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Razorbacks down The Lakes in muddy clash

RUGBY Despite continuing wet weather, Round 12 of Central Coast rugby union went ahead on July 2 with the Razorbacks managing to down The Lakes 31-7 in the match of the day at Ourimbah Rugby Park in muddy conditions.

The conditions made it extremely difficult to play any sort of running rugby, but the Razorbacks got away to the better start and were first to score when Jarrod Grange crashed over for his first of two tries.

The Razorbacks maintained their dominance for much of the first half and were able to go to halftime with a lead of 17-0.

The Razorbacks increase their lead in the second half jumping out to a 31-0 lead before The Lakes were able to cross for their first and only try.

The Lakes went close to scoring on several occasions prior to this but great Razorback defence kept the visitors scoreless for much of the match.

Best players for the Razorbacks were five-eight Toby Carver, flanker Josefa Biu and No.8 Rob Peden while The Lakes were best served by locks James McCombie and Reihana Hemopo and fullback Travis Vawdon.

Kariong was at home to Avoca Beach at Kariong Oval in another battle in the mud with Kariong holding on to win by 14-7 and take themselves to the top of the points table.

Kariong had the better of the opening stages and was able to cross for two converted tries to go into half time with a 14-0 lead, before Avoca Beach respond with a solitary try in the second half.

Best players for the home side were locks Taylor Mildren and CJ Fonoti, prop Karl Verhoef and five-eight Josh McGlynn while veteran lock Emile Thomas, flanker Fionn Henderson-Foley and centre Mitch Jacob all had solid games for Avoca Beach.

In the final match of the round, Hornsby hosted Gosford at Pennant Hills Oval with Hornsby claiming a 17-0 victory.

The 5-0 half-time score-line was indicative of the closeness of the first 40 minutes.

Hornsby gradually gained increased control and crossed for two tries in the second half, including one to debutant fullback Josh Woutersz.

Best players for Hornsby were flanker Cooper Davenport, lock Aaron Duncan and prop Angus McQueen while Gosford was best served by lock Tofua Fifita, No.8 Jackson Steinbeck and ever improving prop Ben Harvey.

The Premier 1 points table now sees Kariong in the lead with 32, closely followed by Terrigal and the Razorbacks on 31 and Avoca Beach on 30. Warnervale is on 27, The Lakes on 25, Hornsby on 18 and Gosford on 10.

Women’s 10’s rugby saw close wins recorded by Hornsby and The Lakes, in matches played in trying conditions.

In round 13 on July 9, the match of the day will be at Heazlett Park when the Razorbacks travel to meet home side Avoca Beach.

Hornsby will play Kariong at Headen Park and Gosford will host Terrigal at Gosford Showground.

The Razorbacks and The Lakes clashed in the mud

Source: Media release, Jun 3 Larry Thomson, Central Coast Rugby

Jai Opetaia is Cruiserweight World Champion

BOXING In a brutal 12-round joust between defending champion, Mairis Briedis, and mandatory challenger from Watanobbi, Jai Opetaia, the latter prevailed to claim the belt and become Australia’s only current male boxing world champion.

At the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday night, July 2, blood, sweat and tears flowed in the crowning of the Opetaia, now donning an unbeaten professional record of 22 wins as well as the IBF Cruiserweight belt.

The title was earned only through shear suffering for both fighters, with Mairis fighting on despite a bleeding, broken nose and Opetaia finishing the final round equally bloody and with a jaw fractured in two places.

From the very first round, significant shots and combos were landed by both fighters. Opetaia suffered the first of two jaw fractures in the second round yet returned with a lightning-fast uppercut in the fourth, leaving behind a bonechilling red reminder smeared on his right glove.

Briedis fought on through the pain and worked hard to level the fight from Round Seven, landing many significant strikes across Opetaia’s face and body.

Late in the fight, a shot to the jaw left Opetaia’s mouth gaping, the second of two fractures, threatening to end his world title challenge at the death.

Yet Opetaia fought on through a defensive final round, soaking up Briedis’ vicious endgame attacks aimed at toppling his rival combatant.

On the final bell, both fighters were clasped together in the middle of the ring, bleeding profusely, with the victory hinging on the judges’ decision.

The unanimous decision from three judges went the way of Opetaia: 116-112, 115-113 and 116-112, leaving the Australian-born Samoan in tears beneath the embrace of his training team.

Literally unable to speak, a joyous bellow was the extent of Opetaia’s victory speech, and yet the meaning was clearly understood: a long-term dream fulfilled, a world champion status secured, and an immediate need for jaw surgery before taking on what comes next.

Image: Tasmanfighters.com