Forty not enough in 2016…
Putting 40 points on your opponent in Rugby League would be considered a "flogging" to most, and you would generally hold your head up high after the match and belt the team song out with passion. Try telling that to the Cabramatta Two Blues Sydney Shield side, who put 40 points on the Western Suburbs Magpies, but couldn’t capture the only two that mattered. The Magpies ended up winning the match 42-40, however they were deserved winners as they scored nine tries to seven.
...but for now, 64 is!
In the same competition, two teams scored above 64 points, and in this case it was certainly enough for the win. Mounties put 64 on the Windsor Wolves, while St Marys have raised some eyebrows since entering the competition, and this week is no different with a 66-0 thrashing of Asquith. Considering the three games mentioned were 75 per cent of the Sydney Shield matches this weekend, it has certainly been a crazy round of footy.
Flying Ottio
Mounties have been a traditionally strong side in recent years, but the recent addition of PNG speedster Kato Ottio has only improved the team. The Canberra Raiders-contracted winger already has nine tries in season 2016, adding yet another double to his name last weekend against the Wentworthville Magpies. The former PNG volleyball representative has been in scintillating form, and could certainly prove his worth in the NRL this season.
Lane Returns
Shaun Lane was a Bulldog a week ago, but yesterday he pulled on a Warriors jersey to take on the North Sydney Bears. The Bulldogs and the Warriors agreed on a player swap between Lane and Raymond Faitala-Mariner, a decision he accepted due to greater opportunity to play in the NRL. Lane played an instrumental role in the Warriors' 30-12 victory over the North Sydney Bears, to complete a 4300km round trip this week.
Read more about Shaun Lane debuting for the Warriors here.
Finals time
The Harold Matthews and SG Ball regular season fixtures came to a close this weekend, with the upcoming finals matches having been announced. St Marys Leagues Stadium will host four of the matches next Saturday; while Campbelltown Stadium is the venue for the other four. Congratulations to all teams that have qualified for the finals.
Click here to see the full Junior Representative Finals Week One fixture.
Eels undefeated
Massive congratulations must go to the Parramatta Eels Harold Matthews team, who went through the entire regular season without losing a match. They scored 378 points in nine matches and only conceded 88, making them the red-hot favourites for the NSWRL’s u-16s premiership. Special mention also goes to the Cronulla Sharks Harold Matthews team, who also did not lose a match, but only finished below the Eels thanks to a draw.
Fantastic 4
He has played 13 NRL games with the Parramatta Eels and the Manly Sea Eagles, and has lost every single one of them. One more loss, and it will be a record. His name is Brayden Wiliame, and the opportunity to (not) break that record may come sooner rather than later, with a fantastic four-try effort last weekend against the Wyong Roos. The 23-year-old dominated the high-scoring affair last weekend, and has certainly stamped his claim for a first-grade return.
