Campbelltown City returned to the winners circle after disposing of Narelllan Jets 36-24 on the weekend.
The Kangaroos are now entrenched in the top five after their round 10 victory and loom as the dark horse of the 2017 premiership.
But it was Picton who served notice that they will be a real force come finals time – the Magpies demolished Oakdale Workers 72-6 to put a four point buffer between them and second placed Kangaroos and Thirlmere Roosters.
Mittagong Lions and The Oaks Tigers make up the top five, with Camden in sixth spot just one point away. Narellan are on five points and Oakdale on three.
Thirlmere had to work hard to pick up the two valuable premiership points, Camden throwing everything at them. MIKE SHEAN of Macarthur Sports Radio reports from Sunday’s thriller eventually won by the Roosters 29-26:
Camden opened the scoring after just six minutes, when front rower and acting captain Ben Weir crashed over from close range.
The Rams added another try seven minutes later, when centre Michael Applebee scored, to the delight of the home fans.
But even with scoreboard showing 12-0 in Camden’s favour, the Roosters weren’t prepared to roll over.
Captain coach Jake Mullaney scored the first of his two tries in the 23rd minute.
It didn’t take long for Camden to respond.
Applebee scored again in what would be one of his last plays of the day, as he came off before halftime with a serious injury.
His try made the score 16-4 in favour of the Rams, and an upset was on the cards, but nobody told the visitors, who struck minutes before the break.
Thirlmere centre Riley Nairn crossed on the right side, and with Eddie Paea’s second conversion of the afternoon the boys headed to the rooms with the home side ahead 16-10.
Thirlmere responded better to the halftime break, with replacement Johnny Neil, who was solid off the bench, scoring eight minutes into the second term, levelling the scores at 16-16.
Dayne Craig scored a nice try on the hour mark to give Thirlmere a 22-16 lead, but it was back to 22-22 soon after when fullback Shannon McDonnell bagged a four pointer.
With time running out, the Roosters grabbed a one point lead after Mullaney kicked a field goal.
When he scored the second of his two tries to give the Roosters a 29-22 lead it looked it was all over with just four minutes on the clock.
But two minutes later Rhys Donovan, who was making his debut for Camden, scored in the right corner.
The attempted conversion sailed wide, leaving the Rams trailing by three points.
The Rams weren’t able to get over the line for the win, with a final play resulting in Camden’s hopes ending in touch and Thirlmere holding on for vital 29-26 win.
RESULTS – FIRST GRADE
Camden Rams 26 Thirlmere Roosters 29;
Oakdale Workers 6 Picton Magpies 72;
The Oaks Tigers 42 Mittagong Lions 14;
Narellan Jets 24 Campbelltown City 36.
RESERVE GRADE
Camden 46 Thirlmere 4;
Oakdale 8 Picton 48;
The Oaks 18 Mittagong 28;
Narellan 24 Campbelltown City 28
UNDER 18
Camden 22 Thirlmere 28;
Mt Annan Oakdale 12 Picton 34;
Moss Vale Dragons 16 Mittagong 18;
Narellan 34 Campbelltown City 14.
LEAGUE TAG
Camden 12 Thirlmere 32;
Oakdale 6 Oran Park Chargers 46;
The Oaks 16 Mittagong 8;
Narellan 28 Campbelltown City 4
SECOND DIVISION CUP
Appin Dogs 24 Warragamba Wombats 12;
Narellan Jets 16 Robertson Spuddies 28
SECOND DIVISION SHIELD
Bundanoon Highlanders 34 Oran Park Chargers 22;
Bargo Bunnies 6 Picton Magpies 22
NEXT WEEK – ROUND 11
Campbelltown City v The Oaks;
Oakdale v Camden;
Picton v Narellan;
Thirlmere v Mittagong. (the Macarthur Sports Radio broadcast match from Thirlmere Sportsground)
