by John Fitzgerald
Blackheath Blackcats have continued their early season barnstorming form with a 36-10 defeat of Portland Colts in the second round of the Midwest Community Cup.
Played at Kandos on an unusually cold day for the former cement town, the Blackcats led 10-0 before Portland scored to reduce the margin 10-6.
Skipper Greg Alderson scored first for Blackheath, quickly followed by Elias Dukes, before Portland hit back through Riley Hart. Blackheath effectively ended the contest when they scored the next three tries through Ethan Barrett, Dukes and Mat Shields to extend the ‘Cats lead to 26-6.
Hart scored again to help Portland go even further in front 30-10, before Dukes scored his hat-trick to seal the win at 36-10.
Wallerawang, with a full-strength side, led Kandos Waratahs 12-0 after tries to Aaron and Bailey Large but the Waratahs, determined to do well on their home ground, struck back with tries to Michael and Ethan Parsons to level the score (12-all).
A cameo appearance by one of Waratahs’ favourite sons, 2009 premiership winner Josh Hook, was not enough to stem the tide of points from the Warriors, who scored all the points in the second half to run away with the game 40-12.
Rockley Bulls made a return to the field after a 25-year absence but fell just short in an entertaining match to Carcoar Crows (32-28). Woodstock had the bye.
After two rounds undefeated Blackheath and Carcoar head the competition ladder, closely followed by Portland, Rockley and Woodstock.
In League Tag games Blackheath’s Emily Thompson scored three tries in her team’s 26-12 win over Portland, Carcoar beat Wallerawang, and Rockley, with the inclusion of Oberon’s premiership players, were too good for Kandos 34-4.
Blackheath, Rockley and Carcoar are the undefeated League Tag sides and lead the competition.
Next week the competition is paused to accommodate the Koori Knockout Gala Day, and third-round Community Cup matches will be held at Wallerawang the following Saturday, October 12.
