Appin have maintained their perfect start to the 2015 Group Six Rugby League season with a polished 40-18 win over the Roosters on Sunday afternoon in Thirlmere.
The Dogs were ready for their match against a tough Thirlmere side, who pushed the visitors for the full 80 minutes but were unable to get an even share of possession.
Matt McCauley opened the scoring for the visitors after seven minutes, before Sou Kamuta added a second shortly after, to give Appin a 10-0 lead by the 12th minute.
After that both sides settled into some tough, solid football, on a perfect afternoon at Thirlmere, with flowing end-to-end football.
Neither side was able to crack the defensive line for the best part of 30 minutes, until Stuart Flanagan crossed with the halftime siren ringing in the background.
The try extended Appin’s lead to 16-0. Bryce Gibbs helped set up Flanagan’s try with a nice pass from the former Wests Tigers prop.
Whatever Dane Wooden said at halftime in the Appin rooms seemed to work, with his side continuing their dominant display.
The Roosters came out fighting in the second half, with Blake Sutton and fullback Adnan El-Zbaideih scoring for the locals to reduce the margin to 10 points early in the second half.
Hooker Matt Jones made the scoreline close, when he crossed on the hour mark, and Appin only led by four points, but this seemed to stiffen their resolve.
Flanagan, Kamuta, and a late double to Bryce Gibbs secured the win for Appin, with a 40-18 scoreline at the final whistle, giving the Dogs a perfect start to the season after two rounds.
Dogs coach Dane Wooden was pleased with the performance as well as the improvement from the previous week’s effort against Campbelltown City.
Wooden praised Bryce Gibbs and Stuart Flanagan as the better players for Appin, and said the team can still work on ball possession and defence around the ruck ahead of their next encounter with Oakdale in two weeks’ time.
Thirlmere coach David Greene was frustrated after the match and admitted that while the effort was there from his players, composure was missing, especially from his younger players.
Greene said his side needed to work on their discipline, again being on the wrong end of the penalty count.
ROUND 2 RESULTS:
First Grade – Campbelltown City Kangaroos 24 Moss Vale Dragons 24; Narellan Jets 22 Mittagong Lions 28; Camden Rams 34 The Oaks Tigers 14; Oakdale Workers 10 Picton Magpies 44; Thirlmere Roosters 18 Appin Dogs 36.
Reserve Grade – Campbelltown City 52 Moss Vale 12; Narellan 30 Mittagong 14; Camden 42 The Oaks 12; Oakdale 10 Picton 22; Thirlmere 10 Appin 36.
Under 18 (1) – Camden 20 Warragamba Wombats 8.
Second Division – Bowral Blues 8 Picton Magpies 46; Narellan Jets Blue 16 Mt Annan Knights 34; Narellan Jets White 40 Bundanoon Highlanders 26; Bargo Bunnies 26 Warragamba Wombats 18.
ROUND 3: (April 11,12): Moss Vale vs Thirlmere (Sat 7.30pm); Appin vs Oakdale; The Oaks vs Narellan; Mittagong vs Campbelltown City; Picton vs Camden (all Sunday 2.30pm).
MIKE SHEAN
