RMC - Round 8, Auburn V Blacktown

Ron Massey Cup Round 8, 2014

Auburn Warriors V Blacktown Workers @ Lidcombe Oval

Report and Photos © Bryden Sharp (Rugby League News)

Auburn's Heka Nanai crosses for a four pointer.

Auburn Warriors                   46

Blacktown Workers              36

 

The Auburn Warriors remain on top of the ladder after they were pushed all the way by a spirited Blacktown Workers side.

In a match where the lead changed seven times it took all the Auburn Warriors experience to get them over the line. Blacktown lost play maker Gus Jasmin ten minutes into the match then played the entire 2nd half with just one player on the bench after an injury forced Matt Callaghan from the field.

Blacktown opened the scoring for the match after 14 minutes of play with Hamilton Valeupa doing it all himself to cross from dummy half. The Warriors’ hit back was swift with John Sila on the end of a good short side raid. The introduction of John Leapai had immediate results with the big prop powering his way across under the sticks. The good work by the visitors was undone with a crucial error coming off their own line. From the ensuing scrum Auburn crossed through Luke Ferry. Straight from the kick off the Warriors put the ball through the hands which resulted in Sila going on a long run down field before linking up with Heka Nanai who crossed next to the sticks. Auburn took all the momentum into the half time break with Sione Kaiveleta on the end of a good long ball which saw the winger outpace the cover defence to score in the corner.

Blacktown made the perfect start to the 2nd stanza with try scoring machine Jerry Key crossing for his 10th of the season. Key has now scored a try in every match this season. Three minutes later Blacktown regained the lead with Leapai going on a rampaging run to the try line. The pendulum then swung back in favour of the Home side with Arthur Little scurrying across from dummy half. Blacktown then stole the lead back with Josh Fraser scoring wide out after a good long ball from Jake Attard. The scores were locked at 30 all when Nanai bagged his 2nd after a good string of passes sent the centre over to score. Auburn extended their lead with Sila grabbing his 2nd. As the match had gone all 2nd half Blacktown answered straight back with Key grabbing his 11th for the season giving his side a two point lead with ten minutes left to play. Auburn took a punt keeping the ball alive on the last. The punt paid dividends with Fiteli Fatai crossing under the sticks. The result was set in concrete when Matt Utai grubbed for himself, regained and scored under the sticks to cap of a very good match.

More photos from the match can be found here

Auburn Warriors 46 (John Sila 2, Heka Nanai 2, Luke Ferry, Sione Kaiveleta, Arthur Little, Fitali Fatai, Matt Utai tries; Little 5 goals) d. Blacktown Workers 36 (John Leapai 2, Jerry Key 2, Hamilton Valeupa, Josh Fraser tries; Valeupa 6 goals) at Lidcombe Oval. Referee: Jeff Hartup Touch Judges: Brenden Lucas, Brenden Wood; Penalties: 8-5 Blacktown Half-time 20-12 Auburn. Goal-kickers: Arthur Little (Auburn) 5 from 9, Hamilton Valeupa (Blacktown) 6 from 6

 

When they scored:
14^th minute:     Blacktown 6-0 (Valeupa try, goal)
20^th minute:     Blacktown 6-4 (Sila try)
26^th minute:     Blacktown 12-4 (Leapai try, Valeupa goal)
29^th minute:     Blacktown 12-10 (Ferry try, Little goal)
31^st minute:     Auburn 16-12 (Nanai try, Little goal)
36^th minute:     Auburn 20-12 (Kaiveleta try)
43^rd minute:     Auburn 20-18 (J Key try, Valeupa goal)
46^th minute:     Blacktown 24-20 (Leapai try, Valeupa goal)
52^nd minute:    Auburn 26-24 (Little try, goal)
56^th minute:     Blacktown 30-26 (Fraser try, Valeupa goal)
63^rd minute:     30 all (Nanai try)
67^th minute:     Auburn 34-30 (Sila try)
70^th minute:     Blacktown 36-34 (J Key try, Valeupa goal)
74^th minute:     Auburn 40-36 (Fatai try, Little goal)
79^th minute:     Auburn 46-36 (Utai try, Little goal)

 

Auburn's Matt Utai.

Auburn Warriors
1          Fiteli Fatai
2          John Sila
3          Heka Nanai
4          Matt Utai
5          Sione Kaiveleta
18        Jordan Bowles
7          Arthur Little
17        Pat Mafi         
9          Luke Ferry
10        Tupou Longi
11        Hala Akaoula
12        Jordan Hall
15        Jason Tuulau
Interchange
8          Sione Tovo
13        Jamie Stanley
14        Joe Mua
19        Matt Halalilo

Auburn's Hala Akaoula.

 

Blacktown Workers

1          John Taaga
2          Regan Haika
3          Byron Fruean
18        Jaron Smith
23        Matthew Callaghan
6          Charlie Latulipe
9          Gus Jasmin
8          Jake Shearer
13        Hamilton Valeupa
10        Jordan Strickland
14        Pati Eni
12        Jerry Key
19        Josh Fraser
Interchange
16        Jake Attard
17        John Leapai
21        Will Key