Despite continuing wet weather, Round 12 of Central Coast rugby union went ahead on July 2, with the Razorbacks managing to down The Lakes 31-7 in the match of the day at Ourimbah Rugby Park in muddy conditions.
The conditions made it extremely difficult to play any sort of running rugby but the Razorbacks got away to the better start and were first to score when Jarrod Grange crashed over for his first of two tries.
The Razorbacks maintained their dominance for much of the first half and were able to go to halftime with a lead of 17-0.
The Razorbacks increase their lead in the second half jumping out to a 31-0 lead before The Lakes were able to cross for their first and only try.
The Lakes went close to scoring on several occasions prior to this but great Razorback defence kept the visitors scoreless for much of the match.
Best players for the Razorbacks were five-eight Toby Carver, flanker Josefa Biu and No.8 Rob Peden while The Lakes were best served by locks James McCombie and Reihana Hemopo and fullback Travis Vawdon.
Kariong was at home to Avoca Beach at Kariong Oval in another battle in the mud with Kariong holding on to win by 14-7 and take themselves to the top of the points table.
Kariong had the better of the opening stages and was able to cross for two converted tries to go into half time with a 14-0 lead, before Avoca Beach respond with a solitary try in the second half.
Best players for the home side were locks Taylor Mildren and CJ Fonoti, prop Karl Verhoef and five-eight Josh McGlynn while veteran lock Emile Thomas, flanker Fionn Henderson-Foley and centre Mitch Jacob all had solid games for Avoca Beach.
In the final match of the round, Hornsby hosted Gosford at Pennant Hills Oval with Hornsby claiming a 17-0 victory.
The 5-0 half-time score-line was indicative of the closeness of the first 40 minutes.
Hornsby gradually gained increased control and crossed for two tries in the second half, including one to debutant fullback Josh Woutersz.
Best players for Hornsby were flanker Cooper Davenport, lock Aaron Duncan and prop Angus McQueen while Gosford was best served by lock Tofua Fifita, No.8 Jackson Steinbeck and ever improving prop Ben Harvey.
The Premier 1 points table now sees Kariong in the lead with 32, closely followed by Terrigal and the Razorbacks on 31 and Avoca Beach on 30. Warnervale is on 27, The Lakes on 25, Hornsby on 18 and Gosford on 10.
Women’s 10’s rugby saw close wins recorded by Hornsby and The Lakes, in matches played in trying conditions.
In round 13 on July 9, the match of the day will be at Heazlett Park when the Razorbacks travel to meet home side Avoca Beach.
Hornsby will play Kariong at Headen Park and Gosford will host Terrigal at Gosford Showground.
Source:
Media release, Jun 3
Larry Thomson, Central Coast Rugby