Premiers Picton have scrapped their way to a second straight win on Sunday afternoon at Crane Oval. But MIKE SHEAN reports that the Magpies had to fight for the full 80 minutes against a determined and improved Narellan Jets side, who made the visitors earn the victory.
Picton started the better, with Michael Purcell opening the scoring on six minutes, with a nice piece of work down the Picton right hand side.
Alex Canham, who ended with three tries, scored his first shortly after, with a run from dummy half to give Picton a 12-0 lead after 10 minutes.
Narellan struggled to get any real momentum up to that point, with little possession or territory to show for their efforts in the opening quarter of the match.
However this began to change just after 20 minutes, when they managed to get a repeat set following a 40/20 kick, and Jacob McKinnon scored in the following set to get the Jets off the ground.
Ierome Mauafu scored the first of his double eight minutes before halftime, reducing the Picton lead to 2 points, and giving the local fans some hope.
Picton were down to 16 men just before halftime, when replacement Ryan Leet was assisted from the field with what appeared to be a leg injury, making their task even harder.
However this was killed on the stroke of the siren, when Canham scored his second try of the day, giving Picton an 18-10 lead at halftime.
Canham bagged his third seconds after the restart, and gave Picton some breathing room at 22-10, but the Magpies were doing little to live up to their premiership favourites tag.
Narellan were kept in the match thanks to a try from Moses Alifaalogo 13 minutes into the second half, and the Magpies were only holding a 6 point lead at 22-16.
Picton’s afternoon was made harder when Ricardo Rahme was sinbinned with 13 minutes left, and the Jets capitalised when Mauafu crossed in the left corner to make the score 22-20 in favour of Picton.
The Magpies secured the win in the last three minutes, with Don Thompson and Michael Lett adding some meat to the scoreline for the visitors.
The final score was Picton 34, Narellan Jets 20.
Picton co-coach Bryce Poisel said he was frustrated with his team.
“We weren’t at our best against an improving Narellan team,’’ he said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Their hooker, Stuart Flanagan, was a danger from dummy half and caused problems all afternoon for our defence,’’ Poisel said.[/social_quote]
And the Magpies will need to regroup before they meet The Oaks in two weeks time, he added.
Poisel singled out Matt White and Ryan Leet as being among the better players for Picton.
RESULTS – First Grade:
The Oaks Tigers 18 Camden Rams 30;
Moss Vale Dragons 14 Thirlmere Roosters 62;
Mittagong Lions 22 Campbelltown City 24;
Narellan Jets 20 Picton Magpies 32.
Reserve Grade:
Appin Dogs 12 Oakdale Workers 28;
The Oaks 20 Camden 16;
Moss Vale 0 Thirlmere 18;
Narellan 8 Picton 26.
Under 18:
Moss Vale 10 Thirlmere 26;
Mittagong 60 Campbelltown City 0;
Narellan 32 Picton 14
League Tag:
The Oaks 12 Camden 18;
Mt Annan Barbarians 14 Campbelltown City 28;
Moss Vale 10 Thirlmere 26
Second Division:
Robertson Spuddies 20 Bargo Bunnies 4;
Warragamba Wombats 30 Mt Annan Knights 22;
Narellan 42 Picton 0
Next Week: Representative Football. No club matches will be played.
Round 4 (Apr 30/May 1):
Mittagong v Thirlmere (Sat night);
Campbelltown City v Camden;
Oakdale vs Moss Vale;
Picton vs The Oaks.
