All the best action from week three of the NSWRL's major competitions, including the latest results from the Semi-finals of the Women's and Men's Country Championships.
Knights, Roosters, Dragons book ticket to Country Championships Grand Final
The Newcastle Maitland Region Knights and Central Coast Roosters will now face off in an all-Northern Conference Grand Final in the Women’s Country Championships, while Illawarra South Coast Dragons have secured their spot in the decider for the men’s competition on Saturday.
NMR Knights were the dominant side in their 32-0 Semi-final rout over Macarthur Wests Tigers, taking the game away from their opposition with a 16-0 lead at the break – including tries to prop Theresa Wilhelmus, No. 16 Maryann Tuisalega and hooker Sian Filipo.
Front-rower Lacey Hickson and fullback Jorja Holden put themselves on the scoresheet with four-pointers in second half before centre Caitlin Shoulders crossed for a try in the final moments, adding to four from six conversions for the afternoon.
Elsewhere the Central Coast Roosters earned their opportunity at the title next week with a low-scoring 8-4 victory in their Semi-final clash against Illawarra South Coast Dragons.
In the Men’s Country Championships, the Dragons had different fortunes with an 18-4 win over Monaro Colts in what began as a dour affair before the match opened up in the second half.
They await Sunday’s winner between Northern Rivers Titans and Northern Tigers for the big dance next weekend.
Dragons and Sharks in derby deadlock
Nothing could separate the St George Illawarra Dragons and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in Round Three of the Jersey Flegg Cup as the traditional rivals played out a 22-all draw at Kirham Oval on Saturday.
While the Dragons opened the scoring through backrower Duke Grant at the nine-minute mark, it was the familiar name of Cronulla fullback Kade Dykes – son of former Shark Adam – who crossed for his side just 10 minutes later. Halfback Ryan Rivett added the extras for a 6-4 lead.
Winger Samuel Stonestreet scored the Sharks’ second not long after, before the Red V replied within minutes from halftime through Bryce Magnone. Captain Sam Hooper’s conversion brought the score at the break to 10 apiece.
The Sharks came out firing in the second half with further tries to Dykes and Stonestreet which were both converted by Rivett.
With just over 15 minutes remaining the Dragons weren’t going down without fight, scoring two late tries through Cooper Roberts and Duke Grant for his double. Hooper had no problems off the boot, ensuring a drawn contest between the two sides.
Click here for more Jersey Flegg Cup results.
Farr steals the show in dominant St Mary’s display
St Mary’s winger Kaleb Farr has produced a hat-trick of tries against Hills Bulls in Round Two of the Sydney Shield as the Saints secured consecutive victories with a 22-6 win.
Coming off a 30-point winning margin over the Moorebank Rams to begin their 2022 campaign, St Mary’s have only continued to stamp their authority as a team to beat in this year’s competition.
Farr himself has now scored five tries from the opening two weeks after his latest performance, while centre Mason Iaria scored a try of his own and five-eighth Jake Rafferty-Butfield kicked three goals for the Saints.
Bulls centre Jack Burgess scored the only try for the visitors in their first outing after a Round One bye, which was converted by hooker Mitchell Hyde.
Click here for Sydney Shield results.
Click here for Ron Massey Cup results.
Click here for Denton Engineering Cup results.
