Powerhouse Picton win minor premiership in top three grades

It took the final round of the home and away season for all the jigsaw pieces to fall in place.

The main piece was Picton Magpies, who confirmed once again what a powerhouse Group Six entity they are by winning the minor premiership in first grade, reserves and under 18s.

Warragamba Wombats took out the second division shield competition minor premiership.

Last season’s first grade premiers Campbelltown City Kangaroos won’t be defending their crown after finishing sixth this year but it will be some consolation that their Blue Ladies League Tag side won the minor premiership.

The Ladies League Tag Second Division minor premiership went to The Oaks Tigers.

Now the dust has settled from round 18, the teams which qualified for the finals have set their sights on a new goal – making the grand final.

The first grade double header will be held in Mittagong Sports Ground this Sunday, where The Oaks Tigers will take on last year’s grand finalists, Thirlmere Roosters, for the right to play in the grand final qualifier a week later.

Camden, who finished fourth after their 14-14 draw with the Tigers, will now be up against it in a sudden death clash with Mittagong Lions.

The other Round 18 results saw Thirlmere defeat Moss Vale 30-0 on Sunday at Community Oval, while Narellan went down to Mittagong 54-22 on Saturday night at Crane Oval in a match which had no bearing on the finals setup.

MIKE SHEAN, of Macarthur Sports Radio, was at Harvey Shephard Field on Sunday afternoon to watch Camden Rams and The Oaks share the points in a thrilling finish to the Group 6 Rugby League season:

Tigers halfback Matthew Brasington opened the scoring on 11 minutes after a nice solo run.

Mitchell, his five eighth, co-coach and brother, added the extras to give The Oaks a 6-0 lead.

Camden centre Nick Daly scored 13 minutes before halftime, bringing the Rams back into the game, despite trailing 6-4.

When Luke Peoples, the young Camden five-eighth, scored three minutes before the break, the Rams went to the break leading 10-6.

Camden’s flying winger Matthew Tedesco – brother of NRL star James – showed his skills five minutes into the second half when he scored in the left corner to extend the lead to 14-6.

But the Tigers weren’t done yet and worked their way back into the game before Matthew Brasington scored his second try of the afternoon just before the hour mark for a 14-12 scoreline.

Mitchell Brasington added a penalty goal five minutes before time to level the scores, and despite two field goal attempts by Camden halfback Chris Browne, the game finished at 14-14.

RESULTS – FIRST GRADE

Mittagong Lions 52 def Narellan Jets 24;

Thirlmere Roosters 30 def Moss Vale Dragons 0.

Camden Rams 14 The Oaks Tigers 14.

Campbelltown City, Picton – bye.

FINAL LADDER

Picton 30; The Oaks 28; Thirlmere 27; Camden 26; Mittagong 22; Campbelltown City, Narellan 16; Moss Vale 11.

RESERVE GRADE

Appin 40 Thirlmere 28;

Narellan 18 Mittagong 24;

Camden 10 The Oaks 10;

Oakdale 10 Campbelltown City 34;

Oran Park 18 Picton 20.

UNDER 18

Narellan 52 Mittagong 0;

Moss Vale 54 Thirlmere 20;

Mt Annan Oakdale 50 Campbelltown City 0;

Warragamba 4 Picton 70.

LEAGUE TAG

Narellan 48 Mittagong 0;

Moss Vale 0 Thirlmere 46;

Camden 22 The Oaks 0;

Oakdale 0 City Blue 58;

Oran Park 34 City Gold 10.

SECOND DIVISION

Narellan 10 Bowral Blues 20;

Bundanoon Highlanders 32;

Thirlmere Roosters 22;

Warragamba Wombats 30 Picton 10.

NEXT WEEK – 2018 GROUP 6 FINALS WEEK 1

First Grade – The Oaks v Thirlmere (Sun 1.15pm); Camden v Mittagong (Sun 3.15pm)

Reserve Grade – Appin v The Oaks (Sat 6.30pm); Mittagong v Oran Park (Sun 11.30am)

Under 18 – Mt Annan Oakdale v Campbelltown City (Sat 3pm); Camden v Narellan (Sat 4.45pm)

League Tag 1 – Camden v Oran Park (Sat 12pm); Narellan v Thirlmere (Sun 8.30am)

League Tag 2 – Mittagong v Moss Vale (Fri 6pm); Picton v City Gold (Fri 7.15pm)

Second Division – Bowral v Narellan (Sat 1.15pm); Bundanoon v Campbelltown City (Sun 9.45am)