PREMIER LEAGUE
Capetown have kept afloat their slim hope of avoiding relegation, the Ravens fighting tooth and nail in today’s 12-6 victory over a Darwin side playing for a shot at the top eight. The Ravens’ veterans really stood up to be counted for in the epic clash, perhaps one of the Premier League’s finest of the season.
Capetown: Michael Withers and Hanse Gibbs. Johns 2/3
Darwin: Neil Turley. O’Gara 1/1
HT Score: Capetown 8-0
Penalties: Capetown 9-7
Completion Rates: Capetown 70% Darwin 74%
Possession: Darwin 51%
PoM Points: Martin Lang 3, Andrew Johns 2, and Peter Hynes 1.

A second half surge has lifted Sydney to a vital 23-12 victory over long term bogey side, Central, in today’s clash in the red centre. Involved in a congested battle for top eight positioning, Sydney needed to score victory in today’s clash if they were to be a realistic chance of finishing anywhere near the eight.
Central: Clinton Schifcofske and Iestyn Harris. Harris 2/3
Sydney: Grant Martin, Ben Kennedy, Sonny-Bill Williams, and Anthony Laffranchi. Gower ¾. Gower 1 fg.
HT Score: Central 6-4
Penalties: 3 all
Completion Rates: Central 62% Sydney 61%
Possession: Sydney 52%
PoM Points: Craig Wing 3, Ben Kennedy 2, and Andrew Ryan 1.

Courtney Brideson will be the hero of Adelaide when the Attitude return to South Australia early in the week, with the relative unknown scoring the match-winning try in Adelaide’s stunning 26-22 upset win over the Wellington Cougars. The win lifts Adelaide to their sixth straight win, the last two of which have been against third and second respectively.
Wellington: Gordon D’Arcy, David Kidwell 2, and Andrew Lomu. Sinfield 3/5
Adelaide: Stirling Mortlock, Doug Howlett, Elton Flatley, and Courtney Brideson.
HT Score: Adelaide 14-10
Penalties: Adelaide 8-5
Completion Rates: Wellington 78% Adelaide 65%
Possession: Adelaide 51%
PoM Points: David Kidwell 3, Courtney Brideson 2, and Lote Tuqiri 1.

Port Moresby remain firm favourites to relegate at season’s end, but it’s a moot point given that the Papua New Guinean franchise will fold at season’s end. Playing with no passion or commitment, and why should they, the Power were humbled 38-8 by fourth placed Wollongong- who look like genuine contenders heading into the finals.
Wollongong: Brian Bower, Shaun Berrigan, Stacey Jones, Ryan Bailey, Chris Whittaker, and Lance Thompson. Goddard 7/7
Port Moresby: Olivier Sarramea. Zian-Ali 2/2
HT Score: Wollongong 12-8
Penalties: 7 all
Completion Rates: Wollongong 65% Port Moresby 50%
Possession: Wollongong 58%
PoM Points: Richard Goddard 3, Ryan Bailey 2, and Shaun Berrigan 1.

The Crusade are all but assured of another minor premiership following today’s big 38-0 embarrassment of the Coffs Harbour Wyrms, a side looking less and less like the underdogs who held a share of top spot earlier in the season. With second placed Wellington shock losers this round, the Crusade are now six points clear at the head of the Premier League table.
Gold Coast: Shaun Briscoe 2, Brent Webb, Sione Faumunia, Paul King, and Andy Farrell. Faumunia 1/1. Farrell 6/6
HT Score: Gold Coast 20-0
Penalties: 6 all
Completion Rates: Gold Coast 65% Coffs Harbour 56%
Possession: Gold Coast 56%
PoM Points: Steve Simpson 3, Andy Farrell 2, and Matt Orford 1.

Premier League’s game of the round has certainly lived up to the hype attached to it, with the Jonny Wilkinson lead Perth Taipans recording a crucial 31-20 victory over fellow top eight contenders, Parramatta, today. The Taipans needed a win to be a realistic shot at a top eight berth, whilst the Vikings loss will see more pressure on them to maintain their top eight position.
Perth: Justin Hodges 2, Schalk Burger, and Ardent Rivers. Wilkinson 7/7. Fiedler 1 fg.
Parramatta: Nathan Cayless and Neville Costigan 2. Fitzgibbon 4/7
HT Score: 14 all
Penalties: Perth 9-7
Completion Rates: Perth 64% Parramatta 66%
Possession: Perth 50%
PoM Points: Justin Hodges 3, Jonny Wilkinson 2, and Scott Whiting 1.

A courageous Surfers Paradise side, lead once more by long suffering coach Chris Maunder, have come within six points of Northern in today’s clash at The Slam Pit. The Punks, a side fighting to avoid relegation, will take little consolation from coming close in the 30-24 home loss.
Surfers Paradise: Darren Mapp, Jason Croker 2, Tony Grimaldi, and Shaun Timmins. Deacon 2/6
Northern: Paul Wellens, Ashley Harrison 3, and Edward Hoartshire. Pariah 5/6
HT Score: Northern 20-14
Penalties: 4 all
Completion Rates: Surfers Paradise 59% Northern 69%
Possession: Northern 52%
PoM Points: Philip Elof 3, Ashley Harrison 2, and Paul Deacon 1.

Brisbane have firmed as real contenders for this year’s Premier League title, the Bulls now paying the equal second greatest odds to take out the title following a big 44-6 thumping of the Hawkesbury Mavericks. Whilst many are focussed on the battle for top eight positions at one end of the ladder, this weekend’s results have also thrown open the battle to escape relegation.
Hawkesbury: John Roe. Ahmed 1/1
Brisbane: Luke Williamson 2, Josh Hannay, Shane Webcke, Matt King, Paul Bowman, Trent Waterhouse, and Jonathon Thurston. Hannay 6/8
HT Score: Brisbane 28-0
Penalties: Brisbane 10-6
Completion Rates: Hawkesbury 60% Brisbane 74%
Possession: Brisbane 61%
PoM Points: Shane Webcke 3, Jonathon Thurston 2, and Luke Williamson 1.

The Central Coast Falcons have steadied the ship somewhat in today’s clash against Melbourne, amending a recent losing run with a messy but still valuable 26-12 victory over the Executioners. Another side fighting to avoid possible relegation, Melbourne were lead admirably by Michael Wainwright, but ultimately out-classed.
Melbourne: Brett Stapleton 2. Maquina 2/2
Central Coast: Matt Utai, Matthew Burke 2, and Paul Sculthorpe. El Masri 5/5
HT Score: Central Coast 14-6
Penalties: Central Coast 6-3
Completion Rates: Melbourne 67% Central Coast 76%
Possession: Central Coast 55%
PoM Points: Michael Wainwright 3, Matt Utai 2, and Hazem El Masri 1.

Premier League Table
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Gold Coast 19 3 0 689 301 388 38
2. Wellington 16 6 0 540 379 161 32
3. Central Coast 15 7 0 595 302 293 30
4. Wollongong 15 7 0 523 396 127 30
5. Brisbane 13 8 1 499 366 133 27
6. Northern 13 8 1 515 434 81 27
7. Parramatta 12 10 0 453 442 11 24
8. Coffs Harbour 12 10 0 426 456 -30 24

9. Darwin 11 11 0 440 414 26 22
10. Central 11 11 0 482 456 26 22
11. Perth 11 11 0 463 466 -3 22
12. Sydney 10 11 2 415 424 -9 22
13. Adelaide 9 13 0 391 498 -107 18
14. Melbourne 7 15 0 312 506 -194 14
15. Hawkesbury 7 15 0 296 551 -255 14
16. Capetown 6 16 0 283 488 -205 12
17. Surfers Paradise 5 16 1 385 573 -188 11
18. Port Moresby 5 17 0 334 597 -263 10

(Division Two to follow either later tonight, or tomorrow evening)

DIVISION TWO
A change of coach and a change of style has seen Carnarvon score a narrow 8-6 victory over Redlands, a side who used to share a coach with the Grizzlies in the form of Matt Lyons (now linked to a new Christchurch franchise). With Graham Luana and Adam Dykes in the halves Carnarvon were able to win a scrappy clash, despite Redlands playing the better football.
Carnarvon: Adam Dykes. Luana 2/2
Redlands: Danny Williams. Young 1/1
HT Score: Carnarvon 8-6
Penalties: 5 all
Completion Rates: Carnarvon 63% Redlands 67%
Possession: Carnarvon 51%
PoM Points: Jason Demetriou 3, Danny Williams 2, and Chris Beattie 1.

A late Toa Kohe-Love try has seen Waikato score an exciting 14-11 victory over Colombo, just as the Harlequins looked to have secured a crucial win with Felipe Contempone’s 71st minute field goal. Whilst neither side is a realistic chance of a top five berth, today’s loss essentially ended any hope of Colombo making consecutive finals appearances after last year’s grand final loss to Canberra.
Colombo: Felipe Contempone and Graham Appo. Fields ½.
Waikato: Toa Kohe-Love and Andre Bowen. Bowen ¾
HT Score: Colombo 4-2
Penalties: Colombo 8-7
Completion Rates: Colombo 70% Waikato 66%
Possession: Waikato 52%
PoM Points: Andre Bowen 3, Brock James 2, and Kirk Yeaman 1.

If Tamworth City are favourites to take out Division Two and promote, than East Coast reminded punters there are plenty of other contenders in today’s clash against Port Adelaide, the Tigers mauling the Corsairs 48-0 in an eight try romp. Sid Domic was the star, scoring four tries in the one sided affair.
East Coast: Sid Domic 4, Nathan Wood, Chris Joynt 2, and Steele Retchless. Hicks 8/8
Port Adelaide: None.
HT Score: East Coast 30-0
Penalties: Port Adelaide 8-5
Completion Rates: East Coast 68% Port Adelaide 64%
Possession: East Coast 58%
PoM Points: Sid Domic 3, Chris Joynt 2, and Brad Thorn 1.

Some may still be writing Tassie off as also rans, but with four rounds of competition remaining, Tassie are sitting in second place on the Peter Sterling Division ladder following a convincing 30-14 victory over Eastwood, who sit in fifth place still despite the big home loss.
Eastwood: John Hopoate, Mark Chisolm, and David Furner. Furner 0/2. Burrow 1/1
Tassie: Cameron Way, Kieran Whatuira, and Marty Holah 2. Way 7/7
HT Score: Tassie 16-6
Penalties: Tassie 7-6
Completion Rates: Eastwood 61% Tassie 68%
Possession: Tassie 55%
PoM Points: David Furner 3, Mark Chisolm 2, and Marty Holah 1.

It was an old fashioned low scoring thriller at Fairfield Showground today, with Dunedin pushing their premiership credentials with a hard fought 11-8 victory over the higher placed Stallions. Without the guidance of Dominik Bush, Fairfield lacked their usual attacking spark, and Dunedin did enough to capitalise on that.
Fairfield: Seamus O’Grady. Magro 2/2
Dunedin: Steve Devine. Fisher 3/3. Devine 1 fg.
HT Score: Dunedin 8-6
Penalties: Fairfield 9-8
Completion Rates: Fairfield 72% Dunedin 66%
Possession: Dunedin 52%
PoM Points: Brashen Trell 3, Steve Devine 2, and Seamus O’Grady 1.

It was all one way traffic in today’s clash between Lake Heights and Wanganui, and while neither side will figure in the finals, the Lightning will draw a lot of positives from the comprehensive 32-8 win over the Tuataras, who last week fought hard against Wagga.
Lake Heights: Luke MacDougall, Greg Bird, Joe Black 2, Nihal Silvain, and Lee Gilmour. Kempton 4/6
Wanganui: Herman Lafaele. Cooper 2/3
HT Score: Lake Heights 16-8
Penalties: Wanganui 8-6
Completion Rates: Lake Heights 71% Wanganui 70%
Possession: Lake Heights 58%
PoM Points: Lee Gilmour 3, Greg Bird 2, and Luke MacDougall 1.

New England will be sweating on Dunedin dropping their last few games, and winning their own, if they’re to squeeze into the Wally Lewis Division top five and contest this year’s finals. Five points adrift of fifth going into this game, New England’s 28-12 over Liverpool victory means they’re just three points off the beat.
New England: Kurt Grohl, Matt Cooper, Fifita Moala, and Tangiia Tongia. Briers 6/6
Liverpool: Adam Hughes and Steve Georgalis. March 2/2
HT Score: New England 10-6
Penalties: New England 8-5
Completion Rates: New England 64% Liverpool 70%
Possession: New England 54%
PoM Points: Kurt Grohl 3, Kees Meeuws 2, and Lee Briers 1.

It’s definitely been a case of too little- too late, but North Queensland’s recent run of good form reached a season high in today’s clash with formerly first placed Newcastle, with the Dolphins looking good as they scored an 18-6 victory to well and truly leave behind the wooden spoon contenders.
North Queensland: Brooke Martin and Bill Narwan. Mehrtens 5/5
Newcastle: Craig Hall. Cooke 1/1
HT Score: North Queensland 6-0
Penalties: North Queensland 10-5
Completion Rates: North Queensland 61% Newcastle 71%
Possession: North Queensland 52%
PoM Points: Bill Narwan 3, Todd Byrne 2, and Pierce Connery 1.

Penrith remain an anomaly in Division Two, the only side to have lost more games than it’s won and still possess a positive form and against. Today’s win over Port Macquarie was perhaps not as emphatic as others this season, but the Highlanders still looked good in a 22-10 come from behind victory over a Stingrays side vastly improved by the recent involvement of Newcastle’s Mark Fowler.
Penrith: Jessie Kidman, Brendan Cannon, and Lee Hopkins. Riddell 5/5
Port Macquarie: Shane Rua and Richard Gay. Shepherdon 1/3
HT Score: Port Macquarie 10-2
Penalties: Penrith 7-6
Completion Rates: Penrith 75% Port Moresby 64%
Possession: Penrith 54%
PoM Points: Mark Riddell 3, Jessie Kidman 2, and David Solomona 1.

Shanghai have blown a perfect opportunity to skip the lead of the Peter Sterling division today, failing to capitalise on Newcastle’s loss as they were embarrassed by Ipswich, 12-10. The return of Brad Fittler was the catalyst for the Reds upset victory, but it was Lee Hookey who shone in the narrow victory.
Shanghai: Julian O’Neill and Francis Stephenson. Girdler 1/3
Ipswich: Piri Weepu 2. Tulley 2/3
HT Score: Ipswich 12-0
Penalties: Shanghai 11-9
Completion Rates: Shanghai 66% Ipswich 65%
Possession: Shanghai 51%
PoM Points: Lee Hookey 3, Azuze Hiraki 2, and Jaiden Love 1.

This weekend’s top of the table clash between high flying Tamworth City and Canberra has lived up to its hype and then some, with a 79th minute pressure penalty goal from Sean Towers sealing a thrilling 8-6 away victory for the second placed Titans. Canberra showed amazing defensive grit against a side who, only last week, shattered the Division Two record for biggest victory.
Tamworth City: Jerry Seu Seu. Davidson 1/1
Canberra: Paul Whatuira. Towers 2/2
HT Score: Canberra 6-0
Penalties: Tamworth City 8-3
Completion Rates: Tamworth City 64% Canberra 68%
Possession: Tamworth City 53%
PoM Points: Sean Towers 3, Brandon Costin 2, and Casey McGuire 1.

It wasn’t the prettiest of wins, but as Wagga coach Theo Kamis said earlier in the week, he’ll take them however he can get them. Wagga have claimed outright lead in the Peter Sterling division following a sometimes messy 16-10 victory over Geelong today.
Wagga: Smeds Stahl 2. Rowles 4/4
Geelong: Mauro Bergamasco and Miguel Detreaux. Detreaux ½
HT Score: 4 all
Penalties: Wagga 7-5
Completion Rates: Wagga 67% Geelong 67%
Possession: Wagga 51%
PoM Points: Manuel Contemponi 3, Miguel Detreaux 2, and David Razzle 1.

Peter Sterling Division Table
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Wagga 13 8 1 503 401 102 27
2. Tassie 13 8 1 427 368 59 27
3. Newcastle 13 9 0 437 337 100 26
4. Shanghai 12 8 2 407 336 81 26
5. Eastwood 11 10 1 422 325 97 23

6. Ipswich 11 10 1 322 327 -5 23
7. Geelong 11 11 0 341 356 -15 22
8. Lake Heights 10 11 1 383 428 -45 21
9. Carnarvon 10 11 1 300 431 -131 21
10. Redlands 8 13 1 314 356 -42 17
11. North Queensland 8 13 1 394 544 -150 17
12. Wanganui 5 17 0 269 500 -188 11

Wally Lewis Division Table
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Tamworth City 18 4 0 615 257 358 36
2. Canberra 17 5 0 565 298 267 34
3. East Coast 17 5 0 535 286 249 34
4. Fairfield 14 8 0 514 384 130 28
5. Dunedin 13 9 0 489 320 169 26

6. New England 11 10 1 452 386 66 23
7. Colombo 10 12 0 363 428 -65 20
8. Waikato 9 11 2 313 455 -142 20
9. Penrith 9 13 0 421 372 49 18
10. Liverpool 7 14 1 314 552 -238 15
11. Port Adelaide 4 18 0 273 560 -287 8
12. Port Macquarie 3 18 1 244 608 -364 7

Well, after last week, just about anything is better than 64-0. So I'm actually quite pleased it wasn't worse.

:crutches: Liverpool - still limping along.

I love that the Traders now have the capacity to be 'embarrassed' by losing to any team. 'embarrassed' is so much better than the usual handle of 'expected to lose'

Another bang up preformance by our boys today, making it six in a row, and our second against so called contenders. Hopefully this form can hold out the rest of the year and we can ride this form into something productive! Good to be pretty much clear of relegation problems after 15 horror rounds to start the season.