With the semi finals of the prestigious Bob Fulton Cup tournament occuring mid-week, Round 19 was always going to be one of split focus. Would semi-finalists Gold Coast, North Queensland, Wollongong, and the Northern Cannons pick up morale boosting wins going into the clashes?

PREMIER LEAGUE

Capetown have continued their run of good form heading into the final leg of the season, the Ravens easily accounting for Melbourne in Victoria 26-6.
Melbourne: Richard Horne. Constipolous 1/1
Capetown: Nathan Blacklock, Paul Whatuira 2, and Martin Gleeson. Way 5/5
HT Score: Capetown 20-0
Penalties: Melbourne 6-4
Completion Rates: Melbourne 62% Capetown 67%
Possession: Capetown 54%
PoM Points: Paul Whatuira 3, Danny Orr 2, and Nathan Blacklock 1.

Wellington have cast serious doubts over claims made by Central Coast Falcons mentor, Anthony Magro earlier in the week when he claimed his side 'had God on its side'. If God was on their side, he obviously forgot to tune in as the Falcons were massacred 36-12 by their long term rivals.
Central Coast: Stuart Fielden and Luke Patten. El Masri 2/2
Wellington: Brent Webb, Nigel Vagana, Clyde Rathbone, Scott Hill 2, and Ali Lauititi. Tai 6/7
HT Score: Wellington 20-0
Penalties: Wellington 7-4
Completion Rates: Central Coast 57% Wellington 70%
Possession: Wellington 57%
PoM Points: Brent Webb 3, Scott Hill 2, and David Kidwell 1.

Perth have remained luckless in today's clash against Adelaide, who have themselves enjoyed a run of good form of late. The 28-22 victroy in Perth sees the Attitude creeping closer to a surprise top eight berth after a nightmare start to the year.
Perth: Shaun Briscoe, Stuart Littler, Daniel Abraham, and Trent Waterhouse. Wilkinson 3/5
Adelaide: Peter Cusack 2, Stirling Mortlock, Daniel Carter, and Rupeni Caucau. Carter 4/5
HT Score: Adelaide 12-8
Penalties: Perth 9-5
Completion Rates: Perth 57% Adelaide 66%
Possession: Perth 50%
PoM Points: Matt Henjak 3, Daniel Carter 2, and Fili Lolohea 1.

Andrew Johns has seen to it that his side didn't let last week's shock less to Central effect their charge towards the minor premiership - 'Joey' scoring a hat-trick and kicking four goals in leading the Crusade to a big 32-6 win over Darwin.
Darwin: Marius Joubert. Bowen 1/1
Gold Coast: Matt King, Ade Gardner, Louis Anderson, and Andrew Johns 3. Johns 4/6
HT Score: Gold Coast 4-0
Penalties: Gold Coast 13-5
Completion Rates: Darwin 58% Gold COast 74%
Possession: Gold Coast 58%
PoM Points: Andrew Johns 3, Ade Gardner 2, and Julian Santarakista 1.

Brisbane have continued their own unlikely charge towards the top eight under the guidance of former Colombo mentor, Chris Colombo. The Bulls showed no mercy against fellow former Division Two club, Hornsby, scoring a big 36-6 win.
Hornsby: Girvan Dempsey. Roff 1/1
Brisbane: Ty Williams, Josh Hannay, Leon Bott 2, Jonathon Thurston, and Carl Webb 2. Hannay 4/7
HT Score: Brisbane 22-0
Penalties: Brisbane 6-5
Completion Rates: Hornsby 66% Brisbane 85%
Possession: Brisbane 59%
PoM Points: Carl Webb 3, Matt Bowen 2, and Jonathon Thurston 1.

Sydney have humiliated Division Two bound Wagga in today's clash, the Oilers looking like genuine premiership contenders with a 58-10 whalloping of the hapless and coachless Stallions.
Sydney: Anthony Minichiello, Darren Bennet, Morgan Turinui 2, Timana Tahu 2, Pennywise Tupanga-anga, Andrew Ryan, Oliver Magne, and Benji Marshall. Bennet 9/10
Wagga: Mirco Bergamasco and Richard Goddard. Magro 1/2
HT Score: Sydney 24-6
Penalties: Sydney 11-5
Completion Rates: Sydney 66% Wagga 65%
Possession: Sydney 63%
PoM Points: Craig Gower 3, Darren Bennet 2, and Timana Tahu 1.

The Northern Cannons will go into their BFC showdown against Wollongong full of confidence following today's 46-0 humiliation of the Parramatta Vikings. Just weeks after announcing a new coach, Parramatta find themselves in dire straits - slipping fast from top eight contention.
Northern: Trent Pariah 2, Ben Creagh, Frederick Michalak, Michael DeVere, Mark O'Meley, and George Smith. Pariah 7/9
Parramatta: None.
HT Score: Northern 34-0
Penalties: 3 all
Completion Rates: Northern 67% Parramatta 57%
Possession: Northern 61%
PoM Points: Brett Dallas 3, David Lyons 2, and Frederick Michalak 1.

Central have completed the rare Gold Coast double, backing up last week's win over Gold Coast by humbling Surfers Paradise 60-12 to take their for and against into the positive and vastly improve their chances of a top eight berth.
Central: Luke Burt 4, Keith Senior 2, Phillip Elof, Sean Towers, and Ronan O'Gara 2. Maquina 10/10
Surfers Paradise: Steve Bell and Jonah Lomu. Deacon 2/2
HT Score: Central 30-12
Penalties: 3 all
Completion Rates: Central 71% Surfers Paradise 41%
Possession: Central 66%
PoM Points: Jonny Maquina 3, Luke Priddis 2, and Luke Burt 1.

Wollongong's 64-4 drubbing of Auckland has certainly set up what will be an interesting Bob Fulton Cup semi final against Northern, the two big winning sides set to square off following solid hit outs in round nineteen.
Wollongong: Brett Hodgson 2, Kobe Patrick 2, Brian Bower 2, Stacey Jones, Jaime Soward, Lance Thompson 2, and Luke Covell. Hodgson 10/11
Auckland: Yoshikazu Kanemaru. Swain 1/1
HT Score: Wollongong 22-0
Penalties: Wollongong 7-6
Completion Rates: Wollongong 66% Auckland 42%
Possession: Wollongong 64%
PoM Points: Lance Thompson 3, Brian Bower 2, and Stacey Jones 1.

Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Gold Coast 16 3 0 627 263 +364 32
2. Northern 15 4 0 488 330 +158 30
3. Wellington 14 5 0 523 313 +210 28
4. Capetown 12 7 0 523 307 +216 24
5. Central 12 7 0 450 428 +22 24
6. Wollongong 11 8 0 462 299 +163 22
7. Sydney 11 8 0 445 299 +146 22
8. Melbourne 10 9 0 365 343 +22 20

9. Darwin 10 9 0 385 376 +9 20
10. Surfers Paradise 10 9 0 373 424 -51 20
11. Adelaide 9 10 0 424 354 +70 18
12. Brisbane 9 10 0 357 367 -10 18
13. Parramatta 8 11 0 309 430 -121 16
14. Central Coast 7 12 0 353 378 -25 14
15. Auckland 6 13 0 266 533 -267 12
16. Hornsby 4 15 0 248 553 -305 8
17. Perth 4 15 0 272 578 -306 8
18. Wagga 3 16 0 294 589 -295 6

Farkin Falcons!!!!

Changes will be made

Gold Coast mentor Chris Walker-Bush has stepped in to aid Campbelltown going into their clash with Newcastle and it's had immediate effect, the Invasion scoring a solid 22-12 victory over the Fear to keep their top eight aspirations on track.
Newcastle: Shontayne Hape and Brett Firman. Harris 2/2
Campbelltown: Michael Young, Tony Martin, and Shane Rodney. Muller 5/5
HT Score: Campbelltown 8-6
Penalties: Campbelltown 8-5
Completion Rates: Newcastle 55% Campbelltown 67%
Possession: Campbelltown 52%
PoM Points: Michael Young 3, Gareth Raynor 2, and Anthony Muller 1.

Waikato remain mired at the foot of the Division Two ladder following today's low scoring match against Carnarvon, the Breakers going down 8-4.
Waikato: None. Yajvi 2/2
Carnarvon: Steven Wild and Stephen O'Reilly. Williams 0/2
HT Score: Waikato 4-0
Penalties: Waikato 11-4
Completion Rates: Waikato 68% Carnarvon 71%
Possession: Waikato 51%
PoM Points: Ali Williams 3, Steven Wild 2, and Adam Dykes 1.

New Bondi coach Aaron Downie has been given an ideal debut, the Battlers showing plenty of skill and committment in upsetting New England 22-16.
New England: Vince Mellars, Matt Cooper, and Brendan Worth. Ferris 2/3
Bondi: Brent Grose, David Vaealiki, Jessie Kidman, and Juan Martine Hernandez. Sullivan 3/6
HT Score: Bondi 16-0
Penalties: New England 10-4
Completion Rates: New England 71% Bondi 54%
Possession: New England 53%
PoM Points: David Vaealiki 3, Mark Minichiello 2, and Jessie Kidman 1.

Redfern's remarkable run of wins continued today, the All Whites claiming a club record 42-10 victory over the unpredictable Eastwood Pumas. With rumours abounding that long suffering coach Vahe Ohanessian may be bound for Parramatta - things look grim for the Pumas.
Redfern: Joe Black 3, Ruben May 3, and Ryan Hudson. Thumper-Knox 2/2. Dynevor 5/7
Eastwood: David Hodgson and Daniel Vickerman. March 1/3
HT Score: Redfern 12-10
Penalties: Redfern 15-5
Completion Rates: Redfern 76% Eastwood 69%
Possession: Redfern 62%
PoM Points: Ruben May 3, Joe Black 2, and Aurelion Cologni 1.

North Queensland have won this week's Division Two clash of the titans, the Dolphins ending Canberra's recent winning streak witha 26-16 home victory. Rumours abound that Canberra may be involved with a high profile loan/trade with Central Coast, which could see Sean Long join the struggling Premier League club.
North Queensland: Nick Youngquest 2, Ben Kirchner, and Todd Byrne. Kirchner 5/5
Canberra: Chris McKenna, Braden Mohammed, and Gary Coleman. Long 2/4
HT Score: North Queensland 18-10
Penalties: North Queensland 5-4
Completion Rates: North Queensland 69% Canberra 47%
Possession: North Queensland 55%
PoM Points: Ben Kirchner 3, Todd Byrne 2, and Holger Mannhardt 1.

Christchurch have continued Geelong's recent run of indifferent form, the Avalanches running over Geelong on their way to an 18-8 victory.
Geelong: Royce Simms. Detreaux 2/3
Christchurch: Chris Cahill and Neale Wyatt 2. Davidson 3/3
HT Score: Christchurch 12-4
Penalties: Geelong 15-7
Completion Rates: Geelong 76% Christchurch 58%
Possession: Geelong 53%
PoM Points: Neale Wyatt 3, Greg Davidson 2, and Brian Lima 1.

Liverpool have scored a stunning upset victory over Tamworth City, ending the club's run of away wins and allowing Tasmania a chance to regain the Division Two lead. The Rockets stunned the out of sorts Titans, getting up 10-6 on the back of opportunistic penalty kicking.
Liverpool: Adam Hayden. March 3/3
Tamworth City: Anthony Farrah. Bates 1/2
HT Score: 2 all
Penalties: Liverpool 9-3
Completion Rates: Liverpool 64% Tamworth City 70%
Possession: Liverpool 52%
PoM Points: Anthony Farrah 3, Eron Bates 2, and Graeme Frame 1.

Tasmania have reclaimed the Division Two lead following today's narrow 14-6 victory against the Lake Heights Lightning. Whilst Tasmania's recent form has slipped a little, the Devils still look like the favourites to gain a place in next season's Premier League.
Tasmania: Olivier Sarramea and Gene Fairbanks. Burke 3/3
Lake Heights: Henry Faafili. Kempton 1/1
HT Score: Tasmania 8-0
Penalties: Lake Heights 10-3
Completion Rates: Tasmania 67% Lake Heights 70%
Possession: Tasmania 51%
PoM Points: Mils Muliana 3, Matthew Burke 2, and Chris Feather 1.

Port Macquarie remain in the calculations for the top eight following today's impressive 12-10 victory over the recently resurgent South Queensland Underdogs - the win keeping the Stingrays in touch with the league leaders.
South Queensland: Martin Moana. Young 3/4
Port Macquarie: Jim Gannon and John Sitizein. Briers 2/2
HT Score: South Queensland 4-0
Penalties: South Queensland 7-6
Completion Rates: South Queensland 68% Port Macquarie 51%
Possession: South Queensland 52%
PoM Points: Shannon O'Reilly 3, Barry Muir 2, and Jim Gannon 1.

Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Tasmania 16 2 1 548 246 +292 33
2. Tamworth City 16 3 0 473 256 +217 32
3. North Queensland 15 4 0 395 283 +112 30
4. New England 13 5 0 469 289 +180 27
5. Carnarvon 12 7 0 381 272 +109 24
6. Canberra 12 7 0 462 360 +102 24
7. Port Macquarie 10 8 1 321 366 -45 21
8. Bondi 10 9 0 350 279 -29 20

9. Campbelltown 9 10 0 336 388 -52 18
10. Christchurch 7 11 1 317 368 -51 15
11. South Queensland 7 11 1 281 390 -109 15
12. Lake Heights 6 11 2 353 408 -55 14
13. Eastwood 7 12 0 355 459 -104 14
14. Redfern 6 12 1 338 389 -51 13
15. Newcastle 6 12 1 297 354 -57 13
16. Liverpool 6 13 0 282 489 -207 12
17. Geelong 5 13 1 294 367 -73 11
18. Waikato 3 16 0 316 495 -179 6

WOOHOO!!! :bang:

Celebrations continued long into the night as Tasmania hit the top of the League and are mathematically certain of a top 8 spot.

You know...as a coach who has never lost a division 2 premiership season...i don´t think you quite have the gaul, tasmania...

Who, you or me?? This is my first season.

I'm not doing too bad with Central, either

super stuff Redfern we are on fire :bang: