The match of the day in Round 9 of the Central Coast Rugby Union competition on June 17 saw Avoca Beach defeat Terrigal 30-22 at Heazlett Park.
It was Terrigal’s first loss of the season in a match where the lead changed numerous times.
But it was Avoca Beach who went into the half-time break with a 17-8 lead, which gave the home side much confidence going into the second half.
Terrigal started the second half strongly and before long had taken the lead by 22-20.
But Avoca Beach bounced back with a vital converted try close to full-time to take the match.
Best players for Avoca Beach were lock Emile Thomas, No.8 Matt Anderson, five-eight Sam Evans and halfback Mitch Magrath, while Terrigal was best served by fullback Frankie Webber, prop Antonio Cunha, hooker Bailey Platt and lock Macklan Collins.
The result sees Avoca Beach remain undefeated and Terrigal lead the points table by just one point.
The match also marked an historic occasion for Avoca Beach, with father and son Emile and LachlanThomas playing together in first grade for the first time.
Meanwhile, the Razorbacks triumphed over Warnervale at Ourimbah Rugby Park 35-27 in another hard-fought contest.
The Razorbacks got off to a great start and crossed for three tries before Warnervale made it onto the scoreboard.
Warnervale fought back with a try and a penalty goal, but the Razorbacks went to the half-time break with a 22-8 lead.
Warnervale outscored the home team by 19-13 in the second half, but it was all too late, with the Razorbacks holding on to the lead at the end.
Best players for the Razorbacks were flanker Rob Peden, five-eight Tayne Mann and fullback Ryan Fenning while for the visitors the best performers were centre Sevanaia Nabetelevu, No.8 Tevita Piukala and lock Ben Austine.
Hornsby hosted Woy Woy at Mark Taylor Oval and trounced the visitors 76-7.
The first half was a fairly even contest, with Hornsby going into half-time leading 15-7.
But the home team really hit its stride in the second half, piling on 61 further points to simply outclass Woy Woy in the second half.
Best players for Hornsby were centre Nick Andersen, who crossed for five tries, fullback Jack O’Connor and five-eight Hunter Bird, who compiled 21 individual points.
Woy Woy was best served by flankers Casey Woodford and Atone Reuel and halfback Tirado Pakal.
Gosford continued its pleasing season with a 75-7 victory over Lake Macquarie at Gosford Showground.
In a consistent performance, Gosford was able to score points regularly throughout the match.
Leading 33-7 at half-time, the home team chalked up a further 28 points in the second stanza, taking it to fourth position on the competition ladder.
Best players for Gosford were halfback Ben Shelley, hooker Joel Wagner and No.8 Phil Brown while best efforts for Lake Macquarie were put in by prop Connor Radcliffe, halfback Matias Furuno and five-eight Franco Quinones.
The Premier 1 points table sees Terrigal in the lead on 35, narrowly followed by Avoca Beach on 34 and the Razorbacks on 31.
Gosford is on 24, Warnervale on 21, Hornsby on 14, The Lakes on 12 and Woy Woy on 7.
Lake Macquarie has yet to score.
In Women’s 10s matches this weekend, the Razorbacks, Terrigal and Hornsby all recorded large wins.
In Round 10 of the competition on June 24, the match of the day will see Gosford host Hornsby at Gosford Rugby Field.
The Lakes will travel to Heazlett Park to take on home team Avoca Beach, the Razorbacks will meet visitors Woy Woy at Ourimbah Rugby Park and Warnervale and Lake Macquarie will meet at Woongarrah Oval.
In the President’s Cup Terrigal will meet Gosford/Kariong at the Showground, the Razorbacks will take on Avoca Beach at home and Warnervale will meet The Bay at Woongarrah Sports Field.
In the Women’s 10s competition, Razorbacks will host the improving Woy Woy at Ourimbah Rugby Park, Hornsby will travel to Gosford Rugby Field to play Terrigal and Avoca Beach will host The Lakes at home.
Source:
Central Coast Rugby Union