Picton Magpies are the only unbeaten team in Group 6 Rugby League after a hard fought 18-10 win over their arch rivals Camden Rams on Sunday afternoon, reports MIKE SHEAN, of Macarthur Sports Radio.
The Magpies are now alone at the top of the table after five rounds thanks to other results, but will know they need to keep winning to fend off the chasing pack of seven teams.
Michael Applebee opened the scoring for Camden after only four minutes, giving the Rams’ supporters something to get excited about.
But minutes later Picton captain coach Michael Bullock crashed over for his second try in two weeks to get the Magpies on the scoreboard and in front at 6-4.
Bullock added a second, but not for a long period of time, with Picton extending their lead 10 minutes before halftime.
The defence from both sides was a feature of the game, which was played in front of a vocal crowd at Victoria Park.
Indeed no points were scored for the opening 20 minutes of the second half.
Picton half Tim Dengate, who led his side around the park well scored a try to give the home side an 18-4 lead.
Camden looked threatening but had struggled inside the Picton quarter, wasting several try scoring opportunities.
The Rams finally scored with 10 minutes left when young prop Jake Dooner bagged a try to reduce the margin to eight points.
Picton held on for a deserved and determined 18-10 victory, but will know they have plenty of room for improvement in the coming weeks, with tough opposition ahead of them in most games.
Picton captain coach Michael Bullock, who has impressed in his recent outings with three tries from two matches, will know they need to produce a more consistent effort to ensure they keep winning.
Bullock will have been happy with the effort from his side, but the handling, which also affected Camden, will be a concern for the coaching staff.
Camden’s head coach Scott Davey will also be concerned about the handling from his side, especially in key areas of the field, which hampered his side all afternoon.
Davey will be pleased with the form from his younger players, who have been forced to stand up, due to several key injuries to his side.
♦The other results from Round 5 saw Narellan scrape past The Oaks on Saturday night, winning 34-28 at Crane Oval, with the Jets managing to hold off a fast finishing Tigers outfit, who were always just out of reach in a tough fixture.
Narellan’s win lifted them off the bottom of the ladder, with the Tigers now stuck to the final position on the ladder after five weeks, with only two points separating fourth from eighth.
On Sunday, Thirlmere recorded their second win of the year, defeating Campbelltown City 26-14 at Fullwood Reserve.
The visitors, who went to the break with a 6-4 lead, looked sharper in attack and went on to win it in the second stanza.
Oakdale and Mittagong could not n be separated after 80 minutes, finishing level at 10-10 at Sid Sharpe Oval. The Mittagong Lions now have two draws to their credit this season.
• RESULTS First Grade
Narellan Jets 34 The Oaks Tigers 28;
Campbelltown City 14 Thirlmere Roosters 26;
Oakdale Workers 10 Mittagong Lions 10;
Picton Magpies 18 Camden Rams 10
• Reserve Grade
Narellan 30 The Oaks 10;
Campbelltown City 30 Thirlmere 12;
Oakdale 10 Mittagong 30;
Picton 10 Camden 14
• Under 18
Narellan 12 Moss Vale 18;
Campbelltown City 18 Thirlmere 8;
Mt Annan Oakdale 16 Mittagong 40;
Picton 16 Camden 24
• League Tag
Narellan 60 The Oaks 4;
Campbelltown City 6 Thirlmere 6;
Oakdale 12 Mittagong 8;
Oran Park 12 Camden 20
• Second Division Cup
Robertson Spuddies 28 Warragamba Wombats 14;
Oran Park Chargers 22 Appin Dogs 14
• Second Division Shield
Robertson Spuddies 14 Bundanoon Highlanders 10;
Oran Park Chargers 24 Bargo Bunnies 24
• NEXT WEEK Round 6, Sunday 2.30pm kickoff
The Oaks Tigers v Picton Magpies;
Mittagong Lions v Camden Rams
