Ron Wood

What an eventful day for the Illawarriors in Tamworth for the NSW Country Championships. After two hard-fought somewhat controversial matches, the Sean Barrett coached Illawarriors have won a place in the Caldwell Cup Final against Central Coast, to be played Sunday at 2.20pm at Scully Park, Tamworth.

Playing in a pool containing arch Rivals Hunter and Central West, the job was always going to be difficult and, as the day progressed, this proved the case. Game one was a 9.50am start against Hunter, who were an unknown quantity going into the match. Hunter proved to be a stubborn and capable opponent who made the Illawarriors dig deep to get the win.

Hunter started the match strongly and held the upper hand for much of the first half, with the benefit of a high penalty count in their favour. Dominating at the scrum and with the Illawarriors putting in a sloppy display with the ball, the Hunter side should have had more to show than the one try they scored toward the end of the half. The Illawarra defensive effort was outstanding throughout, which kept them in the game. 

The match took a decisive turn a matter of three minutes from the break. Illawarra Flanker Peni Tuitupou was shown a Yellow Card by a frustrated Referee after continuing breaches from the Illawarra players. Shortly after, Hunter were looking to take advantage of the overlap throwing the ball along their backline when Centre Frank Prodger took the sweetest of intercepts for the Illawarriors and raced 60m to score under the posts. Halfback Tom Baker converted and the side went to the break, fortuitously, even on the score board at seven all.

The second stanza belonged to the Illawarriors. Some composure came into there game and, on the back of a couple of penalties early in the half, the Illawarriers were able to put considerable pressure on the Hunter line. Centre Eli Sinoti scored from a quick tap kick in close and soon after Illawarra’s best for the day, George Miller, scored with a big run from 20m out, running off a clever play from Front Rower Simiki Lufe.

Some ill discipline crept into the Illawarra performance again, which saw Lock Jack Hobbs spend time in the Bin. The final nail in Hunters coffin came through another intercept, this time by Wingman Nico Cowley. Cowley took the ball from a Hunter backline raid, this time careering away on an 80m run to the goal posts. 

The 26 –7 scoreline was probably a good indication of the difference between the two sides but the Illawarra performance was below par for a side with sights set on the title. 

The Illawarriors second outing against Central West proved to be just as stressful as the earlier effort. Some questionable Refereeing decisions influenced the first period, with a penalty count of 10 to two favouring Central West. With Illawarra’s handling letting them down on several occasions early, the side was forced to defend for long periods and had their effort not been as good as it was the halftime score could have been much worse than the 12 – 0 lead that Central West enjoyed.

On top of the lopsided penalty count the side also had to contend with the fact Reuben Thomas and skipper George Miller each spent time in the bin during the half, which only adds merit to the side’s defensive effort. 

As in the earlier game, the second half here took on a different complexion, with a six-nil penalty count favouring Illawarra. The half once again belonged to the Illawarriors, with tries coming to Eli Sinoti and winger Bailie Leonard. The Illawarra defensive effort proved pivotal in this match, especially in the first half when given all the possession and field position afforded Central West the margin could have been much greater in the Bulls favour at the break. 

The Illawarriors showed in both matches at times just how potent they could be but in the final against a very organised Central Coast side they will need to start well and maintain their composure throughout the full eighty minutes. 

Results – Game 1 – Illawarriors 26 (Frank Prodger 1 try, Eli Sinoti 1 try, George Miller 1 try, Nico Cowley 1 try) Def Hunter 7.

                Game 2 – Illawarriors 12 (Eli Sinoti 1 try, Bailie Leonard 1 try, Ryan Schoupp 1 goal) Drew with Central West 12.

Women’s Results – Game 1 – Central West 17 Def Illawarra 7

                              Game 2 – Illawarra 31 Def New England 0

Colts Results – Game 1 – Hunter 32 Def Illawarra 7

                         Game 2 – Central Coast 36 Def Illawarra 0

Sunday Program – Caldwell Cup Final – Illawarriors V Central Coast 2.20PM

                              Women’s Shield Final – Illawarra V Central Coast 8.50AM

Colts Program – Game 3 – Illawarra V Central West 8.00AM

                          Game 4 – Illawarra V New England 11.10AM