A few days ago Victoria Park, Picton, had no fence and the state of the ground was more suitable for a pigsty than rugby league.
The home of the Picton Magpies, reigning Group Six premiers, was heavily damaged by the floods that swept through the town a week earlier.
But by the time the scheduled Wollondilly derby with the Thirlmere Roosters rolled around yesterday, Victoria Park was ready to host a rugby league match.
Tens of volunteers rolled up their sleeves and worked hard for days to ensure the Magpies, Picton’s pride and joy, would be back playing at home in Round 10 of the Group Six Rugby League premiership.
In response, the Magpies said thanks to all those wonderful volunteers by winning the match.
Picton also kept their unbeaten record intact with their 38-6 win over Thirlmere, reports MIKE SHEAN.
Both sides adjusted well to the wet conditions, especially in defence, with the scoreboard attendant not required until almost a quarter of the game had gone.
The home side opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a try to second rower Zac McInnes, who was rescued himself in the recent floods, putting smiles on almost all the faces at the ground.
The home side added two more tries in a matter of minutes, with Don Thompson scoring the first of his two and winger Michael Purcell also grabbing a four pointer.
In an 11 minute period, the score went from 6-0 to 16-0 in favour of the locals and the game was all but over.
Front rower Benson Tupou added another try four minutes before halftime, extending the Magpies’ lead to 22-0, before Blake Sutton added the lone try for Thirlmere as the halftime siren sounded.
Picton held a 22-6 lead at halftime, and the second half was more of a struggle, with poor handling proving to be an issue for both sides.
Don Thompson bagged his second try four minutes after the resumption, and the result appeared safe for the locals, with a 28-6 lead, but there was still 35 minutes remaining.
Picton centre and NSW Country Bulls representative Josh McIlvenny crossed in the 56th minute, and the lead extended to 30-6.
Centre-cum-second rower Blake Matthews added the icing on the cake with three minutes left for the Magpies to win 38-6.
Results from Round 10:
First Grade
Camden Rams 14 Narellan Jets 34;
The Oaks Tigers 40 Oakdale Workers 4;
Picton Magpies 36 Thirlmere Roosters 4;
Campbelltown City 24 Mittagong Lions 14.
Reserve Grade
Camden 28 Narellan 14;
The Oaks 18 Oakdale 8;
Picton 30 Thirlmere 4;
Campbelltown City 22 Mittagong 14.
Under 18
Appin Dogs 12 Moss Vale Dragons 0;
Campbelltown City 8 Mittagong 22;
Camden 28 Narellan 28
League Tag
The Oaks 18 Moss Vale 4;
Campbelltown City 14 Mittagong 0.
Second Division
Appin Dogs 26 Mt Annan Knights 22;
Bargo Bunnies 2 Warragamba Wombats 14;
Robertson Spuddies 26 Moss Vale Dragons 6;
Picton Magpies 4 Narellan Jets 10.
Next week – Round 11, Sunday 2.30pm (first grade):
The Oaks vs Picton;
Mittagong vs Narellan;
Oakdale vs Campbelltown City;
Thirlmere vs Camden.
