The league world has been devastated by the news that only two Jim Beam cup games will be played this weekend instead of the regular six.
The league world has been devastated by the news that only two Jim Beam cup games will be played this weekend instead of the regular six.
This is due to the mid-year break which will allow two postponed games to be played on Saturday and Sunday afternoon when Chester Hill tackles Belrose and Southern Sydney clash with Windsor.
Chester Hill required a football autopsy this week after Erina piledrived the Rhinos 52-4 in the most dominant performance on display in round 15.
For the first time in 2008, Mark Horo’s men posted three straight wins which places them just outside the top five heading into the mid-year break.
Eagles halfback Jon Tavinor continued to justify his selection in the Jim Beam Cup reps squad with a very strong individual showing. Tavinor scored two tries and set up five of his team’s nine touch downs.
Centre Matt Riddle also had an afternoon to remember, kicking eight from nine goals to take his points tally to 156 for the season.
Chester Hill’s fans were rewarded with a try to Cliff Nye on an afternoon that tested their patience.
Southern Sydney caused a tidal wave on the South Coast by securing a 36-all draw with Shellharbour on a very cold and windy afternoon.
The Sharks fell behind 24-20 at the break but then locked the scores up immediately after half-time care of a Michael Pickard four-pointer.
The home team secured a six-point buffer again but the Sharks never gave up and kept up their offensive feeding frenzy, resulting in an even scoreboard again care of a Mitch Mahon goal.
A draw looked very much on the cards at 30-all before Sharks backrower Kurt Puohotaua combined with Pickard to help the hooker cross underneath the posts to steal the lead with only minutes remaining.
What seemed like a two-on-one strip went unnoticed and the Marlins took full advantage, scoring in the final minute of play to snatch their second draw of the year and end a rare two week losing streak.
Belrose mid-season change of heart and form has really got other teams looking over their shoulder following their 10-point win over the Reds in Perth.
The Eagles have scored 82-points in their last two victories and have kept their finals hopes alive.
WA Reds continue to be plagued by big deficits at half-time and should stop trying to clone the South Sydney comeback kings in the NRL. This style of play simply isn’t working for them.
Mounties as expected bounced back from their biggest loss of the year to record a solid 34-22 win over Wentworthville.
Windsor are very much in the running for the minor premiership after scraping home to a 28-22 win over the hardened Sydney Bulls.
Both teams ability to respond with tries almost immediately made this an exciting game and one which went right down to the wire. If only all games were played like this one.
Cabramatta not surprisingly beat rivals Campbelltown 34-24 but the losers did not concede the game easily and continue to demonstrate a good attitude in what is a very valuable learning season for all involved.
Chester Hill V Belrose
Terry Lamb Reserve, 3:00pm
Saturday July 12th
Referee: Phil Henderson
GRL Tip: Belrose
Injuries:
Chester Hill: James Koluamataga (Ankle); Damien Jentz (wrist), John Berkley (ribs), Clayton Sellings.
Belrose: Michael La Manna (Broken Hand), Simon Greally (Shoulder)
Southern Sydney V Windsor
Sutherland Oval, 3:00pm
Sunday July 13
Referee: Michael Laverty
GRL Tip: Windsor
Southern Sydney: No injuries
Windsor: Shaun Laurie (Leg), Shennelle Haumono (Sternum), Ryan Russell (Elbow)
How will your life be affected by the absence of several matches in the Jim Beam Cup this weekend? Tell us about it via our contact forms.
