There were just three games played in Round 10 of the Group 6 Rugby League premiership on the weekend but there was enough drama for twice that many.
It included the lights literally going out at Crane Oval and the game ending 25 minutes early when Camden were leading 30-6 over home side Narellan Jets.
The other two encounters were so close there was just two points separating the winning and losing teams.
On Saturday night at Sid Sharpe Oval, The Oaks Tigers came from behind with two tries in the final five minutes to defeat neighbours Oakdale Workers 28-26 .
And on Sunday at Thirlmere Sportsground, the Roosters scraped past Picton Magpies 34-32 in the Wollondilly derby, reports MIKE SHEAN, who starts this week’s report from Crane Oval, Narellan:
Camden got home 30-6 over Narellan on Saturday night at Crane Oval, but only played around three quarters of the game, due to an issue with lighting.
The opening try on Saturday night was scored by Camden prop Andrew Horne, before Narellan returned serve through Sama Sauvao.
Camden centre Cameron Oitmann also scored, before Rams hooker Ben Quinlan crossed from dummy half.
Centre Daniel Muir also bagged a first half try for the Rams, as they led 22-6 at the break.
The second half saw tries to hard working backrower Ben Powers, and halfback Jackson Willis, who crossed with 25 minutes remaining, when the lights literally went out.
The score was 30-6 at the time, and with more than half the game played, the result will stand as shown at that point.
Sunday saw cool conditions for the Wollondilly derby, as the Roosters and Magpies renewed their rivalry, which has a long and storied history.
Points were flowing in the first 20 minutes, as both sides traded tries on a fine afternoon, with conditions allowing for open football.
Dayne Craig bagged a first half double for the Roosters, as they clawed their way to a 20-12 lead, despite the Magpies having several chances to score, and claiming two tries themselves.
Big Thirlmere front rower George Petersen was among the scorers before the break, with Justin Smith scoring a nice solo try as the Roosters held off the Picton attack in the opening 40 minutes.
The second half saw more points as both sides threw the ball around, despite the wishes of coaches Michael Lett and Jake Mullaney, who would have wanted better defensive efforts from their teams.
Nathan Davis was the star of the second 40 minutes, with a treble to his name for the Magpies, but it was all in vain, as the Roosters held on for a thrilling, if not nerve-jangling win.
The sides traded tries, with Thirlmere kicking out to a 32-16 lead, thanks to Riley Nairn and Kye Madden, before Picton returned serve, with Daniel Payne, Steven Dengate and Davis with two in six minutes, as the Magpies closed the gap to just two points.
The final nine minutes saw Thirlmere cling on to a two-point lead, with Picton throwing everything at the Roosters, including several goal-line raids, which ultimately proved fruitless.
RESULTS – ROUND 10
FIRST GRADE
Oakdale Workers 26 The Oaks Tigers 28;
Narellan Jets 6 Camden Rams 30;
Thirlmere Roosters 34 Picton Magpies 32.
RESERVE GRADE
Oakdale 18 The Oaks 32;
Narellan 18 Camden 22;
Thirlmere 10 Picton 24;
Moss Vale Dragons 6 Mittagong Lions 12.
UNDER 18
Narellan 16 Camden 20;
Thirlmere 16 Picton 22.
LEAGUE TAG
Narellan White 8 Picton 14;
Narellan Blue 26 Camden 6;
City Gold 16 Mittagong 6;
Oakdale 22 The Oaks 0.
GSR WOMEN’S TROPHY
Camden 50 Windang 0;
Avondale 10 Picton 30;
Moss Vale 0 Helensburgh 44;
Thirlmere 0 Port Kembla 28;
SECOND DIVISION
Narellan Jets 36 Oran Park Chargers 12;
Warragamba Wombats 10 Campbelltown City 32;
Thirlmere 6 Picton 74.
NEXT WEEK – ROUND 11 – FIRST GRADE
The Oaks v Campbelltown City (Sunday 2.30pm);
Mittagong v Oakdale (Sunday 2.30pm);
Thirlmere v Narellan (Sunday 3pm).
