CENTRAL COAST RUGBY UNIONRESULTS
SATURDAY, 13th AUGUST, 2016
ROUND 18
PREMIER 1 (bonus points in brackets)
Terrigal 15
Ryan Metcalfe, Tom Lowe, Mitch Hirst tries
defeated
Ourimbah 13 (1)
Jack Sheean try;
Jarrod Grange 1 conversion, 2 penalty goals
Avoca Beach 31 (1)
Peter Steele, Matt Anderson, Max Stewart, Nathan Brown tries;
Nathan Brown 4 conversions, 1 penalty goal
defeated
Kariong 17
Jake Holwill 2, Yulari Smith tries;
Scott Hanley 1 conversion
Woy Woy 33 (1)
Blake Batton, Damien Fleming, Sione Toki, Wade Hannell, Iliesa Rokodrega tries;
Alex Moore 4 conversions
defeated
Hornsby 10
Tuitakav Kioga try;
Sam White 1 conversion, 1 penalty goal
Warnervale 23
Brennan Jaymz, Ketoni Toutai, Shane Bates tries;
Cameron McNamara 1 conversion, 2 penalty goals
defeated
The Lakes 20 (1)
James McCombie, Damee Kea, James Smith tries;
Adam Kea 1 conversion, 1 penalty goal
POINTS TABLE
Terrigal 71
Avoca Beach 55
Ourimbah 51
Woy Woy 51
Kariong 50
Gosford 41
Warnervale 22
Hornsby 12
The Lakes 9
PREMIER 2 (bonus points in brackets)
Ourimbah 18 Terrigal 13 (1)
Avoca Beach 45 (1) Kariong 12
Woy Woy 83 (1) Hornsby 3
The Lakes 37 (1) Warnervale 19
PRESIDENTS CUP (bonus points in brackets)
Avoca Beach 40 (1) Kariong 5
Woy Woy 20 (1) Hornsby 0
The Lakes 36 (1) Warnervale 7
The Entrance 12 Gosford 5 (1)
COLTS (bonus points in brackets)
Avoca Beach 96 (1) Woy Woy 0
Terrigal 27 (1) Ourimbah 24 (2)
REPORT :
The 2016 Central Coast rugby season proper concluded with some classic matches on Saturday. The results see the Top Four finally settled after 18 enthralling rounds of rugby. In the closest race to the Finals since 1975 it is the Kariong team who miss out on the Finals Series. Kariong were unable to get the win or the bonus point at Avoca Beach, while Ourimbah, despite their loss, was able to secure a bonus point to reach the Finals. Woy Woy, with their five try win over Hornsby, were able to jump into fourth spot at the expense of Kariong. It was certainly a topsy turvy situation all afternoon at all venues, and the Top Four was not settled until the final minutes of the final match.
At Ourimbah Rugby Park, Terrigal were able to outlast Ourimbah to secure a very close 15 points to 13 win. Terrigal only scored their third try in the dying stages of the match to snatch the victory from Ourimbah. The first half was a totally even affair with both teams giving it their all. Ourimbah actually went to the halftime break leading by the mere margin of 6 points to 5. The home side had kicked two penalty goals to Jarrod Grange, while Terrigal had responded with a lone try. The second half saw Ourimbah go further ahead, and at the midway point of the second stanza they had jumped to a 13 points to 5 lead and things were looking quite good. Ourimbah were playing good rugby and Terrigal had trouble finding an answer. However Terrigal suddenly struck a very good patch of rugby and were able to respond with 2 tries in the dying stages of the match. Terrigal were unable to get any of their goal kicks, but their three try to one result was enough for them to get the win. It was a great game of rugby and it certainly all bodes well for an exciting end to the series of matches in the semi-finals. Terrigal had several very good performers. Centre Mitch Hirst was strong all day, and he was very well assisted by fellow back Tom Lowe. Alex Brewin in the forwards never stopped and often laid the foundation for some good lead up work for his team. Ourimbah were best served by locks Sam Kearney and Josefa Biu, while flanker Jack Sheean had another of his most energetic matches. Terrigal finish the season with only the one loss this year, while Ourimbah play next Saturday in the Minor Semi-final after staying within 7 points of the Terrigal side in this match. They will be breathing a huge sign of relief that their season is continuing on.
Avoca Beach secured second spot on the competition ladder with a bonus point win over Kariong by 31 points to 17 at Heazlett Park. They certainly did not have it all their own way and things were very tight for much of the match. There was absolutely nothing in the first half and both teams were on tender hooks for much of the opening 40 minutes. Both teams were playing high standard rugby and putting on a great spectacle during that period. Avoca Beach led by the slimmest of margins at the halftime break, and with the score Avoca Beach 14 Kariong 12, it was still anyone’s match. However gradually Avoca Beach were able to gain the ascendancy in the second half, but it did take a very concerted effort to do so. They were able to cross for a further two tries in the second half while Kariong was only able to get the one. Avoca Beach got away to a handy 21 points to 12 lead midway through the second half. Kariong had their chances at that stage but it was not to come to fruition. Avoca Beach then went further ahead, and led 28 points to 12 before Kariong were able to cross for their third try. They were then desperate to get their fourth try to get the bonus point and maybe even the win, but it was not to be. Avoca Beach kicked a field goal on the bell but their 4 tries to 3 effort was enough for them to secure the victory and a spot in the Major Semi-final in 2 weeks time. It has been a wonderful season for Kariong. They have performed extremely well all year and they had held on to second spot on the ladder for the majority of the season. It was a most disappointing way for them to have their season end. They will be a force next year based on what has happened this year.
Woy Woy did enough to gain a Finals position when they defeated Hornsby by 33 points to 10 at Woy Woy Oval. However it was not easy early on and it was proving a very even struggle in the early stages. In fact Woy Woy only went to the halftime break leading by the narrow margin of 14 points to 10 and everyone was certainly nervous at that stage. Not only were they worried about this match, but also what else was happening in other matches around the Central Coast. However the further the match went on, the stronger Woy Woy became. Hornsby were unable to post any further points in the second half while Woy Woy were able to add a further 19 vital points. It was all Woy Woy in the second stanza. The bonus point win saw the Woy Woy team sneak into the Finals at the expense of Kariong. Woy Woy had some very good players. Among these contributors were flanker Lapana Vitale, hooker Nick Garnett and halfback Zac Stride. Hornsby certainly made a great effort and was pushing the home side all the way especially in the first half. Their best players were lock Aaron Duncan and halfback Ben Astley. The win by Woy Woy sees them proceed to the Minor Semi-final next Saturday against Ourimbah.
In the local derby at Slade Park, Warnervale scored a try on the fulltime whistle to defeat The Lakes by 23 points to 20. It was a very good game of rugby. The match was close, intense, and the rugby was of a very good standard. Both these teams were desperate to win and this could be seen in the intensity of the match. Both teams wanted to gain the win over their neighbouring club. Warnervale led early, by 8 points to nil, before The Lakes fought back to gain the lead by halftime. In fact the home side led by 17 points to 8 at the halftime break, and things were looking good. The second half was a very exciting affair. The lead changed 4 times in the final 40 minutes and it was anyone’s match. Just when it seemed The Lakes were safe with a 20 points to 18 lead with time almost up, it was the Warnervale side who crossed in the corner to grab the victory. Both teams did cross for three tries apiece, but the goal kicking from the visitors, although several penalty shots were missed, did actually get them home. Best players for Warnervale were five-eight Sione Ala, hooker Rhys Sexton and back Brennan Jaymz. The Lakes finished the season with a very good effort despite the loss. Their best players were prop Michael Ferry, halfback Nathan Bell and James McCombie, who crossed for a try.
At Joseph Banks Oval at Bateau Bay on Friday evening, the President’s Cup match saw The Entrance finish the season on a high when they defeated Gosford by 12 points to 5. It was a very good effort by the home side, but despite the loss, Gosford still do proceed to the Major Semi-final in 2 weeks time.