Round 3 of the 2023 Central Coast Rugby Union season on April 29 saw a mixed bag of results, with two very tight contests and two fixtures seeing very one-sided results.
The match of the day at Ourimbah Rugby Park saw Terrigal thrash The Razorbacks 35-0.
In a match many thought would be so close from start to finish, Terrigal dominated from the opening whistle, getting away to a great start with an early try and then posting consistent points throughout the remainder of the first half.
Terrigal had jumped to a match winning lead of 32-0 at halftime.
A serious injury early in the second half disrupted proceedings and only a penalty goal was kicked after that.
Best players for Terrigal were No.8 Salipopo Pamata, lock Macklin Collins and centre Tim Grant.
Top performers for The Razorbacks were prop Mackenzie Zammit, five-eight Daniel Jones and lock Steve Finley.
Things were a little tighter at Mark Taylor Oval, with Hornsby scoring a very close 14-12 victory over The Lakes.
The two teams were locked at seven-all the halftime break so it was anybody’s game at that time.
Play continued to be tight but Hornsby was able to hang on for its first win of the season.
Both teams crossed for two tries each.
The Lakes had chances late in the match but very good Hornsby defence kept them out.
Best players for Hornsby were prop Angus McQueen, hooker Jackson Cole and winger Jack O’Connor, while for The Lakes the best efforts were put in by prop Luke Clarkson, five-eight Brayden Hutchinson-Walters and lock Harry Pirini.
Avoca Beach continued its great start to the season by defeating Lake Macquarie at Heazlett Park 85-10.
Lake Macquarie had few answers to the onslaught.
Avoca Beach crossed for 13 tries while Lake Macquarie was only able to respond with a single 5 pointer.
Best players for Avoca Beach were winger Mitchell Briggs, who crossed for four individual tries, centre Michael Houssenloge, flanker Fionn Henderson-Foley and prop Matt Ritchie.
Barcelona Lupematasila was the best player for the visitors and crossed for their lone try.
Gosford recorded a narrow 25-24 victory over Woy Woy at Gosford Showground.
Woy Woy led by 14-8 at halftime and jumped away to a handy lead at the midway point of the second half.
With a 21-8 lead, things were looking good for the visitors.
Gosford was able to keep in the match and after taking a 22-21 lead, the match developed into a real and continuing arm wrestle.
A penalty goal on the fulltime whistle saw Gosford take the win at the last moment.
Best players for Gosford were hooker Joel Wagner, halfback Ben Shelley and flanker Richard Cully.
Woy Woy was best served by halfback Siaosi Finau, hooker Soane Lakalaka, and No.8 Sonatane Lilo.
The Premier 1 points table sees Avoca Beach in the lead on 14; The Razorbacks on 10; Warnervale, Terrigal and Gosford on 9; Hornsby on 4; Woy Woy on 2 and The Lakes on 1.
Lake Macquarie is yet to score points on the table.
There were some exciting games in Women’s 10’s matches with wins recorded by Terrigal, The Lakes, and Warnervale.
Round 4 on Saturday, May 6, will see Terrigal and Warnervale clash at The Haven Oval in the match of the day; Gosford travel to Slade Park to take on home side The Lakes; Woy Woy at home to Avoca Beach at Woy Woy Oval; and Lake Macquarie hosting The Razorbacks at Walters Park, Boolaroo.
In the Women’s 10’s Warnervale will travel to The Haven to play Terrigal; The Lakes will host the Razorbacks at home and Woy Woy and Avoca Beach will clash at Woy Woy Oval.
Source:
Central Coast Rugby