PREMIER LEAGUE
Both Adelaide and Hawkesbury went into today’s game on the back of impressive four game winning streaks, and with the race to avoid relegation fast heating up, today’s winning would take out a huge advantage. However, the occasion didn’t live up to expectation, as Adelaide dismantled the disappointing Mavericks on the way to a comprehensive 28-4 victory.
Adelaide: Neil Budworth, Courtney Brideson, Richie McCaw 2, and Elton Flatley. Flatley 4/5
Hawkesbury: Tevita Vaikona. Ahmed 0/1
HT Score: Adelaide 22-0
Penalties: Adelaide 13-7
Completion Rates: Adelaide 72% Hawkesbury 63%
Possession: Adelaide 55%
PoM Points: Courtney Brideson 3, Richie McCaw 2, and Lote Tuqiri 1.

Capetown remain in real danger of being relegated only a year after their astounding premiership win, with Brisbane easily accounting for the out of form Ravens in today’s clash in Queensland. The Bulls were their usual exciting selves, winning 30-0.
Brisbane: Ben Hornby, Josh Hannay 2, Cameron Smith, and Luke Williamson. Hannay 5/5
Capetown: None.
HT Score: Brisbane 12-0
Penalties: Brisbane 8-3
Completion Rates: Brisbane 62% Capetown 52%
Possession: Brisbane 59%
PoM Points: Trent Waterhouse 3, Josh Hannay 2, and Ben Ross 1.

Central Coast have recovered well from last week’s narrow loss to Gold Coast in the best possible fashion, exacting a measure of revenge on the Crusade’s neighbours, Surfers Paradise- in a 32-10 whitewash. Whilst the result will dismay Punks fans, the news that former coach Chris Maunder will make his return has sparked immense excitement at the club.
Central Coast: Matt Utai 2, Chris Flannery, James Manson, Matthew Burke, and Paul Sculthorpe. El Masri 4/6
Surfers Paradise: Junior Langi 2. Deacon ½
HT Score: Central Coast 20-10
Penalties: 8 all
Completion Rates: Central Coast 59% Surfers Paradise 53%
Possession: Central Coast 55%
PoM Points: James Manson 3, Aaron Allingham 2, and Matt Utai 1.

Perth have reminded people not to write them off as premiership contenders in today’s match against the Central Phoenix, racing in six tries to two in a 38-12 thumping of the Phoenix. Both sides went into today’s match needing points if they’re to contest the top eight, and the Taipans were lead ably by their captain as he sought to appear in his first finals series since leaving Hobart.
Central: Steve Menzies and Joe Galavao. Harris 2/2
Perth: Justin Hodges, John Sitizein, Ardent Rivers, Torsten Fiedler, Luke Ricketson, Willie Mason, and Schalk Burger. Wilkinson 5/8
HT Score: Perth 24-6
Penalties: Perth 9-3
Completion Rates: Central 64% Central 75%
Possession: Perth 59%
PoM Points: Luke Ricketson 3, Jonny Wilkinson 2, and Daniel Abraham 1.

Darwin have done Capetown a huge favour today, thumping last placed Port Moresby 46-8 to ensure that the struggling Ravens won’t slide into eighteenth position. The Cyclones, another side capable of making the top eight with a late surge, started their charge brilliantly with this eight tries to one pounding of the soon-to-be folded Power.
Darwin: Caleb Ralph, Aaron Mauger 2, Neil Turley, John Morris 2, George Gregan, and Owen Finegan. O’Gara 7/8
Port Moresby: Mils Muliana. Adams 2/3
HT Score: Darwin 18-8
Penalties: Darwin 12-8
Completion Rates: Darwin 80% Port Moresby 68%
Possession: Darwin 59%
PoM Points: Ronan O’Gara 3, Stephen Larkhim 2, and Caleb Ralph 1.

Trent Pariah is the outright leader in this year’s Dally M polling following another sparkling performance from the Cannons’ winger in today’s 16-2 victory over the in form Wollongong Destructors. In what was arguably the game of the round, the Cannons flexed some premiership muscle in accounting for the higher ranked Destructors.
Northern: Awen Guttenbiel, Phillip Elof, and Mark O’Meley. Pariah 2/3
Wollongong: None. Goddard 1/1
HT Score: Northern 6-2
Penalties: Northern 6-5
Completion Rates: Northern 60% Wollongong 78%
Possession: Northern 52%
PoM Points: Trent Pariah 3, Phillip Elof 2, and Awen Guttenbiel 1.

Premier League Table (Including Risk Results)
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Gold Coast 17 3 0 621 287 334 34
2. Wellington 15 5 0 498 345 153 30
3. Central Coast 14 6 0 555 269 286 28
4. Wollongong 13 7 0 451 380 71 26
5. Northern 12 7 1 471 380 91 25
6. Coffs Harbour 12 8 0 418 384 34 24
7. Brisbane 11 8 1 439 358 81 23
8. Parramatta 11 9 0 413 405 8 22

9. Central 10 10 0 448 427 21 20
10. Darwin 10 10 0 402 386 16 20
11. Perth 10 10 0 416 414 2 20
12. Sydney 9 10 2 390 396 -6 20
13. Adelaide 7 13 0 344 462 -118 14
14. Hawkesbury 7 13 0 282 487 -205 14
15. Melbourne 6 14 0 274 468 -194 12
16. Surfers Paradise 5 14 1 349 517 -168 11
17. Capetown 5 15 0 265 460 -193 10
18. Port Moresby 5 15 0 320 539 -219 10

DIVISION TWO
It was all one way traffic in today’s top of the table clash between Fairfield and East Coast, with the Tigers impressing punters with a 46-6 demolition of the in form Stallions. The win puts real pressure on first placed Tamworth City.
Fairfield: Stuart Kelly. Magro 1/1
East Coast: Chris Walker 2, Sid Domic, Mark Gerrard 2, Dallas Johnson, Danny Galea, and Steele Retchless. Hicks 7/8
HT Score: East Coast 28-6
Penalties: East Coast 8-5
Completion Rates: Fairfield 56% East Coast 58%
Possession: East Coast 57%
PoM Points: Danny Galea 3, Chris Walker 2, and Mark Gerrard 1.

A two try haul from Grant Wooden has seen the Ipswich Reds score an upset victory over the in form Wagga Badgers, with the late try and conversion lifting the folding club to a 14-12 win over Theo Kamis’ chargers.
Ipswich: Grant Wooden 2. Tulley 3/3
Wagga: Marc Reed and Jamie Rooney. Rowles 2/3
HT Score: Wagga 6-2
Penalties: Ipswich 10-5
Completion Rates: Ipswich 62% Wagga 61%
Possession: Ipswich 51%
PoM Points: Jamie Rooney 3, Grant Wooden 2, and Sam Payne 1.

Newcastle have reaffirmed their status as the dominant club in the Peter Sterling Division with a solid 22-12 victory over the formerly division leading Tassie Devils. Both sides proved they’ll be contenders in six weeks time when the finals begin, but it was Newcastle who came away with a morale boosting victory.
Newcastle: Gareth Ellis, Rob Parker, Marc Barctholomeausz, and Matt Diskin. Cooke 3/5
Tassie: Cameron Way 2. Way 2/2
HT Score: Newcastle 16-6
Penalties: Newcastle 3-2
Completion Rates: Newcastle 61% Tassie 60%
Possession: Newcastle 53%
PoM Points: Brett Firman 3, Marc Barctholomeausz 2, and Yaccine Dekkiche 1.

North Queensland have made it three on the trot today, accounting for the Eastwood Pumas 10-6 to leave Wanganui behind by three points. Only a few weeks ago the Dolphins looked like certainties for the Peter Sterling Division wooden spoon, but their recent form has seen them all but guarantee Wanganui the dishonour.
North Queensland: Brooke Martin. Mehrtens 3/3
Eastwood: John Hopoate. Burrow 1/1
HT Score: North Queensland 4-0
Penalties: North Queensland 11-9
Completion Rates: North Queensland 64% Eastwood 65%
Possession: North Queensland 50%
PoM Points: John Hopoate 3, Kris Radlinski 2, and Todd Byrne 1.

Penrith have faced their third contender in as many weeks and been found wanting, the 30-4 loss to Canberra capping off what has been a nightmarish few weeks for the struggling western Sydney club.
Penrith: Steve Bell. Riddell 0/1. Tuimavave 0/1
Canberra: Paul Whatuira 2, Sean Towers, Antonio Kaufusi, and Ryan Hudson. Towers 5/6
HT Score: Canberra 20-0
Penalties: 6 all
Completion Rates: Penrith 59% Canberra 66%
Possession: Canberra 55%
PoM Points: Chris McKenna 3, Ryan Hudson 2, and Sean Towers 1.

Tamworth City have firmed as outright favourites to take out this year’s Division Two competition and ascend to the Premier League, today showcasing their attacking prowess with a 52-6 demolition of the hapless Port Macquarie Stingrays. The nine try haul from the Titans featured a memorable four try performance from Kurt Gidley, whilst veteran centre John Carlaw continued his sterling swansong season.
Port Macquarie: Shane Rua. Tinakita 1/1
Tamworth City: Clint Newton 2, Kurt Gidley 4, Greg Davidson, Scott Sattler, and Scott Logan. Gidley 1/1. Davidson 7/8
HT Score: Tamworth City 12-0
Penalties: Port Macquarie 8-5
Completion Rates: Port Macquarie 65% Tamworth City 68%
Possession: Tamworth City 58%
PoM Points: John Carlaw 3, Kurt Gidley 2, and Scott Sattler 1.

Only a few weeks after stepping down as coach, long suffering Hoo-Flung Bok Choi has returned to the helm of Shanghai to guide the Chinese club to a 26-12 win over the Geelong Bengals. The Traders will not participate in the ASRL next year, but signalled their intentions to contest the finals with today’s win over a fellow contender.
Shanghai: Ryan Girdler, Jamie Burrows 2, and Nick Fozzard. Girdler 5/6
Geelong: Miguel Detreaux and Mauro Bergamasco. Detreaux 2/3
HT Score: Shanghai 8-6
Penalties: Shanghai 10-6
Completion Rates: Shanghai 67% Geelong 53%
Possession: Shanghai 55%
PoM Points: Ryan Girdler 3, Nick Fozzard 2, and Julian O’Neill 1.

A change in tactics from Waikato coach Rodney Braithwaite has seen the Breakers score a convincing victory in today’s clash with New England, the 30-16 win casting serious doubts over the Ferrets’ premiership aspirations, with Dunedin’s bye moving them even further clear of the Armidale club.
Waikato: Nathan Blacklock, Brian Lima, Chaz Warrington 2, and Richie Barnett Sr. Bowen 5/6
New England: Olly Barkley and Gael Tallic. Barkley 4/5
HT Score: 16 all
Penalties: Waikato 14-10
Completion Rates: Waikato 79% New England 75%
Possession: Waikato 53%
PoM Points: Andre Bowen 3, Chaz Warrington 2, and Brian Lima 1.

All tables include Risk results

Peter Sterling Division Table
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Newcastle 13 7 0 425 297 128 26
2. Shanghai 11 7 2 367 316 51 24
3. Wagga 11 8 1 469 387 82 23
4. Tassie 11 8 1 371 350 21 23
5. Geelong 11 9 0 319 300 19 22

6. Eastwood 10 9 1 368 283 85 21
7. Ipswich 9 10 1 288 311 -23 19
8. Lake Heights 9 10 1 347 394 -47 19
9. Carnarvon 9 10 1 282 405 -123 19
10. Redlands 8 11 1 300 318 -18 17
11. North Queensland 6 13 1 356 528 -205 13
12. Wanganui 5 15 0 257 450 -168 11

Wally Lewis Division Table
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Tamworth City 17 3 0 545 249 296 34
2. East Coast 16 4 0 479 264 215 32
3. Canberra 15 5 0 535 284 251 30
4. Fairfield 13 7 0 482 361 121 26
5. Dunedin 11 9 0 448 300 148 22

6. Colombo 10 10 0 340 390 -50 20
7. New England 9 10 1 388 362 26 19
8. Waikato 8 10 2 289 422 -133 18
9. Liverpool 7 12 1 302 460 -158 15
10. Penrith 7 13 0 377 352 25 14
11. Port Adelaide 4 16 0 261 476 -215 8
12. Port Macquarie 3 16 1 22 556 -334 7

and after 5 on the trot, adelaide fans wonder, "what the fudge happened to our team in the first 15 rounds??". oh well, hopefully we'll continue away from relegation and jingle up the teams hoping to get a taste of the top 8...