Thirlmere Roosters are leading the competition after defeating the Mittagong Lions on the weekend.
After seven rounds the Roosters are first on the ladder with 12 points, while Picton Magpies, The Oaks Tigers and Narellan Jets have 10 points each.
Camden Rams make up the top five with nine points.
Last year’s premiers Campbelltown City Kangaroos sit at the bottom of the table and still without a win in 2018.
The Kangaroos looked good early in their clash with the Oaks Tigers at Fullwood Reserve but ended up losing 34-12.
It doesn’t get easier for the premiers as next Sunday they travel to the Southern Highlands to take on the Moss Vale Dragons in round 8.
No such challenges for the team they beat last year in the grand final: Jake Mullaney steered the Thirlmere Roosters to their fifth win of the 2018 Group Six Rugby League, coming from behind to defeat Mittagong 38-22, reports MIKE SHEAN, of Macarthur Sports Radio.
Mullaney, who returned to the field after several weeks off due to injury, was the star for the Roosters, scoring three tries and controlling play from the fullback position.
Mittagong started well, scoring after eight minutes through captain Regan Economos, and appeared to be controlling the early stages well, on a cool but fine afternoon in Wollondilly.
The Lions continued their good match start, with another try through winger Hayden Wallace on 14 minutes, and it looked as though the visitors were going to record another win away from home.
However, captain Mullaney and his forwards started to wrestle control back from the Lions, and the skipper scored his first try of the afternoon on 27 minutes, giving the home fans the first glimmer of hope.
The Roosters sprang into action on the back of Mullaney’s try, scoring another two in the final six minutes of the first half through impressive young forward Bryce Ritchie-Manns and flying winger Allan Shipley, who grounded a ball just inside the dead ball line to give the Roosters a 14-10 lead at the break.
Thirlmere jumped out of the blocks after halftime, with forward Jack Ledbrook and Mullaney bagging tries inside the first 10 minutes, and suddenly the Roosters had a 26-10 lead.
Mullaney had a third try shortly after, and the contest was effectively over at 32-10, with just over 25 minutes remaining on the clock.
Mittagong weren’t to be denied however, and twice they tried to mount a comeback, with tries to Ryan Borg, who scored a brilliant solo try, showing his class in the Lions outfit.
Jordan Tongahai replied for the Roosters, ensuring the win, and killing off any momentum the visitors were getting late in the match.
The final try of the match went to Mittagong fullback Jayden Valenzisi, giving the Roosters a 38-22 win, and keeping them on top of the table.
Mullaney was among the best players for Thirlmere, with their pack matching the Mittagong forwards.
Raka Poaru made several good runs, often breaking the line for the Roosters to feed off.
Mittagong’s best included the Jeffrey brothers, Adam and Blake, along with the front row of veteran Aaron Sweeney, Jake Merceica, who was dangerous as usual from hooker, and young prop Pat Brown.
Mittagong’s outside backs were also dangerous, receiving good ball from Borg and Dylan Palmer-Quigg in the halves.
RESULTS – FIRST GRADE
Campbelltown City 12 The Oaks Tigers 34;
Thirlmere Roosters 38 Mittagong Roosters 22;
Picton Magpies 46 Narellan Jets 10.
Moss Vale 24 def Oakdale (forfeit).
RESERVE GRADE
Appin Dogs 56 Oakdale Workers 4;
Campbelltown City 12 The Oaks 14;
Thirlmere 4 Mittagong 64;
Picton 16 Narellan 6;
Camden 20 Oran Park Chargers 22.
UNDER 18
Thirlmere 18 Mittagong 36;
Picton 18 Narellan 28;
Moss Vale 16 Mt Annan Oakdale 38;
Camden 32 Warragamba 10.
LEAGUE TAG
Thirlmere 42 Mittagong 0;
Picton 0 Narellan 32;
Moss Vale 4 Oakdale 4;
City Blue 40 City Gold 0;
Camden 12 Oran Park 12.
SECOND DIVISION
Oran Park 20 Warragamba 18;
Thirlmere 16 Bowral Blues 20;
Picton 28 Narellan 14.
NEXT WEEK – ROUND 8 – FIRST GRADE
Saturday 6.30pm:
Oakdale v Camden;
Sunday 2.30pm:
Moss Vale v Campbelltown City;
The Oaks v Picton;
Narellan v Thirlmere.
