The 2005 ASRL season has been heavily anticipated, and the wait ended this weekend with Friday’s big clash between the Gold Coast Crusade and the Wollongong Destructors. The fans turned out in force across the nation to see the first round of ASRL action.
PREMIER LEAGUE
The first game of the 2005 ASRL season has set a high standard for the rest of the season, with Wollongong and Gold Coast playing out a high scoring, five tries a piece thriller to get the year underway. Despite an impressive hat-trick by Luke Rooney, the Crusade were undone by their ill discipline, with Wollongong earning an impressive first up 34-30 victory over the premiership favourites.
Wollongong: Brian Bower, Sebastian Mpofu, Ryan Bailey, Derrek Lawton, and Raymond Ruaporo. Covell 7/9
Gold Coast: Julian Santarakista, Luke Rooney 3, and Gordon D’Arcy. Sinfield 5/6
HT Score: Gold Coast 14-10
Penalties: Wollongong 11-9
Completion Rates: Wollongong 64% Gold Coast 55%
Possession: Wollongong 52%
PoM Points: Luke Rooney 3, Sebastian Mpofu 2, and Gordon D’Arcy 1.
A change of name has not brought around a change of fortune for the newly relocated Auckland Pirates, the latest New Zealand club starting off their season on the bottom of the ladder following an embarrassing 28-6 beating at the hands of the Central Phoenix.
Central: Clinton Schifcofske 2, Christophe Lamaisson 2, and Tyler Durden. Maquina 4/5
Auckland: Grahem Bond. Spencer 1/2
HT Score: Central 6-2
Penalties: Central 7-6
Completion Rates: Central 77% Auckland 70%
Possession: Central 54%
PoM Points: Keith Senior 3, Clinton Schifcofske 2, and Jonny Maquina 1.
The trend towards thrillers in the opening round continued in Saturday’s game between Adelaide and the visiting Brisbane Bulls – with last year’s semi finalists getting up for a thrilling 20-18 victory over the courageous South Australians. The Attitude will take a lot from the game, having had some marginal calls go against them in the second half.
Adelaide: Stirling Mortlock and Peter Cusack. Carter 5/5
Brisbane: Josh Hannay, Luke O’Donnell, and David Stagg. Hannay 4/5
HT Score: 8 all
Penalties: Adelaide 12-7
Completion Rates: Adelaide 56% Brisbane 69%
Possession: Adelaide 50%
PoM Points: Sam Norton-Knight 3, Stirling Mortlock 2, and Sonny Nickle 1.
Hornsby have provided the Premier League with its first upset of the year, the relegation contenders surprising Darwin on their way to recording a solid 16-12 away win. The Cyclones didn’t play poorly, controlling the ball at all times, but seemed to lack spark in attack and defence in the second half.
Darwin: Drew Mitchell and Keiran Wyar. Bowen 2/2
Hornsby: Tevita Vaikona and Vladimir Vlostov. Apokalips 4/4
HT Score: Darwin 12-0
Penalties: Hornsby 9-4
Completion Rates: Darwin 80% Hornsby 54%
Possession: Hornsby 53%
PoM Points: Girvan Dempsey 3, Reuben Thorne 2, and Justin Harrison 1.
Melbourne have made a positive start to their season with a 20-10 victory over the Parramatta Vikings in a battle that pits two of the league’s rising sides against one another. The Executioners’ backline proved too good for that of Parramatta, with Brent Tate showing Australian selectors that Mark Gasnier isn’t ‘all that and a bag of chips’.
Melbourne: Billy Slater, Brent Tate, and Doug Howlett. Tatu 4/7
Parramatta: Pat Richards. Fitzgibbon 3/3
HT Score: Parramatta 8-6
Penalties: Melbourne 8-7
Completion Rates: Melbourne 58% Parramatta 56%
Possession: Melbourne 56%
PoM Points: Brent Tate 3, Darren Albert 2, and Toori Tatu 1.
Trent Pariah looks like the early favourite to take out this year’s Dally M award, his man of the match performance in Northern’s 24-12 victory over Perth today lifting him to nine points so far this season (including BFC fixtures). Pariah starred in the Cannons solid opening clash, scoring two tries and kicking four from four.
Northern: Trent Pariah 2, Michael DeVere, and Jason Hooper. Pariah 4/4
Perth: Tony Fabri and Aaron Payne. Wilkinson 2/2
HT Score: Northern 18-6
Penalties: 4 all
Completion Rates: Northern 81% Perth 70%
Possession: Northern 53%
PoM Points: Trent Pariah 3, Brett Dallas 2, and Ashton Simms 1.
The Sydney Oilers have made a strong statement in their first regular season game of the year, never looking out of control in their 28-18 victory over the heavily favoured Surfers Paradise Punks. The Oilers lead comfortably at halftime, and whilst they leaked tries in the second half – were assured of victory after a strong opening.
Surfers Paradise: Greg Inglis, Preston Campbell, and Jonah Lomu. Deacon ¾
Sydney: Jason Robinson, Amos Roberts, Pennywise Tupanga-anga, Junior Pelesasa, and Timana Tahu. Tupanga-anga 4/5
HT Score: Sydney 22-8
Penalties: Sydney 11-6
Completion Rates: Surfers Paradise 71% Sydney 57%
Possession: Surfers Paradise 50%
PoM Points: Jason Robinson 3, Pennywise Tupanga-anga 2, and Junior Pelesasa 1.
Wagga’s welcome to the Premier League has gone as expected, but the Stallions didn’t let themselves get humiliated in their home clash against the Wellington Cougars. The Stallions looked set to receive a humiliating beating when they trailed 24-10 at halftime, but fought courageously in the second half to see the final score finish at 30-20.
Wagga: Mark Gerrard, Sam Obst, Graham Anlezark, and Simon Taylor. Magro 2/4
Wellington: Smeds Stahl, Clyde Rathbone, Sitiveni Sitivatu, and Sean O’Loughlin 3. Tai 3/6
HT Score: Wellington 24-10
Penalties: Wagga 6-5
Completion Rates: Wagga 65% Wellington 64%
Possession: Wellington 54%
PoM Points: Clyde Rathbone 3, Jamie Peacock 2, and Sebastian Azema 1.
The reigning premiers have started their title defence with ‘that winning feeling’, overcoming a courageous Capetown Ravens side to score a first up 24-16 win. The Ravens tried the bold move of Nathan Blacklock in fullback, the plan backfiring when Blacklock was stretchered from the field with a broken hand.
Capetown: Paul Whatuira and Danny Orr 2. Way 2/5
Central Coast: Luke Patten 2, Jordan Capri, and Hazem El Masri. El Masri 4/5
HT Score: Capetown 10-8
Penalties: Capetown 12-3
Completion Rates: Capetown 63% Central Cast 67%
Possession: Capetown 51%
PoM Points: Luke Patten 3, Hazem El Masri 2, and Stephen Larkhim 1.
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Central 1 0 0 28 6 +22 2
2. Northern 1 0 0 24 12 +12 2
3. Wellington 1 0 0 30 20 +10 2
4. Sydney 1 0 0 28 18 +10 2
5. Melbourne 1 0 0 20 10 +10 2
6. Central Coast 1 0 0 24 16 +8 2
7. Wollongong 1 0 0 34 30 +4 2
8. Hornsby 1 0 0 16 12 +4 2
9. Brisbane 1 0 0 20 18 +2 2
10. Adelaide 0 1 0 18 20 -2 0
11. Darwin 0 1 0 12 16 -4 0
12. Gold Coast 0 1 0 30 34 -4 0
13. Capetown 0 1 0 16 24 -8 0
14. Parramatta 0 1 0 10 20 -10 0
15. Surfers Paradise 0 1 0 18 28 -10 0
16. Wagga 0 1 0 20 30 -10 0
17. Perth 0 1 0 12 24 -12 0
18. Auckland 0 1 0 6 28 -22 0
DIVISION TWO
The Canberra Chargers have started off their season in strong fashion, scoring a convincing 42-20 victory over Bondi to showcase their attacking wares for the season to come. The Battlers were further hindered by the abysmal goal-kicking of Juan Costilio, who failed to convert a single one of the side’s five tries.
Bondi: Joel Monaghan, Michael Sullivan, Steve Price, Mark Minichiello, and Kane Cleal. Costilio 0/5
Canberra: Shannon Hegarty, Caleb Ralph, Paul Mellor, Braden Mohammed, Wayne Godwin 2, and Michael Smith. Constipolous 7/8
HT Score: Canberra 18-12
Penalties: Canberra 4-3
Completion Rates: Bondi 54% Canberra 60%
Possession: Canberra 53%
PoM Points: Caleb Ralph 3, Wayne Godwin 2, and Sean Long 1.
The favourites continue to win in a thus far predictable round of Division Two action, with the Campbelltown Invasion picking up where East Coast left off in 2004/2005 with a dominant 26-10 victory over Waikato to get their season off to a positive start.
Campbelltown: Chris Hicks 2, Trent Barrett, Nathan Wood, and Andrew Dunemann. Hicks 3/5
Waikato: Paulie Bahtahn and Toutai Kefu. Geyer ½
HT Score: Campbelltown 10-0
Penalties: Waikato 7-6
Completion Rates: Campbelltown 79% Waikato 76%
Possession: Campbelltown 55%
PoM Points: Chris Walker 3, Chris Hicks 2, and Sid Domic 1.
Carnarvon have provided their fans with a glimmer of hope for the season to come, the Cowboys christening their new (old) name with an 18-6 victory over heavily favoured newcomers, Christchurch.
Christchurch: Ruben Wiki. Rumble 1/3
Carnarvon: Joe Williams, Leigh Bush, and Graham Luana. Luana 3/3
HT Score: 6 all
Penalties: Christchurch 13-8
Completion Rates: Christchurch 68% Carnarvon 69%
Possession: Christchurch 50%
PoM Points: Joe Williams 3, Paul Sykes 2, and Frank Puletua 1.
Geelong and Lake Heights have been unable to produce a winner in their opening clash of the season, with both sides missing goals that could have scored victory in a game that finished up at 14 all. The Bengals looked to have things won when they stormed to an early 14-6 second half lead, but the Lightning fought back to ensure they weren’t denied points in their first home game of the season.
Lake Heights: Rico Gear and Willie Manu. Kempton ¾
Geelong: Craig Frawley and Ben Cohen. Hall 3/5
HT Score: 6 all
Penalties: Lake Heights 6-4
Completion Rates: Lake Heights 70% Geelong 65%
Possession Lake Heights 52%
PoM Points: Thomas Kempton 3, James Grubens 2, and Craig Frawley 1.
New England have made a positive beginning to their season, running away late in the game after what had been a tight tussle with the Liverpool Rockets in Sydney. The final scoreline of 31-18 perhaps doesn’t give a true indication of how courageous the wooden spoon favourite Rockets were.
Liverpool: Marcus Bai, Paul March, and Joseph Wellington. March 3/5
New England: De Wet Barry, Manu Vatuvei, Gael Tallic, Brendan Worth, and Ben Cross. Ferris 5/6. Tallic 1 fg.
HT Score: Liverpool 8-6
Penalties: 8 all
Completion Rates: Liverpool 62% New England 72%
Possession: New England 54%
PoM Points: Joseph Wellington 3, De Wet Barry 2, and Ben Cross 1.
If Tamworth City weren’t favourites for promotion going into their game of the round clash with Newcastle, they will be after producing a dominant performance to humble the Fear 26-0 in front of a disappointed Newcastle crowd. The Titans were in champagne form in the first half, and defended like men possessed throughout.
Newcastle: None.
Tamworth City: Jack Waser, Eron Bates, Luke Ricketson, Keith Galloway, and Anthony Farrah. Bates 3/5
HT Score: Tamworth City 20-0
Penalties: 5 all
Completion Rates: Newcastle 50% Tamworth City 69%
Possession: Tamworth City 59%
PoM Points: Jack Waser 3, Graeme Frame 2, and Eron Bates 1.
Redfern have provided unexpectedly stiff competition for the North Queensland Dolphins, fighting back hard in the second half to almost push the Dolphins off their pedestal as early premiership contenders. In the end the class of the Dolphins showed, and they held on for a dramatic 22-14 victory.
Redfern: Joe Black, Ryan Hudson, and Stuart Donlan. Hendersen 0/1. Dynevor ½
North Queensland: Todd Byrne, Ben Kirchner, Holger Mannhardt, and Derren Witcombe. Kirchner ¾
HT Score: North Queensland 12-4
Penalties: Redfern 6-4
Completion Rates: Redfern 69% North Queensland 71%
Possession: North Queensland 55%
PoM Points: Ben Kirchner 3, Ruben May 2, and Derren Witcombe 1.
The game of the round award has to go to Sunday’s exciting clash between South Queensland and Eastwood, a game which highlighted how big a difference can exist between two halves. The Underdogs proved to be anything but in a solid first half, leading 16-0 at the break before the Pumas fought back in the second half to trail 22-18 with ten minutes remaining. The Underdogs granted their fans an inspiring first up win in the end, triumphing 27-18 on the back of some late kicks.
South Queensland: Barry Muir, Ben Jacobs, and Chris Beattie 2. Young 5/6. Muir 1 fg.
Eastwood: Christian Cullen, Craig Kenniwell, Anthony Watmough, and David Fa’alogo. March ¼
HT Score: South Queensland 16-0
Penalties: Eastwood 9-4
Completion Rates: South Queensland 57% Eastwood 66%
Possession: Eastwood 51%
PoM Points: Christian Cullen 3, Barry Liverpool 2, and Martin Moana 1.
The change of coach at Port Macquarie hasn’t done anything to bring about a change of fortunes so far, with the Stingrays on the end of a rather embarrassing 22-2 defeat at the hands of the Tasmanian Devils.
Tasmania: Matthew Burke, Jerrie Muller, Michael Ennis, and Jeremy Tickle. Burke ¾
Port Macquarie: None. Fields 1/1
HT Score: Tasmania 18-2
Penalties: Tasmania 9-4
Completion Rates: Tasmania 67% Port Macquarie 62%
Possession: Tasmania 57%
PoM Points: Shane Williams 3, Jerrie Muller 2, and Verity Gunnarsson 1.
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Tamworth City 1 0 0 26 0 +26 2
2. Canberra 1 0 0 42 20 +22 2
3. Tasmania 1 0 0 22 2 +20 2
4. Campbelltown 1 0 0 26 10 +16 2
5. New England 1 0 0 31 18 +13 2
6. Carnarvon 1 0 0 18 6 +12 2
7. South Queensland 1 0 0 27 18 +9 2
8. North Queensland 1 0 0 22 14 +8 2
9. Geelong 0 0 1 14 14 0 1
10. Lake Heights 0 0 1 14 14 0 1
11. Redfern 0 1 0 14 22 -8 0
12. Eastwood 0 1 0 18 27 -9 0
13. Christchurch 0 1 0 6 18 -12 0
14. Liverpool 0 1 0 18 31 -13 0
15. Waikato 0 1 0 10 26 -16 0
16. Port Macquarie 0 1 0 2 22 -20 0
17. Bondi 0 1 0 20 42 -22 0
18. Newcastle 0 1 0 0 26 -26 0
Ohhhhhh yeeeeeaaaaahhhhhh
What a feeling
1 down... 25 to go
We're the Premiers baby, no one can stop us. Back to back here we come... ASRL history is going to be made.... a dynasty in the making. Pull out your cash books boys and girls and bet on the Falcons to take out the title
That's it, Magro, no more sugar
No, adelaide take no joy from there two point loss. It was the same story all last season and its not good enough!!!By the way, good job our rugby players for holding up the rugby guys in our game today!
