Wests Devils came out on top against the Thirroul Butchers, sealing a hard-fought 28–12 victory at Sid Parrish Park to close out Round 12 of the Harrigan Cup on Sunday afternoon.
On Saturday, Dapto delivered an emphatic 18–4 victory over De La Salle at historic Henson Park and Collegians edged closer to securing the minor premiership with a dominant 34–8 win against the Corrimal Cougars at Collegians Sporting Complex.
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Devils Outdo Butchers As Hurst Celebrates Milestone Game
Wests Devils returned to the winner’s list following last week’s loss to Collegians, posting a 28–12 victory over a determined Thirroul Butchers outfit at Sid Parrish Park on Saturday.
The Butchers took an early lead after a neat cutout pass from 19-year-old halfback Aaymon Fitzgibbon found its mark, winger Cuba Cleavan-Vanderlaak scoring in the corner. The classy pivot added the extras to give his side an early 6-0 lead.
The Butchers defence held the defending premiers at bay for 20 minutes before hooker Ryan Barbuto evened the score.
Shortly after, Devils prop Tepai Moeroa was on the spot to dive on a loose ball, giving the home side a 12–6 lead at the break.
The second half was all Wests, with the Devils extending their lead to 22-6 with back-to-back tries on the hour mark to veteran centre George Jennings and Phoenix Vetenibua-Finnerty.
[Watch] Devils winger Lachlan Hurst steps on the gas to score in his 100th first grade appearance for the club
Dane Chisholm failed with the first conversion attempt from the sideline before making no mistake with his second in front of the sticks, ending up nailing four of his five conversion attempts.
The stage was then set for two-time premiership-winning winger Lachlan Hurst. In his 100th first-grade game, Hurst put the result beyond doubt with a long-range try in the 72nd minute.
Defending their own line, Hurst brought the Parrish Park faithful to their feet, grabbing a loose ball before stepping on the gas to race the length to score.
Fitzgibbon, one of the best on a losing side, nabbed a late consolation try for Thirroul after regathering his own kick to score.
It was a gutsy effort by an inexperienced Butchers outfit against the defending premiers in a hard-fought contest.
Daley Double Downs De La Salle
Dapto secured a solid 18–4 win over De la Salle in Round 12 of the Harrigan Cup, which could also serve as an important psychological boost as both teams compete for a top four finish.
Dapto crossed for three tries, with their points coming through hooker Josh Daley, who scored a double, including a freakish solo effort from a chip and chase on the siren to send the vocal crowd into raptures, and fullback Kieran Moss.
The Canaries led 10–0 at halftime after a dominant first-half performance, including unanswered tries from Daley with a signature scoot from dummy half and Moss finishing off a sharp play down the right edge.
[Watch] Dapto hooker Josh Daley’s eyes-up play as the siren blasts in the background.
De La Salle responded shortly after the break, with halfback Jack Williams darting over to put them on the board, but trailed 10-4.
In a closely contested second half, Dapto Halfback Troy Pieper extended the lead with a penalty goal before Daley’s eyes-up play from the ruck, which started from inside his own half.
Pieper was ever-reliable with the boot, landing two conversions from three attempts to help seal the win.
Collegians Close In On Minor Premiership
Collegians extended their Harrigan Cup winning streak to three with a convincing 34–8 victory over the Corrimal Cougars at the Collegians Sporting Complex on Saturday.
The win all but secures the minor premiership for Collies, six points clear of their nearest rivals with three games remaining in the regular season.
The hosts scored seven tries to two in a dominant display, with fullback Callum Gromek, who looked dangerous every time he touched the ball, bagging a first-half double. Blair Grant had an off day with the boot, successful with only three of seven conversion attempts.
The Collie Dogs took an 18-0 lead into halftime with tries to winger Cooper Morrison, Charly Runciman and Gromek’s brace.
[Watch] Collies fullback Callum Gromek scores the first of his two tries.
The Cougars provided some hope for supporters, hitting back soon after the resumption with an intercept try to centre Tom Carr against the run of play.
But the comeback was brief with further tries to Collies 17-year-old winger Tex Anderson, his third try in two games, centre James Lee, and veteran Blake Phillips.
Corrimal’s Turoa Williams scored a late consolation try for the Cougars after regathering a Thomas Maloney cross-field kick.
The Lower Grades
Avondale Wombats secured an important 28-20 victory over Norths in Harrigan Shield Round 11 action on Saturday, keeping them within striking distance of first-placed neighbours the Greyhounds, who accounted for Berkeley 36-6.
In the other fixtures, Figtree defeated Windang 44-12 and Corrimal edged out Wests 14-12.
The Harrigan Plate competition will resume this weekend after a general bye.
Words | Angelina Raula