The wrap-up of the best action from Round Four of the NSWRL's junior representative competitions.
Johns Cup Roosters snare narrow win
Central Coast Roosters have all but locked up top spot in the SLE Andrew Johns Cup Northern Conference with a narrow 28-24 victory over North Coast Bulldogs, placing them one win and 77 points difference clear with one round until Semi-finals.
Saturday’s match didn’t have the ideal start for the visitors, however, with the Dogs bagging an early pair of converted tries through prop Adam Drewitt (fifth minute) and fullback Zayne Shutes (10th minute). Halfback Toby Batten added the extras.
The 12-point margin was ultimately the biggest deficit of the contest. Roosters centre Kaidyn Peckham put his side on the scoresheet four minutes later and fellow outside back Tayte Bayley kicked the conversion to round out the 12-6 halftime score.
Five minutes into the second half Bayley came up with more points with a try of his own before levelling the scoreboard 12-all off the boot.
In the 40th minute the Bulldogs crossed again to go ahead, this time courtesy of centre Baylie Kelsey followed by another successful conversion from Batten. The home side now led 18-12.
But in the ensuing 12-minute period Central Coast found the line for three unanswered tries via No.16 Nashawn Papalii (45th minute), winger Koby Jones (48th) then fullback Jai Callaghan (52nd). Bayley converted two of those for a 28-18 lead in the closing stages of the match.
That was enough to survive a North Coast fightback despite a late four-pointer from back-rower Jett Hanson and two more points by Toby Batten from the tee.
Click here for more SLE Andrew Johns Cup results.
Cosgrove stars for Tarsha Gale Raiders
Canberra Raiders had a dominant 44-4 win on Saturday at Belconnen – their opening home game for 2023 – and centre Lara Cosgrove played a starring role with a hat-trick of tries.
The Round Four clash against Wests Tigers was the Raiders’ second victory of the season, with Cosgrove’s first four-pointer coming in the 24th minute. The centre caught onto an offload out wide and swept across field before dummying to her left and bustling between a trio of defenders to score.
Her follow-up try was to open the scoring for the second half, with the No.4 charging into a hole at speed to dive over untouched.
The best of the three was the very last try of the match, where Cosgrove received a wide pass from 60 metres out, veered into the gap and burst out of two would-be tackles on her way to the try-line.
Among the other scorers were No.16 Aaliyah Lomas, fullback-captain Georgia Willey with a try and one goal, winger Mya McGlynn scoring a try and five conversions (14 points), and centre Hunter Ings with a double.
Tigers fullback Tiana-Lee Thorne scored a try in the 35th minutes and was one of the shining lights for the visiting side.
Click here for more Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup results.
Rabbitohs on track in Harold Matthews Cup
Following a Round One bye and consecutive defeats to begin the UNE Harold Matthews Cup season, South Sydney Rabbitohs have earned their first win for 2023 with a 24-22 result over Newcastle Knights at Kurri Kurri Sports Ground in Round Four.
After conceding the opener to Newcastle fullback and captain Connor Votano, South Sydney hit back in the 12th minute through Marshall Le Maitre, with the lock forward channelling NRL captain Cameron Murray by crashing low through the defence at first receiver from close range.
The Knights then produced a sudden flurry of three tries – all before halftime – from winger Kyran Blair, second-rower Jett Woodward and halfback Haami Loza. Votano’s three conversions for the half saw the hosts lead 22-6 at the main break.
It was a different story in the second half with all the scoring going the way of the red and green. Within four minutes it was winger Charlie Mann who scored, along with Le Maitre for his second just moments after.
Captain Daniel Lua, wearing the No.12 jersey, was next to score in the 46th minute as he barged under the sticks for the try. Halfback Matthew Humphries was successful from in front to not only keep his 100 percent conversion rate for the day, but secure a two-point lead and the victory in the end.
Click here for more UNE Harold Matthews Cup results.
Click here for UNE SG Ball Cup results.
Click here for SLE Laurie Daley Cup results.
