Tightly fought games in rugby Round 3

Some very tight games of rugby union occurred in Round 3 of the WLG Premier 1 series on April 27.

Match of the Day at The Haven Oval saw Terrigal convincingly defeat Lake Macquarie by 50-21.

Terrigal got stronger and stronger the further the match went on, but did not have it all their own way in the opening stages of the match.

Lake Macquarie opened the scoring with a converted try to Rhys Cawley to lead by 7-0.

But Terrigal gradually asserted some authority and by the half-time break had taken the lead by 22-7.

Terrigal continued to dominate the early stages of the second half and by midway through the second stanza had jumped to a winning lead of 43-7.

The visitors did cross for two late tries but it was all too late for them

Best players for Terrigal were lock Macklan Collins, halfback Jye Cornish in his 100th game for the club and No.8 Ethan McInnes.

Five-eight Adam Danckert also contributed with 20 personal points in the match.

Best performers for Lake Macquarie were centre Isaako Enosa, who crossed for a try, and flanker Scott Ryall.

The win keeps the undefeated Terrigal at the top of the competition ladder.

The match between Warnervale and the Razorbacks resulted in a thrilling 31-all draw.

Both teams played some excellent rugby, with the Razorbacks opening the scoring with a converted try to lead by 7-0.

Warnervale was quick to respond with their own try, and then scored again to take the lead by 12-7.

The Razorbacks regained the lead near half-time, and had a 21-12 lead going into the break.

The second half of the match proved just as exciting and hard-fought as the first.

Razorbacks led 24-12 early on in the half but Warnervale finished the stronger, crossing for three tries in the final 15 minutes of the match to even the score at full-time.

Best players for the Razorbacks were winger Edan Sirone, who posted 21 personal points, flankers Matt Martin and Lochlan Stuhne-Scott and lock Mackenzie Zammit.

Best for Warnervale were prop Jacob Gaul, halfback Harry Sexton and five-eight Stefan Collins.

Heazlett Park saw a high scoring game of rugby between home team Avoca Beach and visitors Gosford.

The match was transferred to Avoca Beach due to the closure of Gosford Showground.

Avoca Beach defeated a fast-finishing Gosford by 42-34.

Gosford got away to a great start with a converted try but Avoca Beach gradually asserted themselves on the paddock and it was not long before they had scored to make the score 7-5.

Avoca Beach then played some exciting running rugby for the remainder of the first half, crossing for a further three tries to go to the half-time break leading by 28-10.

Midway through the second half Avoca Beach led by 42-10 but Gosford finished the match so strongly, scoring four tries in the final 15 minutes.

Best players for Avoca Beach were flanker Michael Houssenloge, No.8 Fionn Henderson-Foley and hooker Cooper Elliott.

Gosford was best served by flanker Jackson Steinbeck, fullback Matt Reynolds and No.8 Jonah Manuao.

The win sees Avoca Beach hold on to the Challenge Shield for another home match.

The first grade table sees Terrigal on top with 14, followed by Avoca Beach on 10, the Razorbacks on 8, Gosford on 5, Lake Macquarie of 4 and Warnervale on 3.

Woy Woy is yet to score.

The Women’s 12s competition on April 28 saw wins to Lake Macquarie, the Razorbacks and The Lakes.

Lake Macquarie jumped to the top of the competition ladder in what is proving a very evenly matched season.

In the President’s Cup competition, The Lakes defeated Kariong.

Round 4 on May 4 will see Terrigal travelling to Heazlett Park to take on Avoca Beach in the match of the day.

Warnervale will travel north to meet Lake Macquarie at Walters Park, Boolaroo and the Razorbacks will host Woy Woy at Ourimbah Rugby Park.

Gosford will have the bye.

The Women’s 12s competition will see Terrigal meet Avoca Beach, Lake Macquarie host Warnervale and the Razorbacks play Woy Woy at home.

In President’s Cup, the Razorbacks meet Kariong, The Bay plays The Lakes, Avoca Beach and Terrigal meet and Lake Macquarie and Warnervale face each other.