The first silverware of 2016 has been handed out after the completion of the Group Six Rugby League Pre-Season competition on Sunday and the Roosters are crowing. MIKE SHEAN reports:
Teams in contention headed to Appin Sportsground for the finals of the competition, played under overcast and cool conditions, which was a pleasant change from the recent heat across the region.
The format was revised to see two sudden death semi-finals, with the first seeing The Oaks meeting Thirlmere, in a repeat of the match from the Southern pool last weekend.
Adrian Muscat crossed early for the Roosters, giving them a 4-0 lead and momentum after only a few minutes.
Youngster Maverick Tweedie added to the tally for Thirlmere close to the halftime break, the Roostrs heading to the sheds with a 10-0 lead.
In the second stanza Thirlmere scored again just before fulltime through Justin Smith, before a late consolation try to the Tigers through Dylan Hillard for the final score of 16-6.
The second semi final saw Oakdale meet Mittagong, with the Workers leading 6-0 at halftime, courtesy of a Scott Gallagher try.
Gallagher crossed for a double seven minutes into the second half to have Oakdale supporters cheering a 12-0 scoreboard.
A consolation try Mittagong could not stop Oakdale from qualifying for the final against with the Roosters.
The final was a tough affair, with another Thirlmere youngster in Riley Nairn crossing for the opening try of the match, and the only score for the Roosters.
They led 6-0 at halftime, and were creeping towards a win.
Oakdale fought for the full match, and managed to score in the last minute through Nathan Schwartz, but the conversion attempt was wide, and Thirlmere took the title with a 6-4 win.
Thirlmere captain/coach Lelea Paea said he was pleased with his side’s effort in the competition, but wasn’t reading too much into their win ahead of their Round 1 derby with Picton in two weeks’ time.
♦ The Women’s League Tag final saw Thirlmere meet Campbelltown City, and the match was the best of the day, with plenty of high quality tag football being played by both sides.
Thirlmere captain Nicki Hallam opened the scoring for the Roosters, before Jodie Diaz replied for the Roos, levelling the scores.
Then Caitlin Portridge crossed at halftime, giving City an 8-4 lead.
Stephanie Vukovic opened the scoring in the second half for City, extending their lead to 12-4, but Thirlmere managed a late try to reduce the margin to 12-8, the final score.
City Women’s coach and Group Six Representative coach Kurt Mangan also said he was pleased with his side’s win, and knew he had a pleasant dilemma in selecting a Group side to compete in Batemans Bay at Regional selection trials next month.
♦ Round 1 of the Group Six Rugby League Premiership begins on Saturday, April 2, when Oakdale welcomes The Oaks to Sid Sharpe Oval, Picton heads to Thirlmere Sportsground for a meeting with the Roosters, Camden makes the trip to Narellan for the Jets, and Moss Vale heads to Mittagong for the Lions at Mittagong Sportsground.
