The Camden Rams recorded an emphatic victory over the previously unbeaten Moss Vale Dragons yesterday, while Group Six passed its first hurdle of the 2015 representative season on Friday night, reports MIKE SHEAN:
The representative season kicked off the footy on Friday night when a depleted Group 6 overcame a determined Group 16 side to win 36-16 at Mackay Park in Batemans Bay.
But it was the home fans who were cheering first when Moruya winger Caine Brierley scored for the locals after a charge down from a Group 6 kick on the last tackle early in the match.
Camden prop and former NRL forward Ray Cashmere returned serve for the visitors after 10 minutes, with a penalty for the northern side assisting in the lead up to the try.
One of the only injury concerns for Group Six came when Rory Vale came off with what appeared to be a left ankle injury after 15 minutes. This forced a minor reshuffle to the Group Six backline for the remainder of the match.
Group 16 made the visitors work for their points, with Moss Vale’s Luke Roberts crossing nine minutes before halftime, to give Group Six a 6 point lead.
Jake Clarke hit back for the locals soon after, taking an intercept and running the distance to reduce the deficit to 12-10.
Picton’s Kenny Ahovelo, who was damaging all night for Group Six, destroyed the feeble attempts at defence by Group 16 as the halftime siren sounded, to extend the lead to 18-10 after the conversion.
Early in the second half Group Six replacement Matt Thorpe (Mittagong) crossed following a traditionally smart run from the dummy half to give them a 24-10 lead.
Group 16 reduced the deficit through Luke Jay, who scored following a dummy half run, and with 24 minutes left on the clock the locals only trailed by 8 points.
The margin stayed at 8 for much of the second half. Group Six only managed to score two late tries to flatter the scoreline, with Luke Roberts bagging his second, and Mittagong’s Regan Economos scoring just before the final siren, to make the final scoreline read 36-16 in favour of the northerners.
Group Six coaches Russell Lewis and Robbie Payne would have been delighted with the performance from their side, especially considering the likes of Bryce Gibbs, Stuart Flanagan, Scott Borg, Michael Lett and Matt Groat were all unavailable for the trip south. It’s likely all players will be available for next week’s second Representative match against local rivals Group Seven Bulls.
Ahovelo was among the best players for Group Six, while Anthony Provost, Thorpe, Jesse Dee, Ben Weir and Luke Roberts also impressed for the visitors in their hard fought victory, while Roman Ioelu was dangerous on the wing and as fullback.
♦ The Camden Rams meanwhile flexed their muscles in the Group Six Rugby League Premiership with a comprehensive 60-12 win over the previously undefeated Moss Vale Dragons on Sunday afternoon at Kirkham Park.
Cool and overcast conditions greeted players and spectators at Kirkham Park, with both sides looking to continue their good form from recent weeks in the competition.
The ground was in surprisingly good condition considering the recent rains; indeed two other round 5 Group Six matches were postponed because of the inclement weather.
Both sides tried to assert their dominance in the opening exchanges and it took 10 minutes for the opening points, with Camden winger Josh Goulton crossing for the first of his three tries.
Moss Vale halfback Jesse Dee replied almost immediately for the Dragons, when Camden made an error from the restart.
The teams settled into a tough and physical game after the two tries, with no further scoring for almost 20 minutes, before Goulton bagged his second, nine minutes before halftime.
Rams half Ryan Borg scored just before the break, and Camden lead 18-6 at the interval.
The Rams went up a gear in the second half to post five more tries for an emphatic victory.
Wisbey got the first of his treble shortly after the restart, before Ben Weir, Ray Cashmere, Matt Applebee and Goulton’s third try were added in the second 40 minutes.
There was one highlight late in the match for Moss Vale, with Jayden Valenzisi scoring a consolation try for the Dragons to restore a measure of respectability in the fulltime scoreline of 60-12.
RESULTS ROUND 5:
First Grade – Camden Rams 60 Moss Vale Dragons 12; Narellan Jets 22 Picton Magpies 30; Oakdale Workers 0 Mittagong Lions 32.
Appin v The Oaks and Thirlmere v Campbelltown City matches will be played on June 7.
Reserve Grade – Camden 50 Moss Vale 0; Narellan 14 Picton 26; Oakdale 36 Mittagong 4
Under 18 (1) – Camden 62 Moss Vale 12; Narellan 22 Picton 0. Warragamba – Bye.
Under 18 (2) – Camden Red 18 The Oaks 24. Campbelltown City def Bowral by forfeit. Mittagong – Bye.
Second Division – Narellan Jets White 16 Picton 18; Narellan Jets Blue 18 Bargo Bunnies 4.
* Bundanoon Highlanders v Mt Annan Knights and Robertson Spuddies v Warragamba Wombats matches deferred.
NEXT WEEK, ROUND SIX: First Grade
Moss Vale v The Oaks;
Campbelltown City v Oakdale;
Mittagong v Camden;
Narellan v Thirlmere;
Picton v Appin.
♦ Group Six officials are calling on all football fans to make their way to Community Oval, Moss Vale on Saturday for the annual match against Group Seven. Kickoff is at 2pm and with free entry officials are hoping for a large and vocal crowd to support the local team as players fight for a Southern Region jersey in this month’s Regional Championships in Forster.
