IRL Weekend Wrap – Round 8

Corrimal has scored an epic come-from-behind 26-14 win over defending premiers Wests, scoring four unanswered tries to storm home from 14-6 down.

Dapto consolidated their position in the top four, defeating Thirroul 26-18 in an often fiery encounter at Dapto Showground.

De La Salle forfeited Sunday’s game against Collegians, citing injuries.

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Cougars Claim Big Scalp In First Win Of Season

Corrimal have claimed their first win of the Harrigan Cup season, defeating defending premiers Wests 26–14 at Sid Parrish Park.

Down 10-6 at halftime and 14-6 five minutes into the second stanza, the Cougars score four unanswered tries to post an epic come-from-behind win.

The Devils were the first to post points, with centre Tautau Moga breaking several tackles to score in the 5th minute.

The Cougars hit the lead 6-4 in the 22nd with a converted try to winger Zachariah Nachar running the length after intercepting a Lachlan Hurst long ball with Wests on the attack.

On the half-hour mark, Wests winger Colby Pellow capitalised on a Cougars mistake deep inside their red zone, snatching up a loose ball to score under the posts. Dane Chisholm’s conversion sent his side to the sheds with a 10-6 lead at the break.

Shortly after the resumption of play, West five‑eighth Clay Baldock pierced the Cougars defence to extend the home side’s lead to 14-6.

With the Devils on a five-game winning streak, many expected the defending premiers would go on with the job from there.

However, the Cougars had a other plans. Halfback Kamren Cryer putting replacement forward Jordan Morris through a gap in the Devils right edge defence. Cryer converted to reduce the margin to 14-12 with a little over 20 minutes remaining.

The Cougars hit the front for the first time in the 65th minute with centre Saifiti Saifiti toeing ahead a neat kick from his five-eight Brandon Tikinau before pouncing on it to score in the corner.

Five minutes later, Nachar scored his second on the end of a smart backline shift from a scrum, and the Cougars were on song with 10 minutes remaining.

With the Cougars on the attack again in the closing stages, Cryer switched the play from right to left, finding Morris on the edge. With work to do, the interchange forward stepped off his left and crashed over for a second-half double. Cryer added the extras, and the Cougars were off to the races with five minutes remaining.

[Watch] Corrimal winger Zachariah Nachar runs the length to score the Cougars first try.

Dapto Consolidates Spot In Top Four 

Dapto Canaries defeated Thirroul Butchers 26–18 in an often fiery Harrigan Cup exchange at Dapto Showground.

The Butchers started strong, with five‑eighth Aaymon Fitzgibbon opening the scoring in the 6th minute and adding the extras for a 6-0 lead.

It took the home side 25 minutes to crack the Butchers defence, but when it did, the floodgates opened with three unanswered tries, all duly converted by skipper Troy Pieper.

Pieper split the defence before putting interchange forward Campbell Lyons in for the first four-pointer.

Less than five minutes later, Canaries second-rower Jack Gibbons crashed over to give his side a 12-6 lead.

Winger Jason Gillard was next on the scoreboard, batting back a cross-field kick from Harrison Chater before pouncing on the loose ball in goal, extending Dapto’s lead to 18-6.

Thirroul’s Brad Deitz and Dapto’s Paul Roberts were shown yellow cards in the 39th minute after a heated exchange at the ruck. Pieper converted the ensuing penalty for a 20-6 lead at the break.

Just after the resumption of play, Thirroul fullback Dane Courtney crossed for a try in the 42nd minute after diving on a grubber kick from his captain, Tarje Whitford. Fitzgibbon added the conversion to narrow the margin to eight.

Just as the Butchers were clawing their way back into the tight affair, Dapto interchange forward Justin Faughlin crashed over from dummy half. Pieper converted to give the hosts a little breathing space at 26-12 in the 50th minute.

An intercept try to Thirroul centre Bryan Rutledge kept the visitors in the hunt at 26-18 with 15 minutes remaining.

Despite finishing the game with 12 players, after Roberts was red-carded in the final minute for a late tackle, Dapto’s defence held on for a hard-fought win.

[Watch] Dapto skipper Troy Pieper splits the defence to send Campbell Lyons on his way to the try line.

The Lower Grades

In Harrigan Plate action, Thirroul defeated Dapto 22-10, while the Cougars proved too strong for Helensburgh scoring seven tries to two in their 34-12 victory.

Avondale Greyhounds remain undefeated in the Harrigan Shield after defeating Corrimal 60-0. The Wombats remain second on the ladder (6-1) after defeating third-placed Figtree 20-12. Windang outlasted Berkeley 18-16 at home.

Words | Angelina Raula