Soggy day on the rugby fields

After a week’s postponement due to soggy ground conditions, the 2024 Central Coast Rugby Union season continued with Round 5 in the WLG Premier 1 series of matches on Saturday, May 18.

The match between Avoca Beach and the Razorbacks at Heazlett Park saw a fierce contest especially in the first half of the match.

Avoca Beach won the match by 23-5 after being behind 5-3 at half-time.

The match was played in very chilly and wet conditions, making for very difficult playing conditions.

The first half was a very even struggle with both teams adjusting to the difficult conditions.

Play went from one end of the field to the other with neither team able to gain any significant advantage on the scoreboard.

The first points were a try to Razorbacks five-eight Jonte Witt in his comeback game for the club.

The 5-0 scoreline to the Razorbacks remained the score until close to half-time when a penalty goal to Avoca Beach reduced the lead to 5-3.

The second half saw a very strong performance by home side Avoca Beach, who dominated much of the final 40 minutes and posted 20 points during that period.

The two tries they scored in the second half confirmed the victory in a strong finish by the reigning Premiers who also retain the Challenge Shield.

Best players for Avoca Beach were centre Alex Halls, No.8 Lachlan Thomas, fullback Henry Parker and hooker Cooper Elliot.

Razorbacks were best served by prop Mackenzie Zammit, flanker Matt Martin and halfback Kyle Lanzini.

The win sees Avoca Beach join Terrigal at the top of the competition ladder, while the Razorbacks remain in equal third spot with Warnervale.

Gosford and Lake Macquarie met at Ettalong Oval, transferred from Gosford Showground because of the state of Gosford Rugby Field.

Lake Macquarie ran away with the match in the second half to defeat Gosford 45-10.

The first half was a very even struggle with both teams almost going point for point for the first 40 minutes.

Lake Macquarie led 17-10 at half-time, with the match very much up for grabs.

But the second half saw Lake Macquarie finish very strongly, posting 28 points in the final 40 minutes with Gosford unable to add to their score.

It an important victory for Lake Macquarie, whose best players on the day were centre Isaako Enosa, prop Luke Taginamartui and flanker Joe Lewer.

Best performances for Gosford came from lock Taylor Mildren and flankers Joel Wagner and Jackson Steinbeck.

Warnervale hosted Woy Woy at Woongarrah Oval and were able to outlast the visitors to the tune of 32-18.

The first half was a real tussle, with scores close in the first 40 minutes.

Ben Austine scored the first try for Warnervale while five-eight Sione Matakaingo scored the first try for Woy Woy.

Scores were locked at 5-0 early on and remained close for the first half, with Warnervale going to the half time with a 15-13 lead.

The second half saw Warnervale take the ascendancy as they crossed for three tries to jump to a very handy 32-13 lead.

It was not until late in the match that Woy Woy was able to cross for their final try.

It was a good performance by both teams, but it was the home team which grabbed the important victory.

A feature of the match was the four tries scored by winger Tevita Vaenuku.

Best players for Warnervale were lock Junior Siale, fullback Sione Vaenuku and winger Tevita Vaenuku.

Woy Woy was best served by No.8 Tali Sitani, five-eight Sione Matakaingo, and halfback Mitch Hyde.

The first grade points table sees Terrigal and Avoca in the lead, both on 14, closely followed by the Razorbacks and Warnervale, each on 13.

Lake Macquarie is on 11 and Gosford on 5 with Woy Woy yet to feature on the table.

The CCRU Women’s 12’s competition recommenced after several weekends of no rugby with wins recorded by Terrigal, Avoca Beach and Warnervale.

In the President’s Cup competition, The Bay, The Lakes, Razorbacks and Warnervale all recorded victories.

In Round 6 on Saturday, May 25, the match of the day will see the Razorbacks host Lake Macquarie at Ourimbah Rugby Park.

Gosford will travel to Woongarrah Oval to take on home team Warnervale and Woy Woy will host Terrigal at Woy Woy Oval.

Avoca Beach has the bye.

In the Central Coast Women’s 12s competition Terrigal meets Woy Woy, The Lakes and Avoca Beach play each other and the Razorbacks meet Lake Macquarie at home.

In the President’s Cup, Kariong meets Terrigal on Friday night, May 24, and on Saturday, Avoca Beach plays The Lakes, the Razorbacks and Lake Macquarie meet, while Warnervale clashes with The Bay.