The Corrimal Cougars have taken outright control of the Harrigan Cup competition after a dramatic Round 13 produced major implications at both ends of the top five.
Corrimal’s impressive 20-4 victory over defending premiers Wests extended their winning streak to seven matches and, remarkably, marked their fifth consecutive victory over the two-time defending champions.
The result, combined with Thirroul’s enthralling 32-all draw with Collegians, moved the Cougars one point clear of the Butchers at the top of the ladder with two rounds remaining in the regular season.
But the biggest drama of the weekend came at Sutherland Oval, where Sutherland-Loftus broke through for their first victory of the season with a converted try on the siren to stun Dapto 26-24.
While the Canaries are assured of a place in the top-five finals series, the heartbreaking loss has left them facing an uphill battle to avoid the sudden-death playoff in week one of the finals.
Dapto now sits two competition points behind fourth-placed Wests and three behind third-placed Collegians with two rounds remaining, placing added importance on their final two matches as they attempt to climb into the top four and earn the protection of a second chance.
With Corrimal and Thirroul locked in a battle for the minor premiership and Dapto chasing Wests and Collegians for a place in the top three, the stage is set for a fascinating final fortnight of the Harrigan Cup regular season.
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Cougars Make It Seven Straight
Corrimal laid the platform early against Wests through their hardworking back rowers, with Charlie Woolfe and Kye Wright both crossing inside the opening 25 minutes.
The Devils responded through Beau Baldock in the 27th minute, but the Cougars took an 8-4 advantage into halftime.
Corrimal struck again immediately after the break, with Cody Fuzz producing a superb show-and-go to fool the Wests defence and cross for the visitors’ third try.
Both teams had opportunities throughout the second half but were unable to capitalise, before Cougars centre Cooper Hale finally put the result beyond doubt with Corrimal’s fourth try in the 71st minute.
Saifiti Saifiti converted two of four attempts to complete an impressive 20-4 victory and put the Cougars in the box seat for the minor premiership.
Butchers Fight Back in Six-Try Thriller
Thirroul and Collegians produced one of the games of the season, scoring six tries apiece in a dramatic 32-all draw.
There was nothing to separate the teams on the scoreboard at fulltime, with both also landing four conversions from six attempts.
The Butchers appeared in control early, taking a 16-4 advantage into halftime, but the complexion of the contest changed dramatically after the break.
Collegians piled on four tries to turn a 12-point halftime deficit into a 26-16 lead by the hour mark.
The teams then traded tries, with the hosts holding a commanding 32-20 advantage with just 10 minutes remaining.
But Thirroul refused to go away.
Prop Sitaleki Akau’ola Laula crashed over in the 71st minute before Jordan McGrath crossed just four minutes later as the Butchers completed a stunning late comeback to level the scores at 32-all and claim a share of the competition points.
The draw may prove costly for the Butchers in the battle for the minor premiership, with Corrimal’s victory over Wests allowing the Cougars to move one point clear at the top.
Pirates Snatch First Win on the Siren
There were wild scenes at Sutherland Oval on Sunday as Sutherland-Loftus broke through for their first victory of the season in extraordinary fashion, scoring a converted try on the siren to snatch a 26-24 win over Dapto.
The Pirates got off to a bright start, crossing twice inside the opening 20 minutes to establish a 10-0 advantage.
Dapto hit back through prop Jake Kamire, who produced a classic support play to back up on the inside Terry Lamb-style, before Justin Jones crossed to level the scores at 10-all heading into halftime.
Just as they had in the opening half, it was the Pirates who struck first after the break.
Will Stewart and Blake Wardrobe crossed in quick succession as Sutherland-Loftus raced to a handy 20-10 advantage by the 49th minute.
But Dapto responded in kind.
Jones crossed for his second try before Henri Young added another, and when Braxton Wallace finished off a spectacular length-of-the-field effort, the Canaries had completed the turnaround to lead 24-20 with just four minutes remaining.
It appeared Dapto had done enough, but the Pirates had one final roll of the dice.
Following a quick scrum reset in the dying seconds, centre Tyrell Lafituanai toed the ball through for his winger to win the race and score as the siren sounded, locking the scores at 24-all and leaving the result resting on a sideline conversion.
Blake Wardrobe stepped up and coolly slotted the pressure kick from the touchline, sparking wild celebrations as the Pirates completed a remarkable 26-24 victory.
It was a hard-earned and long-awaited breakthrough for Sutherland-Loftus after a season in which they had threatened on several occasions without getting the result.
For Dapto, the dramatic defeat was a costly one as the Canaries continue their fight for position heading into the final two rounds of the regular season.
With Corrimal outright leaders, Thirroul just one point behind and Sutherland-Loftus finally on the winners’ list, a dramatic Round 13 has set the stage for a fascinating conclusion to the Harrigan Cup regular season.
Lower Grades Round 13 Wrap
Collegians and Thirroul played out a remarkable 18-all draw in their Harrigan Plate Round 13 encounter at Collegians Sporting Complex.
Both sides scored three tries and kicked two conversions, while, in unusual circumstances, they also landed two field goals apiece.
In the other match, Corrimal defeated Wests 26-16 after outscoring the Devils four tries to three. Cougars five-eighth Lewis Sargent-Wilson enjoyed a perfect day with the boot, landing all five of his conversion attempts.
Despite the draw, the Butchers remain well clear at the top of the Harrigan Plate ladder on 23 points. Corrimal sits second on 16, with Wests and Collegians a further point behind. Helensburgh rounds out the top five on eight points with two rounds remaining.
Six teams remain in contention for the Harrigan Shield finals following an enthralling Round 13.
The Avondale Wombats upset competition leaders Northern Suburbs 18-10, scoring four tries to two to move into outright third place, two points behind Berkeley. The Eagles strengthened their position with an emphatic 34-0 victory over Corrimal.
The Avondale Greyhounds defeated Figtree 22-10 to join the Crushers in equal fourth on 15 competition points, while the Lowries kept their finals hopes alive with a 38-6 victory over Windang. The Lowries now sit just one point outside the top five.
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File Image Credit: Denis Ivaneza