It was a weekend of mixed results for the Sydney Roosters affiliate clubs, with both the Jets, Dirty Reds and Silktails falling to defeats while the North Sydney Bears cemented their place atop the Knock On Effect NSW Cup ladder with a thrilling triumph.
North Sydney Bears
A brave comeback from the Bears saw them emerge victorious at North Sydney Oval on Saturday afternoon, running in four unanswered tries in the second half to snatch a 30-26 win, and their fourth on the trot.
A back-and-forth first period left the hosts with work to do in the second half, entering the sheds down 20-10 despite tries from Ben Stevanovic and Fetalaiga Pauga, the latter crossing for his 14th try in just 11 appearances this season.
It was the Dragons who started the fastest in the second half, however, extending their lead to 16 points when backrower Nicholas Tsougranis scored with 30 minutes to play.
A flurry of tries from the Bears including Pauga’s second of the match in the 67th minute levelled the scores at 26-26, before Tuipulotu Katoa crossed with just two minutes remaining to give the Bears a slim lead and notch a double of his own.
The last-gasp win keeps the Bears in first place on the ladder, and they will look to extend their winning streak against the Parramatta Eels at North Sydney Oval next Sunday afternoon.
Ipswich Jets
The Ipswich Jets remain winless in this season’s Queensland Cup, suffering a 46-6 defeat at Biloela Sporting Complex on Saturday afternoon.
Fullback Denzel Burns was a shining light in a disappointing team outing, crossing for the Jets only try, and his fifth of the season.
Ipswich will search for their first victory of the campaign when they face Norths Devils at North Ipswich Reserve next Saturday afternoon.
Glebe Dirty Reds
The Glebe Dirty Reds put in a brave performance against an undefeated St Marys outfit at St Marys Leagues Stadium on Sunday afternoon, falling to a 38-12 defeat against their ladder-leading opposition in the Ron Massey Cup.
The Dirty Reds were competitive in the first half, levelling the scores in the 24th minutes of the match through Dean Kulevski, and heading into the sheds down 16-12 after a late try right on half time from Daniel Arahu.
However, Glebe’s defensive resolve would falter in the second half, as St Marys ran in four unanswered tries to secure another comfortable victory.
The Dirty Reds remain at third place on the Ron Massey Cup ladder and will look to cement their sport in the top three with a win over Mounties at Wentworth Park next Sunday.
Kaiviti Silktails
An inspiring performance by the Kaiviti Silktails wasn't enough to overcome the Wentworthville Magpies at Prince Charles Park on Saturday, falling 16-14.
Forwards Jonathan Roseman and Meli Nasau successfully made their returns from injury, adding firepower to the backrow.
The Silktails will face the ladder-leading St Marys Saints at St Marys Leagues Stadium on Sunday in what will be a fiery battle as the run home to finals heats up.
