The Tarsha Gale Steelers U19s girls continued their unbeaten run this season with a 28-6 win over the Sydney Roosters Academy, maintaining their share of the competition lead heading into a bye next weekend.
The U17 girls returned to the winner’s list, defeating the Roosters 26-10 to climb into 5th place on the Lisa Fiaola Cup table.
Elsewhere, it was a tough weekend for the Illawarra Steelers U17s and U19 boys, both going down to the Penrith Panthers in Windsor on Friday night.
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The U19 girls got off to a flying start, scoring three quick tries to Ella Koster, Kasey Reh, and Indie Bostock to establish a 16-0 lead midway through the first half. Mia-Rose Walsh added another four-pointer for a 22-0 lead at the break.
The Steelers were the first to score within 5 minutes of the second stanza, with Bostock collecting her brace, extending the lead to 28. The Roosters countered in the 47th minute, but the home side ran out comfortable winners.
Three unanswered tries in the first half gave the Steelers a 14-0 lead at halftime over the Roosters in the Lisa Fiaola Cup clash, with Bella Lord, Maddalyn Bullock, and Tori Shipton all crossing the stripe.
The Roosters bridged the gap to four with two tries before halfback Ella Greatz provided the hosts with breathing space through a converted try for a 20-10. Skye Spencer put the icing on the cake with the final try and a 16-point winning margin.
The Steelers girls teams have a bye in Round 6 before taking on the St George Dragons in Round 7.
After an undefeated run through four rounds, the Steelers SG Ball side found themselves down 18-0 to the Penrith Panthers after 30 minutes and 18-6 after a Tom Kirk (pictured) try just before the break.
Tries to Clay Baldock and a second to Kirk had the Steelers back to within two with 15 minutes remaining before the Panthers put the result beyond doubt with a converted try to seal a 24-16 win.
Needing a win to stay in touch with the top six, the Steelers Harold Matthews Cup U17 boys were in the game at 6-all after 20 minutes through a try to second-rower Likamani Richter before the Panthers doubled down with two tries for an 18-6 lead at the break.
The Panthers scored first in the second half to extend the lead to 30-6 before a late try to Steelers Jaxon Ballinger to 30-12.
The Steelers boys teams head across the ditch to take on the Warriors in New Zealand next weekend.
Upcoming Fixtures – Round 6
Sunday, 10 March | Navigation Home Stadium, Pukekohe
- 8.00am (AEDT) – Harold Matthews Cup | Steelers v Warriors
- 9.45am (AEDT) – SG Ball Cup | Steelers v Warriors
- Tarsha Gale Cup | Steelers – Bye
- Lisa Fiaola Cup | Steelers – Bye