All the latest updates from week 13 of the NSWRL's major competitions.
Bears keep ladder lead with win over Knights
The North Sydney Bears have consolidated their status as outright leaders on Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership ladder following an 18-6 win over the third-placed Newcastle Knights.
Going into the match the Knights were just two competition points behind the Bears, but were unable to improve that position after falling short of victory in Round Six.
North Sydney had an early buffer with two tries in the first 18 minutes through winger Cortez Te Pou and prop Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa, yet it was two missed conversion attempts keeping Newcastle in the contest.
The Bears’ eight-point lead remained for just under 40 minutes when the Knights hit back courtesy of hooker-turned-five-eighth Shannon Evans. No.5 Skye McKenzie added the extras to bring the margin within two.
It was the closest Newcastle would get to North Sydney as the visitors kicked ahead with two more tries to five-eighth Luisa Yaranamua – converting her own – and Te Pou for her second, securing the 12-point victory.
Click here for more NSW Women’s Premiership Round Six results.
Faalogo flurry jags victory for Thunderbolts
A hat-trick from fullback Sualauvi Faalogo – wearing jersey 21 – helped the Victoria Thunderbolts to a 26-20 win over Parramatta Eels in Round 13 of the Jersey Flegg Cup on Saturday.
The away victory keeps Victoria inside the top eight as they look to build on back-to-back wins in the coming weeks.
After five-eighth Seamus King-Smith opened the scoring the seventh minute, Faalogo produced his first just five minutes later, but remarkably sealed the triple on the half-hour mark.
Matthew Komolafe, who starred in the NSW Cup earlier this year, scored the hosts’ only try of the half which was converted by halfback Ethan Sanders. Opposing No.7 Jonah Pezet kicked two goals of his own to help Victoria to a 20-6 lead at the break.
Within five minutes of the second half Komolafe crossed for his double, and only moments later the Eels were in again when fullback Dantoray Lui found the line – Sanders adding the two to lessen the deficit to just four.
Parramatta couldn’t manage to overcome the final hurdle before Victoria winger Tiraa Ua scored his side’s fifth with 16 minutes remaining, followed by Pezet’s conversion.
The 10-point difference ultimately proved too great a margin for the Eels in the end, despite a consolation four-pointer to centre Charlie Guymer eight minutes from full-time.
Click here for more Jersey Flegg Cup Round 13 results.
Pickers and Butcher Boys in thrilling draw
The ladder-leading Maitland Pickers and Central Newcastle Butcher Boys played out a 20-all draw in Round 10 of the Denton Engineering Cup at Maitland No.1 Sportsground.
With the Butcher Boys jostling for fourth spot alongside the likes of Cessnock Goannas and Wyong Roos, the result on Saturday should give them plenty of confidence knowing the team can go the distance with the top performing side so far this season.
Maitland’s Lincoln Smith scored a game-high two tries while both goalkickers, most crucially, maintained a 100 percent conversion rate from four attempts each.
Newcastle fullback Cameron Anderson scored a try of his own in a strong performance – a real captain’s knock for the Butcher Boys’ leader.
Click here for more Denton Engineering Cup Round 10 results.
Click here for Ron Massey Cup Round 11 results.
Click here for Sydney Shield Round 11 results.
Click here for MOJO Homes Illawarra Cup Round Six results.
