PREMIER LEAGUE
Capetown continue to fight tooth and nail to avoid relegation, upsetting top eight contenders, Parramatta, in today’s match in Sydney. The Ravens played like men possessed, seemingly forgetting their poor early and mid season form on their way to a 20-12 victory.
Parramatta: Kane Cleal and Harley Autitia. Fien 2/2
Capetown: Michael Withers, Matt Geyer, and Maleky O’Connor. Johns 4/4
HT Score: Capetown 18-6
Penalties: 5 all
Completion Rates: Parramatta 75% Capetown 67%
Possession: Capetown 53%
PoM Points: Michael Withers 3, Travis Elken 2, and Andrew Johns 1.

It wasn’t the most impressive of victories, but Sydney have made a return to the top eight courtesy of today’s 16-2 victory over the Darwin Cyclones. The win sees Sydney lifted to seventh on the Premier League ladder, whilst Darwin, also in contention for the eight, now need to lift their game.
Sydney: Benji Marshal, Craig Gower, and Steve Kefu. Gower 2/4
Darwin: None. O’Gara 1/1
HT Score: Sydney 12-2
Penalties: Sydney 6-3
Completion Rates: Sydney 71% Darwin 63%
Possession: Sydney 55%
PoM Points: Gavin Lester 3, Craig Gower 2, and Ben Kennedy 1.

Brisbane have won Premier League’s game of the round, winning a see-sawing clash with Wellington, 32-26. In a truly epic clash, the second placed Cougars were unable to hold out the Bulls who had plenty of ball in the final ten minutes. The win sees Brisbane in fifth position, dangerously close to the fourth placed Falcons.
Brisbane: Josh Hannay, Jonathon Thurston, Ben Ross, Trent Waterhouse, and Scott Prince. Hannay 6/6
Wellington: Keiron Cunningham, Joe Rokocoko, Willie Poching, and Sean O’Loughlin. Long 5/5
HT Score: Wellington 18-12
Penalties: Brisbane 10-6
Completion Rates: Brisbane 60% Wellington 50%
Possession: Brisbane 54%
PoM Points: Trent Waterhouse 3, Josh Hannay 2, and Jonathon Thurston 1.

Hawkesbury have fought valiantly to secure a 20 all draw with higher placed Central, yet still find themselves under pressure following Capetown’s upset win over Parramatta earlier this round. The Mavericks raced home from a 20-10 deficit, the draw preventing Central from claiming a place in the top eight for now.
Hawkesbury: Stephen Jones, John Roe, and Paul Stringer. Ahmed 4/4
Central: Iestyn Harris, Dom Peters, and Manny Emonds. Harris 4/5
HT Score: Central 10-6
Penalties: Central 6-5
Completion Rates: Hawkesbury 62% Central 70%
Possession: Central 52%
PoM Points: John Roe 3, Stephen Jones 2, and Jaco Van Der Westhuyzen 1.

The Adelaide Attitude’s winning sequence has come to a halt in the most unexpected of circumstances, the Attitude have gone down 14-10 in a scrappy clash against the lowly Melbourne Executioners. Adelaide were perhaps the better side throughout, but some poor calls cost them their seventh win on the trot.
Adelaide: Christian Lambert. Eaton 3/3
Melbourne: Billy Slater and Ashwin Willemse. Maquina 3/5
HT Score: Adelaide 8-6
Penalties: Melbourne 9-5
Completion Rates: Adelaide 73% Melbourne 67%
Possession: Melbourne 53%
PoM Points: Red Apokalips 3, Darren Albert 2, and James Harrison 1.

Inexperienced first grader, David Seage, has played a wow of a game in Gold Coast’s 36-10 victory over Port Moresby Power in PNG today. It was yet another dominant performance from the premiership favourites, whose side was heavily effected by the Australia vs. England clash.
Port Moresby: Brett Kimmorley and Anthony Mathison. Carter ½
Gold Coast: Matt Orford 2, Vinnie Anderson, Sione Faumunia, Ali Lauititi, and Steve Simpson. Sweeney 6/7
HT Score: Gold Coast 24-6
Penalties: Port Moresby 11-4
Completion Rates: Port Moresby 69% Gold Coast 63%
Possession: Gold Coast 53%
PoM Points: David Seage 3, Matt Orford 2, and Tommy O’Reilly 1.

Surfers Paradise have recorded their first victory under the newly re-appointed Chris Maunder coaching regime, downing luckless Coffs Harbour 26-6 in a one sided affair. The loss sees the formerly second placed Wyrms crash out of the top eight for the first time all year, now sitting in ninth position and looking unlikely to return for the finals.
Coffs Harbour: Phil Bailey. Spencer ½
Surfers Paradise: Paul Reilly, Junior Langi 2, and Shaun Timmins. Deacon 5/5
HT Score: Surfers Paradise 20-6
Penalties: 5 all
Completion Rates: Coffs Harbour 70% Surfers Paradise 73%
Possession: Surfers Paradise 53%
PoM Points: Glenn Morrison 3, Paul Reilly 2, and Darren Lockyer 1.

Central Coast’s own minor form crisis continued today, the formerly second placed side sliding back into fourth following today’s 16-6 loss to an undermanned Northern Cannons’ outfit. The Cannons lesser lights really shone in the result, which sees them in sixth and poised to leap as high as third before season’s end.
Northern: Paul Wellens, Michael DeVere, and Dean Young. Pariah 2/3
Central Coast: Matthew Burke. El Masri 1/1
HT Score: Northern 16-0
Penalties: Central Coast 8-7
Completion Rates: Northern 67% Central Coast 63%
Possession: Northern 52%
PoM Points: Dean Young 3, Paul Wellens 2, and Michael DeVere 1.

In one of today’s key clashes, the Wollongong Destructors and Perth Taipans have played out the ASRL’s lowest scoring draw in history, the sides locked at 6 all after eighty minutes of play. The draw still sees Wollongong progress up the ladder at the expense of Central Coast, whilst Perth remain as possibilities for the eight.
Perth: Justin Hodges. Abraham 1/1
Wollongong: Josh Valentine. Goddard 1/3
HT Score: Wollongong 4-0
Penalties: Wollongong 7-5
Completion Rates: Perth 51% Wollongong 61%
Possession: Wollongong 53%
PoM Points: Willie Beaman 3, John Sitizein 2, and Adam MacDougall 1.

Premier League Table
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Gold Coast 20 3 0 725 311 414 40
2. Wellington 16 7 0 566 411 155 32
3. Wollongong 15 7 1 529 402 127 31
4. Central Coast 15 8 0 601 318 283 30
5. Brisbane 14 8 1 531 392 139 29
6. Northern 14 8 1 531 440 91 29
7. Sydney 11 11 2 431 426 5 24
8. Parramatta 12 11 0 465 462 3 24

9. Coffs Harbour 12 11 0 432 482 -50 24
10. Central 11 11 1 502 476 26 23
11. Perth 11 11 1 469 472 -3 23
12. Darwin 11 12 0 442 430 12 22
13. Adelaide 9 14 0 401 512 -111 18
14. Melbourne 8 15 0 326 516 -190 16
15. Hawkesbury 7 15 1 316 571 -255 15
16. Capetown 7 16 0 303 500 -197 14
17. Surfers Paradise 6 16 1 411 579 -168 13
18. Port Moresby 5 18 0 344 633 -289 10

DIVISION TWO
Canberra have grabbed a three-way share of the Wally Lewis Division lead today, scoring a comfortable 20-8 victory over Eastwood to move onto level terms with the Tamworth City Titans. Despite losing coach Jay Marshal during the season, the Chargers show no signs of slowing down on their road to consecutive grand final berths.
Eastwood: Anthony Tyan. Maloney 1/1. Furner 1/1
Canberra: Brandon Costin, Matt Henjak 2, and Antonio Kaufusi. Lamaisson 2/4
HT Score: Canberra 16-2
Penalties: Eastwood 10-8
Completion Rates: Eastwood 68% Canberra 50%
Possession: Eastwood 50%
PoM Points: Brandon Costin 3, Casey McGuire 2, and Matt Henjak 1.

Geelong have kept their top five dreams alive in today’s inter-divisional clash with Fairfield, upsetting the up and down Stallions with an 18-12 away victory. The Stallions now find themselves in a precarious position, with both Dunedin and New England breathing down their necks.
Fairfield: Slick Cupples and Sean Ireland. Magro 2/3
Geelong: Manuel Contemponi, David Razzle, and Travis Norton. Detreaux ¾
HT Score: Geelong 16-8
Penalties: Fairfield 13-7
Completion Rates: Fairfield 68% Geelong 61%
Possession: Fairfield 52%
PoM Points: Gary Hall 3, Travis Norton 2, and Miguel Detreaux 1.

Ipswich remain as possibilities for an unlikely finals berth, today winning a thrilling encounter against Waikato, 27-22 to place themselves well and truly in the Peter Sterling Division’s top five picture. Once again it wasn’t Fittler, but an army of no-names, doing it for the Reds.
Ipswich: Tarin Bradford 2, Stephen Smith, Barry Liverpool, and Sebastian Tupont. Tulley 3/5. Weepu 1 fg.
Waikato: Nathan Blacklock, Paulie Bahtahn, Byron Kelleher, and Toutai Kefu. Bowen ¾
HT Score: Waikato 18-6
Penalties: Ipswich 8-3
Completion Rates: Ipswich 71% Waikato 58%
Possession: Ipswich 55%
PoM Points: Faron Anderson 3, Derek Tulley 2, and Stephen Smith 1.

Lake Heights are another side well and truly in the finals race, following today’s big 36-16 victory over struggling former grand finalists, Colombo. It’s been a woeful year for the folding Sri Lankan side, who have never really recovered from losing long serving coach, Chris Columbo.
Lake Heights: Tom O’Reilly, Thomas Kempton, Greg Bird 2, Asuki Miyamoto, and Joe Black. Kempton 6/8
Colombo: Fourcade Abasse and Wes Davies 2. Fields 2/3
HT Score: Colombo 16-12
Penalties: Lake Heights 6-4
Completion Rates: Lake Heights 65% Colombo 55%
Possession: Lake Heights 58%
PoM Points: Aaron Moule 3, Anthony Tupou 2, and Marc Calderwood 1.

The Tassie Devils have shown some true grit in today’s match against the Liverpool Rockets, defending well on their way to an unimpressive 12-2 victory over the Rockets. The win sees Tassie maintain their share of the lead in the Peter Sterling Division, a major feat given last year’s poor finish.
Liverpool: None. March 1/1
Tassie: Cameron Way and Paul Mellor. Way 2/3
HT Score: Tassie 6-2
Penalties: Liverpool 7-6
Completion Rates: Liverpool 62% Tassie 76%
Possession: Tassie 54%
PoM Points: Paul Mellor 3, Cameron Way 2, and David Fifi’iaha 1.

If today’s game against Tamworth City was touted as Newcastle’s grand final, then the Fear are premiership winners after a hard fought 20-14 victory over the Wally Lewis Division leading Titans. The loss was Tamworth City’s third consecutive defeat, but their superior for and against sees them remain leaders of the division ahead of Canberra and East Coast.
Newcastle: Craig Hall, Mark Hughes, and Michael Witt. Cooke 4/4
Tamworth City: Anthony Farrell and Clint Newton. Davidson 3/3
HT Score: 8 all
Penalties: 10 all
Completion Rates: Newcastle 70% Tamworth City 69%
Possession: Newcastle 50%
PoM Points: Rob Parker 3, Michael Witt 2, and Anthony Farrah 1.

It may be too late for a miraculous finals berth, but North Queensland continue to be one of Division Two’s form teams, today casting severe doubts over New England’s top five hopes with an impressive 26-16 victory. The Ferrets will now rely on Dunedin dropping their final three games, and winning their own final two, if they’re to make their first finals appearance since 2001/2002.
North Queensland: Brooke Martin, Brian O’Keefe 2, and Andrew Mehrtens. Mehrtens 4/6
New England: Goerdan Murphy, Akido Li, and Ben Walker. Barkley 1/3
HT Score: North Queensland 16-10
Penalties: New England 6-5
Completion Rates: North Queensland 62% New England 53%
Possession: North Queensland 52%
PoM Points: Loren Broussard 3, Brian O’Keefe 2, and Albert Hommus 1.

Penrith remain perhaps the finest ‘non contender’ in the Division Two competition, continuing to record impressive victories in a season that, though devoid of many victories, has seen the Highlanders play some top five quality football. Today’s 24-16 win over Carnarvon added another heavy weight to the management at Carnarvon, whose crash into Division Two has been an abysmal one.
Penrith: Mark Riddell, Michael Buettner, and Evarn Tuimavave. Riddell 6/6
Carnarvon: Luke Swain. Luana 6/7
HT Score: 8 all
Penalties: Carnarvon 11-7
Completion Rates: Penrith 69% Carnarvon 72%
Possession: Carnarvon 52%
PoM Points: Evarn Tuimavave 3, Steve Bell 2, and Mark Riddell 1.

It was both ‘unimpressive’ and ‘dour’ in this reporter’s eyes, but Wagga have kept their minor premiership dreams alive with a 12-0 victory over the woeful Port Adelaide Corsairs. Pilotted by a superb game from Sam Payne, the Badgers continue to lead a trend of ‘2004 losers’ firing up in the 2004/2005 competition.
Port Adelaide: None.
Wagga: Sam Payne and Mixie Lui. Rowles 2/3
HT Score: Wagga 8-0
Penalties: Wagga 7-6
Completion Rates: Port Adelaide 59% Wagga 72%
Possession: Wagga 56%
PoM Points: Sam Payne 3, Sam Speedy 2, and Mixie Lui 1.

Port Macquarie may yet avoid an embarrassing first season wooden spoon, moving onto level footing with second last placed Port Adelaide today courtesy of a nail-biting 14 all draw with the Redlands Rhinos.
Redlands: Damien Durnford and Reggie Cressbrook. Young 3/3
Port Macquarie: Justin McKay, David Bowe, and Steve Snitch. Barnett Jr. 1/3
HT Score: Port Macquarie 8-0
Penalties: Redlands 6-5
Completion Rates: Redlands 72% Port Macquarie 78%
Possession: Port Macquarie 51%
PoM Points: Reggie Cressbrook 3, Damien Durnford 2, and Justin McKay 1.

East Coast have joined Tamworth City and Canberra as joint Wally Lewis Division leaders following today’s emphatic 28-6 thumping of Peter Sterling Division contenders, Shanghai. The Tigers dismantled a fellow contender with arrogant ease, and look like a real danger side heading into the ASRL’s first ever top ten finals’ series.
Shanghai: Calvin Jones. Caster 1/1
East Coast: Gareth Raynor, Steele Retchless, Tony Martin, and Rudi Vedalago. Hicks 6/6
HT Score: Shanghai 6-4
Penalties: Shanghai 7-5
Completion Rates: Shanghai 62% East Coast 70%
Possession: East Coast 53%
PoM Points: Tonie Carroll 3, Gareth Raynor 2, and Dallas Johnson 1.

Dunedin have scored a crucial victory over Wanganui this afternoon, 16-14, putting five points between themselves and sixth placed New England. The win all but assures Dunedin of a berth in this year’s finals, save a miracle from the drifting Ferrets.
Wanganui: Mark Mom and Mesake Navugona. Cooper 3/3
Dunedin: Girvan Dempsey, David Frame, and Terry Hill. Fisher 2/4
HT Score: Dunedin 4-0
Penalties: Dunedin 8-6
Completion Rates: Wanganui 57% Dunedin 70%
Possession: Dunedin 55%
PoM Points: Mat Toschak 3, Girvan Dempsey 2, and Matthew Cooper 1.

Peter Sterling Division Table
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Wagga 14 8 1 515 401 114 29
2. Tassie 14 8 1 439 370 69 29
3. Newcastle 14 9 0 457 351 106 28
4. Shanghai 12 9 2 413 364 49 26
5. Ipswich 12 10 1 349 349 0 25

6. Geelong 12 11 0 359 368 -9 24
7. Eastwood 11 11 1 430 385 85 23
8. Lake Heights 11 11 1 419 444 -25 23
9. Carnarvon 10 12 1 316 455 -139 21
10. North Queensland 9 13 1 418 558 -140 19
11. Redlands 8 13 2 328 370 -42 18
12. Wanganui 5 18 0 283 516 -233 10

Wally Lewis Division Table
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Tamworth City 18 5 0 629 277 352 36
2. Canberra 18 5 0 585 306 279 36
3. East Coast 18 5 0 563 292 271 36
4. Dunedin 14 9 0 505 334 171 28
5. Fairfield 14 9 0 526 402 124 28

6. New England 11 11 1 466 410 56 23
7. Penrith 10 13 0 445 388 57 20
8. Colombo 10 13 0 379 464 -85 20
9. Waikato 9 12 2 335 482 -147 20
10. Liverpool 7 15 1 316 564 -248 15
11. Port Adelaide 4 19 0 273 572 -299 8
12. Port Macquarie 3 18 2 258 622 -364 8

Christ. I don't think the Cannons have beaten CCF for a couple of seasons. 'cept maybe one finals game. Shanghai eat poo. They're playing for their survival and are eating poo. Stupid bastards.

ipswich 349 points for and 349 against lol