After thumping victories on the weekend, Picton Magpies and Camden Rams are leading the 2015 competition on 30 points each after 16 rounds.
Daylight is next, followed by Narellan and Mittagong on 16 and Appin on 15 points.
Camden demolished the Campbelltown City Kangaroos 76-6 while Picton put Moss Vale to the sword in winning 72-0 at Victoria Park.
Thirlmere defeated Oakdale 34-4 on Saturday evening and Narellan secured third place with a 44-38 win over Appin, who are clinging to fifth spot.
Mittagong Lions meanwhile kept their finals hopes alive with a hard fought 32-20 win over The Oaks Tigers on Sunday afternoon. MIKE SHEAN reports:
The Lions’ win has kept them in the top five, while the Tigers’ task has become harder: they will almost certainly need to win their last two matches to have any chance of playing finals footy.
The Lions had to work hard for their win, with the victory being secured only in the final five minutes of a physical and tough match at Mittagong Sportsground.
The Oaks opened the scoring after just four minutes when second rower Ben Scambary crossed for a four pointer.
The Tigers dominated possession and territory in the opening 20 minutes and the scoreboard eventually reflected that domination, when captain/coach Mitchell Brasington scored after a long run down field by the Tigers, giving them a 10-0 lead.
Mittagong finally managed to score points after 27 minutes, when Jye Frazer, who ended with a hat trick, bagged his first for the home side.
Frazer got his second try 10 minutes later, after Tigers fullback Bryce Hoskin was sent to the sin bin by referee Glen Whiteman.
The halftime score of 10-10 was an accurate reflection of the match in the first 40 minutes, with both sides aware of the desperation needed in the match.
Frazer was the first to score after play resumed, putting the Lions in the lead for the first time in the match.
Shortly after centre Regan Economos, who also scored three tries, went over for the one to help Mittagong extend their lead to 20-10.
The Tigers didn’t roll over, however, launching a counter attack when centre Michael Brasington scored just after the hour mark.
Just minutes later Scambary scored his second try for the match.
With 12 minutes left on the clock, the scoreline read 20-20, and the game was well and truly in the balance. The Lions capitalised on a penalty given inside The Oaks half and Jesse Bond’s successful kick gave the home side a two point lead.
Mittagong sealed the win with two late tries inside the final five minutes – both to Economos – and bagged the vital two premiership points.
Mittagong coach Mark Thomas was a relieved man after the match.
Thomas said he was pleased with his side’s effort, and the commitment for the full 80 minutes was one of the highlights from the match.
The Lions had several injuries from the match, but Thomas said they’re expecting to get players back in the coming weeks to help their push for a finals position, which he believes they can claim.
Thomas said Frazer, Adam Jeffery and Economos were among the better players for his side.
RESULTS – Reserve Grade:
Oakdale 50 Thirlmere 18;
Campbelltown City 36 Camden 18;
Mittagong 4 The Oaks 16;
Narellan 52 Appin 36;
Picton 80 Moss Vale 0.
Under 18 (1):
Campbelltown City 26 Camden 28;
Narellan 36 Warragamba 10;
Picton def Moss Vale.
Under 18 (2):
Campbelltown City 40 Camden Rams Red 22; Mittagong 36 The Oaks 0.
Second Division:
Bundanoon Highlanders 40 Bowral Blues 4;
Bargo Bunnies 12 Robertson Spuddies 54;
Picton 12 Narellan Blue Jets 0;
Narellan White Jets def Warragamba Wombats
♦ NEXT WEEK – Round 17 (First grade – home teams listed first):
Moss Vale vs Narellan (Sat 7.30pm);
Appin vs Mittagong;
Campbelltown City vs Picton;
The Oaks vs Thirlmere;
Camden vs Oakdale.
