Round 26 Scores

[Pumba]

Friday (5th of September)

Brisbane Broncos (18)
Tries: Troyden Watene, Ben Hunt, Andrew McCullough
Goals: Ben Hunt (3/3)
DEFEATED
Newcastle Knights (6)
Tries: Keiran English
Goals: Byron Fruean (1/1)

Sydney Roosters (18)
Tries: Antonio Winterstein, Mose Masoe, Jake Friend
Goals: Ben Cronin (3/3)
DEFEATED
St George Illawarra Dragons (8)
Tries: John Kennedy, Cameron King
Goals: Beau Henry (0/2)

Saturday (6th of September)

Manly Sea Eagles (26)
Tries: Bodie O'Connell, Brad Bennett, William Hopoate, Kieran Foran, Teaeriki Penaha
Goals: Daly Cherry-Evans (1/2), Kenny Edwards (2/3)
DEFEATED
Penrith Panthers (20)
Tries: Joel Romelo (3)
Goals: Matthew Wright (4/4)

*The game was a Trial of the 11-A-Side rules*
Cronulla Sharks (42)
Tries: Stuart Mills, Jack Bosden, Blake Ferguson, Nathan Stapleton (2), Ben Orcher, Jarryd Hogan, Blake Williamson
Goals: Nathan Stapleton (5)
DEFEATED
North QLD Cowboys (16)
Tries: Jack Cooper, Nick Slyney, Steven Eliott
Goals: Tom Humble (1), Nathan Barraclough (1)

Parramatta Eels (24)
Tries: Mase Laulu Togagae, Jonathan Mannah, Daniel Mortimer, Taniela Lasalo
Goals: Nathan Gardner (4/4)
DREW WITH
New Zealand Warriors (24)
Tries: Elijah Taylor, Bill Tupou (2), Daniel O'Regan
Goals: Kevin Locke (4/5)

 

[Pumba]

Sunday (7th of September)

Canberra Raiders (37)
Tries: Zach Merritt, Zac Russ, Drury Low (2), Josh Dugan, Jarrod Croker, Travis Waddell
Goals: Josh Dugan (4/7)
Field Goals: Michael Picker (1/1)
DEFEATED
Canterbury Bulldogs (30)
Tries: Chevy Penehoe, Mason Pure (2), Sene Tala, Nathan Massey
Goals: Ali Hijazi (5/5)

Gold Coast Titans (38)
Tries: Kevin Gordon (2), Jared McCarthy, Shaun Spring, Shannon Walker, Jordan Rapana, Kingi Akauola
Goals: Jordan Rapana (5/8)
DEFEATED
Wests Tigers (22)
Tries: Matt Hyland, Wayne Dunley, Blake Ayshford, Peni Tagive
Goals: Robert Lui (3/4)

South Sydney Rabbitohs (26)
Tries: Malcolm Webster, Abby El-Zbaidieh, Andrew Smith, Jake Leary
Goals: Dylan Farrell (5/5)
DEFEATED
Melbourne Storm (20)
Tries: Sam Joe, Gareth Widdop, Pulou Vaituutuu, Zeb Tawha (20)
Goals: Liam Foran (2/4)

Thanks to Timmah for the banners.

 

[Pumba]

Friday (5th of September)
Brisbane Broncos (18)
Tries: Troyden Watene, Ben Hunt, Andrew McCullough
Goals: Ben Hunt (3/3)
DEFEATED
Newcastle Knights (6)
Tries: Keiran English
Goals: Byron Fruean (1/1)
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Sydney Roosters (18)
Tries: Antonio Winterstein, Mose Masoe, Jake Friend
Goals: Ben Cronin (3/3)
DEFEATED
St George Illawarra Dragons (8)
Tries: John Kennedy, Cameron King
Goals: Beau Henry (0/2)

 

[Pumba]

Young Broncos Cement Top Four
Travis Meyn

THE WOW Brisbane Broncos under-20s are guaranteed a top four finish after their gritty 18-6 victory over the Newcastle Knights at Suncorp Stadium tonight.

The Broncos are hitting fine form at the back end of the season, piling on 58 points in their last two matches.

It took until the 54th minute for the Broncos to build on their half-time lead of 6-nil, with halfback Ben Hunt crossing and then converting to give his side a healthy 12-nil buffer.

Andrew McCullough then latched onto a good offload to score between the sticks.

Hunt slotted his third conversion to extend the gap to 18-nil.

Newcastle then caught the Broncos napping in the 76th minute off a set scrum play, allowing winger Kevin Naiqama to race away to give the Knights their first points.

The match began with both teams battling it out for field position and momentum.

McCullough went within inches of crossing in the opening minutes but knocked on just short of the line.

The next 30 minutes were a tough tussle, until a good kick-chase allowed the Broncos a repeat set and Troyden Watene crossed in the 34th minute.

Hunt added the extras, giving the home side a 6-nil lead heading into the break.

BRISBANE BRONCOS 18 (T Watene, B Hunt, A McCullough tries; B Hunt 3 goals) def NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 6 (K Naiqama try; T Hurrell goal) at Suncorp Stadium.

Link

 

[Pumba]

ROOSTERS SURPRISE DRAGONS IN TOYOTA CUP

The Dragons Toyota Cup side have tonight been defeated 18-8 by the Roosters at the Sydney Football Stadium in terrible conditions.

Late in the game the Roosters were reduced to 11 men after an all in brawl but the Dragons had let themselves down in attack and haven’t carried the momentum they wanted into the Finals Series that start next week.

Although sitting on the bottom of the ladder the Roosters were controlling proceedings at the Sydney Football Stadium and opened the scoring in the 12th minute through centre Tony Winterstein. The bustling centre ran a great inside line and put a left step on fullback Henry Raiwalui to score next to the left hand upright. Halfback Ben Cronin converted to put the home side in 6-nil.

At the 21 minute mark Raiwalui was taken from the field after a sickening head clash with Roosters interchange player Mose Maose. The fullback was returning the ball from a kick and when hitting the defensive line the pair clashed heads leaving Raiwalui to be stretchered from the field.

In a match where the rain was tumbling down for the entire first half the Dragons weren’t able to play the normal attacking style of game and couldn’t convert any field position into points. In what seemed to be their only opportunity Sam Morath went straight through the gap but couldn’t handle the ball which cost the visitors a certain try.

Two minutes prior to half time the Roosters extended their lead through Masoe. Back to back penalties sent the Roosters down field and Masoe ran over three players before planting the ball down for a try. Cronin again converted with the Roosters taking a 12-nil lead into the break.

As both sides came back on to the field the weather hadn’t given up so the standard of play hadn’t become any better but the Dragons were able to cross in the 52nd minute through Captain John Kennedy. The halfback shifted the ball to Clifford Morris who attracted two defenders and was able to pop the ball up to Kennedy on the run-a-round who scored in the north-western corner. Beau Henry was unable to convert to leave the score at 12-4.

The next points came in the 64th minute through St George SG Ball Captain Cameron King. The Dragons were put in good field position after Kennedy found touch from a 20m restart giving them the scrum feed. From there King was able to burrow his way over late in the tackle count to score. He couldn’t convert to leave the Dragons behind 12-8.

Three minutes later an all in brawl occurred on the field resulting in two Roosters players being sent from the field. After what looked to be an innocent tackle Masoe got up and started throwing punches which resulted him being sent from the field along with another team-mate.

With the Roosters down to 11 men you would’ve thought the Dragons had the upper hand but the Roosters were playing for each other in their final match of the year and scored their third try of the night in the 76th minute. Three penalties gave the Roosters good field position and from there a grubber was put through and after deflecting off the Dragons defender hooker Jake Friend won the race to the ball to score. Cronin converted to send the lead out to 18-8.

ROOSTERS 18 (Winterstein, Masoe, Friend Tries; Cronin 3 Goals) def. DRAGONS 8 (Kennedy, King Tries)

Referee: Luke Potter

Link

 

[Pumba]

Young Roosters grind out win

The Sydney Roosters NYC side have hung on for a memorable 18-8 win over the St George Illawarra Dragons at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday night.

The match was marred by a brawl in the 69th minute that saw Roosters Mose Masoe and Ulise Fahina sent from the field.

The home side also had Matthew Hall sent to the sin bin in the 67th minute for a professional foul but the 10-man Roosters hung on to their slender four point advantage for the majority of the final 13 minutes.

The Roosters were out to string a couple of wins together for the first time since round two and three while the Dragons could push for a top four spot if other results from the weekend were to go their way.

The SFS was saturated from unforgiving skies but the quality of football early on didn’t indicate that it would have any affect.

That was best illustrated in the 13th minute when Antonio Winterstein slipped through for the opening score. The centre got on the outside of his opposite number before skipping between further would-be tacklers to slide over untouched. Ben Cronin kicked straight to give the Roosters a perfect start.

Masoe spends the best part of his week crunching numbers as an accountant but he showed he’s more at home crunching defenders after his hit on Dragons fullback Henry Raiwalui 20 minutes out from the break.

The big man was keen to get his head on the highlights reel leaving a handful of defenders in his wake as he charged over in the 38th minute. The 114kg giant was unstoppable on his way to the Roosters second try of the half as they opened up a handy lead in the wet. Cronin again successful with the kick and the tricolours extended their advantage to 12.

Masoe’s solid hitting was a highlight of the first half of football as the Roosters went in to the break with a healthy 12 point advantage.

In a barnstorming performance Masoe continued to make inroads in the Dragons defence carrying his side out of their own end with a 30 metre run.

The Dragons hit back in the 55th minute through their halfback John Kennedy. The captain pulled off a neat wrap around movement with one of his forwards to cross in the corner. The sideline conversion was waved away.

The visitors struck again in the 65th minute through Cameron King. The dummy half crawled his way over from a couple of metres out to claw the Dragons back within four points.

The Roosters looked to have gifted the Dragons the two points after two players were sent off for their part in an all in brawl.

However, the guts the rest of the side showed whilst down to 10 men did justice to the finish when Jake Friend touched down in the final minutes. The nuggetty hooker chased through a Cronin grubber kick that rebounded off the goal post padding.

Link

 

[Pumba]

Saturday (6th of September)
Manly Sea Eagles (26)
Tries: Bodie O'Connell, Brad Bennett, William Hopoate, Kieran Foran, Teaeriki Penaha
Goals: Daly Cherry-Evans (1/2), Kenny Edwards (2/3)
DEFEATED
Penrith Panthers (20)
Tries: Joel Romelo (3)
Goals: Matthew Wright (4/4)

 

[Pumba]

Saturday (6th of September)
Manly Sea Eagles (26)
Tries: Bodie O'Connell, Brad Bennett, William Hopoate, Kieran Foran, Teaeriki Penaha
Goals: Daly Cherry-Evans (1/2), Kenny Edwards (2/3)
DEFEATED
Penrith Panthers (20)
Tries: Joel Romelo (3)
Goals: Matthew Wright (4/4)
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Parramatta Eels (24)
Tries: Mase Laulu Togagae, Jonathan Mannah, Daniel Mortimer, Taniela Lasalo
Goals: Nathan Gardner (4/4)
DREW WITH
New Zealand Warriors (24)
Tries: Elijah Taylor, Bill Tupou (2), Daniel O'Regan
Goals: Kevin Locke (4/5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cronulla Sharks (42)
Tries: Stuart Mills, Jack Bosden, Blake Ferguson, Nathan Stapleton (2), Ben Orcher, Jarryd Hogan, Blake Williamson
Goals: Nathan Stapleton (5)
DEFEATED
North QLD Cowboys (16)
Tries: Jack Cooper, Nick Slyney, Steven Eliott
Goals: Tom Humble (1), Nathan Barraclough (1)

 

[Pumba]

EELS DRAW AGAIN, FINISH FIFTH

The Pirtek Parramatta Eels have recorded their second straight draw in the Toyota Cup, their clash with the New Zealand Warriors at Parramatta Stadium finishing locked at 24-all.

The Eels had four shots at drop goal in the dying stages without result, the final score adding to their 26-all draw with St. George-Illawarra a week ago.

The two sides came into the match chasing outright second spot on the Toyota Cup ladder and they proceeded to slug it out like a pair of heavyweights in atrocious conditions.

Mase Laulu Togagae dived on a slippery kick through to get the Eels off to a flying start, Nathan Gardner making the most of it by nailing the sideline conversion for a 6-nil lead

Their advantage wouldn’t last long, with the Warriors touching down through centre Elijah Taylor, who out jumped Trent Hodkinson to score close in to the posts.

Kevin Locke’s conversion speared into the post before going over to lock it up at 6-apiece.

The Warriors were playing the match deep in Eels territory until a Hodkinson 40-20 turned the tide, giving the home side repeat sets in an attacking position.

Soon after the Eels went in, John Mannah scoring under the posts for a 12-6 lead.

Again the Warriors wasted no time in hitting back, a cut out ball putting winger Bill Tupou away in the corner, however this time Locke could not add the extras as the Eels hung on to a two point lead after half an hour.

The Warriors would be on the front foot by half time however, with another Tupou try and two goals to Locke seeing them hit the sheds ahead by 18 points to 12.

The Eels squared things up again immediately after the break, Daniel Mortimer touching down off a grubber into the in goal, only for the Warriors to again extend their lead with skipper Daniel O’Regan touching down to make it 24-18 in the visitors favour.

14 minutes out from full time the Eels counter punched yet again, Marty Lewis carrying two Warriors defenders over the line to score.

Gardner added the extras to make it 24-all.

The Eels had the better of the final ten minutes but could not score the decisive strike, three drop goal attempts from Hodkinson and one from Albert Kelly wide of the mark as the match finished in a 24-all draw.

The score line meant four teams finished the season on 35 points, with Brisbane taking second place on account of their superior points differential.

The Eels finished fifth and will play the Penrith Panthers in week one of the Finals.

Link

 

[Pumba]

YOUNG SHARKS WHIP THE COWBOYS

The Toyota Cup Sharks have beaten the North Queensland Cowboys by 42-16 in their final game of the 2008 season.

Playing under the experimental rule of 11 players per side, the Sharks played some enterprising football in the atrocious conditions, running in eight tries.

The backs including Blake Ferguson, Ben Orcher and Nathan Stapleton enjoyed the extra running with the two less players on the field, while forwards Jack Bosden, Blake Williamson and Jayson Bukuya paved the way with strong performances closer to the ruck.

The win by the Sharks saw them climb off the bottom of the Toyota Cup table and avoid the wooden spoon. The Sharks finished the season in 14th place on 17 competition points after winning six games during the season.

In a positive for the Sharks, many of their star players will remain eligible for the under-20's in 2009 and should return next year better for the experience in 2008.

Link

 

[Timmah]

Dogs 12 Raiders 10 atm. 23min gone.

 

[Rovelli]

A win would lift the Dogs to 6th, lose and they could be 8th...and play Canberra again at the same venue!

 

[Twigg]

I was thinking yesterday, what if the Warriors/Eels draw..:shock: :crazy:


Fulltime
Raiders 37 bt
Bulldogs 30

Currently 2nd half
Rabbitohs 18
Storm 6


Man Cowboys can't take a trick this year.

 

[S.S.T.I.D]

Souths 26-20.

 

[Timmah]

All finished, GC 38 WT 22

Week 1
1. Canberra v 8. Gold Coast
2. Brisbane v 7. Bulldogs
3. Warriors v 6. St George Illawarra
4. Penrith v 5. Parramatta

 

[The General]

All finished, GC 38 WT 22

Week 1
1. Canberra v 8. Gold Coast
2. Brisbane v 7. Bulldogs
3. Warriors v 6. St George Illawarra
4. Penrith v 5. Parramatta

Looks like it will most likely be:

Fri Night @ SFS - Brisbane v Bulldogs (prior to Brisbane v Roosters)
Sat Arvo @ Toyota Park - Canberra v Gold Coast (prior to Sharks v Canberra)
Sat Night @ Brookvale - Penrith v Parramatta (prior to Manly v St George)
Sun Arvo @ Olympic Park - Warriors v St George (prior to Melbourne v Warriors)

Unless they decide to play the Warriors/Saints 20s match before the Manly/Saints game. But since the Warriors finished higher on the ladder I think they should get to play before their 1st grade team.

 

[Pumba]

Sunday (7th of September)
Canberra Raiders (37)
Tries: Zach Merritt, Zac Russ, Drury Low (2), Josh Dugan, Jarrod Croker, Travis Waddell
Goals: Josh Dugan (4/7)
Field Goals: Michael Picker (1/1)
DEFEATED
Canterbury Bulldogs (30)
Tries: Chevy Penehoe, Mason Pure (2), Sene Tala, Nathan Massey
Goals: Ali Hijazi (5/5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold Coast Titans (38)
Tries: Kevin Gordon (2), Jared McCarthy, Shaun Spring, Shannon Walker, Jordan Rapana, Kingi Akauola
Goals: Jordan Rapana (5/8)
DEFEATED
Wests Tigers (22)
Tries: Matt Hyland, Wayne Dunley, Blake Ayshford, Peni Tagive
Goals: Robert Lui (3/4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South Sydney Rabbitohs (26)
Tries: Malcolm Webster, Abby El-Zbaidieh, Andrew Smith, Jake Leary
Goals: Dylan Farrell (5/5)
DEFEATED
Melbourne Storm (20)
Tries: Sam Joe, Gareth Widdop, Pulou Vaituutuu, Zeb Tawha (20)
Goals: Liam Foran (2/4)

 

[Pumba]

TOYOTA CUP NARROWLY GO DOWN TO RAIDERS
By Matthew Attard

The Bulldogs Toyota Cup side have been defeated by the minor premiers Canberra at Canberra Stadium 37-30.

Going into the match without the likes of star players Ben Barba, John Kite and Jamal Idris it was always going to be a tough match for the 7th placed Bulldogs. There were two changes to the original 17 named by Andy Patmore earlier in the week with explosive SG Ball and Australian Schoolboy fullback Neenan Simpson making his debut in place of Alvin Matavao whilst Sam Aupouri came onto the bench.

The match started with the weight of possession going to Canberra and a try in just the 2nd minute to second rower Zach Merritt. Despite the early hiccup the Bulldogs where able to get a roll on through hard working forwards Roberts Worsley, Martin Tapau and Harlan Alaalatoa making valuable meters. The Bulldogs second phase play was quite impressive and the hard work paid off when Chevvy Penehoe scored on the back of two great touches from debutant Neenan Simpson. Simpson first latched onto a Raiders kick deep in the Bulldogs half and stepped his way 50 meters down field. From the ensuing set of 6 Simpson then laid on a daft grubber for Penehoe to score. In his 3rd game in the NYC young five-eighth Ali Hijazi nailed the conversion from out wide to level the scores 6 all.

Second rower Jake Foster put captain Daniel Harrison away for a break and from the ensuing sets it was again Foster with some great ball skills laying on a beautiful cut out ball to winger Mason Pure to score the first of his 2 tries in the corner. Ali Hijazi again nailed the conversion from the sideline to take the Bulldogs out to a 12-6 lead. With all the forwards laying the platform for the Bulldogs they were able to create plenty of chances however the Raiders showed why they are number 1 with some fantastic defense. Before long the Raiders where able to get themselves down field and score through Zac Russ. Josh Dugan missed the conversion and the Bulldogs held onto the lead 12-10.

The Raiders soon hit back with a controversial try to winger Low after the Raiders appeared to knock on from the 5th tackle bomb.Dugan again missed the conversion and the Raiders led 14-12. The Bulldogs where doing well to create opportunities with halves Rhys Jack and Ali Hijazi laying on some slick set plays and kicks however the Raiders defended their line exceptionally well to deny the 'Dogs. The Raiders then had their opportunities but the Bulldogs weren't going to let them over with some great defense denying Canberra on several occasions. In the 35th minute Bulldogs center Sene Tala showed great strength to scoot over from dummy half. Ali Hijazi again converted and the Bulldogs went out to an 18-14 lead 4 minutes before half time.

The Raiders knocked on and the Bulldogs where awarded a scrum just seconds before half time. From the scrum fullback Neenan Simpson did very well to place a great chip kick over to winger Mason Pure who took the ball and powered his way over in the corner for his second. Ali Hijazi nailed the sideline conversion and the Bulldogs took a 24-14 lead into the break.

The Bulldogs first 15 minutes of the second half was a dreadful one, knocking on the ball 6 times in the first 10 minutes and conceding a simple try with Josh Dugan breaking through the line on the back of a scrum to score under the posts to bring the Raiders within 4 points of the Bulldogs. Finally able to hold onto the ball interchange utility Nathan Benney broke the line, racing 50 meters to get the 'Dogs some good field position. The Bulldogs looked certain to score when Chevvy Penehoe dove over, only to have the ball stripped whilst attempted to ground it.

The Raiders then piled on 3 tries to race away to a 36-24 lead effectively ending the Bulldogs chance of finishing in 6th position. The Bulldogs had one last chance to draw the match after speedy winger Nathan Massey scored under the posts when he was given the ball from hooker Nathan Smith after he latched onto a ball after a Paki Afu offload however they where unable to score again. The Raiders added salt into the wounds with a simple drop goal on the buzzer to take out the match 37-30.

The Bulldogs pups will now have to wait on the result of the Tigers and Titans match. If the Tigers can muster up a win the Bulldogs will finish on 8th spot on the ladder however if the Tigers lose the Bulldogs will finish 7th.

Link

 

[Pumba]

Teenage Titans qualify for finals

The Jetstar Gold Coast Titans will be represented in the finals after the club's NYC under-20s outfit stormed into the playoffs with a spirited 38-22 win over the Wests Tigers at Skilled Park.

Needing a win to leapfrog the Tigers into eighth spot on the ladder, the Titans came from 12-nil down early to run away with a seven-tries-to-four victory.

The win means the teenage Titans will take on minor premiers Canberra next week in what will be a sudden-death final for the Gold Coast.

Try-scoring machine Kevin Gordon took his tally to 20 tries for the season with a double, while fullback Jordan Rapana stepped up with a try and five conversions.

Link

 

[Pumba]

WESTS TIGERS MISS OUT ON TOYOTA CUP FINALS

Wests Tigers season is over in the Toyota Cup competition.

In the final round of the regular season, Gold Coast Titans grabbed eighth spot on the ladder with a 38-22 win over Wests Tigers at Skilled Park on Sunday, September 7.

Wests Tigers headed into the round 26 match in eighth place with the Titans in ninth place and just one point separating the teams.

The loss saw Wests Tigers finished the season in ninth place on 30 points. Under Coach Peter Gentle, Wests Tigers won 13 of their 24 matches.

Tryscorers for Wests Tigers against the Titans were lock Matt Hyland, half-back Wayde Dunley (pictured), centre Blake Ayshford and winger Peni Tagive.

Five-eighth Robert Lui kicked three goals from four attempts.

Link