Terrigal defeats Warnervale to maintain competition lead

Terrigal defeated Warnervale to maintain its points table lead Photo: Gary Sinclair

A win against Warnervale in Round 8 of the Central Coast Rugby Union competition saw Terrigal maintain its spot at the top of the points table on June 15.

Terrigal was able to outlast Warnervale by 15-6 in very damp conditions but certainly did not have it all their own way.

The match was an arm wrestle from start to finish.

Warnervale opened the scoring with a penalty goal early on and maintained a 3-0 lead for most of the first half.

They increased the lead just before half-time with a second penalty goal to Sione Braxton, to go to the half-time break with a narrow 6-0 lead.

Terrigal took the lead very early in the second half, crossing for a converted try to take a 7-6 lead.

Terrigal went on to score a second try and kick a penalty goal to secure the victory.

Best players for Terrigal were prop Harry Gray, lock Isaac Riviere, five-eight Adam Danckert and centre Jake Farnworth.

Warnervale were best served by flanker Kye Haslam, hooker Setulu Paea and centre Sione Piukala.

Both teams showed they will be close to the action at the end of the year.

The win sees Terrigal take the Challenge Shield which had been briefly held by the Warnervale club.

Gosford hosted the Razorbacks at Carrington Street Oval, with Gosford Showground Oval being closed.

The Razorbacks ran out winners by 36-10 after going on the attack early and dominating both possession and territory for the first 15 minutes.

They led 12-0 early and despite Gosford crossing for their opening try, maintained a 17-5 lead going in to the half-time break.

The second half saw the Razorbacks take further control and they posted a further 19 points in the final 40 minutes.

Gosford tried for a try later in the half but it was not enough.

The win sees the Razorbacks leap into second spot on the competition ladder.

Best players for the Razorbacks were hooker Jade Strongman, who crossed for two tries, No.8 Rob Peden, flanker Matt Martin and halfback Connor Peden.

Best for Gosford were lock Taylor Mildren, halfback Ben Shelley and centre Sam Underwood.

The win also sees the Razorbacks take the Thomson-Brown trophy for another year.

The match between the Avoca Beach and Woy Woy was transferred from Heazlett Park to Ettalong Oval, once again due to the very wet ground conditions.

Avoca Beach proved too strong for Woy Woy, winning by 53-0.

They opened the scoring very early on with a try and they then scored consistently for the remainder of the match, after going to the half-time break leading by 31-0.

Woy Woy gave it their all in the second stanza and although they scored no points, they made Avoca Beach work for theirs.

Best players for Avoca Beach were forwards Lachlan and Emile Thomas, five-eight Sam Evans, and centre Alex Halls.

A feature of the match was the four tries scored by winger Kaya Ardita.

Woy Woy was best served by five-eight Sione Matakaiongo, lock Levi Naiqaci and fullback James Leary.

The Premier 1 points table sees Terrigal with a convincing lead on 30, followed by the Razorbacks on 23, Avoca Beach and Warnervale both on 22, Lake Macquarie on 17 and Gosford on 5.

The CCRU Women’s 12s competition saw Terrigal and Avoca Beach secure victories.

In the President’s Cup competition, only two matches were played, both on Friday night, June 14.

The Saturday contests were postponed due to the damp condition of the grounds.

Round 9 on June 22 will see Terrigal host the Razorbacks at The Haven Oval, Terrigal, in the match of the day.

Lake Macquarie will travel to Heazlett Park to take on Avoca Beach and Woy Woy will welcome Gosford to Woy Woy Oval.

Warnervale will have the bye.

In the Central Coast Women’s 12s competition Lake Macquarie will travel to Heazlett Park for the match of the day against Avoca Beach, The Lakes and Warnervale will meet at Woongarrah Oval, and Terrigal will host the Razorbacks at The Haven Oval.

In the President’s Cup, The Bay will host Kariong on Friday night, June 21, and on Saturday, Avoca Beach plays Lake Macquarie, Terrigal and the Razorbacks clash, and Warnervale hosts The Lakes.