A second half double to Josh Burke secured Oakdale a hard fought 26-10 win over Campbelltown City yesterday at Fullwood Reserve, reports MIKE SHEAN.
The Workers were made to earn their Round 14 win against the Kangaroos.
But the result means the visitors kept their feint finals hopes alive.
Campbelltown City opened the scoring on 9 minutes, with winger Josiah Lealamisa crossing to give the home fans the perfect start to the game.
Oakdale returned serve through recent recruit Addison Demetriou, who was impressive with partner and former Kangaroo Josh Burke against Sam Aiga and Ihaia Kohonui.
Both sides traded blows in the first half, but neither was able to add to the scoreline, as the Workers held a narrow 6-4 lead throughout.
The teams were each reduced to 12 men when an incident 9 minutes before halftime saw Oakdale’s Demetriou and City’s Rayne Horrigan having a seat on the sideline for their involvement.
Neither side could take advantage of the personnel change, with the teams heading to the rooms at 6-4 in favour of the Workers, in what was a very even and tight affair.
Demetriou scored his second try almost immediately after play resumed, extending the Oakdale lead to 10-4, but City weren’t rolling over, with veteran Chris Williamson scoring a nice team try as they pulled level 10 minutes into the second half.
Oakdale’s No.9 Alec Bush, who was a star for the Workers throughout the afternoon, was busy from dummy half all day, and cashed in after a play with halfback Arthur Little resulted in the third try for the visitors as they kicked away to lead 16-10.
Both Bush and Little were instrumental in the win for Oakdale, along with veterans David Lowe and Matt Jones, who both worked hard all afternoon.
Burke’s first try with 14 minutes remaining gave Oakdale some breathing room as they stretched City for a 22-10 lead, but the Roos were determined to not give up without a fight, and that’s what they got.
The Kangaroos kept threatening the Oakdale line, but couldn’t capitalise on any chances they had.
Burke’s final try came from a scrum win with 5 minutes left, and he cruised in to score to seal the victory.
Oakdale’s coaching staff of Brendan Reeves and Russell Lewis would have been pleased with the effort from their side.
The halves of Little and Jake Steadman were very impressive in their direction of play, with the forwards, led by Lowe, Jones and Jason Thompson laying a platform for the win.
Young Bailey MacBeth worked hard, but was hampered by an injury, which eventually forced him from the field in the second half.
The other Round 14 results saw The Oaks and Narellan share the points after a thrilling 24-24 draw at Dudley Chesham Oval, with the Tigers missing a late conversion to win the match, while in the Highlands, Mittagong pushed Thirlmere all day, before going down 38-22 at the final siren.
RESULTS – FIRST GRADE
The Oaks Tigers 24 Narellan Jets 24;
Campbelltown City 10 Oakdale Workers 26;
Mittagong Lions 22 Thirlmere Roosters 38.
Camden and Picton bye.
Ladder – Camden 27; Thirlmere 24; Picton 19; The Oaks 17; Narellan 15; Oakdale 14; Mittagong 12; Campbelltown City 6.
RESERVE GRADE
Campbelltown City 26 Oakdale 0;
The Oaks 12 Narellan 44;
Camden Rams 74 Moss Vale Dragons 4;
Mittagong 14 Thirlmere 24.
UNDER 18
Camden 9 Moss Vale 0;
Mt Annan Oakdale 4 Narellan 22;
Mittagong 22 Thirlmere 22.
WOMEN’S LEAGUE
Thirlmere 26 Picton 0;
Camden 32 Moss Vale 0.
LEAGUE TAG
Mittagong 0 Narellan White 18;
The Oaks 0 Narellan Blue 32;
Camden 32 City Gold 6;
City Blue 8 Oakdale 14.
SECOND DIVISION
Bowral Blues 30 Thirlmere Roosters 4;
Warragamba Wombats 6 Picton Magpies 42;
Campbelltown City 42 Mt Annan Knights 10.
NEXT WEEK – ROUND 15 – FIRST GRADE
Oakdale v Camden (Saturday 7pm);
Picton v Campbelltown City (Sunday 2.30pm);
Narellan v Mittagong (Sunday 3pm).
