The Dogs are still barking in the 2015 Group Six premiership, reports MIKE SHEAN.
Appin have kept pressure on the leaders in the Group Six Rugby League premiership with a scrappy 32-26 win over Thirlmere Roosters on Sunday afternoon.
The match at at Appin Sportsground was the only one played on the weekend due to heavy rainfall in the region leading into the weekend.
All the scheduled postponed matches will now be played on July 11-12.
Both sides had handling issues in the cool and overcast conditions at Appin, but the home side handled the situation better and came away with the win.
Appin’s key off season signing, former NRL star Bryce Gibbs, opened the scoring after nine minutes, but in the course of the game, both sides traded tries in difficult conditions.
Thirlmere winger Dylan Riley replied for the Roosters after 15 minutes, before Sione Kite added to the Roosters’ tally on 21 minutes to give them a 10-6 lead.
Then Jason Blewitt bagged a double in the left corner for Appin in the space of six minutes, restoring Appin’s lead at 16-10 with nine minutes left in the first stanza.
Matt Hoy reduced the margin for Thirlmere just before halftime, and both sides headed to the change rooms level at 16-16 when the siren sounded for oranges.
Neither side was able to take control in the second half.
Both teams were guilty of poor handling and wasted opportunities in the last 40 minutes of the match.
Young Thirlmere hooker Maverick Tweedie, who impressed those at the game, scored a well deserved try, but still over 20 minutes remaining in the match.
Appin then put their stamp on the game with two quick tries in succession.
Lenny Sauni crossed with 12 minutes left on the clock, before centre Sol Kamuta bagged a touchdown three minutes later to restore Appin’s lead.
Halfback Andrew McGuiggan then scored an intercept try to give the Dogs a 4 point lead, before Sione Kite crossed in the final minute to seal the win over Thirlmere.
Dogs coach Dane Wooden was relieved to secure the win, admitting after the game that his side hadn’t played their best football in picking up the two premiership points.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“We will need to focus on our defence ahead of next week’s match with Oakdale,’’ Wooden said.[/social_quote]
That match is scheduled to be played on Saturday evening at Oakdale.
Wooden admitted his side has the potential to score points at will each week, but needed to control their defensive focus if they were to push the top sides in the competition later in the season.
Wooden nominated Roman Ioelu as being among the better players for Appin.
Ioelu won selection in the Group rep side earlier this season.
♦ ROUND 11 RESULTS:
First Grade – Appin Dogs 32 Thirlmere Roosters 26
Reserve Grade – Appin 30 Thirlmere 24
Second Division – Mt Annan Knights 24 Narellan Jets Blue 20
♦ NEXT WEEK – ROUND 12:
Oakdale vs Appin (Sat 5.30pm);
Campbelltown City vs Mittagong (6pm Sat – Campbelltown Stadium);
Camden vs Picton;
Narellan vs The Oaks;
Thirlmere vs Moss Vale (all Sun 2.30pm)
