Collegians have extended their winning streak to four games with an impressive 46-14 victory over Dapto in Round 4 of the Harrigan Cup. Meanwhile, Wests defeated De La Salle 12-0 in a tough contest at Sharks Stadium. Thirroul also emerged victoriously, narrowly beating Corrimal 18-12 in a hard-fought ‘Battle of the Beaches’ at Gibson Park.
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Butchers Escape With Win Over Gritty Cougars
The Thirroul Butchers have claimed a narrow 18–12 victory over the Corrimal Cougars in a gritty ‘Battle of the Beaches’ showdown at Gibson Park, scoring three tries to two in a tense Round 4 clash.
Corrimal opened the scoring early through Corey Ackers in the 11th minute, setting the tone for the strong first half. Karmen Cryer converted to give the Cougars a 6 – 0 lead.
Thirroul responded with a quick-fire double before halftime. Bradley Deitz crossed in the 32nd minute, followed closely by Sione Afemui in the 35th. Both tries were converted by Luke Gallagher, putting the Butchers ahead 12–6 at the break.
Corrimal fought back in the second half, levelling the score at 12-all when Kai Raper dived over in the 58th minute and Cryer added his second conversion.
The Butchers reclaimed the lead 16-12 in the 71st minute through Dane Courtney. A Gallagher penalty goal in the 78th minute gave Thirroul breathing space in the closing stages.
Corrimal showed improvement after leaking points in their past two outings, tightening their defence and controlling moments of the game, but ultimately fell just short of their first win of the season.
[Watch] Butchers fullback Dane Courtney scores the match-winner.
Devils Blank De La Salle 12–0
Western Suburbs Devils have continued their strong start to the Harrigan Cup season, posting a 12–0 victory over De La Salle at Sharks Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
After scoreless first half, the Devils broke the deadlock in the 45th minute with a penalty goal from Dane Chisholm, opening the scoring in a tough defensive contest.
The defending premiers were the first to cross the stripe, with Dylan Palmer-Quigg scoring in the 50th minute before Phoenix Vetenibua-Finnerty added a second try just four minutes later, his eighth try in four matches. Chisholm’s conversion giving Wests a commanding 12-point lead.
De La Salle struggled to find attacking rhythm and were kept scoreless by an orderly and physical Devils defence, dominating field position in the closing stages.
The win cements the Devils as one of the competition’s in-form sides, while De La Salle will return to the training paddock looking to reignite their attacking spark ahead of Round 5.
[Watch] The competition’s leading tryscorer Phoenix Vetenibua-Finnerty scoring Wests second try against De La Salle at Sharks Stadium
Collegians Win Streak Continues
Collegians have maintained their impressive win streak in the Harrigan Cup, as they claimed victory over the Dapto Canaries 46 – 14 at Dapto Showground.
The visitors were quick to cross the line, with Blair Grant crossing in just the fourth minute to set the tone for the afternoon with Nicolas Hall and Joshua Dowel also scoring to take control of the game 18-0 in the 25th minute.
Dapto showed encouraging spells, responding with tries from Thomas Freebairn and Jack Piccirilli, either side of the break reducing the margin to 18-10.
But the hosts struggled to contain the clinical attack of the opposition for the remainder of the second stanza, as James Lee scored a second half brace and Dowel crossed for his second.
Collegians playmaker Zach Herring and Duke Grant also added to the scoreboard, while Blair Grant finished the day with a personal haul of 18 points, converting seven of his side’s eight tries.
Despite a third try from Campbell Lyons, the Canaries couldn’t match the pace or precision of the visitors, who now set their status as serious contenders this season.
[Watch] Collegians secondrower Duke Grant score under the sticks after a neat pass from brother Blair puts him in space.
Words | Angelina Raula