SCOREBOARD
SOUTH Darwin got two bonuses from yesterday’s 46-21 defeat of NT Rugby Union rivals University; top spot on the A-grade ladder and a big slice of revenge for last season’s grand final loss.
The Rabbitohs were too strong and too quick for a Pirates side that struggled to control the ball in greasy conditions at Alawa Oval.
They had a converted try on the board after five minutes through Jake Grainger before putting on 34 points in a firsthalf blitz that had the reigning premiers searching for answers.
University did regain some poise in the second half, outscoring the Rabbitohs 14-12 SOUTH DARWIN 46 (J Rainger 2 T Asioli S Cakau E Needham T Ravumaidama tries; J Rainger 5 conv, 3 pen) d UNIVERSITY 21 (R Butcher 2 W Robinson tries; R Butcher 3 conv) DARWIN DRAGONS 11 (J Eliaschewsky try; E Lewis 2 pen) d CASUARINA 10 (D Shepherd try; Z Phillips conv, pen) PALMERSTON 47 (M Killner 2 B Booth 2 S Fulton B Hogan J Yates tries; H Jordan 6 conv) d SWAMPDOGS 3 to add some respectability to the score.
Wayne Robertson and Robbie Butcher both got over the line after some strong work by their forwards.
But it was Jake Grainger’s day for Souths, his 26 points coming from two tries, five conversions and two penalties — his second five-pointer the result of an errant pass by the normally reliable Butcher.
Souths assistant coach David Boyle said a lot of positives came out of the win, even if it was only Round 5.
“It is still very early in the season, but the way we used the ball in that first half was very good and our discipline (was good) as well.
“We only gave away three or four penalties and put a lot of pressure on them and found the gaps as well.’’
The Darwin Dragons caused the upset of the season when a late try by James Eliaschewsky snatched a thrilling 11-10 win over Casuarina.
There was only a minute left on the clock when Eliaschewsky went over the line adjacent to the uprights to put his side in front.
The previously unbeaten Cougars were left shattered when the final whistle blew soon after the restart, particularly when they looked to have done enough to win a low-scoring game.
And Palmerston continued its resurgence with a 47-3 win over the Swampdogs at Moulden Oval, skipper Michael Killner running over two tries to seal back-to-back wins for the Crocodiles.