Camden Rams have firmed as hot favourites for this year’s Macarthur Conference rugby league title after taking out the minor premiership.
Rams finished four points clear of second placed Thirlmere, earning a week off as the finals get under way this Sunday.
Their 44-16 disposal of East Campbelltown also meant the Eagles will not be playing finals this year.
In fact, none of the Campbelltown teams made the top five.
Camden on the other hand have gone from strength to strength, peaking at the right end of the season.
They were even able to blood a new halfback yesterday at Kirkham, Lachlan Dooner, who scored a try in his debut.
The young Dooner, who started playing for the Rams at the age of five, joined older brothers Jake and Brody in Camden’s senior ranks. The brothers are pictured above.
Up until his first grade debut, Lachlan Dooner has been steering Camden’s undefeated 18s boys around the park.
Week one of the finals will be a double header at Thirlmere Sportsground this Sunday, August 27.
Oakdale Workers and the Oaks Tigers will go first in the elimination final at 1.15pm, followed by the qualifying final clash between Thirlmere Roosters and Mittagong Lions at 3pm.
The winner of the qualifying final will take on Camden the following week, while the loser will face the winner of the elimination final in a sudden death encounter.
Meanwhile Daniel Payne of the Oaks Tigers was Macarthur Conference top try scorer with 21 for the season, two more than James Coyne from Mittagong Lions.
Payne took out the award after scoring a hat-trick against the Campbelltown City Kangaroos yesterday at Fullwood Reserve.
Former NRL star Bryson Goodwin (Mittagong) was the top points scorer with 184.
RESULTS – ROUND 18
Thirlmere Roosters 26 Picton Magpies 24
Campbelltown Kangaroos 10 The Oaks Tigers 78
Camden Rams 44 East Campbelltown Eagles 16
Mittagong Lions 40 Campbelltown Collegians 20
Oakdale Workers 44 South West Goannas 10
Bye: Narellan Jets
SEMI FINALS – WEEK 1, Sunday, August 27, Thirlmere Sports Ground
1.15PM Elimination final: Oakdale Workers v The Oaks Tigers
3PM Qualifying final: Thirlmere Roosters v Mittagong Lions
