Round 10 of the Central Coast junior rugby league proved a challenge for Gosford Kariong when four Storm teams came head-to-head at Carrington Street Field on Sunday, July 12.
A Magpie marauder is well wrapped up by Storm defenders during the U13(2)s clash
The U15(1)s were backing up from a tremendous 24-22 upset victory over Terrigal on the previous Saturday but held no answer to the unbeaten Erina Eagles, who despite playing several boys short, managed to score seven tries in the opening half before powering on to record a win.
The Gosford U13(2) s clashed with unbeaten rivals Ourimbah on the back of six straight wins and a keen and close battle was anticipated. Two tries gave the northerners a 12-0 lead at the break and despite notable games from Storm five-eight Nick Rodrigues, prop Sione Vaenuku, and three-quarter Bradley Shaw, the Magpies won out a 36-0 victory.
The U11(2)s managed to push the top ranked Terrigal Sharks all the way during their narrow 20-14 loss. A close range try by Kyle Dowling gave Gosford an early advantage but Terrigal pounced twice before the interval to head the locals 12-4.
Gosford struggling to break free during the U13(2)s loss to Ourimbah
Long distance solo efforts from Soakimi Aho and then from dummy-half Tyson Pagacs, kept Gosford in the hunt right up to the final bell. In the frosty 8:00am game, Gosford’s battling U10(2)s fell 32-6 to the table-topping Tigers in a game that saw Storm prop Byron van Biljon eat the meters in a powerful display.
A try off the final tackle grubber kick by Ozgur Emeli saw the local boys trail by just six at halftime, but The Entrance crossed for four unanswered tries after the break to safely pocket the competition.
In brighter news for Gosford, the U10(1)s made it back to back wins despite running into considerable resistance from the bottom placed Berkeley Vale. Three second half tries pushed the Storm boys clear of the plucky Panthers and the 28-16 victory maintains Gosford’s place in the coveted top five.
The semi-final bound U12(3)s were also winners on the day, turning a narrow 6-0 halftime lead into a well taken victory over the Sharks with the help of Stormers Jake Martin and Nash Dorratt-Mavin. The U14(1)s enjoyed two competition points and a bruise free weekend courtesy of the bye.
Media release,
12 July 2015
Andrew Stark, Gosford
Kariong Rugby League
Photos – Andrew Stark