CENTRAL COAST COMPETE AT THE
NSW COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS IN WARREN
Central Coast had an enjoyable weekend in Warren at the NSW Country Championships. The Senior XV, Colts and Women’s 7’s teams put in good performances over the two days of the Championships.
The 1st XV won both their two matches to clinch the Richardson Shield. The Colts team lost both of the encounters but had an enjoyable trip, while the women won 3 of their 5 matches and were probably a little unlucky with the Draw.
SENIORS ….. RICHARDSON SHIELD
Game 1 CENTRAL COAST v. FAR NORTH COAST
Saturday, 28th April, 2018 12 noon
Central Coast started this match brilliantly. They were on the go forward right from the opening whistle. Within the first 8 minutes the team had crossed for two converted tries and this lead of 14 points to nil so early on what just what was needed. However FNC soon hit back and replied with their own try. However it was the Central Coast team that had most of the territory and possession in the first half. They were also turning this advantage into points on the scoreboard. The team were able to cross for a further 3 tries in the first half and they went to the halftime break leading by 33 points to 7. The match was all but secured at that stage but there was still 40 minutes to go. It was a great first half of rugby. Players such as Josefa Biu, Dylan Cadogan, Mark Koteczky, Sam White, Jarrod Grange, and halfback Matt King were all outstanding. But it was excellent team effort that saw the team get the handy lead. Far North Coast started the second half far more committed and did dominate large periods of play in the second stanza. They were able to score two converted tries early on and suddenly the Central Coast was under some pressure despite the lead. FNC got back to 33 – 21 midway through the second half but a penalty goal to Dylan Cadogan cemented the win. It was a good win, based on a wonderful first half. The team was into the Final of the Richardson Shield the following day.
Central Coast 36 Josefa Biu 2, Marc Koteczky 2,
Shaun Townsend tries;
Dylan Cadogan 4 conversions, 1 penalty goal
defeated
Far North Coast 21 3 tries, 3 conversions
Game 2 RICHARDSON SHIELD FINAL
CENTRAL COAST v. WESTERN PLAINS
Sunday, 20th April, 2018 11.10 am
Central Coast started this match brilliantly with a try within the opening 10 minutes. There was a large local crowd on hand to support their home team so it was good for the Central Coast team to score early to quieten the crowd. Central Coast dominated the early stages to such an extent that they had crossed for 2 converted tries within the opening quarter of an hour. They were continually on the go forward and Western Plains had no answer. The Central Coast team were based in opposition territory for much of the first half. The team was able to cross for a further 3 tries in the first half, the final one right on halftime. Central Coast went to the halftime break leading by 33 points to nil and the match already appeared to be over. There were some outstanding performances in the first half. None were better than lock Josefa Biu, who crossed for 4 tries in the match, halfback Matt King, inside centre Mark Koteczky, and five-eight Dylan Cadogan. Cadogan’s goal kicking obviously gave the team those extra points but also gave an extra boost in confidence to the team. Western Plains came out in the second firing on all cylinders. They crossed for an early try, and then another, to make the score at the midway point of the second half 33 points to 12. Although never getting close on the scoreboard, the Western Plains were throwing everything at the Coast team. Things settled a little when five-eight Dylan Cadogan crossed for a try in the corner soon after. Things were far more even in the second half but the first half performance by the Central Coast had secured the win. The scoreline in the second half was CC 14 WP 19 but it was all too late for the local team. It was a wonderful win by the Central Coast team, and the team now enters the top tier and will compete for the Caldwell Cup next year.
Central Coast 47 Josefa Biu 4, Matt King 2, Dylan Cadogan
tries;
Dylan Cadogan 6 conversions
defeated
Western Plains 19 3 tries, 2 conversions
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COLTS
Game 1 CENTRAL COAST v. CENTRAL WEST
Saturday, 28th 10.40 am
Central Coast struggled right from the kickoff in this match. Central West kicked a penalty goal in the opening couple of minutes, and then within another 5 minutes had crossed for their first try. It was not the start to Central Coast team wanted. Although territory and possession were quite even early on, it was Central West who were making all the inroads and looking the most dangerous. Lost lineouts were an issue for the Coast team all half. Central West controlled the scoreboard in the first half and went to the halftime break leading by 25 points to nil. Central West continued in the same vein in the second half, and continued to pile on the points. Central Coast had no answer. The score was 39 points to nil midway through the second half before Central Coast scored their only try. Atoni Reulu crossed for a good team try but it was all far too late. Central Coast gave it their all on the day but just could not compete. Central West scored 7 tries to one, and that was a true indication of the flow of the match. Best players for the Coast were lock Will McDonald, five-eight Mitch Leonard, winger Sean Peruch and halfback Connor Peden.
Central Coast 7 Atoni Reulu try;
Connor Peden 1 conversion
lost to
Central West 44 7 tries, 3 conversions, 1 penalty goal
Game 2 COLTS 3rd / 4th PLAYOFF
CENTRAL COAST v. ILLAWARRA
Sunday, 29th April, 2018 9 am
The Central Coast team played good rugby in the opening stages of the match. In fact if anything they had the better of the start of the match. They were far more fired up than the previous day and were playing some good rugby. The first half went try for try and at the halftime break the two teams were locked at 17 points all. The match was certainly up for grabs at that stage. Best players for the Central Coast were halfback Connor Peden, and wingers Adam Chettle and Luke Brown. The Central Coast did suffer a few niggling injuries at this stage and the second half saw Illawarra take control on the scoreboard. The play on the paddock remained quite even but Illawarra slipped away to win the match by 38 points to 22. It was a whole hearted effort by the Colts but they faced a tough draw and competed well especially in this their final match.
Central Coast 22 Mitch Leonard, Matthew Martin,
Adam Chettle tries;
Luke Brown 2 conversions, 1 penalty goal
lost to
Illawarra 38 6 tries, 4 conversions
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The Women 7’s had a wonderful campaign. The team played 5 matches over the 2 days, winning 3. They were the unlucky team at the Championships but did play very good rugby. The team finished 5th at the Championships and performed very well. Two very close losses on the first day prevented them from reaching the semi-finals on Day 2.
WOMEN 7’s
Central Coast 15 Central North 17
Central Coast 5 Central West 12
Central Coast 20 Western Plains 0
Central Coast 17 New England 10
Central Coast 44 Western Plains 0
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CONCLUSION :
It was a mixed weekend for Central Coast Rugby Union results wise. The Seniors, with their victory in the Richardson Shield, move back into the Caldwell Cup competition. The Colts will remain in Tier 1 despite their two losses. Both teams were a credit to Central Coast Rugby, and the coaching staff of both teams did an excellent job. The Women 7’s team competed very well, and with a trifle more luck could have made the semi-finals.
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NSW COUNTRY SELECTIONS …….
SENIORS :
Mark KOTECZKY Terrigal
Elekana LAUPOLA Ourimbah
Sekope MAEA Terrigal
Ethan McINNES Terrigal
Kevin McNAMARA Terrigal
COLTS :
Will McDONALD Terrigal
WOMENS :
Angela MARANDO Hornsby