NSW Country Rugby Union

There was a mixed bag of results in the Country Championship Qualifying matches which were played around the state on Saturday, 19 March 2011.

Central North caused the first upset of the championships by defeating Illawarra 27 – 20 in wet and heavy conditions at Vikings Rugby Park, Wollongong.  The Illawarriors had the upper hand in the opening quarter of the match which saw them take a 5 nil lead, but a strong second quarter by the Kookaburras had them ahead 17 – 5 at the half time break.  The second half was a repeat of the first with the Illawarriors pulling the score-line back to 17 all midway through the half and 20 all with five minutes left on the clock, before a miss directed kick resulted in Central North crossing for a converted try to clinch the win.

At Woy Woy Oval the Central Coast had to pull out all stops to overcome a never say die Far North Coast 13 – 10 in very wet and slippery conditions.  The scores were locked at 3 all at half time and this depicted the intensity of the match which was highlighted by solid defence from both teams.  The Sea Hawks took a 6 – 3 lead early in the second half and increased there lead to 13 – 3 when they scored a converted try mid way through the half and seemed to have the match wrapped up given the conditions.  The Dolphins narrowed the gap to three when they crossed for a converted try with four minutes left on the clock, but their run came to an end with the Central Coast closing out the match for the win.

Central West accounted for Western Plains 37 – 15 in a very tough and physical encounter at Victoria Park, Warren.  The Blue Bulls crossed for four tries to two, but the telling factor for the Plainsmen was the one hundred percent goal kicking rate by the Blue Bulls, which continually had the scoreboard ticking over. 

Defending Caldwell Cup champions Newcastle Hunter had too much power and pace for New England at Moran Oval, Armidale where they registered a 46 – 0 win. The Colts matches saw the favoured zones register wins, with Central Coast dominating the second half to win 30 – 13 over Far North Coast, Illawarra overcoming a gallant Mid North Coast 23 – 5, Newcastle Hunter over powering New England 48 – 0 and Central West outclassing Central North 71 – 7.

Senior Qualifying Results

·        Central Coast 13 – Far North Coast 10

·        Central North 27 – Illawarra 20

·        Central West 37 – Western Plains 15

      ·        Newcastle Hunter 46 – New England 0

Colts Qualifying Results

·        Central Coast 30 – Far North Coast 13

·        Central West 71 – Central North 7

·        Illawarra 23 – Mid North Coast 5

      ·        Newcastle Hunter 48 – New England 0

Next weekend sees the zones assemble in Lismore for the Country Weekend which will be played at Oakes Oval and Crozier Field on 26 & 27 March 2011.  The semi-finals of the Caldwell Cup, Richardson Shield, Colts Championship and Colts Plate will be played on Saturday, 26 March, with the finals and play offs to be staged on Sunday, 27 March.

Semi-Final Championship Draws - 26 March 2011

Caldwell Cup – Oakes Oval

·        Central Coast v Central North – 2.30pm

      ·        Newcastle Hunter v Central West – 1.00pm

Richardson Shield – Oakes Oval

·        New England v Western Plains – 10.00am

      ·        Far North Coast v Illawarra – 11.30am

Colts Championship – Crozier Field

·        Newcastle Hunter v Central West – 2.25pm

      ·        Central Coast v Illawarra – 3.45pm

Colts Plate – Crozier Field

·        New England v Central North – 11.45am

·        Far North Coast v Mid North Coast – 1.00pm

Log onto the NSW Country Rugby Union’s Webpage www.nswcountryrugby.com.au to catch the full updates on the Country Championships, and also find out what’s going on in Country Rugby in 2011.

Get involved with Country Rugby by becoming a member and “Join the Muster in 2011”.