The composition of the Harrigan Cup Finals Series will be determined in the final round, with all six teams still in contention for the playoffs. Competition leaders Collegians secured a hard-fought 22-14 win over the Dapto in their top-of-the table clash.
Thirroul narrowly defeated Corrimal 16-14 at Gibson Park, moving into a tie for fifth place with the Cougars. Wests moved into equal second place with Dapto after their convincing 34-6 win over De La Salle, placing them four points clear of the shire-based outfit in fourth.
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Collies outlast Canaries
Competition leaders Collegians extended their winning streak to five matches, securing a 22-14 victory over Dapto in tough conditions at Dapto Showground on Saturday afternoon.
In a noteworthy Harrigan Cup top-of-the-table clash, the lead changed hands several times during the first half.
Collegians struck early, with winger Tex Anderson crossing for the opening try three minutes in, the 17-year-old continuing his impressive run, with his seventh try in five games.
Dapto responded quickly, as centre Christopher Ravarua powered over to level the scores.
The Canaries then took the lead for the first time after being awarded a penalty.
Trailing 8-6 Collegians hit back through winger Jay Watling to take the lead back 10-8 after 20 minutes.
Dapto regained the lead on the half hour mark with winger Jason Gillard crossing in the corner. However, Collies fullback Callum Gromek, who had already played a hand in his side’s first two tries, scored on the stroke of half-time to give his side a 16-14 lead going into the break.
Points were harder to come by in the second half, and it took something special from Zach Herring with a sublime tip on to Charly Runciman to score the only try of the second stanza.
Blair Grant added the extras for an eight-point lead, which they defended grimly to the siren.
[Watch] Sublime tip-on from Collegians Zach Herring sends Charly Runciman across the stripe
Butchers edge out Cougars
Thirroul kept their finals hopes alive, edging out Corrimal 16-14 in a tight affair at a muddy Gibson Park.
Both teams scored three tries however; it was Aaymon Fitzgibbon’s boot that proved the difference with two conversions from three attempts, while the Cougars’ Thomas Maloney was only able to manage one conversion in the challenging conditions.
The Butchers opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a converted try to winger Corban Brown. The Cougars levelled the score in the 35th, prop Jacob Karam crashing over just before the break.
The Cougars hit the lead 10-6 with a try by centre Turoa Williams immediately after the resumption. However, the Butchers struck back in the 52nd minute through Dane Courtney.
Five minutes later, Tarje Whitford grabbed the game by the hands with a solo effort, running on the last play to score.
Fitzgibbon’s conversion gave the hosts the lead again, 16-10, with 22 minutes remaining.
Cougars centre Brad Morkos brought his side back into the contest with a try in the 70th minute, but the Butchers were able to hang in for a two-point win.
[Watch] Thirroul halfback Tarje Whitford takes matters into his own hands running on the last tackle to score.
Devils return to winning ways
Wests got their premiership defence back on track with an emphatic 34-6 victory over De La Salle at Parrish Park on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors scored four unanswered tries through Joey Dickson, Luke Chalker, Tepai Moeroa and Te Umuariki Heremia-Tukere in a dominant first half to head into the sheds with a commanding 24–0 lead.
In deteriorating conditions, Creighton Meafou strolled over out wide in the 54th minute to extend the lead before an intercept try to halfback Dane Chisholm five minutes later put the icing on the cake for the defending premiers. Rookie fullback Clay Baldock landed five conversions from six attempts in the comprehensive 28-point win.
De La Salle’s only joy came in the 67th minute, second rower Cairo Ruri crossing for a four-pointer on the end of a no-look pass from halfback Bryce Sait.
[Watch] Wests halfback Dane Chisholm puts the icing on the cake with an intercept try
Words | Angelina Raula