copied over from the mesage boards

PREMIER LEAGUE
The Wellington Cougars had edged closer to a top eight berth courtesy
of today's 20-10 victory over the visiting Sunshine Coast Angels. It
was a performance that Cougars fans may feel they've waited all season
to see, the big crowd on hand delighted to see their side produce the
kind of performance that has seen it reach the dizzying heights.
Wellington: Nathan Cayless, Paul Rauhihi, Tommy Saxton, and Ryan
Hoffman. Orford 2/4
Sunshine Coast: Ben Kirchner. Magro 3/3
HT Score: 4 all
Penalties: Sunshine Coast 10-2
Completion Rates: Wellington 77% Sunshine Coast 74%
Possession: Sunshine Coast 51%
PoM Points: Brian O'Driscroll (Wellington) 3, Shontayne Hape
(Wellington) 2, and Nathan Cayless (Wellington) 1.
Crowd: 37,052

It was a return to the bad old days for Barcelona fans today, a season
high crowd on hand to see what turned out to be a humiliating home
defeat at the hands of the Wollongong Destructors. Most of the twenty
five thousand plus fans left Nou Camp early, saving themselves from
witnessing a 56-12 drubbing.
Barcelona: Adrian Vowles and Paul Sculthorpe. Sculthorpe 2/2
Wollongong: Gareth Hock 2, Joseph Goldstein 2, Steve Menzies, Jamie
Thackery 2, Brian Bower, Daniel Heckenberg, and Trent Barrett. Bowen 8/10
HT Score: Wollongong 28-0
Penalties: Wollongong 5-4
Completion Rates: Barcelona 54% Wollongong 64%
Possession: Wollongong 60%
PoM Points: Jamie Thackery (Wollongong) 3, Trent Barrett (Wollongong)
2, and Joseph Goldstein (Wollongong) 1.
Crowd: 25,768

Adelaide's recent form hiccup is bordering on become a full blown
slump following today's loss at home against the Northern Cannons. The
Attitude looked a shadow of the team that has dominated the Premier
League so far this season, with the Sydney club getting up 34-26 to
make a claim for it's own top eight berth.
Adelaide: Adam MacDougall 2, Stirling Mortlock, and Alan Tongue.
Carter 5/5
Northern: Chev Walker, Trent Pariah, Wes Naiqama, Mat Rogers, Daniel
Holdsworth, and George Smith. Pariah 5/6
HT Score: Northern 12-2
Penalties: Adelaide 5-2
Completion Rates: Adelaide 69% Northern 72%
Possession: Adelaide 51%
PoM Points: Adam MacDougall (Adelaide) 3, Wes Naiqama (Northern) 2,
and Lote Tuqiri (Adelaide) 1.
Crowd: 44,611

The Gold Coast Crusade have continued their run of impressive form,
the early premiership favourites looking confident in a 30-6
dismantling of long-time rivals, Central Coast today.
Central Coast: Matt King. El Masri 1/1
Gold Coast: Clyde Rathbone, Danny McGuire 2, Louis Anderson, and
Reegan Tanner. Johns 5/5
HT Score: Gold Coast 12-0
Penalties: Central Coast 6-4
Completion Rates: Central Coast 61% Gold Coast 74%
Possession: Gold Coast 57%
PoM Points: Reegan Tanner (Gold Coast) 3, Clyde Rathbone (Gold Coast)
2, and Andrew Johns (Gold Coast) 1.
Crowd: 40,052

A turbulent week for the California Vandals could not end on a
positive note, with the Los Angeles based side unable to upset Sydney
at Telstra Stadium. A solid first half performance saw the Oilers
leading 18-0 and a late try from Nathan Fien proved nothing more than
consolation in an 18-4 defeat.
Sydney: Timana Tahu, Terry Campese, and Graham Chapman. Gower 3/3
California: Nathan Fien. Inglis 0/1
HT Score: Sydney 18-0
Penalties: California 5-2
Completion Rates: Sydney 59% California 74%
Possession: Sydney 52%
PoM Points: Craig Gower (Sydney) 3, John Sutton (Sydney) 2, and Ed
Knaggs (Sydney) 1.
Crowd: 20,595

The arrival of caretaker coach, Dominik Bush has proved to have a
marked effect on the fortunes of the Melbourne Executioners, who
snapped a lengthy losing streak today with a thrilling 14-12 away win
over the Capetown Ravens. A vastly reshuffled team got the job done,
and it's now a matter of getting the early premiership contenders back
in touch with the top eight.
Capetown: Ben Walker and Shaun Berrigan. Way 2/2
Melbourne: Anthony Constipolous and Justin Poore. Constipolous 3/3
HT Score: Capetown 12-8
Penalties: Melbourne 7-3
Completion Rates: Capetown 70% Melbourne 63%
Possession: Melbourne 52%
PoM Points: Kevan Mealamu (Capetown) 3, Cameron Way (Capetown) 2, and
Justin Poore (Melbourne) 1.
Crowd: 20,819

The much anticipated Brisbane derby has not failed to live up to the
pre match hype, with a sterling Brisbane performance seeing the Bulls
score a 36-20 victory over the South Brisbane Mustangs in a high
scoring clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Brisbane: Ty Williams, Matt Bowen 2, Josh Hannay 2, and David Stagg.
Thurston 6/7
South Brisbane: Jason Robinson, Craig Wing 2, and Sebastian Azema.
Mathers 2/4
HT Score: Brisbane 26-10
Penalties: 5 all
Completion Rates: Brisbane 66% South Brisbane 59%
Possession: Brisbane 52%
PoM Points: Matt Bowen (Brisbane) 3, David Stagg (Brisbane) 2, and Roy
Asotasi (Brisbane) 1.
Crowd: 30,297

Perth have recovered from last week's humbling defeat to carve out a
much needed 20-14 victory over the visiting Auckland Pirates today at
Subiaco Oval. In a match where both sides scored a treble, it was goal
kicking and some well taken field goals that saw the Taipans home over
the in form Pirates.
Perth: Shaun Briscoe, Juan Costilio, and Daniel Abraham. Wilkinson
3/5. Wilkinson 1 fg. Luana 1 fg.
Auckland: Michael Withers, Nathan Sharpe, and Syrian Kor. Withers 1/3
HT Score: Auckland 8-6
Penalties: Perth 7-2
Completion Rates: Perth 61% Auckland 65%
Possession: Perth 54%
PoM Points: Willie Mason (Perth) 3, Jonny Wilkinson (Perth) 2, and
Anthony Laffranchi (Perth) 1.
Crowd: 23,418

A high scoring match wowed a big crowd at Old Trafford today as the
Manchester Phoenix and Parramatta Vikings turned on the tries in a ten
try thriller. The Phoenix will have Bobby Young to thank for the two
points, a full time score of 35-26 almost entirely due to his unerring
form with the boot.
Manchester: Ade Gardner, Mark Hilton, Danny Wicks, and Jonny Maquina
2. Young 7/7. Towers 1 fg.
Parramatta: Ben Smith, Brent Sherwin, Mark Riddell, Gavin Cooper, and
Eric Grothe Jr. Riddell 3/5
HT Score: Manchester 18-8
Penalties: Parramatta 6-4
Completion Rates: Manchester 59% Parramatta 50%
Possession: Manchester 54%
PoM Points: Jonny Maquina (Manchester) 3, Clinton Schifcofske
(Manchester) 2, and Danny Wicks (Manchester) 1.
Crowd: 43,266

DIVISION TWO
Central West's remarkable rebirth under Anthony McElroy's guidance
continued today, with another big crowd on hand at Wade Park to see
the Pumas score a 38-30 victory against the Illawarra Suns.
Central West: Ryan Cross 4, Craig Kenniwell, David March, and Mtombe
Msabo. March 5/8
Illawarra: Ben Jeffries 2, Iafeta Pelea'aesina, and Edwin Asotasi 2.
Jeffries 2/4. Kempton 3/3
HT Score: Central West 16-14
Penalties: Illawarra 6-4
Completion Rates: Central West 69% Illawarra 69%
Possession: Central West 52%
PoM Points: Ryan Cross (Central West) 3, David March (Central West) 2,
and Iafeta Pelea'easina (Central West) 1.
Crowd: 16,610

The Hunter derby has proven a decisive victory for the Newcastle Fear,
who looked confident from start to finish in an 18-6 victory over the
upstart Hunter Demons. Like Melbourne in the Premier League, Newcastle
looked a new side under the tuition of a Bush – former Central Phoenix
mentor, Tony Bush at the helm at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Newcastle: Kirk Reynoldson, Matthew Petersen, and Matt Cooke. Harris 3/3
Hunter: Dallas Hood. Clark ½
HT Score: Newcastle 12-6
Penalties: Newcastle 7-2
Completion Rates: Newcastle 81% Hunter 70%
Possession: Newcastle 57%
PoM Points: Matthew Petersen (Newcastle) 3, Kirk Reynoldson
(Newcastle) 2, and John Andrews (Newcastle) 1.
Crowd: 7,861

Douglas Allen's influence at Canberra was evident in the last placed
side's clash against Liverpool today, and while they couldn't record a
victory, Canberra did the next best thing in recording a nail-biting
20 all draw with the visiting Rockets.
Canberra: Tim Horan, Chris McKenna, and Paul Mellor. O'Connor 4/6
Liverpool: Patrice Benausse, Marcus Bai, and Felipe Contempone. Lavea 4/4
HT Score: Canberra 16-2
Penalties: Canberra 6-3
Completion Rates: Canberra 66% Liverpool 72%
Possession: Canberra 52%
PoM Points: Derrek Lawton (Liverpool) 3, Brad Kelly (Liverpool) 2, and
Brett Carney (Capetown) 1.
Crowd: 2000

Redfern proved again today that they're no pretenders, the underrated
Sydney club upsetting the visiting Darwin Cowboys to continue their
climb up the Division Two ladder. Darwin came into the match as giant
killers, but left on the end of a shock 20-16 loss at the hands of the
All Whites.
Redfern: Jamie Burrows, Daisaku Ohata, and Travis Rose. Dynevor 4/5
Darwin: Paulie Bahtahn and Tame Tupou 2. Luana 2/3
HT Score: Redfern 14-10
Penalties: Redfern 11-7
Completion Rates: Redfern 62% Darwin 61%
Possession: Redfern 55%
PoM Points: Ruben May (Redfern) 3, Harry Prince (Redfern) 2, and Tame
Tupou (Darwin) 1.
Crowd: 12,732

No surprises in Geelong's visit to Scully Park today, with New England
crushing the Gladiators 30-4 amidst rumours that it will be Kelly who
takes the caretaker's role at the struggling Victorian outfit.
New England: Sione Lauaki, Hutch Maivia, Brett Stapleton, and Reece
Williams 2. Ferris 5/6
Geelong: Agustin Pichot. Hall 0/1
HT Score: New England 8-0
Penalties: New England 5-3
Completion Rates: New England 77% Geelong 60%
Possession: New England 59%
PoM Points: Matt Cooper (New England) 3, Reece Williams (New England)
2, and Hutch Maivia (New England) 1.
Crowd: 7,450

Bondi's horrendous slump under Brian Randell continued unabated today
in the side's clash against Christchurch, with Bondi fans having to
endure a torrid time as the Avalanches rolled over Bondi, 44-12
Bondi: Henry Paul and Matt Sing. Smith 2/2
Christchurch: Daryl Cardiss, Kamaal Lolesi, Jaime Soward, Stacey Katu,
Greg Davidson 2, and James Manson. Davidson 8/8
HT Score: Christchurch 32-6
Penalties: Bondi 7-5
Completion Rates: Bondi 62% Christchurch 66%
Possession: Christchurch 57%
PoM Points: Greg Davidson (Christchurch) 3, Michael Korkidas
(Christchurch) 2, and Stacey Katu (Christchurch) 1.
Crowd: 7,465

Injury ravaged Northern NSW have asserted themselves in today's match
against first placed Portsmouth, the Greenies benefiting greatly from
the recent recruitment of Anthony Farrah – who was released not long
ago by Sunshine Coast. Farrah was crucial in an 18-10 upset win.
Northern NSW: Josh Valentine, Girvan Dempsey, and Pennywise
Tupanga-anga. Roff 3/3
Portsmouth: Sid Domic and Robbie Paul. Paul ½
HT Score: Northern NSW 18-10
Penalties: Portsmouth 6-5
Completion Rates: Northern NSW 70% Portsmouth 50%
Possession: Northern NSW 51%
PoM Points: Josh Valentine (Northern NSW) 3, Anthony Farrah (Northern
NSW) 2, and Joe Roff (Northern NSW) 1.
Crowd: 20,692

Port Macquarie remain impossible to predict, with the Stingrays
returning to the bad old days in today's visiting to Townsville. The
Dolphins were merciless in their assault, crushing the Stingrays 48-0
to quell their recent upturn in form.
North Queensland: Tuiaki Taniela, Shannon Hegarty 2, Mark McLinden,
Brody Raines, Derren Witcombe, Lee Hopkins, and Tiri Toa. Bennet 8/8
Port Macquarie: None.
HT Score: North Queensland 18-0
Penalties: North Queensland 8-7
Completion Rates: North Queensland 73% Port Macquarie 63%
Possession: North Queensland 62%
PoM Points: Tuiaki Taniela (North Queensland) 3, Wycliff Palau (North
Queensland) 2, and Mark McLinden (North Queensland) 1.
Crowd: 11,877