CENTRAL COAST RUGBY UNION RESULTS
SATURDAY, 7th APRIL, 2018
ROUND 1
PREMIER 1 (bonus points in brackets)
The Lakes 55 (1)
Macui Rauluni 3, Peni Rauluni 3, Eddie Vuniiwawa, Semisi Saitadra, Joe Robelle tries;
Logan Hemopo 5 conversions
defeated
Gosford 15
Jackson Steinbeck 2, Shae Neist tries
Terrigal 30 (1)
Sekope Maea 2, Vaughan Kernan, Dan Sargeant, Mark Koteczky tries;
Mark Koteczky 1 conversion, 1 penalty goal
defeated
Kariong 17
Cory Holwill, Blake Sylvester tries;
Ryan Wallbank 2 conversions, 1 penalty goal
Ourimbah 24 (1)
Jack Stonestreet, Will Fraser, Josefa Biu, Craig Thomas tries;
Jarrod Grange 2 conversions
defeated
Woy Woy 8
Mitch Leonard try;
Alex Moore 1 penalty goal
Warnervale 20
Mitchell Johnson, Luke Burgess, Ketoni Toutai tries;
Cameron McNamara 1 conversion, 1 penalty goal
defeated
Hornsby 10
Mitch Fullager try;
Sam White 1 conversion, 1 penalty goal
PREMIER 2 (bonus points in brackets)
The Lakes 29 (1) Gosford 7
Terrigal 64 (1) Kariong 7
Ourimbah 12 Woy Woy 3
Warnervale 31 (1) Hornsby 7
PRESIDENTS CUP (bonus points in brackets)
The Lakes 20 (1) Gosford 0
Ourimbah 52 (1) Woy Woy 0
Avoca Beach 14 The Entrance 3
COLTS (bonus points in brackets)
Woy Woy 29 (1) Ourimbah 6
Avoca Beach 65 (1) Warnervale 7
WOMEN (bonus points in brackets)
Woy Woy 31 (1) Avoca Beach 5
Hornsby 19 Ourimbah 0
Woy Woy 43 (1) Hornsby 5
Avoca Beach 31 (1) Ourimbah 19
Woy Woy 17 Ourimbah 0
Hornsby 20 (1) Avoca Beach 0
REPORT :
The 2018 Central Coast Rugby season opened with some very interesting matches. There were some close matches, but all of the teams would have enjoyed their first competitive hit out of the season and certainly all teams will get stronger and stronger as the season continues as they get their combinations more settled.
In the Match of the Round at Slade Park, The Lakes had their best start to any season with a most convincing win over Gosford by 55 points to 15. The Lakes took control right from the opening whistle and never looked in doubt of the victory. The home side had all the ball in the opening 20 minutes and Gosford were simply unable to get their hands on it. The Lakes were controlling possession in the set piece and their outside backs looked extremely dangerous every time they touched the ball. The Lakes had crossed for tries in the 10th, 13th, 16th, and 25th minutes of the first half and they had jumped to a 24 points to nil lead just over midway through the first half. No.8 Peni Rauluni was dangerous every time he touched the ball and was making continuous inroads into the Gosford defence. The Lakes forward pack, although pushed back in a couple of early scrums, was so strong at the breakdown. Once the ball went wide it was almost always a try. Winger Eddie Vuniiwawa was so effective all match and was able to cross for 3 personal tries. Fullback Macui Raulini was also so dangerous and he will have a very strong influence on the competition this year. The Lakes continued their strong attack for the remainder of the first half and went to the halftime break leading by 34 points to nil. Gosford were able to make a far better effort in the second stanza but it was all too late. The Lakes had jumped to a 55 points to nil lead on the scoreboard before Gosford were able to post any points. The visitor’s best player was Jackson Steinbeck who crossed for 2 tries, while players such as Vince Stewart and Hugo Pike never stopped trying. The Lakes were very good, and they will trouble all teams this year. They are now on top of the competition ladder but it is a long way until the end of the season. However the club would be very proud of their efforts yesterday. Gosford will have to regroup, and start planning for their match next week.
Terrigal commenced their season with a victory, running out winners over Kariong by 30 points to 17 at Kariong Oval. Terrigal certainly did not have it all their own way. Terrigal did get away to a great start and by halftime had jumped to a lead of 25 points to 3 and it seemed the match was all but over. They had played excellent rugby in that first 40 minutes. No player was better than their halfback Sekope Maea, who crossed for 2 tries, while lock Alex Brewin and five-eight Vaughan Kernan, in his top grade debut for the club, were very good. However Kariong were not to go down without a fight. They played much better rugby in the second half – they were able to post 14 points and also keep Terrigal to a late single try. Best for Kariong during this period were five-eight Mitch Clay and fullback Ryan Wallbank. Both teams will take a lot from this match. Terrigal will again be a force this year, while Kariong know, because of their fight back yesterday, that they can trouble all teams in the competition. It was Round 1 and a lot of things can happen from now on in the competition.
Ourimbah defeated Woy Woy at Woy Woy Oval by 24 points to 8. It was a tussle from start to finish but the Ourimbah team were always just in front on the scoreboard. Ourimbah took control in the early stages and were able to continue on and lead by 12 points to 3 at the halftime break. To make things worse for the home team, Ourimbah crossed for a converted try soon after the break and very early on in the second stanza Ourimbah led by 19 points to 3. The remainder of the match was a very even struggle with neither team really able to get those vital points. Ourimbah were unable to get further ahead and Woy Woy were finding it difficult to get back into the match on the scoreboard. Like all the other matches in Round 1, the teams will take a lot from it and will build for the remainder of the season. Best players for Ourimbah were James Blanch, Craig Thomas and Eddie Laupola, while Woy Woy were best served by Fokolulu Taumololo, Suniita Fihaki, Corey Fleming and Nick Garnett.
Warnervale commenced their season with a meritorious victory against Hornsby winning by 20 points to 10 at Woongarrah Oval. Like several of the other games on the day, Warnervale did not have it all their own way. Warnervale got away to a great start and dominated the early stages of the match. This pattern continued right through to halftime where the home side led by 20 points to 3. It seemed the match was over at that stge. Warnervale had several very good players in that half and none were better then flanker Cameron McNamara, Luke Burgess and Mitchell Johnson. However the second half saw a more concerted effort by Hornsby. They threw everything at Warnervale and played some most effective rugby. They were able to post their own try in that half, and were also able to keep Warnervale scoreless in the final 40 minutes. However the good start by Warnervale saw them home at the 80 minute mark. Best for Hornsby were winger John O’Donnell, flanker John King and backs Mitch Fullager and Sam White. Both teams will have a very good year, and they both definitely have strengthened this year and will prove obstacles to all teams in 2018.
In the President’s Cup, Avoca Beach proved too strong on the day when they defeated The Entrance by 14 points to 3. It was a good game of rugby and both teams gave it their all. It was hard fought and great opening game for both teams to commence the 2018 season.
Women’s 7’s rugby got under way on the Central Coast when teams competed in their first matches of the season. Woy Woy proved the most successful team on the day when they won all three of their matches, but it was simply great to see the ladies playing rugby and enjoying it. This competition will certainly build as the season progresses. The next series of matches will be at Woongarrah Oval next Saturday.