Defending premiers Wests Devils ended Thirroul’s unbeaten start to the Harrigan Cup season with a commanding 42-16 victory at Thomas Gibson Park on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, at Ziems Park on Sunday, Corrimal returned to the winner’s circle with a convincing 30-10 victory over the Sutherland-Loftus Pirates.
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After falling behind 6-0 early, the Devils responded in emphatic fashion, crossing for three tries in the space of six minutes to surge to an 18-6 lead midway through the opening half. Thirroul errors proved costly throughout the contest, allowing the visitors to capitalise on field position and build scoreboard pressure.
Veteran centre George Jennings was instrumental in the first-half blitz, scoring a double before leaving the field with an injury concern. Wests ultimately finished with seven tries to three, with halfback Justin Rodrigues scoring a try and landing a perfect six conversions from six attempts for a personal haul of 16 points.
The Butchers threatened to mount a comeback after the break, scoring back-to-back tries to reduce the margin to eight, but the decisive moment came on the hour mark when a Thirroul flick pass went astray. Devils winger Lachie Hurst pounced on the loose ball and raced 90 metres to score, extending the lead to 30-16 and extinguishing the hosts’ hopes of a recovery.
The result hands Thirroul its first defeat of the season while reaffirming Wests’ credentials as genuine premiership contenders.
Cougars Return to Winning Ways
The Cougars laid the foundation with a dominant first-half display, racing to an 18-0 halftime lead before maintaining control throughout the second stanza.
Declan Purcell crossed for a double for the home side, while winger Saifiti Saifiti enjoyed a flawless afternoon with the boot, converting all five of Corrimal’s tries.
The win lifts Corrimal back into the top-four conversation, while the Pirates remain in search of their first Harrigan Cup victory despite showing encouraging signs throughout their inaugural campaign.
Collegians and Dapto were unable to take the field on Saturday after wet weather forced the postponement of their Round 5 clash at the Collegians Sporting Complex. The match has been moved to the designated washout round weekend, scheduled for 11–12 July.
Lower Grades
The Butchers extended their unbeaten streak in Harrigan Plate action with a gritty 16–14 win over Wests. In a remarkable coincidence, the Cougars also prevailed 16–14 against a fast-finishing Helensburgh on Sunday. Collegians and Dapto are set to play their deferred match on 11–12 July.
The Harrigan Shield saw a full round played, highlighted by ladder-leading Norths and Berkeley battling to a 16-all draw at Dandaloo. Meanwhile, the Avondale Wombats secured the two points with a 16–6 victory over neighbours, the Greyhounds.
At Mt Kembla Park, Figtree convincingly defeated Windang 40–8, while the Lowries overcame the Cougars 24–14 in front of their home crowd.
Photo: Denis Ivaneza