Column Nine reports big wins for the Goeys and Bulldogs while the Knights absolutely walloped the Roosters. The only sour note was Newcastle’s loss in the Country Championship.
The Goeys made hard work of it but finished up 40-28 winners against South. Representatives Poleo, Finefeuiaki and Adams returned from rep duty. Finef and Adams both had injuries with Sione having a head injury and Adams a nasty lip gash. Both had reasonably quiet games but each scored a try. The Goeys trailed early but went to the interval 18-8 in front. One minute into the second half South reduced the deficit to six. Try after try by both sides followed as the Goannas led 34-18. However the Lions rallied and two tries brought the score to 34-28. However a try to Ryan Gregory sealed the win.
Cessnock has made hard work of it against Nelson Bay and South who are regarded as easy beats. With Wyong and Kurri in the next few weeks, a big improvement will be needed.
The lower grades were soundly defeated by South and will need a lot of hard work for future matches.
The loss of half back, Claude Gordon, who has returned to Dubbo, because of family reasons, is a real blow.
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Great to see that Mark Bennis from Bangkok in Thailand is still following the Goannas' progress. Perhaps I was a little too loose with my word “inception” except to say that 1930 was the year that Cessnock made its entry into Newcastle league. The information concerning the 1911 competition was the Hunter District R.L. as Mark so correctly wrote. Kurri correspondent, Brian Andrews recently wrote a splendid article about the early days from 1911 onwards. What about two celebrations Mark?
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Our own Joey Johns was inducted into the Newcastle Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday along with several other top athletes. Terry Pannowitz was another recipient of the honour.
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Cooper Vuna returned to the Knights on Saturday as we probably won’t see him anymore at Cessnock. Kurri draftee George Ndaira also is moving into a solid spot in the Knights squad.
Kurri’s Reegan Tanner was also injured in the Country Championship game. He suffered a dislocated elbow. His absence didn’t worry his club mates who registered a very good win over Macquarie at Toronto. As usual I don’t have any details at the time of writing (Sunday night) but to win down there is a great achievement. The presence of Knight Theeran Pearson has been a big influence.
Central lost its undefeated record at Wyong and is now joined by Cessnock in top spot on 10 points. Wyong, Kurri and Maitland follow on eight points and Macquarie on six.
The Newcastle side suffered three injuries in the first quarter of an hour and a few others at vital stages. Illawarra now plays in the final.
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The Knights turned on a blinder and completely crushed the Roosters by 38-6 and that score flattered the Chooks who are just too slow. They were run off their feet by the Gidley led attacks and Mullen’s kicking game. Cooper Vuna scored a try as did Kurri draftee, Danny Wicks, who looks much lighter than last year.
The Bulldogs were robbed. The last second disallowed try should have been given and the Bulldogs should have won. I tipped the Dragons but am reluctant to accept it (but I will). However there were disallowed calls throughout the match against the Dragons is perhaps it evened up (no Bulldog will agree).
Manly over Eels (expected), Panthers over Sharks (expected), Broncos over Titans, Cowboys over Warriors (upset), Rabbitohs over Tigers – match of the year with the Rabbitohs up 23-22.
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Tips. Seven out of seven (Storm on Monday). This was my first clean sheet in years. This week Broncos over Tigers, Rabbitohs to beat Eels, Dragons over Sharks, Panthers too good for Roosters, Storm to edge Bulldogs, Warriors over Raiders, Titans to beat Eagles, Knights over Cowboys.
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This week! A big test for the Goeys when they travel to Wyong to meet the only team to beat Central this year. The Goeys can do it but they’ll have to lift their game to win on Sunday.
Kurri will host Nelson Bay on Saturday. The Bay is way down the comp table but against Cessnock a fortnight ago didn’t look too bad. But, at home, Kurri should be too good.
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