghini 0/2. Rowles 1/2
Sunshine Coast: Kade Snowden, Blake Mueller, Nathan Sologinkin, and Michael Ennis. O'Connor 4/4
PoM Points: Michael Ennis 3, Maleky O'Connor 2, and Blake Mueller 1.
ROUND THREE
The Entrance Tigers vs. Parramatta Vikings @ The Birdcage
Surfers Paradise Punks vs. Gold Coast Crusade @ The Slam Pit
Darwin Cyclones vs. Central Phoenix @ Manuka Oval
Melbourne Executioners vs. Central Coast Falcons @ Olympic Park
Sydney Oilers vs. Perth Taipans @ Telstra Stadium
Penrith Highlanders vs. Port Moresby Power @ Penrith Stadium
Northern Cannons vs. Carnarvon Grizzlies @ Brookvale
Sunshine Coast Wizards vs. Port Adelaide Corsairs @ Mooloolaba Sportsground
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