The opening round of day one of Crown Casino Risk play saw the Geelong Bengals taking on the Carnarvon Cowboys. With neither side in relegation, promotion, or finals figuring - many fans took the opportunity to sleep in before the big second game between Perth and the Surfers Paradise Punks.

GAME ONE - Carnarvon Cowboys (D2) vs. Geelong Bengals (D2)
The Cowboys and Bengals have a feud of sorts going on account of their respective coaches being brothers, and there was certainly fire in the game as the two Division Two minnows threw everything at one another in the earling going. The Bengals tried valiantly, but the first half couldn't have gone much worse for them - Carnarvon running in tries through Leigh Bush, Cameron Dufour, and Steven Wild to claim a potentially match winning 16-0 lead at the break.

Things got worse after half time, promising young winger Tame Tupou racing away from the kick-off to extend his side's lead to 20-0, and Paul Skyes' try effectively ended any hope of a Geelong comeback at 26-0. The Geelong comeback did come, but it was too little too late - tries to Brian Urlacher, Manuel Contemponi, and Nathan Grey scoring consolation games but never really giving the Cowboys' anything to worry about. Carnarvon would go on to face Darwin or Wagga in the semi final for a shot at some much needed points.

Carnarvon Cowboys 26 (Cameron Dufour, Steven Wild, Tame Tupou, Leigh Bush, and Paul Sykes. Dufour 3/5) defeated Geelong Bengals 16 (Manuel Contemponi, Nathan Grey, and Brian Urlacher. Detreaux 2/3).

GAME TWO: Perth Taipans (PL) vs. Surfers Paradise Punks (PL)
There was plenty to like about the second game of the day, Surfers Paradise fighting for a place in the eight whilst Perth needed points to escape from the possibility of relocation. Surfers Paradise got off to an ideal start when Steven Bell capitalised on a Preston Campbell line break to give his side a 6-0 lead. Perth got on the board minutes later when Jonny Wilkinson slotted over a penalty goal to make it 6-2. The lead went to Perth in the twentieth minute - Shaun Briscoe getting into some space and racing away to put his side ahead 8-6.

The ideal first half for Perth continued as Queenslander, Justin Hodges was put into a hole close to the line by Wilkinson - strolling in past a lame Jonah Lomu attempted tackle to make it 14-6 going into the break. The Punks' faithful were in shock, whilst Perth fans dared to dream that their side could fight clear of Hornsby at the base of the table.

It all changed in the first five minutes of the second half, two tries in four minutes turning the game on its head. Tyrone Pau pounced on an erratically bouncing Paul Deacon grubber in the 43rd minute and, from the kick-off, Rhys Wesser raced away for a game breaking eighty metre try to lift his side to an 18-14 lead. Perth were shell shocked, whilst the lethal Punks' halves pairing was beginning to find its feet.

Wilkinson pegged back the lead with a 55th minute penalty goal, and equalised in the 59th minute with a second to set up what should be a grandstand finish to a closely contested game. The 70th minute saw Darren Lockyer calmly pot over a field goal to lift his side to a 19-18 lead, and a controversial penalty for what looked like a perfectly legal tackle in the 71st minute allowed Deacon to push the lead out to three. Perth sealed their fate with another penalty in the 73rd minute - making it five points and ensuring that Perth would need a converted try to secure victory. The miracle didn't come, Surfers Paradise's defence holding firm to secure a 23-18 win and a match against Sydney or Central Coast.

Surfers Paradise Punks 23 (Rhys Wesser, Steve Bell, and Tyrone Pau. Deacon 5/5. Lockyer 1 fg) defeated Perth Taipans 18 (Justin Hodges and Shaun Briscoe. Wilkinson 5/5).

go punks!

When can we get results for this?

When I have time to post them?

:(

The Suspence is killing me. lol

GAME THREE - Wagga Stallions (PL) vs. Darwin Cyclones (PL)
With Wagga now destined to fight it out with Hornsby to avoid automatic relegation, winning today's clash against higher placed Darwin would prove invaluable. The Cyclones, however, would require a strong performance in the tournament to continue their hunt for a top eight spot.

Wagga looked to draw first blood early in the piece when Scott Magro ran it in untouched, but the referee called it back for obstruction and moments later it was big Tana Umaga muscling his way over to give Darwin a 6-0 lead. The Stallions would not go down as quietly as some had anticipated, Slick Cupples going in only three minutes later from a perfect offload from Dominik Bush. The deadlock remained for much of the half, the Stalllions defending in a way that showed they were aware of the gravity of their situation. No amount of tenacity could hold out Drew Mitchell in the 34th however - the former Rugby Union flier collecting a spilled ball and racing away to give his side a 12-6 lead at halftime.

The next points of the game didn't come until the 57th minute, Darwin's Andre Bowen kicking a penalty goal to make it 14-6 and again adding to his tally in the 75th minute with another penalty. The Stallions' defence remained solid throughout, but they could find the miracle tries they'd need - and Darwin would progress to face Carnarvon after an uninspiring 16-6 victory.

Darwin Cyclones 16 (Drew Mitchell and Tana Umaga. Bowen 4/4) defeated Wagga Stallions 6 (Slick Cupples. Magro 1/1)

GAME FOUR - Central Coast Falcons (PL) vs. Sydney Oilers (PL)
The highly anticipated showdown between past Risk winners Central Coast and Sydney would take place at the end of the first day's play. With Sydney clinging to the top eight by a strand and the Falcons fighting hard to complete a miraculous comeback to attempt a premiership defence - the game promised to be a corker.

The Falcons' resurgence can be attributed almost entirely by Canberra loan Sean Long, and the English half showed his value after just eight minutes of play when his enterprising chip and chase allowed him to collect and score to give the Falcons a 6-0 lead. It took just five minutes for Sydney to come up with a response, Amos Roberts' decision to run on the last tackle leading to a memorable exchange of passes that covered forty metres and ended with Benji Marshall's well known sidestep catching Braith Anasta unawares for an equalising converted try.

Hazem El Masri edged his side ahead in the 21st minute with a penalty goal and further increased the lead in the 25th minute with another. Sydney trailed 10-6 when Marc Calderwood added to their worries, the brilliant British star picking up a well threaded Sean Long grubber to extend his side's lead to ten at 16-6. The game's turning point came in the 38th minute - with John Skandalis controversially denied a try for double movement. Just one minute later Steve Price was the unlikely man on the end of a lofted Anasta bomb and the game was all but over for Sydney, as Central Coast would take a 22-6 lead into the halftime break.

Sydney would need to score first in the first half to keep the game alive, and did just that when Frank Pritchard scored a soft try through some lazy marker defence from the defending premiers. The conversion put some interest back into the game, Sydney still adrift by ten at 22-12. The British show continued, however, as Paul Sculthorpe effectively ended speculation as he strolled over to give his side an unassailable 28-12 lead.

The Oilers' gamble would not pay off, as Micky Higham's 77th minute try capped off a far from memorable night for Bossert's crusaders - Central Coast running out 32-12.

Central Coast Falcons 32 (Paul Sculthorpe, Micky Higham, Marc Calderwood, Steve Price, and Sean Long. El Masri 6/7) defeated Sydney Oilers 12 (Benji Marshall and Frank Pritchard. Tupanga-anga 2/2).

SEMI FINALS
Carnarvon Cowboys vs. Darwin Cyclones
Central Coast Falcons vs. Surfers Paradise Punks

WHOOOOT we're coming for the titles boys.... that was a nice little speed bump we went over. What do you call speed bumps in the ASRL, i think it's the now called 'the Oilers'

Oh look Chris, I just went over an Oiler:p

Day two of the Crown Casino Risk for 2005/2006 kicked off with the match many figured would produce the winner of the tournament, as red hot Central Coast clashed with Surfers Paradise.

MATCH FIVE - Central Coast Falcons (PL) vs. Surfers Paradise Punks (PL)
Things couldn't have started any better for the Falcons, Steven Price setting a new Risk record when he was able to muscle his way across the line after just twenty six seconds of play. El Masri's conversion put the Falcons up 6-0 early and things certainly looked grim for the underdog Punks.

The seventh minute brought more grief for the Queenslanders, Gareth Hock spinning out of an attempted Tony Grimaldi tackle and planting the ball down with one outstretched arm to give his side a commanding 12-0 lead. The Punks were already in dire straits and the game wasn't even ten minutes old. The Falcons continued to dominate both possession and field position, the superb pairing of Long and Anasta seemingly too inventive for Lockyer and Campbell to combat. When Ansta put a big fend on Lockyer and ran ten metres to score his side's third try, the Falcons looked as good as into the final with an 18-0 lead after just nineteen minutes of play.

Eighteen became twenty four in the 24th minute, Marc Calderwood supporting Graeme Timms after a big line break to race away untouched for his side's fourth try. The Falcons weren't just going to make the final, they were going to humiliate the Punks in the process. A partisan Falcons crowd were on cloud nine as Chris Maunder's head hung in his hands.

The great players rise above adversity, and so it was that Darren Lockyer finally provided his side with something to work from. After a rare Falcons' mistake in their own end, Lockyer was able to weave through some lazy defence to go in under the posts. Deacon's conversion gave the Punks some hope as they trailed 24-6 after thirty minutes of play. Still, six points wasn't much of a platform, and Glenn Morrison provided both camps with plenty to think about when he barged and fought his way over from seven metres out right on half-time. The Falcons still lead well, but the two late tries saw the Punks with a glimmer of hope at 24-12.

It was a rejuvenated Surfers Paradise outfit who came out onto the park in the second half, the Punks looking to Lockyer for their inspiration and finding it with some memorable attacking plays. Still, it looked like a lost cause when Graeme Timms' tremendous game by being on the spot for a brilliant crossfield bomb from Anasta. El Masri's conversion put it beyond doubt at 30-12. Just over half an hour remained, but the Punks looked dejected.

It never pays to write a team off - and Mark O'Neill, a man who epitomises the Punks' never say die spirit, did it all for his team in the 50th minute when he palmed off Bell and crashed over. Deacon's faultless night with the boot continued, and the Punks remained in the contest at 30-18. Five minutes later, Bell ensured the game would get a grandstand finish when he stepped around Jordan Capri and sprinted downfield, dummying past Patten to score his side's fourth try. Deacon's kick was waved away, but the Punks looked like they were coming home with a wet sail at 30-22.

A 60th minute no try ruling threatened to break the Punks' fragile spirits but just two minutes later Preston Campbell chimed into the line, picking up a Monty Betham offload and dancing masterfully through tiring Falcons' defence to add another four points to his side's tally. Deacon's conversion reduced the margin to just two, the smallest it had been since the 25th second of the match. Another denied try in the 66th minute followed, but the Punks had found their will to win, and the Falcons looked to have packed up far too early.

The Punks finally hit the lead with just over ten minutes remaining, utility forward Shaun Timmins barging over in the Punks' typical style from the day. The Falcons may have had flair, but the Punks had been gritty for much of the game, and 34-30 was a shocking scoreline. The Punks had completed a twenty minute turnaround after looking all at sea. Deacon's 70th minute field goal furthered the distance the Falcons would have to come to five before Lockyer's own addition meant that even a converted try would only force extra time.

The Falcons tried hard, but they had done too much too early, and looked like they were run ragged by the enthusiasm of the Punks. A 79th minute penalty goal to Paul Deacon sealed it, the Punks had completed the Crown Casino Risk's most remarkable comeback to progress to the tournament final!

Surfers Paradise Punks 38 (Mark O'Neill, Steve Bell, Darren Lockyer, Shaun Timmins, Preston Campbell, and Glenn Morrison. Deacon 6/7. Lockyer 1 fg. Deacon 1 fg) defeated Central Coast Falcons 30 (Steve Price, Marc Calderwood, Braith Anasta, Graeme Timms, and Gareth Hock. El Masri 5/5).
PoM Points: Paul Deacon 3, Darren Lockyer 2, and Tony Grimaldi 1.

GOD DAMN IT!!!

Hopefully we get some luck in the play off for 3rd

The second of the day's semi finals would see Carnarvon taking on Darwin in a clash that featured two sides set to relocate at season's end. Carnarvon would be playing for a chance to stay in touch with Division Two's top eight whilst Darwin would be fighting for their place in the Premier League finals.

GAME SIX - Darwin Cyclones (PL) vs. Carnarvon Cowboys (D2)
The opening was scrappy but entertaining, with the two sides obviously inspired by the spectacle that took place between Central Coast and Surfers Paradise. The game didn't share the opener's rapid fire start, however, with first points coming in the 17th minute courtesy of a Ben Westwood try - the pacy centre pouncing on a Michael Monaghan grubber. He was instrumental in the next passage of play as well, his half break allowing Andre Bowen to kick a penalty goal later in the set for an early 8-0 lead.

Darwin continued to have the better of the game, but Carnarvon's tenacious scrambling defence continued to keep them at bay. When Paul Sykes embarked on a weaving run that ended in a brilliant solo try, the Cowboys were well and truly in the game at 8-6 after thirty two minutes. Cameron Dufour set the scores level in the 35th minute with a penalty for offside, but just ninety seconds later big Kiwi Havaleme Junasaesa powered over to put the Cyclones back in the lead. The halftime score - 14-8.

It took just forty seconds in the second half for points to come, the penalty goal from Dufour for a high tackle on Luke Stuart bringing the Cowboys within four. Michael Monaghan's superb game continued just minutes later however, the reliable halfback throwing a masterful dummy and waltzing through the gap to score a potentially game-breaking try. Once converted the try saw the Cyclones with a handy 20-10 lead.

Carnarvon refused to capitulate, with the next twenty minutes featuring some brilliant last ditch defence from the Division Two side. When Steven Wild backed up fellow Englishman Waine Pryce to score a sterling try, the Cowboys were within striking distance once again a 20-16. Pryce set up a thrilling finish just minutes later, the winger skipping down the sideline and going in out wide to level the scores. Dufour missed the conversion, leaving things set at 20 all.

The game remained level with ten minutes to go, both sides having exhausted themselves in defence. Full-time sounded with the score still locked at twenty all, with Dufour's penalty goals earlier in the piece now proving invaluable.

The period of extra time started disastrously for Carnarvon, Tana Umaga continuing his fine tournament form with a big fend on Tame Tupou allowing him to go in virtually untouched. The conversion saw Darwin took a 26-20 lead, one they would be able to hold until the end of the twenty minute period of extra time. Darwin would face Surfers Paradise in the final whilst Carnarvon would get one last bite at the cherry against an out of sorts Falcons' lineup.

Darwin Cyclones 26 (Ben Westwood, Tana Umaga, Michael Monaghan, and Havaleme Junasaesa. Bowen 5/5) defeated Carnarvon Cowboys 20 (Paul Sykes, Waine Pryce, and Steven Wild. Dufour 4/5)
PoM Points: Michael Monaghan 3, Waine Pryce 2, and Eduardo Carera 1.

Go Darwin!!!!!

hahaha omg. i stopped reading at 30-12 and then i went down to the bottom to see if i got any pom points and i couldnt believe i won lol, the punks are back!

Prior to the epic conclusion to the 2005/2006 Crown Casino Risk, fans witnessed Central Coast vent their frustrations on Carnarvon with a comprehensive 40-18 victory to claim the one point on offer for third place.

Central Coast Falcons 40 (Jordan Capri 2, Hazem El Masri 3, Sean Long, and Marc Calderwood. El Masri 6/7) defeated Carnarvon Cowboys 18 (Cameron Dufour, Leigh Bush, Mitchell Sargent, and Nic Hendersen. Dufour 1/4).
PoM Points: Hazem El Masri 3, Gareth Hock 2, and Sean Long 1.

FINAL - Surfers Paradise Punks (PL) vs. Darwin Cyclones (PL)
The final only had one team in the eyes of many, the courageous Punks heavily backed going into a showdown with a side who had struggled to beat two weak sides in their leadup. The early going favoured Surfers Paradise, but Darwin showed they weren't an easy task with a 15th minute try to Drew Mitchell to open their account. The 6-0 lead didn't last long, African sensation Segeni Ngethe putting on a one man show as he danced and fended his way to the line following a quick tap. 6 all after seventeen minutes of play.

Paul Deacon punted his side ahead with a penalty goal in the 22nd minute before Darwin's Brazilian flavour, Eduardo Carera showed his customary speed and grace to slice neatly between Lomu and Bell for an easy four pointers. The conversion was waved away, and Darwin held a tenuous 10-8 lead. The tit for tat style of the game didn't abate, Monty Betham wrestling his way across for a try just two minutes later, with Deacon adding more to the Punks' tally with a penalty minutes after.

16-10 became 22-10 just on the cusp of halftime, Shaun Timmins rampaging from near thirty metres out to slam the ball down for a potentially game-breaking try. The siren sounded as Deacon added the extras to give his side a handy two try lead heading into the break.

The pressure was all on Darwin to score as the second half got underway, but the Punks were drawing first blood - Paul Deacon adding to his already memorable game with a jinking run off of a pinpoint Darren Lockyer pass. He converted his own effort and, in contrast to their semi final, the Punks now had a seemingly unassailable lead of 28-10. The margin blew out further just five minutes later, Deacon grabbing his second of the second half and converting it to all but seal it - the Punks commanding the game with a 34-10 lead.

The killer blow was not far off. Twenty four was not unachievable for Darwin with thirty minutes remaining, but Mark O'Neill's soft try in the 52nd minute ended all hope of a Darwin comeback. Surfers Paradise were ahead by thirty, and the Cyclones didn't have a Lockyer or Campbell to bring them back.

Kaz Utsonomiya snared a consolation try in the 62nd minute but it was all for nought, Surfers Paradise had breathed new life into their season and moved within a point of eighth placed Wollongong with a dominant 40-14 thrashing of Darwin in the final.

Surfers Paradise Punks 40 (Segeni Ngethe, Paul Deacon 2, Mark O'Neill, Shaun Timmins, and Monty Betham. Deacon 8/8) defeated Darwin Cyclones (Kaz Utsonomiya, Drew Mitchell, and Eduardo Carera. Bowen 1/3)
PoM Points: Paul Deacon 3, Shaun Timmins 2, and Preston Campbell 1.

yeeeeah bitches, yall cant touch me, yall cant even see my shit.

cheers to chris for all the time he put into the write up, ive written results before and i know how much it sucks, so very good job.

Surfers Punks- 1st team in history to win the CCR Twice.

good luck in trying to get to the finals :rolleyes:

thank you very much mate

Only teams who have no chance of winning REAL trophies or desperate sides enter

umm teams like gold coast and wellington have entered the tournament quite often

Wellington maybe, but the Crusade never have

how many times have you won a trophy? thats right bitch, dont hate or i might gots ta regulate

Oilers won it twice.

All this fussing and feuding over the ASRL's booby prize :lol:

have you ever won it chris? yeah thats right, you cant see me