Round 11 of the Central Coast Rugby Union wrapped up on Saturday July 11, with Avoca Beach defeated by Woy Woy, 25 points to 19.
The game has been described as one of the best this season, with very little between the teams for much of the match. Avoca Beach opened the scoring when Peter Steele crossed for a try next to the posts after receiving the pass from the forwards.
A conversion from five eight Dylan Hardaker took Avoca Beach to a seven point lead before halfback Justin Staben further cemented victory. Within a matter of minutes, Avoca Beach had jumped to a 12 point lead with still three quarters of the match remaining. It didn’t take long for Woy Woy to strike back with a converted try closing the gap to 12-7.
Woy Woy followed with a second try, bringing Woy Woy suddenly to the lead by 14 points to 12. Acknowledging his efforts, Toki was honoured with the coveted Best Player award. From a game that had no points posted in the opening 10 minutes, suddenly, within another 10 minutes, each team had crossed for two tries apiece.
Right on halftime Woy Woy consolidated its run for victory with a penalty goal, sending the team to a breaking 17 points to 12 lead. The second half was no different from the first in the measure of skill displayed on the field from both teams. A quarter of the way into the second half, Avoca Beach hit the lead when a backline movement saw them score in the corner.
The conversion of the try from near touch had taken Avoca Beach to a lead of 19 points to 17. In the final half hour of the match, Woy Woy kicked a penalty goal to grab the lead again by a single point, bringing the match in 20 points to 19. Eventually, Woy Woy cemented the win with a try propelled by replacement back Eparama Tuka, in the dying moments of the match.
Terrigal claimed victory over Kariong when they met at the Haven Oval on Saturday, July 11. Terrigal has proven itself a strong team in recent weeks, with no exception in this match which saw a total 13 tries to Kariong’s nil. In the first half Terrigal managed to secure 33 points, following in the second half with another 52.
Terrigal’s win resulted in a five-way tie for Best Player shared between lock Joe Taylor, winger Dan Sargeant, prop Nathan Simpson, outside backs Alec Herridge and Adam Danckert. Kariong’s Best Players were lock Brodie Own and Corey Holwill.
Media release,
12 July 2015
Larry Thomson, Central
Coast Rugby Union