Thirlmere Roosters have recorded their fourth win of the season after a hard fought 28-26 away win over Campbelltown City Kangaroos at Fullwood Reserve on Sunday, reports MIKE SHEAN.
The Roosters held on until the final tackle of the match before securing the win in front of a small but vocal crowd.
The visitors had to work hard for the win, with the stubborn Roos causing problems for David Greene’s men all afternoon.
The scoring opened for the home side after seven minutes when Josh Burke broke through the Thirlmere defensive line to plunge over for a four pointer.
The Roos were pacing the clock early when half Nick Greenhalgh scored their second try to give the locals a 12-0 lead inside 15 minutes.
Thirlmere got on the front foot to return fire almost immediately, with Sione Kaivelata crossing for the first of his two tries.
Just a few minutes later the Roosters produced points again when Jayden Merchant scored.
This reduced the margin to 12-10 in favour of the home side.
Riley Nairn, one of the impressive youngsters from Thirlmere, scored shortly after and the Roosters were ahead for the first time of the match.
Justin Smith extended the lead with 11 minutes left in the first half but Campbelltown responded with a try of their own almost immediately when Burke bagged his second of the day.
This meant the teams went to the break with the score favouring the Roosters at 22-18 but it was anybody’s game in the second stanza.
The see-saw nature of the match continued after the break when Sione Kaivelata scored his second try to level the scores at 22-22.
In reply, Nathan Potts crossed with 14 minutes left to give the Roosters a 28-22 lead, but neither side would have been confident they were going home with the points at this point.
Beau Borchardt scored a nice try down the Roos right hand side shortly after and with 10 minutes left the visitors led by just 2 points.
The Roos had the last chance to score with time almost up on the clock, but the Roosters were able to stop the City attack on the tryline in what was the final play of the match, ensuring the 28-26 win and the vital two premiership points.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]Thirlmere coach David Greene was a relieved man after the match, admitting he was pleased for his side after a difficult season.[/social_quote]
“Defence was the key today,’’ Greene said.
Greene praised Nairn and Kaivelata as the better players, even though this wasn’t their best performance of the season.
The only other match on the weekend saw Mittagong host Oakdale at Oakdale, with the Lions recording a 30-28 win. All other matches were postponed due to the inclement weather during the week.
RESULTS – First Grade:
Mittagong Lions 30 Oakdale Workers 28;
Campbelltown City 26 Thirlmere Roosters 28
Ladder – Picton*, Camden* 24; Appin*15; Mittagong 14; Moss Vale* 13; Narellan* 12; The Oaks*, Campbelltown City, Thirlmere 9; Oakdale 5. * Game in hand.
Reserve Grade:
Mittagong 6 Oakdale 36;
Campbelltown City 54 Thirlmere 4
Ladder – Picton* 24; Oakdale 20; Camden*, Campbelltown City 19; Narellan* 18; Thirlmere 12; Appin* 10; Mittagong 7; Moss Vale* 3; The Oaks* 2
Under 18 (1):
Campbelltown City 52 Thirlmere 30;
Camden def Moss Vale (forfeit).
Ladder – Camden* 23; Warragamba 20; Campbelltown City 17; Thirlmere 12; Narellan 10; Picton 8; Moss Vale 4
Under 18 (2):
Campbelltown City 32 Camden Rams Red 24;
Mittagong def The Oaks (forfeit).
Ladder – Mittagong 22; The Oaks, Campbelltown City 10; Camden Red 6; Bowral 2
Second Division:
Bargo Bunnies 14 Narellan Jets Blue 26.
Ladder – Mt Annan*, Narellan White* 20; Bundanoon**, Robertson* 18; Picton, Narellan Blue 17; Bargo 12; Warragamba*; Bowral 6
DEFERRED MATCHES – ROUND 14 (First Grade)
Picton vs Narellan; Moss Vale vs Camden; The Oaks vs Appin. Match details to be confirmed.
NEXT WEEK – ROUND 15 (First Grade Only – Home Teams Listed First):
Friday Night – Oakdale Workers vs Campbelltown City (Campbelltown Stadium – 7.30pm)’
Sunday – Appin Dogs vs Picton Magpies;
The Oaks Tigers vs Moss Vale Dragons;
Camden Rams vs Mittagong Lions;
Thirlmere Roosters vs Narellan Jets (all 2.30pm).
