Picton have kept intact their unbeaten record in the 2015 Group Six rugby league premiership after a scrappy 40-24 win over Appin on Sunday afternoon, reports MIKE SHEAN:
The Magpies scored seven tries against the Dogs, but they did it the hard way in front of a small but vocal crowd at Picton’s Victoria Park.
Appin started the stronger, with fullback Kyle Weh and winger Roman Ioelu scoring tries inside the opening 11 minutes, to give the visitors a 10-0 lead.
For his try, Ioelu ran over 60m after intercepting a Picton attacking raid, and the signs were ominous for the home team.
Picton prop Benson Tupou scored the first try for the Magpies, which came off the back of a penalty.
A major concern for Picton coach Bryce Poisel was the defence on the right hand side for the Magpies, with all three Appin tries on that side of the field.
The third try for Appin came when Weh scored his second to give the Dogs a 14-6 lead after 25 minutes.
But the Magpies bounced back well, with Don Thompson bagging a quick double, and Ethan Whittington crossing to give Picton a 24-14 lead at halftime.
Coach Poisel’s message at the break seemed to work, with the Magpies putting on another three tries after the break, with the first of these coming 15 minutes into the second stanza.
Thompson scored his third of the afternoon and Michael Lett and Billy Carroll also crossed to finally secure the win for the Magpies.
Appin weren’t done with however, with winger Matt McCauley and Stuart Flanagan crossing late to add some respectability to the scoreline for the Dogs.
Poisel was pleased with the result after the game, but admitted he wasn’t happy with the opening 15 minutes from his side.
The Picton coach said the issues with his right side defence revolved around three players who had little first grade experience, and this was exploited by Appin early in the match.
Poisel was happy with the overall performance from his side, but said he was waiting on several key players to return from injury, including forward Kenny Ahovelo, and backs Blake Matthews and Jack Twist.
Appin coach Dane Wooden would have been frustrated with the performance from his side, knowing they blew an opportunity against the reigning premiers and competition favourites.
In the other results from Round 6, Camden backed up their big win last week with another solid outing, seeing off Mittagong 40-10, The Oaks upset Moss Vale 32-16 at Community Oval, Oakdale recorded their first win of the year, a 28-20 victory over Campbelltown City and Thirlmere defeated Narellan 40-36.
The following Group Six players have been selected in the Greater Southern Stars Representative side to play in the CRL Country Championships in Forster later this month: Michael Lett (Picton Magpies); Drury Low (Narellan Jets); Josh Goulton (Camden Rams); Jesse Dee (Moss Vale Dragons); Bryce Gibbs (Appin Dogs); Ray Cashmere (Camden Rams); Andrew Diomei (Moss Vale Dragons); Matt Thorpe (Mittagong Lions).
RESULTS, First Grade:
Moss Vale Dragons 16 The Oaks Tigers 32;
Mittagong Lions 10 Camden Rams 40;
Narellan Jets 36 Thirlmere Roosters 40;
Oakdale Workers 28 Campbelltown City 20;
Picton Magpies 40 Appin Dogs 24
Ladder:
Picton 12; Camden 10; Moss Vale 7; Appin, The Oaks 6; Mittagong, Thirlmere 4; Campbelltown City 3; Narellan, Oakdale 2.
Reserve Grade:
Moss Vale 28 The Oaks 6;
Mittagong 0 Camden 36;
Narellan 40 Thirlmere 10;
Oakdale 22 Campbelltown City 29;
Picton 28 Appin 10
Ladder:
Picton 12; Camden 10; Narellan, Campbelltown City, Oakdale 8; Thirlmere 4; Appin, Mittagong, Moss Vale 2; The Oaks 0.
Under 18 (1):
Narellan 34 Thirlmere 12;
Campbelltown City 56 Moss Vale 6;
Warragamba Wombats 36 Picton 0
Ladder:
Camden, Warragamba 10; Campbelltown City 6; Thirlmere, Narellan 4; Moss Vale, Picton 2.
Under 18 (2):
Campbelltown City 22 The Oaks 50.
Ladder:
Mittagong 8; The Oaks 6; Camden Rams Red 4; Campbelltown City 2; Bowral 0.
Second Division:
Mt Annan Knights 34 Bargo Bunnies 0;
Narellan Jets Blue 20 Bowral Blues 12;
Narellan Jets White 16 Robertson Spuddies 16;
Warragamba Wombats 18 Bundanoon Highlanders 25.
Ladder:
Picton 10; Narellan White 9; Robertson, Narellan Blue 7; Mt Annan 6; Bundanoon 5; Bowral, Bargo 4; Warragamba 2.
