Corrimal, Wests, and Collegians were big winners in the Round 5 washout fixtures of the Harrigan Cup played on Saturday afternoon.
The Cougars put in a polished performance to defeat De La Salle 36–0 at Captain Cook Oval. Collies impressed at home with a dominant 40–12 win over the Thirroul Butchers, while the Devils responded to last week’s upset loss to Dapto, overcoming the Canaries 22–6 at Sid Parrish Park.
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Corrimal Come Up Trumps In The Shire
After conceding over 5o points last week, Corrimal got off to a strong start, scoring two tries in the opening 25 minutes.
Hooker Brodie Rigg’s ‘show and go’ from dummy half opened the scoring with a converted try in just the seventh minute.
A penalty goal in the 23rd minute was followed quickly by a four-pointer to interchange forward Jordan Morris to give the Cougars a 12-0 lead, which they would take to the main break.
Former Corrimal junior Brandon Morkos made an immediate impact after joining the club midweek, crossing twice, with tries in the 45th and final minutes of the match. Winger Saifiti Saifiti and Tom Carr both scored off Cryer kicks in the Cougars’ six-try haul.
[Watch] Cougars Centre Brad Morkos weaves his way to the tryline
Halfback and captain Kamren Cryer’s experience and leadership proved pivotal as he steered the Cougars around the park. Apart from his try assists, Cryer (pictured) also landed five goals from six attempts and a penalty goal in another dominant performance.
Following their dominant 10 tries to three victory last week over the Cougars, De La Salle were kept scoreless despite the efforts of Cody Fuz, Tyla Tamou, and captain Jaz Flavell. The hosts had few answers for Corrimal’s powerful forward pack and sharp attacking combinations.
It was a comprehensive performance from the Cougars, who continue to build confidence heading into the final leg of the regular season.
Collegians Back To Winning Ways
The home side crossed first, with Kane Watling crashing over in the 4th minute.
Winger James Lee, who bagged a match double, and Blair Grant, who also kicked four conversions, crossed for tries in the 16th and 20th minute to stretch the lead.
Collegians piled on five tries in the first half alone, with Callum Gromek and Zach Herring also getting on the scoresheet.
Despite brief glimpses from Thirroul, including tries from Jye Nightingale shortly after the resumption and Elijah Coles in the 65th minute, Collegians were always in control.
Dane Nelson added to Collies tally in the 57th minute, followed by Lee’s second and a late try to Tex Anderson that sealed the result.
With the finals just around the corner, Collegians coach Jimmy Grehan will be quietly pleased his team has returned to the kind of form that propelled them to the top of the ladder before last week’s setback.
[Watch] Collegians centre Nic Hall’s ‘Gidley-like’ flick pass to his winger James Lee to score in the corner
Wests Return Serve
Following Dapto’s upset win over the defending premiers last week, it seemed like history was repeating itself when Canaries centre Campbell Lyons scored a length of the field intercept try in the 6th minute to give the visitors an early lead.
[Watch] Campbell Lyons runs the length
But the Devils responded through experienced halfback Dane Chisholm, scoring back-to-back tries in the 17th, also running length after an intercept, and 25th minutes to give his side a 12-6 lead at the half.
The Devils extended their lead early in the second half with quick tries to Lachlan Hurst and George Jennings in the 45th and 47th minutes, in a dominant stretch that proved too much for Dapto to recover from.
While Dapto showed glimpses of their attacking ability, they couldn’t match Wests’ physicality and execution through the middle, led by forwards Tepai Moeroa and Luke Chalker.
Chisholm also put in a strong performance, finishing with 14 points from three conversions and two tries.
The win gives Western Suburbs some momentum heading into the back end of the season, while Dapto will be looking to regroup ahead of their next outing.
[Watch] Wests halfback Dane Chisholm pins the ears back
The Lower Grades
Wests defeated Dapto 36-20, and Avondale Wombats beat Thirroul 38-18 to remain at the top of the Harrigan Plate ladder.
Helensburgh secured an important two points with a 22-8 win against Collies, moving up to third place on the ladder and swapping positions with Thirroul.
Avondale Wombats handed neighbours the Greyhounds their first loss of the season in Harrigan Shield with an emphatic 26-0 victory at Dandaloo Oval. The Wombats scored five unanswered tries in a shut-out performance.
Berkeley edged out Wests 14-12, Figtree kept the Cougars scoreless while posting four tries in their 22-0 win and Norths defeated Windang 36-6.
Words | Angelina Raula