What better way to open up round ten of the ASRL season than with an absolute thriller? In today's clash between Darwin and the powerhouse Wellington Cougars, Darwin have scored a major upset in recording a 35-30 victory over the seemingly unstoppable Wellington machine.
Darwin: Brett Stewart, Scott Donald, Ben Westwood 2, Steve Menzies, and Tommy Gallaghar. Cooke 5/7. Cooke 1 fg.
Wellington: Sitiveni Sivivatu 2, Ali Lauititi, and David Kidwell 2. Tai 5/5
HT Score: Darwin 22-18
Penalties: Wellington 8-5
Completion Rates: Darwin 66% Wellington 60%
Possession: Darwin 53%
PoM Points: Sitiveni Sitivatu 3, David Kidwell 2, and Matt Orford 1.
Wollongong have absolutely massacred Parramatta in today's clash, the Destructors looking unstoppable on their way to a dominant 30-2 victory which puts their top eight dream right back on track.
Parramatta: None. Fitzgibbon 1/1
Wollongong: Richie Mathers, Luke Covell, Danny Ward, Seamus O'Grady, and Ian Hindmarsh. Covell 5/5
HT Score: Wollongong 12-2
Penalties: Parramatta 10-9
Completion Rates: 61% Wollongong 65%
Possession: Wollongong 55%
PoM Points: Luke Covell 3, Brett Hodgson 2, and Seamus O'Grady 1.
Northern have ended Melbourne's promising winning run, the Cannons winning an enthralling clash that saw Northern race away to a 30-12 lead before the Executioners charged back to 30-24 - with the final score finishing at 33-24.
Northern: Brett Dallas, David Lyons 2, Frederick Michalak, and Ashton Sims. Pariah 6/7. Pariah 1 fg.
Melbourne: Brian Carney, Dane Carlaw, Darren Albert, and Doug Howlett. Constipolous 4/4
HT Score: Northern 18-6
Penalties: 5 all
Completion Rates: Northern 70% Melbourne 53%
Possession: Northern 53%
Pom Points: Brett Dallas 3, Frederick Michalak 2, and Trent Pariah 1.
The Crusade don't look like relinquishing their place atop the Premier League ladder anytime soon, the Queensland powerhouse absolutely humiliating Central today in Alice Springs. The Crusade ran in a club record equalling ten tries on their way to a huge 54-6 victory.
Central: Clinton Schifcofske. Maquina 1/1
Gold Coast: Gordon D'Arcy 2, Steve Southern 3, Kevin Sinfield, Matt King, David Seage, Karl Pratt, and Louis Anderson. Johns 7/10
HT Score: Gold Coast 24-6
Penalties: Central 6-3
Completion Rates: Central 62% Gold Coast 76%
Possession: Gold Coast 60%
PoM Points: Luke Rooney 3, Andrew Johns 2, and David Seage 1.
After breaking the heart of the Hornsby Mavericks two weeks ago with news of his departure, former coach Chris Columbo has driven a further spike into the club's heart - his Brisbane Bulls club rampaging over the top of the Mavericks on their way to a dominant 32-2 victory. Bulls' coach Chris Columbo had to be escorted from the ground after the game, with word that a death threat had been placed from an unknown source.
Brisbane: Ty Williams 2, Matt Bowen 2, Leon Bott, and Petero Civoniceva. Hannay 4/6
Hornsby: None. Roff 1/1
HT Score: Brisbane 22-2
Penalties: Hornsby 5-3
Completion Rates: Brisbane 71% Hornsby 69%
Possession: Brisbane 56%
PoM Points: Josh Hannay 3, Scott Prince 2, and Paul Bowman 1.
Capetown's surge up the ladder continued today, the Ravens recording their biggest victory of the year in the form of a 40-12 victory over 'local rivals', Perth. The Taipans are in a spot of bother, long serving coach Andrew Young reported missing several days ago. It could have been much worse had Capetown not clocked off in the second period, the South Africans on track for a record breaking scoreline when they lead 40-0 at the break.
Capetown: Cameron Way, Paul Whatuira, Brendan Cannon, Radike Samo, Marty Holaha, Martin Gleeson, and Bryan Fletcher. Way 6/7
Perth: Lesley Vainikolo and Willie Beaman. Wilkinson 2/2
HT Score: Capetown 40-0
Penalties: Perth 7-4
Completion Rates: Capetown 75% Perth 75%
Possession: Capetown 56%
PoM Points: Bryan Fletcher 3, Cameron Way 2, and Paul Whatuira 1.
In a battle of two desperate clubs, friends Anthony Magro and Theo Kamis had to do battle in a clash that could decide the fate of their rival clubs. It turned out to be quite one sided, the reigning premiers crucifying Wagga on their way to a 38-8 win at home.
Central Coast: Jordan Capri 2, Hazem El Masri, Braith Anasta, James Manson 2, and Micky Higham. El Masri 5/8
Wagga: Dene Halatau. Magro 2/3
HT Score: Central Coast 10-8
Penalties: Wagga 6-3
Completion Rates: Central Coast 63% Wagga 64%
Possession: 57%
PoM Points: Hazem El Masri 3, James Manson 2, and Matt Utai 1.
Two late field goals have seen Auckland score a stunning upset over the heavily favoured Sydney Oilers, scraping home to an emphatic 20-18 victory at home. Serious doubts must now be cast over Roger Bossert's coaching credentials, the Oilers slipping back out of the eight following this loss.
Auckland: Ben Tune, Dom Feaunati, and Phil Bailey. Spencer 3/3. Davis 1 fg. Spencer 1 fg.
Sydney: Jason Robinson and Chris Heighington. Bennett 5/7
HT Score: Sydney 14-6
Penalties: 9 all
Completion Rates: Auckland 58% Sydney 71%
Possession: Sydney 52%
PoM Points: Koru Tirohara 3, Phil Bailey 2, and Craig Gower 1.
Adelaide's season of heart-breaking close losses continues, the Attitude easily the better team in today's away clash with Surfers Paradise but still finding themselves on the wrong end of a 14-12 scoreline when the final siren sounded.
Surfers Paradise: Steve Bell 2. Deacon 3/3
Adelaide: Ma'a Nonu and Daniel Carter. Carter 2/4
HT Score: Surfers Paradise 8-0
Penalties: Surfers Paradise 8-4
Completion Rates: Surfers Paradise 59% Adelaide 71%
Possession: Surfers Paradise 51%
PoM Points: Piri Weepu 3, Daniel Carter 2, and Fili Lolohea 1.
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Gold Coast 8 2 0 299 167 +132 16
2. Northern 8 2 0 235 180 +55 16
3. Surfers Paradise 7 3 0 237 160 +77 14
4. Melbourne 7 3 0 218 155 +63 14
5. Wellington 7 3 0 242 197 +45 14
6. Darwin 6 4 0 255 153 +102 12
7. Parramatta 6 4 0 161 189 -28 12
8. Capetown 5 5 0 231 182 +49 10
9. Wollongong 5 5 0 207 183 +24 10
10. Sydney 4 6 0 211 183 +28 8
11. Central Coast 4 6 0 200 201 -1 8
12. Brisbane 4 6 0 205 212 -7 8
13. Central 4 6 0 189 268 -79 8
14. Perth 4 6 0 162 264 -102 8
15. Auckland 4 6 0 152 260 -108 8
16. Adelaide 3 7 0 189 196 -7 6
17. Hornsby 3 7 0 170 189 -119 6
18. Wagga 1 9 0 148 272 -124 2
Newcastle continue to struggle with their form, the Fear embarassed by lowly Liverpool in today's clash in Sydney - going down 22-0.
Liverpool: Patrice Benausse, Felipe Contempone, Steve Molloy, and Wade Humphrys. March 3/4
Newcastle: None.
HT Score: Liverpool 16-0
Penalties: Liverpool 6-5
Completion Rates: Liverpool 56% Newcastle 72%
Possession: Liverpool 52%
PoM Points: Marcus Bai 3, Jamie Bloom 2, and Wade Humphrys 1.
A change of tactics has proved disastrous for Eastwood in today's clash against highly favoured Tasmania - the Pumas' low risk style seemingly playing right into the hands of a Devils side who all too eagerly raced in nine tries for a 48-10 victory.
Tasmania: Jerrie Muller, Olivier Sarramea, Matthew Burke, Varasiko Tokarei, Verity Gunnarsson, Nick Fozzard, Richard Gerling 2, and Steve Williams. Burke 6/9
Eastwood: Craig Kenniwell and Rob Burrow. March 1/2
HT Score: Tasmania 28-4
Penalties: 6 all
Completion Rates: Tasmania 70% Eastwood 61%
Possession: Tasmania 60%
PoM Points: Matthew Burke 3, Varasiko Tokarei 2, and Richard Gerling 1.
Bondi have given their new coach an ideal welcome, the Battlers able to account for Lake Heights 18-8 in today's clash in Wollongong.
Lake Heights: Willie Talau. Kempton 2/2
Bondi: Chris Thorman, Michael Korkidas, and Mark Minichiello. Thorman 3/5
HT Score: Bondi 12-8
Penalties: Lake Heights 9-6
Completion Rates: Lake Heights 64% Bondi 61%
Possession: Bondi 53%
PoM Points: Mark Minichiello 3, Chris Thorman 2, and Lee Gilmour 1.
North Queensland have scraped home to a dramatic 14-12 victory over Canberra today, the Dolphins looking like dropping their eight game winning streak until a late Ben Kirchner goal.
Canberra: Gary Coleman and Lars Ojannsen. Flatley 2/2
North Queensland: Michael Wainwright and Jean-Emmanuel Cassin. Kirchner 3/3
HT Score: Canberra 12-0
Penalties: Canberar 8-6
Completion Rates: Canberra 56% North Queensland 75%
Possession: North Queensland 54%
PoM Points: Nick Younguest 3, Jean-Emmanuel Cassin 2, and Derren Witcombe 1.
Fans might have thought ASRL CEO Chris Walker-Bush had pulled on the boots for Redfern in today's narrow 13-10 loss, the centre bearing a famous name having a wow of a game on debut.
Redfern: Elia Tuqiri and Daisaku Ohata. Thumper-Knox 1/3
Carnarvon: Adam Dykes and Joe Williams. Luana 2/2. Dykes 1 fg.
HT Score: Carnarvon 12-0
Penalties: Redfern 11-4
Completion Rates: Redfern 75% Carnarvon 62%
Possession: Redfern 50%
PoM Points: Joe Williams 3, Chris Walker-Bush 2, and Paul Sykes 1.
A change of coach has proved to be the right medicine for the out of sorts Campbelltown Invasion, the Sydney club coming up with a big upset in the form of a 36-26 victory over second placed New England. It was a game that may go down as one of the ASRL's worst ever, handling errors as common than completions.
Campbelltown: Sid Domic, Garret Crossman 2, Dean Bosnich 2, and Luke Williams. Hicks 6/7
New England: Akido Li, De Wet Barry 2, and Reece Williams. Ferris 5/5
HT Score: 14 all
Penalties: Campbelltown 11-2
Completion Rates: Campbelltown 50% New England 50%
Possession: Campbelltown 54%
PoM Points: Garret Crossman 3, Nathan Wood 2, and Luke Williamson 1.
It had to come eventually. Ten rounds in and struggling Waikato have finally recorded a win, scoring an upset 30-20 victory over fellow Kiwi club, Christchurch.
Waikato: Richie Barnett Sr, Tommy Saxton, Matt Geyer, Chaz Warrington, and Kirk Yeaman. Geyer 5/7
Christchurch: Soni Ardi, Jason Death, Brett Kimmorley, and Chris Cahill. Davidson 2/4
HT Score: Waikato 18-12
Penalties: Waikato 5-4
Completion Rates: Waikato 65% Christchurch 64%
Possession: Waikato 53%
PoM Points: Tommy Saxton 3, Matt Geyer 2, and Richie Barnett Sr 1.
Geelong's Craig Frawley has broken the hearts of Port Macquarie fans, a late try from the Bengals' flier breaking a deadlock that could have seen the Stingrays into the eight for the first time in their history - the final score, 20-14.
Port Macquarie: Jim Gannon and Matty Dale. Briers 3/5
Geelong: Ben Cohen, Craig Frawley, and Agustin Pichot. Hall 4/4
HT Score: Port Macquarie 8-2
Penalties: Geelong 7-6
Completion Rates: Port Macquarie 69% Geelong 69%
Possession: Port Macquarie 50%
PoM Points: Ben Cohen 3, Travis Norton 2, and Manuel Contemponi 1.
Tamworth have retained their place at the top of the Division Two ladder, the Titans easily accounting for out of sorts (and apparently out of coach) club, South Queensland, 20-8.
Tamworth City: Graeme Frame, Jermaine Ale, Eron Bates, and Keith Galloway. Bates 2/4
South Queensland: Lee Hookey. Young 2/2
HT Score: Tamworth City 14-2
Penalties: South Queensland 10-9
Completion Rates: Tamworth City 71% South Queensland 63%
Possession: Tamworth City 52%
PoM Points: Lee Hookey 3, Paul Stringer 2, and Eron Bates 1.
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Tamworth City 9 1 0 276 126 +150 18
2. North Queensland 9 1 0 227 140 +87 18
3. Tasmania 8 2 0 312 124 +188 16
4. New England 8 2 0 277 153 +124 16
5. Bondi 7 3 0 207 196 +11 14
6. Carnarvon 6 4 0 215 160 +55 12
7. South Queensland 5 4 1 177 184 -7 11
8. Campbelltown 5 5 0 208 184 +24 10
9. Canberra 5 5 0 196 196 +0 10
10. Port Macquarie 5 5 0 157 208 -51 10
11. Christchurch 4 5 1 173 196 -23 9
12. Liverpool 4 6 0 172 301 -129 8
13. Geelong 3 6 1 152 187 -35 7
14. Newcastle 3 7 0 122 186 -64 6
15. Eastwood 3 7 0 188 255 -67 6
16. Lake Heights 1 7 2 182 236 -54 4
17. Redfern 1 8 1 150 233 -83 3
18. Waikato 1 9 0 160 286 -126 2
geez close but no win for the All Whites
