Saturday, September 10th – Craik Park – 6pm Kick Off
West Sydney Pirates vs Wollongong Mustangs
(Choc’s Prediction: WST 54 – 7 WOL)
After their games were called off last week, the travelling Mustangs came up against the Pirates, ready to defend their home turf on their first Division 1 game of the season. They did exactly that, piling on the points in the first half to go into the break 28-0 up. It looked like the Mustangs D didn’t have an answer for the aggressive Pirates O, who added an additional 28 points (while only allowing 8 on defence) in the second half to end the game 56-8. The Pirates have thrown down the gauntlet and made a big statement to the rest of the league.
Final Score: WST 56 – 8 WOL
Saturday, September 10th – The David Phillips Sports Complex – 1pm Kick Off
Newcastle Cobras vs Sutherland Seahawks
(Choc’s Prediction: NEW 10 – 14 SEA)
The new look Cobras (nice jerseys by the way fellas!) welcomed the Seahawks back to competition with a very fierce and closely contested game on Saturday. The Hawks were able to go up by 2 touchdowns in the first quarter and kept that 12 point gap going into the halftime break 26-18. The second half saw more scoring on both fronts, with the Cobras coming within 2 points of capturing the lead. A promising final drive by the Cobras gave them a chance to snatch it at the end, but Hawks DL Peter Tanti was able to stop the Cobras in the backfield on the final play, ending the game for his team.
Final Score: NEW 40 – 42 SEA
Saturday, September 10th – The David Phillips Sports Complex – 6pm Kick Off
Nepean Ducks vs UNSW Raiders
(Choc’s Prediction: NEP 7 – 42 RAI)
A very crowded sideline at David Phillips showcased the Raiders first home game of the season. And when I say a very crowded sideline, it looks like the Raiders had a busy off season with 64 players dressing for the occasion. New signing for the Raiders WR Rustum Todd (NSW Wolfpack Rep) and a familiar face at the Raiders WR Max Nina (Australian Outback Development Rep) both picked up touchdowns, with the former picking up a field goal as well. However, no shine off the Ducks as they put up a brave effort, keeping the Raiders out of their endzone for most of the first 3 quarters.
Final Score: NEP 7 – 26 RAI
Saturday, September 10th – Darling St Oval – 3:30pm Kick Off
Sydney University Lions vs UTS Gators
(Choc’s Prediction: SYD 35 – 14 UTS)
The new look Sydney Uni O was on display in this clash of two of the top 3 Universities in Sydney. However UTS were not going to be intimidated by the sheer numbers on the Sydney Uni sideline. UTS were forced to a quick 3 and out on their opening drive but were able to recover on the Lion’s opening drive, with the new Sydney Uni QB Matt Hilley (Rowlett High School Varsity Football, Rowlet, TX) fumbling the ball on the UTS 17 yard line. The first points of the game came from the Lions slotting a field goal over the uprights 2 minutes into the second quarter. However UTS were still not intimidated with QB Ben Loudon (Australian Outback U/19’s & NSW Wolfpack Rep) keeping the ball on a QB Draw and running it into the Lions endzone for their first (and only) TD of the game. The Lions were able to respond in turn, going into the halftime break up 14-8. I think Coach Ogborne had a few choice words to say to his Lions as they came out in the 2nd half a completely different team. The Lion dominated both sides of the ball in the 3rd quarters slotting through 3 more converted TD’s before UTS Head Coach Rocco Bosco called the game off due to a substantial amount of injuries suffered to his players.
Final Score: SYD 32 – 8 UTS
Saturday, September 10th – Darling St Oval – 6:30pm Kick Off
Northwestern Predators vs Northern Sydney Rebels
(Choc’s Prediction: NWP 35 – 7 REB)
A fair few Predators had to eat their words on Saturday (myself included) as the Rebels came out guns blazing in this clash of the north. The opening drive for Northwestern did not go to plan at all, with QB Mark Shoebridge (Australian Outback & NSW Wolfpack Rep) throwing an interception straight into the hands of FS Ben Lucas (NSW Wolfpack Rep) on the first throw of the game. Luckily the Predators were able to get the ball back on the very next play, with veteran Pred DE Jordan Harrison forcing a fumble for it to be recovered by DB Arvand Ghazizadeh (NSW Wolfpack Rep). This would all be futile though as the Rebels struck first. A strong ground game led by OT Ian Stretton (NSW Wolfpack Rep) and the rest of the Rebels O forced the Preds D onto the back-foot and the Rebels were able to put the first points onto the board. The Preds struggled against a strong Rebels D, failing to put up any points in the first half and going into the break, down 7-0. The second half saw the Preds come out with a different looking D, slowing the Rebels ground game and forcing them to work through the air. And on the other side of the ball, the Preds O were able to utilise their own ground game and scored in the 3rd quarter to bring them within 1 point of their Northern rivals. After a controversial call by the referees was overturned (awarding the Preds with their second TD), the home side were able to hold off the Rebels and WR Sean Toohey scoring in the dying minutes of the game sealed the win for the boys in Red and Black.
Final Score: NWP 18 – 7 REB
**Central Coast Sharks have the Bye this week
I love how all the write ups are so detailed with each team…and then theres the ducks, just an after thought