The newly formed Illawarra-South Coast Warriors hosted the South West Razorbacks as part of the annual CRL Country Championships fixtures on Saturday afternoon and Macarthur Sport Radio’s MIKE SHEAN covered the day.
The Warriors squad is a combination of the Illawarra District and Group 7 Rugby League competitions, while the Razorbacks is a Group 6 squad.
Venue for the day was Ron Costello Oval, Shellharbour, where the Ladies League Tag and Men’s Under 23 matches were played in front of a healthy crowd.
The Warriors’ squad proved too strong in both clashes, winning the Ladies League Tag clash 20-4 and the men’s match 28-20.
♦ In the only Group 6 first grade match played as part of the split round weekend, a last gasp penalty goal saw the Camden Rams snatch a 20-20 draw on Sunday afternoon against Mittagong Lions.
Camden’s Steele Brown, starting the game for the injured Toby Huxley, crossed after just four minutes, giving the vocal Rams’ supporters something to cheer about early in the match.
Jake Merceica scored a nice solo try after 12 minutes for the Lions, levelling the scores, in what was a tough and tight game of football.
Kyle Simmonds scored for the Rams, and with the conversion, led 10-4 over the locals after 20 minutes, and seemed to be taking control of the match.
The home side didn’t do themselves any favours by dropping ball in key positions at crucial times, helping Camden out of their own end on several occasions.
Camden winger Anthony Dicello scored in the corner with only minutes remaining in the first half, giving the Rams a 10 point lead.
However the locals were determined to fight to the end, with Jake Ngaia scoring on the halftime siren, and the Lions trailed 14-8 at the break but still in the contest.
Shannon McDonnell, who was forced into the halves after halftime, scored shortly after the restart of play, restoring the 10 point margin to the visitors.
However, the Lions weren’t reading that script, and added two tries in quick time to put them ahead by two points.
It appeared as though the Lions would hold on for the win, however a penalty only seconds before the final siren gave Camden a sniff of snatching a point.
The penalty goal, from close range, was successful, and the scores were level after the final siren, as play came to an end, with the scoreboard showing 20-20.
The three remaining matches, The Oaks v Picton, Campbelltown City vs Oakdale, and Thirlmere v Narellan, will be played next Sunday afternoon to complete Round 6 of first grade.
