The Sydney Roosters affiliate clubs recorded mixed results over the weekend, with the Glebe Dirty Reds claiming an impressive win while both the Bears and Jets were unable to secure victories.
North Sydney Bears
The North Sydney Bears have fallen to a shock defeat at the hands of the Parramatta Eels, conceding four unanswered tries to fall 26-8 at Commbank Stadium on Friday evening in Round 13 of the NSW Cup.
Winger Alfred Smalley’s late double was a case of too little too late for the Bears, who found themselves down by 26 points with just ten minutes remaining in the contest, unable to avoid their first defeat in six outings.
North Sydney were forced onto the back foot early in the game, with tries to Parramatta duo Isaac Lumelume and Joshua Minhinnick firing the Eels out to a quick lead.
The Bears searched tirelessly for a route back into the match, but came up short, failing to record a score in double digits for the first time this season, the 18-point defeat their heaviest in over a year.
North Sydney will look to respond strongly next week, as they aim to maintain their position atop the NSW Cup standings when they take on the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles at North Sydney Oval next Saturday afternoon.
Ipswich Jets
In the Queensland Cup, the Ipswich Jets were handed a heavy defeat by the high-flying Burleigh Bears, suffering a 54-0 drubbing at North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday.
The winless Ipswich outfit were simply outclassed by the Bears, whose nine tries were all converted by five-eighth Tom Steadman to rub salt into their wounds.
The Jets will have to find a way to stem the flow of opposition points, as they have conceded 54 points for two weeks running, an unwanted record that leaves them with a season average of 46 points conceded per game.
Ipswich will have a chance at redemption next week against the Northern Pride at North Ipswich Reserve on Sunday afternoon, a match they will be eyeing up as an opportunity to finally enter the winner’s circle.
Glebe Dirty Reds
In the Ron Massey Cup, the Glebe Dirty Reds put on a try scoring clinic in their 34-22 victory over the Wentworthville Magpies, running out 12-point victors at Wentworth Park on Sunday afternoon.
Doubles to Harrison Mckeon and Salesi Malu set the tone for the Dirty Reds, who responded to an early Magpies lead with a flurry of tries to head into the break with a 26-6 lead.
Mckeon was instrumental in the Dirty Reds attacking raids, chiming in with some excellent touches to pile pressure on Wentworthville throughout the match, leading the side to victory and cementing their spot at second in the competition ladder.
Glebe will enjoy a well-earned bye next week before they prepare for a trip to Fiji to face the Kaiviti Silktails in a fortnight’s time.
