Picton have maintained their position on top of the Group 6 Rugby League ladder, but not before an almighty scare from Campbelltown City on Friday night. MIKE SHEAN reports on the only Group Six match of the long weekend:
The Magpies hosted the Roos in a deferred match, and the crowd that braved the cool and wet conditions at Victoria Park were treated to some old school, tough wet-weather football.
Picton conceded the opening try to Campbelltown City, with centre Ihaia Kohonui scoring after eight minutes to give the visitors a 4-0 lead.
Campbelltown City held that lead for most of the first half, however, the Magpies had their chances.
Picton finally converted those chances into points six minutes before halftime, when centre Rory Vale scored in the right corner.
The teams were still level when the players left the field after 40 minutes, and the 4-4 scoreline was a fair reflection of the match in the first stanza.
Both sides had several chances to score points during the match, however heavy rain for much of the match made handling difficult and indeed didn’t allow for open football.
When the teams did to try to be expansive, it often led to an error in handling, or play breaking down on the sideline.
Picton front rower Billy Carroll, who was forced to stand up and play extra minutes after captain/coach Michael Bullock was forced from the field with a left ankle injury, scored 11 minutes into the second half, giving the Magpies a 10-4 lead.
This didn’t last long however, with Campbelltown City and South West Razorbacks winger Joey Peato scoring to reduce the margin to two points at 10-8.
However neither side would have been confident of victory 25 minutes out from the final hooter.
As it turned out, the result was settled six minutes from full time when Picton winger Eric Everett scored to give his side a 14-8 win.
Picton captain/coach Michael Bullock would have been a relieved man after the match, knowing his side had passed a significant test in their quest for a fourth title in five years.
Bullock himself will be under the spotlight as he races to be fit for next weekend’s Wollondilly derby with Thirlmere at Thirlmere Sportsground.
Campbelltown City coach Liam Fulton was also pleased with his side’s effort, despite going down by six points. Fulton said his side had several key players missing, including second rower Chris Williamson, who was a late withdrawal from the match.
The Kangaroos had one interchange player available for much of the second half.
Both sides will have to prepare for big games next week, with Picton heading to Thirlmere to meet a resurgent Roosters outfit on Saturday night, while Campbelltown City will meet Mittagong in the Corkery-Andrews Cup match on Sunday afternoon.
Both matches will be broadcast live on Macarthur Sports Radio.
