Group 6 rugby league is back with a bang after a sensational start to the season on the weekend.
Premiers Picton Magpies were ambushed at home by the Thirlmere Roosters in going down 34-14.
It was a one sided affair in the Camden derby at Harvey Shephard Field where the Rams thumped neighbours Narellan Jets 62-16.
In the Southern Highlands, Mittagong Lions claimed the Tim Moule Shield with a hard-fought 42-24 win over Moss Vale at Mittagong Sportsground.
And The Oaks Tigers edged out Oakdale Workers 22-18 in the Burragorang Valley match up at Dudley Chesham Oval on Saturday evening.
Our rugby league correspondent MIKE SHEAN has filed match reports on the Tigers victory and the upset at Victoria Park, Picton:
The Tigers held off a dogged Oakdale Workers outfit at Dudley Chesham Oval to post a 22-18 win in a very tight game between the two Burragorang Valley sides.
The home side can thank their captain coach Mitchell Brasington for the win. His brother, Michael, bagged a double for the Tigers, while Mitchell’s solo try with nine minutes remaining on the clock ensured they got the first two points of the season.
Brasington’s kicking was also top draw, forcing Oakdale to come out of their own end repeatedly.
But workers mentor Brendan Reeves would be happy with the display from his side, despite the scoreboard as well as injuries to Alec Bush and Tom Moon.
If the Workers’ show the same sort of form in coming weeks they’ll test more than a few sides.
Indeed Oakdale can rightly feel a little unlucky to not have the Chesham-Sharp Cup in their possession.
Brasington was among the best for the Tigers, while James Kovac, Ryan Russell and Mitchell’s brother Matthew also had solid games, while Ali Allouche was impressive for Oakdale, along with halfback Arthur Little, Moon and Bush.
- On Sunday afternoon, in perfect conditions, Picton and Thirlmere came together for another edition of the Wollondilly derby at Victoria Park.
Many would have walked into the ground expecting the reigning premiers to be too strong for their local opponents, but this wasn’t the case.
Picton’s biggest problem was their handling, with many unforced errors coming from poor passes and dropped balls throughout the afternoon.
The Magpies threatened all day, but were their own worst enemy, often turning the ball over in attacking positions.
Thirlmere scored first in both halves, with big winger Sam Tawamacala bagging a double in his club debut, as well as making several damaging runs into the Picton defensive line.
Jacob Loko also had arguably his best game for the club, causing havoc for the Magpies defence, scoring one and setting up another try on the back of long range runs from the backrower.
Loko was among the best for the Roosters, along with Mullaney, who regularly caused problems for the Picton defence from fullback, and halves Dayne Craig and new recruit Ailand Pihema-Davis.
George Peterson and Kye Madden also laid a good platform in the front row, while Adam Campbell was at his scheming best at hooker.
RESULTS – FIRST GRADE
The Oaks Tigers 22 Oakdale Workers 18;
Mittagong Lions 42 Moss Vale Dragons 24;
Camden Rams 62 Narellan Jets 16;
Picton Magpies 14 Thirlmere Roosters 34;
Campbelltown City – Bye.
RESERVE GRADE
The Oaks 42 Oakdale 10;
Mittagong 28 Moss Vale 14;
Camden 16 Narellan 6;
Picton 20 Thirlmere 4.
Campbelltown City – bye.
UNDER 18
Mittagong 32 Moss Vale 4;
Picton 6 Thirlmere 14;
Camden v Narellan deferred;
Mt Annan Oakdale – bye.
LEAGUE TAG
The Oaks 6 Oakdale 10;
Picton 0 Narellan White 34;
Camden 12 Narellan Blue 0;
Mittagong 6 City Gold 20;
City Blue – bye.
WOMEN’S LEAGUE
Picton 22 Thirlmere 22;
Camden 44 Moss Vale 4.
SECOND DIVISION
Bowral Blues 18 Bargo Bunnies 14;
Oran Park Chargers 16 Narellan Jets 50;
Picton Magpies 32 Thirlmere Roosters 0;
Campbelltown City v Warragamba Wombats deferred;
Mt Annan Knights – bye.
NEXT WEEK – FIRST GRADE ROUND 2, SUNDAY 2.30PM
Moss Vale v Picton;
Campbelltown City v The Oaks;
Narellan v Thirlmere;
Oakdale v Mittagong.
