After winning by huge margins on the weekend, Picton Magpies, who demolished Campbelltown City 100-0, and Camden Rams, who decimated Oakdale 80-4, are entitled to think that the 2015 Group Six premiership is a two horse race.
And they are probably right, but where there’s life there’s hope and the other top five teams will believe they are a chance at the business end of the season, which is fast approaching.
In other round 17 matche Narellan defeat Moss Vale 34-14 on Saturday night, while on Sunday The Oaks defeated Thirlmere 34-18 at Dudley Chesham Oval.
And the team that may be the dark horse of 2015, Appin Dogs, all but secured their spot in the finals after a hard fought 22-20 win over Mittagong on Sunday. MIKE SHEAN reports:
The Dogs hosted the Lions at Appin Sportsground in a game where a win was vital for both sides.
The visitors opened the scoring through winger Bo Lander after nine minutes.
Less than 10 minutes later Andrew McGuiggan returned fire for the home side to level the scores at 4-4.
Adam Jeffrey, who bagged a double for the Lions, scored his first try 12 minutes before halftime, after a solo run from the scrumbase.
Jess Elliott crossed just before the break to give Mittagong a 12-4 at the change.
Dane Wooden knew his side needed to lift in the second half, and they got that through classy youngster Roman Ioelu five minutes after the resumption to bring the Dogs back in contention for the vital premiership points.
But then Jeffrey bagged his second not long after, and the Lions led 16-10 with 27 minutes remaining.
Lions coach Mark Elliott would have known his side wasn’t safe with such a slender lead.
Five minutes later, wily Dogs hooker Stuart Flanagan scored a typical hooker’s try, scooting from dummy half to plant the ball under the posts.
The conversion levelled the scores at 16-16 and there was just a quarter of an hour left in the match.
Both sides considered taking the field goal option, especially as time ran down, but neither got into position for the attempt.
Flanagan ensured the Dogs didn’t need to take the option, as he dived over for his second try out of dummy half with seven minutes remaining, giving the Dogs a 22-16 lead.
Asher Ngaia gave Lions supporters hope late in the match, when he crossed in the corner, but the conversion attempt was wide, and the Dogs held on for a hard fought 22-20 win.
Dogs coach Dane Wooden was a relieved man after the match, knowing his side had all but secured a spot in the Top Five, with one week remaining.
Wooden wouldn’t commit to looking beyond next week’s match with Moss Vale, but now knows they only need a draw or win to secure their position in finals action.
Wooden knew his side weren’t at their best today, but the result was more important, and he mentioned the momentum they would gain heading towards the finals.
Mittagong coach Mark Elliott would know his side has blown a chance to secure their finals destiny, and will need an unlikely win over Picton to guarantee their position.
