Gold Coast Titans Excel in Ruck Defence and Attack

By Gary Roberts RLCM

RLCM stats show:
The Titans were 10% faster in the ruck than Canberra.
The Titans had over 80% positive completions.
The Titans had 12% more ball.

"It is no secret the game is won or lost on the ground," Mathew Rogers said after the Gold Coast Titans again showed patience in defeating Canberra at Skilled Park before a crowd of 17,381.

The Titans excelled in winning the ground and overcoming the larger Canberra pack and delivering a positive completion rate of over 80%.

This successful trait instilled by coach John Cartwright is now very evident in the Titans' success in 2008.

Rogers said, "We work hard at training on winning the ruck."

RLCM stats showed the Titans were 10% faster with the ball, beginning from the point of collision by Canberra until the ball was in the dummy half's hands ready to pass for the next play to begin.

The Titans restricted the quick continuance of Canberra's ruck play due to the above.

Canberra's coach, Neil Henry , said, "In the second half they were too good, they beat us on the ground, they were getting through the ruck at us. They are playing good football. They blew us away in the second half."

So, in basic terms, the Titans 'played the ball' faster in attack and controlled the speed at which Canberra played the ball. Titans' Coach, John Cartwright, said, "Whenever we got a quick 'play the ball' we took advantage of it."

It is no secret, as Matty Rogers said, but how a team does it week after week, must reflect on the coach and his staff for having the players aware of doing the little things in ruck defence and attack correctly to create the situations.

They work extremely hard at creating positive completions. Rogers said, "If we can complete our sets and play smart football with ball in hand and not be lazy in attack, it will create options for us and it will make everything easy.

"It is a simple way to play footy;
"You can play football off it;
"You can kick off it;
"By holding on to the ball you can chew up the juice of the other team."

The facts, as related by Rogers, show out in the RLCM stats.

A reason they played over the Canberra Raiders begins with the first RLCM Stat: The Titans were 10% faster in the ruck than Canberra.

Click Mathew Rogers for RLCMtv.

Click Scott Prince for RLCMtv

Click Neil Henry for RLCMtv

Click Steve Murphy Titans assistant coach, RLCMtv

Click Completions for RLCMtv

Click Groundwork for RLCMtv

Click John Cartwright for RLCMtv. RLCM Online

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Titans - It's all for one and one for all By Luke Turgeon - ONE in, all in. These four little words are the reason the Gold Coast are shaping as a genuine NRL finals threat this season.

While the Gold Coast's 32-12 trouncing over Canberra at Skilled Park on Saturday again proved their ability to grind out a win when the going gets tough, it also delivered a glimpse inside the team's 2008 mentality.

The Titans showed in the 66th minute of the Raiders clash exactly why they should be taken seriously as September contenders.

When Daniel Conn was caught flush on the face by a Michael Weyman cheap shot, his teammates didn't hesitate in rushing to his defence.

First in was centre Luke O'Dwyer, followed by winger Ben Jeffrey, prop James Stosic, back rower Mark Minichiello, centre Brett Delaney, co-captain Scott Prince and hooker Nathan Friend.

Even pint-sized fullback Preston Campbell joined the fray to help out his mate.

No longer are the Titans just a bunch of blokes thrown together from different clubs and asked to bleed for each other.

This season the Titans are brothers in arms.

"We are a tight-knit group here," said Titans pack cornerstone Anthony Laffranchi. "One team, one town.

"We have all got Conny's back and for any one of the 17 blokes on the field, I am sure it would be the same situation."

Canberra prop Weyman is facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines for the seemingly unprovoked attack on Conn, which resulted in significant facial damage.

Souths prop Jaiman Lowe copped a four week suspension last season for an eerily similar king-hit on Titans centre Brett Delaney.

"These days you think you are safe," said Delaney.

"There was nothing in the tackle and he (Weyman) just got up swinging.

"Last year Jaiman Lowe got four weeks and I think it (Weyman's suspension) should be a bit more."

The NRL has made it crystal clear in recent weeks that they will not accept blatant thuggery, with Storm prop Brett White sidelined for four weeks in round two for flattening Sharks big man Ben Ross.

Titans co-captain Prince made no apologies for his troops -- some which ran from up to 30m away -- joining the Weyman-Conn stoush.

"Once a man is in a fight, you go in and help him out," he said.

"And that is what happened."

Last season the Titans often found themselves out muscled by their opposition.

This year they plan to give as good as they get.

An injection of size and self-belief will go a long way with the NRL new boys this season.

"The last couple of weeks have been real grinding affairs," said Titans coach John Cartwright.

"(The Raiders) are a big, physical side, they take a lot of petrol out of you.

"I was a bit concerned before the game about the actual size of them right across the park.

"But we held them and probably got over them at the end.

"Our defence on the line was outstanding.

"Everyone is working hard for one another." Read more GC Bulletin

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Castleford 30-24 St Helens - Castleford recorded a famous victory over St Helens in a thrilling Super League match at The Jungle. Controversial sprinter Dwain Chambers - who has begun a month's trial with the league's bottom club - was among the spectators at the match.

Loose forward Joe Westerman, 18, scored twice but the Tigers did not claim the winning score until the closing stages.

Luke Dorn pounced on an horrendous error from Saints full-back Paul Wellens to seal the points.

The presence of Chambers - dressed in a suit and tie - drew a ripple of applause from the Castleford faithful, while the St Helens fans jeered him.

But despite his mixed reception, Chambers was delighted with his first taste of Super League.

"It was a cracking game. The atmosphere was great, despite the weather, and the guys stood their ground and fought hard," he said.

"My mentality is to win but before I can even consider playing the game I have to get myself up to match fitness.

"I have all the ability but I need to prove I can last 80 minutes."

Castleford coach Terry Matterson said: "There was a whole heap of media this week and I just felt the players dropped their shoulders and had a little bit of fun with Dwain coming in.

"I probably can't give him any kudos for that performance, but just having him around has been good.

"It was good for us to be in the spotlight for once but I'm not sure when Dwain will be ready to play."

In Westerman, Castleford had the game's outstanding performer and in the 17th minute he collected Ryan McGoldrick's neat short offload and crossed the line in the right corner.

St Helens dominated the first half, however, and tries from Maurie Fa'asavalu and Ade Gardner gave them a 16-10 lead at half-time.

After the interval, Westerman's run from deep set up Richard Owen for a try, but Saints pulled clear again through Stephen Tyrer's touchdown.

That was the final try for the visitors, however, as Castleford dominated the final quarter, overturning a six-point deficit.

The scores were level when Wellens' error set up Dorn, and Westerman added the extras to put the result out of doubt.

Castleford coach Terry Matterson on Joe Westerman: "His physicality and his defensive play are what I'm most pleased about.

"It's tough to play 80 minutes all the time at his age and I'd like to lighten his load, but it's difficult because of the injuries we have," said Matterson.

Saints coach Daniel Anderson: "We've played 40 minutes and that was about it.

"We need to wake up and realise that there are too many good teams and when they have momentum they are very dangerous.

"Castleford and Wakefield are dangerous and we did not respect that. They performed, we didn't and that's the bottom line." Read more BBC Online

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Weyman a liability - Bailey - TITAN Luke Bailey has launched a stinging attack on Raider Michael Weyman, labelling him a cheap-shot merchant and...
Prince in surf scare - THE Titans will continue to stage post-match recovery sessions on the Gold Coast's beaches despite its No.1 asset...
Manly down Rabbitohs - FULLBACK Brett Stewart will end his career as a genuine "Manly legend" and become the Sea Eagles' greatest...
Fulton urges Eels to dump Smith - LEAGUE immortal and NSW selector Bob Fulton has called for Tim Smith to be dumped as Parramatta halfback following the Eels' 38-14 loss to North Queensland.
Souths hit rock bottom - SOUTH Sydney's season of hope is in disarray, with testy coach Jason Taylor angry at talk his side is hurtling toward the 2008 wooden spoon.
Bellamy denies grapple training - MELBOURNE coach Craig Bellamy has labelled suggestions former Storm forward Brett O'Farrell was coached to grapple tackle in video sessions a "dead-set lie".
Did fan rile up Ryles - DRAGON Jason Ryles is under investigation for allegedly challenging an abusive fan to a fight after St George Illawarra's golden point loss to the Sharks.
Coping with a loss of loyalty - SO how will Nathan Brown, Neil Henry and Graham Murray and Wayne Bennett handle the next 22 weeks of the season?
Picking the Blues halfback - AS talented as Robbie Farah is, I wouldn't be in favour of throwing the Tigers hooker into a State of Origin game at halfback.
Wendell Sailor manages himself - WENDELL Sailor has negotiated a deal with St George Illawarra by himself because his manager, Greg Keenan, is not registered to lodge an NRL contract. Read more Courier Mail

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CO-OPERATIVE RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE NATIONAL - WEEK 1 - MATCH REPORTS

WARRINGTON WIZARDS 56 LIVERPOOL BUCCANEERS 10 - Wilderspool

Newcomers Liverpool will take heart from their debut at National level despite conceding eleven tries to the experienced Wizards.

Warrington, benefiting form their intense clashes with Bramley in the Northern Rail Cup, made a superb start - and in four-try loose forward Matt Wilson had the game's outstanding player - but the Buccaneers recovered well and put in a determined and encouraging second half display.

A first half onslaught by the Wizards put the game out of the Buccaneers reach, the hosts opening the scoring in the second minute when a lovely offload out the back by Matt Wilson put Ian Stephenson in for an unconverted try in the left corner.

They doubled their lead ten minutes later when hooker Steve Smythe found space down the blind side on the last tackle and Matt Wilson used his power to stretch out and score wide on the left.

Just after the midway point of the half quick hands created a gap out wide for Matt Wilson to exploit and five minutes later a great run by second rower Jono Smith put the Buccaneers on the back foot and a quick play the ball allowed Matt Taylor to exploit the gap to score.

The Wizards were now in overdrive and on the half hour Chris Mellor took a quick tap penalty and forced his way over and almost immediately afterwards substitute Andy Addison crossed.

Five minutes before the break a great forty yard run by full back David Yii split the Liverpool defence and substitute Andy Moulsdale was in support to score at the side of the posts.

Mellor tagged on the extras for each try to make the half time score 38-0.

The Buccaneers started the second half brightly and four minutes into it, concerted pressure on the Wizards line was rewarded when good hands between half backs Steve Brown and James Lacey saw the ball reach centre Mark Webster who managed to break out of a three man tackle to score, Jamie Hammond adding the conversion.

Liverpool continued to pile on the pressure and a quick succession of penalties put them deep into Wizards territory and a lovely short ball from centre Ian Stanley put his winger Ben Toleman over in the left corner.

The Wizards regained their composure just after the hour mark when Danny Shaw chipped ahead and Stuart Pirrie won the race to touchdown in right corner.

Soon after, a short ball from substitute Billy Sheen saw Matt Wilson power over at the side of the posts to claim a deserved hat trick.

Wizards brought their half century up when a long pass from scrum half Warren Ayres found winger Paul Wilson in space to score in the left corner and then right on time Matt Wilson claimed his fourth touchdown.

GAME STAR - : Wizards' joint player/coach Matt Wilson tormented the Buccaneers all afternoon with his power and strength, culminating in four well taken tries.

GAME BREAKER - The onslaught around the half hour mark when Warrington ran in four tries put the game firmly out of the reach of a very spirited Buccaneers outfit.

GATESHEAD STORM 62 EAST LANCASHIRE LIONS 18 - Bullocksteads

Gateshead opened their campaign in style running in 12 tries in a convincing win over the Lions.

Storm opened the scoring in the first minute after Easts knocked on around their own 20, which saw Andrew Barnes score in the corner from the resulting scrum.

Michael Watton then went over for the first of his hat-trick just before the ten-minute mark, showing neat footwork after strong running from props Gareth Lodge and Richie Metcalfe gave Storm good field position.

John Coutts was unable to add the extras against the swirling wind but Watton crossed again three minutes later after player-coach Coutts broke the line, drew Ben Williamson and popped up the ball to the supporting stand-off.

Tom Crosby then crossed twice in quick succession, either side of a penalty by coach Coutts, the first following an offload by Watton and then following a break from centre Andy Morris who spun out of a tackle.

Storm were scoring at a rate of a point a minute and Morris got himself on the score sheet on the half hour after he got on the end of a short grubber by Coutts.

Lions responded with a score just before half time after a break down the left from centre Sean Daley saw Paddy O'Grady hack forward a loose ball and dive on it between the posts.

The visitors had the first say of the second half when Daley scored the first of his brace after exploiting an overlap out wide to go over in the corner.

That was followed up straight after when Williamson supported on the inside to take a short offload and go in by the sticks.

Storm then extended their lead when pacy winger Gavin Houston showed good speed to go over in the corner with Coutts adding the conversion from wide out on the touchline.

Daley scored his second of the game after the ball was ripped in a one on one tackle in the Storm 20 and with the score at 36-18, East Lancashire looked to be getting back into contention.

That was until Storm loose forward Neil Emmerson crossed on the hour, breaking free of a tackle to wriggle over the line, after being judged not held.

Watton then scored his hat-trick try with a magnificent solo effort on the last tackle, showing great awareness to step through the cover and race clear from his own half.

Houston added his second try of the game when playmaker Watton made a break and sent out a pass for the winger to outpace the defence.

Skipper Chris Burnett then punished sloppy marker work to go over from close range with only five minutes remaining and, right on the hooter, Liam Andrews crossed when he benefited from a lucky bounce to come away with the loose ball

GAME STAR - Storm's influential Aussie stand off Michael Watton was involved in everything, contributing three tries in the process.

GAME BREAKER - Neil Emmerson's try on the hour mark halted the Lions' momentum, allowing Storm to step up a gear.

DEWSBURY CELTIC 12 CELTIC CRUSADERS COLTS 66 - Crow Nest Park

Crusaders made a hugely impressive debut in the battle of the Celts, the young Welshmen running in 13 tries to overwhelm their old-established rivals.

Fielding some of the best young talents from the principality, former Welsh international Aled James and an ex grid iron performer from France, the Colts delighted their coach Dan Clements with a comprehensive display in their first hit out.

Rampaging second rower Lewis Fox and speedy winger Elliott Kear led the way for the visitors with hat-tricks but it was Philippe Gardent who Clements picked out as his star performer.

"Phil was superb," he said, about a player who was starting a rugby league match for the first time having previously been used off the bench. "Every time he touched the ball, he was outstanding."

"He left the defence behind on every play with his strength and skill and was fast as well."

"This was an outstanding performance from us. The team was formed to develop young Welsh rugby league talent and we saw a lot of that on show today."

"It was a good start and the future for the Crusaders and rugby league in Wales looks promising if this display is anything to go by."

The game was dominated by the Crusaders from the start with Fox having the honour of posting the inaugural try in the colours, Lee Williams adding the first of his seven goals.

Four minutes later, Kear went over out wide and a handling error by the hosts saw Fox in again, by the posts to make it 16-0.

An experienced Dewsbury outfit - featuring a former Leeds Super League centre pairing - scored their only try of the first half on the 20th minute, when Tim Land sent Aidan Anderson in at the corner.

But the Crusaders ran in tries from Gardent with a brace, Lee Williams, Gary Williams, and a second for Kear in a blistering spell to make it 38-4 at the break.

There was parity at the start of the second period, Dewsbury using the slope to their advantage to gain some territorial dominance but Fox and Kear both claimed quick fire hat tricks to leave the visitors in total charge before Dewsbury winger Anderson claimed his second try.

Lee Williams scored between the posts, ending with a personal 22 point haul and bringing up the half century.

Crusaders added two more touchdowns from Steve Williams and Gil Dudson; the home side replying with a third unconverted, consolation try from full back James Eatherley.

GAME STAR - French prop Phil Gardent in his first start after switching from American football gave hope to Dwain Chambers with a dominating display.

GAME BREAKER - Colts' blistering start which saw them 16 points up inside 12 minutes proved too much for Dewsbury to handle.

HEMELSTAGS 38 HUDDERSFIELD UNDERBANK RANGERS 26 - Pennine way

Hemel were rewarded for their hard work in clearing the snow from the pitch for the match to go ahead, a late burst seeing them emerge victorious after scoring seven tries to four.

In a terrific contest, both sides defied the elements to produce a stirring clash as wintery showers swirled around them, the lead changing hands seven times.

Stags got off to a terrific start with two tries in as many minutes, winger Stuart McIntyre finding space on the overlap to cross and hard working hooker Gareth Swindells stretching over after good approach from Ben Kay and strong running James Ellershaw.

Skipper Barry Jon Swindells, who set a fine lead throughout, converted both but in a blistering five minute spell up to the half hour, Rangers hit back with touchdowns from Chris Beal and Brook York, combined with three John Birt goals, to take the lead.

Mark Coulson's four-pointer, his first for the club and fashioned on the back of a terrific five man handling move, edged the hosts back in front but in a see-saw half, Huddersfield went into the break ahead, Tom Senior stealing in for a try with a minute left which Birt converted.

Blake Kirby levelled five minutes into the second half but York with his second again edged the visitors back in front.

Ellershaw's runs were creating havoc and he crashed over in the 55th minute, Barry Jon Swindells' goal making it 28-26.

Kay's crunching tackle on the hour saw the Stags regain possession and the prop profited when he barged over for a vital score soon after.

Victory was sealed in the 68th minute when home centre Oliver O'Mara crossed, Swindells landing his fifth conversion to make light of the conditions.

GAME STAR - James Ellershaw's punishing runs continually put Huddersfield on the back foot, especially in the first half, coming off the bench.

GAMEBREAKER - Ben Kay's huge hit on the hour won back possession for the Stags and set the position for their two late tries that ensured victory. RFL

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 Aucklanders Burst the Newtown Jets Bubble - The Auckland Vulcans ended Newtown's early season unbeaten run when they defeated the Jets 23-22 in the VB NSW Cup Rugby League match played at Henson Park on Sunday.

The Jets had led 16-6 at halftime and 22-12 with twenty minutes remaining in the game, but the Kiwis found the resolve and stamina to draw level and ultimately snatch a late victory with a field goal eight minutes from fulltime.

Newtown made an uncertain start to the match and conceded a converted try in the twelfth minute. The Jets then found their rhythm and scored three tries within seven minutes in the game's second quarter, going in at the halftime seeming to be well in control.

Auckland scored three tries to one in the second half and deserved their victory. The visitors were in command for the last fifteen minutes of play and exposed flaws in Newtown's right-side defence and in their composure under pressure.

Jets frontrower Frank-Paul Nuuausala was the team's outstanding performer but there were some disappointing displays from some of his team-mates, particularly as the game slipped from the Jets' grasp in the last twenty minutes.

Vulcans backrower and New Zealand Test representative Wairangi Koopu, who played with Newtown back in 2000, was arguably the best player on the field.

The Newtown Jets return to Henson Park next Saturday, 12th April, when they will take on Manly-Warringah in the fifth round of the NSWRL VB NSW Cup. This match kicks off at 3.00pm. Newtown Jets Online

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UK Results

Sunday, 06 April 2008
Engage Super League
Castleford 30-24 St Helens
Wakefield 16-2 Warrington

Co-Operative National League Two
Blackpool 24-20 Workington

Northern Rail Cup
Featherstone 36-10 Leigh
Halifax 24-30 Celtic Crusaders
Oldham 16-6 Whitehaven
Rochdale 38-36 Dewsbury
Widnes 44-8 Sheffield

Saturday, 05 April 2008
Engage Super League
Harlequins RL 35-16 Hull KR
Leeds 10-14 Wigan

Friday, 04 April 2008
Engage Super League
Huddersfield 16-20 Catalans Dragons
Hull 8-24 Bradford

Northern Rail Cup
Gateshead 26-31 Doncaster
Salford 62-6 Bramley

Thursday, 03 April 2008
Northern Rail Cup
Barrow 20-24 Batley Read more BBC Online

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Bellamy's grappling expert to join Blues By Dan Koch and Brent Read - Queensland Rugby League managing director Ross Livermore has called on his NSW counterparts to protect the sanctity of State of Origin after it has been revealed Blues coach Craig Bellamy intends to use a wrestling expert as his defence coach.

John Donehue, a martial arts expert, has been Melbourne Storm's wrestling coach for much of Bellamy's tenure at the club.

Donehue had no experience as a player or coach at any level of the game until he was hired by Bellamy, but a senior NSW Rugby League official confirmed the The Australian he was set to play a key role for the Blues.

He is at the centre of rugby league's "grapple tackle" furore, which has hounded Bellamy and his players for almost three years, casting a pall over the Storm's dominance.

It is understood that Bellamy, who was appointed to replace Graham Murray after back-to-back series losses for NSW, is unfazed by his critics and has sought to have Donehue included on his coaching staff.

NSW and Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr confirmed Bellamy had provided his requests for Origin staff but could not confirm whether Donehue was on the list.

Carr also said he was yet to discuss the grapple tackle issue with Bellamy but was confident it would not infiltrate the Origin arena.

"It's pretty much out of the game," Carr said.

But Carr's lack of concern is unlikely to placate the Maroons camp over the role Donehue will play.

Donehue stands in stark contrast to the other men who will fill coaching roles during the Origin series.

Maroons head coach Mal Meninga will call on Canberra mentor Neil Henry and former Queensland Origin greats Kevin Walters and Trevor Gillmeister. Bellamy has Andrew Johns, Laurie Daley and Steve Roach, all former Blues stars, on his staff.

It is believed Donehue has been listed as Bellamy's "defence coach", a role filled in the Queensland camp by Gold Coast assistant Gillmeister, regarded as one of rugby league's most devastating tacklers.

Other defence coaches around the league include Royce Simmons (Wests Tigers), Peter Ryan (Broncos) and David Fairleigh (Parramatta), all of them former players.

Livermore said he strongly opposed either side using a specialised wrestling coach as part of their preparation for what is the showpiece of the game and questioned what other role Donehue could play in the series.

"Having (Donehue) as the defence coach certainly doesn't make much sense to me," Livermore said. "Rugby league is not about wrestling or locks or holds, which is why the NRL are taking steps to try to get rid of all that stuff.

"We definitely don't want it creeping into Origin and I can't imagine anyone at the NSWRL would want to see it any more than I do.

"I guess they will need to have a look at exactly what he is bringing into the camp, because it would not be acceptable to bring in anyone who might advocate the use of (grappling) sorts of tactics."

Gillmeister, who played 22 Origin matches for Queensland, conceded he had little control over what NSW did, but said the ferocity of the interstate series took enough toll on the players without grappling tactics designed to give defenders greater control of the ruck area.

"Origin footy is tough enough as it is without blokes have to worry about getting twisted up and injured in pretty ordinary ways," the former Queensland skipper said.

"The wrestling and stuff that goes on in the ruck area is something, I think, we are trying to get out of the game. We need to be encouraging people to tackle with good technique and reward them when they do, not have blokes being held up by three or four defenders and wrestled all the way down. That's rubbish."

Livermore said it was crucial that the integrity of the Origin series was maintained.

"There are rules in place regarding a lot of this and I don't think anyone wants to see State of Origin turn into a wrestle-fest," Livermore said.

"There is no room for it anywhere. Rugby league is about tackling, not wrestling, and the sooner we get back to that the better."
The Australian

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Leeds 10-14 Wigan - Champions Leeds lost their unbeaten home record after Wigan edged the scoring in the first half and then defended bravely to clinch the win.

Leeds took the lead when Scott Donald went over but Wigan hit back when Pat Richards touched down, added the conversion and then booted a 43m goal.

However, Rhinos regained the lead when prop Kylie Leuluai crashed over.

But Thomas Leuluai's try and Richards' third goal gave Wigan the lead and they doggedly denied Leeds after the break.

Wigan gave a debut to 19-year-old half-back Thomas Coyle in the continued absence of Australian playmaking star Trent Barrett while winger Mark Calderwood missed out on a return to Headingley.

Leeds (10) 10 Tries: Donald, Leuluai Goals: Sinfield

Wigan (14) 14 Tries: Richards, Leuluai Goals: Richards 3
Read more BBC Online

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Wakefield 16 defeated Warrington 2 By Andy Hampson - Wakefield coach John Kear believes his side's spirit in adversity has helped them become a stronger team.

The Wildcats put aside the absence of eight senior players to grind out a scrappy 16-2 win over Warrington in bleak conditions at wintry Belle Vue.

It was a first win in three engage Super League outings and Kear felt it was just reward for his side's recent efforts.

"We came out of our recent tough run with two points against Castleford and nothing else," he said.

"Today they came out with a lot of credit and a lot of reward, it was fully deserved.

"To restrict a team like Warrington, such a potent attacking force, to no tries you have just got to applaud the defensive effort they put in." Read more Sporting Life

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QRL Wizard Cup Review

Slippery Pride Wins Again

NORTHERN Pride coach Andrew Dunemann would love to go to a game without having to bring an umbrella.

But while the Pride continues to win, you get the feeling Dunemann is more than happy to keep brushing away the rain drops.

The Pride racked up its fourth-straight victory in the Wizard Cup with a hard-fought 18-8 victory over the Burleigh Bears at a wet Pizzey Park on Saturday night.

"Every where we go it seems to rain," quipped Dunemann, whose team played its first two home matches on a rain-drenched Cairns field.

"It would be nice to get on a dry track and see how we go."

After racking up three big wins in the opening rounds, the Pride found itself in a genuine arm-wrestle on Saturday night.

Burleigh led 4-0 at half-time and appeared to be heading for another win after clawing its way to an 8-6 lead with about 10 minutes remaining.

But the northern newcomers ran in two quick tries through David Faiumu and Ben Laity to snatch the match from Burleigh's grasps.

"Our defence kept us in the game," Dunemann said.

"It was a bit wet so they (Burleigh) kept putting shots on the ball and forcing mistakes.

"I thought they probably got the better of the forward battle actually."

Replacement forwards Greg Byrnes and Scott Bolton gave the Pride a massive lift with energetic performances.

Dunemann's team faces a short turnaround this week, with a Saturday afternoon booking against the dangerous Souths Logan Magpies.

The Pride coach admits a second match on the road in as many weeks will present a new obstacle for the in-form side.

"It is going to be a tough task for us," the former Gold Coast, North Queensland and Canberra player said.

"As I said, every week is going to be a different challenge. It is going to be a huge test to see how we back up."

Ireland Puts Name On Map

THREE tries, four conversions and a comfortable win.

It's all in a day's work for new Ipswich Jets winger Scott Ireland.

The West Balconnen recruit announced himself on the Wizard Cup stage with a powerhouse display for the Jets at the Briggs Road Complex on Saturday.

The big winger completed a hat-trick in the second half and landed his fourth goal from as many attempts as the Jets crushed the out-of-sorts Dolphins 24-0 in a commanding display.

While the Jets kicked in for a big night of celebrations after winning all three grades on Saturday, the misfiring Dolphins made the painful trip back to the peninsula with a lot to ponder.

The match marked the first time Redcliffe had been kept scoreless in a Queensland Cup match since the Burleigh Bears beat them 22-0 in the 2000 season.

Ipswich led 18-0 at half-time after Gavin Cooper's opening try was followed by a scintillating double from Ireland.

Cooper was at his menacing best, further enhancing a claim for a Titans recall when he charged on to a neat pass from Todd Riggs and crashed over to score.

Ireland converted the try to put the Jets in front 6-0.

The classy winger was back in the game just minutes later when Jets centre Donald Malone created some space down the left-hand flank.

Ireland swatted Redcliffe's cover defence away with ease to open his try-scoring account with his new club.

He grabbed his second try soon after when he leapt high into the air to snatch a well-placed bomb from the in-form Riggs.

The visiting Redcliffe team had a few chances to pull in the 18-0 deficit before half-time.

However, the normally slick Dolphins backline never got into stride as the Jets easily snuffed out the few opportunities Redcliffe had.

Redcliffe's miserable outing continued in the second half when a Ryan Cullen break was called back for a forward pass.

Cullen's frustrations grew in the second-half when he was sin-binned for a professional foul on Malone.

Malone made several breaks down the left-hand side in the second half. But apart from Ireland's third try, the Jets failed to capitalise on their spate of chances in the second stanza.

Titans halfback Josh Lewis made his comeback from injury for the Jets. Lewis, who started the match from the bench, had a few nice touches but his best form may yet be a few weeks ago.

Tigers Shoot Down Comets

IT'S taken close to a month, but the Easts Tigers have finally lived up to the pre-season hype surrounding their Wizard Cup prospects.

The Tigers posted eight tries to thump the Central Comets 40-4 at Langlands Park in Saturday's round four match.

The win was the first of the season for the Tigers and a first under the new regime of head coach Darren Smith and assistant Steele Retchless.

Easts simply had too much firepower for the out-gunned Comets.

Boom centre Matt Gruszka was the star for the Tigers. The hard-running Berala Bears junior completed his hat-trick early in the second half when he combined superbly with young halfback Jason Connors.

Connors threw a delightful long cut-out pass to Gruszka, who marched over to score his third try and the Tigers' fourth of the afternoon.

However, the Comets only trailed 16-0 at that stage because the Tigers had missed all four conversions.

Comets supporters watching the ABC telecast from their Rockhampton living rooms must have been contemplating a come-from-behind-win when Central hit back through a neat try from Matt Minto.

Somehow, the Comets were only behind by two converted tries.

But Easts blew the game wide open, racing in a further four tries from that point in a devastating display.

Classy hooker Trent Young and halves Issac Kaufmann and Connors had a field day behind big forwards Charlie Tonga, Abraham Sila and the skilful Tom MacGougan.

Hat-trick hero Gruszka was quick to praise the Tigers' forward pack.

"We just wanted to go straight up the middle (and) set a good platform," Gruszka told the ABC.

"The forwards did that and it just happened outwide for us"

Gruszka conceded the Tigers had failed to string two halves of consistent football together in their opening two losses.

"This week we put two good halves of footy together and it all paid off," he said.

It always looked like the match belonged to the Tigers when flying winger Kev Stephensen scored a spectacular try in the corner in the eighth minute.

Displaying all the skill of an English Premier League soccer striker, Stephensen toed the ball through with his left boot before re-gathering to score a miraculous try inches before the touch in-goal line.

Seagulls Soar At Kougari

WYNNUM Manly has moved into the top five for the first time this season with a gritty 26-14 victory over the Norths Devils at BMD Kougari Oval.

Seagulls halfback Denny Lambert steered the home side around the park superbly in the slippery conditions.

Lambert scored a crucial try in the first half and landed three conversions to consign the Devils to their third loss from four starts.

While Norths remain in the lower half of the table, the rejuvenated Seagulls leapt into outright fifth spot on the back of the 12-point win.

The Seagulls led today's match 16-0 at half-time following tries from Steve Irwin, Luke Dalziel Don and Lambert.

Irwin scored the opening try of the match when he jumped high into the air to take a pin-point accurate cross kick from Lambert in front of the rowdy "Chook Pen".

The diehard group of Wynnum supporters roared with great delight when Irwin slammed the ball down over the line.

However, the Wynnum crowd was kept quiet for a large proportion of the second half as the Devils fought their way back into the scrappy contest.

Young centre Luke Samoa stamped his class midway through the second half with two quick tries.

At 16-8, the Devils were well and truly in the match.

However, the young Mark Gee-coached side paid the price for making too many basic handling errors.

The Devils knocked on twice from the kick off and on a further two occasions lost possession on the first tackle while deep inside Wynnum Manly territory.

After a quiet first half, Devils five-eighth Joel Moon led the visiting team's revival in the second 40 minutes.

But that revival was put to rest when Irwin soared through the air to score from another high kick in the 67th minute.

The spectacular try in the corner put the Seagulls in front 20-8.

Devils winger Rodney Davies showed blistering pace to score a 90m intercept try in the 77th minute.

The try, and quick conversion from Haisley Robson, reduced the deficit to 20-14 with the clock ticking.

But the Devils' hopes of racing in one last converted try to snatch a draw were dashed when they knocked on from the kick off for the second time in the match.

Wynnum's Dalziel Don crashed over to score in the next set of six to the put the icing on the victory.

Magpies Swoop On Tweed

A SIZZLING hat-trick from Souths Logan winger Chad Grintell has reduced reigning premiers Tweed Heads to a zero and four start to the season.

Souths Logan produced a performance their coach Paul Bramley described as "the best we've played yet" on their way to an emphatic 38-20 win.

Grintell, a West Wyalong product who is contracted to the Canberra Raiders, was in everything as Souths produced their most consistent effort of the season.

"Chad played well, but all our forwards were great. It was a forwards game and they played to their potential," Bramley said.

"It was our most consistent effort of the season."

Bramley lauded the efforts of all his Canberra Raiders recruits, who he says are finally realising that you can't clock off in the Wizard Cup.

"I've tried for a while now to make sure they (Raiders players) know this is a quality competition. Even today a couple of times they dropped off their effort and that's when Tweed came back at us," Bramley said.

"There is not a big difference between the two competitions and they have finally realised that."

Bramley noted he could relate to the peril of Tweed Heads, who despite playing well in all their matches are yet to record a win.

"I feel sorry for Mick (Woods). They played well today, but just didn't quite have enough and last week they should have won really."

Souths Logan's win sets up next week's match of the round, which sees the unbeaten Magpies play competition leaders the Northern Pride at Meakin Park, Logan.

It promises to be a fantastic match up and perhaps an indicator of what may happen come finals time.

"I watched the Pride go around last night (beating Burleigh 18-8 on Saturday). They were really good and look like the best team in the Cup," Bramley said.

Souths may be without three Raiders players for the big match, but Bramley says he is relishing the chance to test his home grown talent. QRL Online

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BARLA TO MEET THE RFL OVER ACADEMY CONTRACTS - The Senior Officers of BARLA are to meet with the RFL on the Thursday 10th April, at BARLA Headquarters, West Yorkshire House, Huddersfield.  Richard Lewis, Nigel Wood and Gary Tasker are expected to be attending this meeting when a number of issues involving the two parties will be discussed. Amongst the issues on the table will be the academy agreement and contracts that players are being asked to sign. From a BARLA point of view it is hoped that constructive dialogue can take place to resolve some of the issues regarding this which have arisen this season. Read more BARLA

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Ravens battle for a deserved victory - In their second match of pre season, Kent Ravens RLFC confidently swept aside London Griffins RLFC at Richmond College.

The match started at a frantic pace which seemed to sweep both teams into playing an extremely fast game of rugby league. Once the pace had settled slightly the match turned into an exciting and action packed spectacle.

The Griffins were first to score when they slipped through the Ravens defence, however they were unable to add the additional two points from the kick.

This early score from the opposition would have unsettled some teams but on this occasion it seemed to spur the visitors on. Once they had settled down, the Ravens started to dominate proceedings.

When the teams came off at half time the score was 16-10 to the Ravens. The second half was just as frenetic and exciting as the first half had been, and the Ravens were completely dominating the match.

There was good defence and attacking play throughout the match from the Ravens and it proved to be a good pre season workout for the team.

The match ended 40-10 to Kent Ravens with a hat trick of tries from Matt Lowden, two from Paul Hyder and one each from Luke Bredin and Aiden Oakley. Stand-off Thomas Claridge successfully kicked six goals to complete the scoring for the Ravens.

After the match Kent Ravens' assistant coach, Michael James, commented that, "In the last two weeks the team have had a couple of tough games but they have come through them stronger as a unit and are starting to take shape for the season ahead, which hopefully will be a successful one." Kent Ravens Online

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BARTLETT'S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS CUP SEMI FINAL DRAW -
The draw for the Semi Finals of the Champion of Champions Cup was made following Sharlston Rovers clinching the final last four spot after defeating after the HALBRO Yorkshire Cup runners up won 27-14 at HALBRO Lancashire Cup runners up Ashton Bears. That meant that Sharlston Rovers joined the three 2007 HALBRO County Cup Winners Bank Quay Bulls, Ellenborugh Rangers and Queens in the hat. The draw has produced two mouth watering ties with large crowds envisaged for the right to play in the Bartlett's Champions of Champions Final. This is part of a double header blue riband event at Fylde RUFC on the 24th May when the Ace Insurance (Europe) BARLA National Cup Final takes place following the Champion of Champions Final

The Semi Final Draw

Ellenborough Rangers v Queens
Sharlston Rovers v Bank Quay Bulls

Ties to be played on Saturday 19th April Read more BARLA

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Sea Eagles towel up hapless Rabbitohs - South Sydney's winless start to the 2008 NRL season continued with a resounding 20-2 defeat to Manly in their round four fixture at Brookvale Oval on Sunday afternoon.

Following losses to the Roosters, Bulldogs and Penrith the Rabbitohs had no answers for a resurgent Sea Eagles buoyed by a 42-point win over the Warriors on Monday.

After holding a 12-2 advantage at the break, Manly moved into cruise control during the second half and was never really pressured by Jason Taylor's confidence-sapped South Sydney.

Despite some poor handling and lazy defence the Sea Eagles managed to grind out a comfortable win, with Brett Stewart's 67th-minute try providing some excitement for the Manly faithful in an otherwise dour display.

Skipper and half-back Matt Orford was pragmatic about the victory, but admitted the Sea Eagles had won ugly and had to lift their game for the Storm next week.

"It was a fairly lazy effort but we still got the two points and that is the important thing," he told ABC Grandstand following the match.

"I really can't put my finger on it, [but] come next week against Melbourne, the reigning premiers, we had better be sharp.

"It's about momentum and consistency... we set the standard last week and even though we didn't reach it today, we still did some things right."

Orford hailed Stewart's four-pointer as an example of what the Manly full-back is capable.

"You're waiting for something to happen and all of a sudden he comes up with a magic play, and he got us the victory," Orford said.

The Rabbitohs managed to control the football and complete their sets with reasonable success, but were unable to produce points at crucial points throughout the match.

Manly's sturdy defence frustrated South Sydney's attempts at working the ball towards attacking territory, the Rabbitohs subdued in their own half for large periods of the second half.

Nathan Merritt provided the only points for the visitors via an early penalty goal, while Jamie Lyon and Adam Cutherbertson cross the tryline for Manly before half-time.

Stewart's try put the result beyond doubt, with Orford successfully adding three conversions and a penalty goal to the scoreline.

Manly: 20 (J Lyon, A Cuthbertson, B Stewart tries; M Orford 3 conversions, penalty goal) defeated South Sydney: 2 (N Merritt penalty goal) Read more Yahoo Sport

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Warriors bounce back with tough win - The Warriors exorcised the demons from a bruising last-start loss with a turbulent 26-20 victory over the Knights at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on Sunday afternoon.

In response to a 52-10 battering from Manly on Monday, the Warriors jumped out to an early 14-0 lead in the first half but held only a two-point advantage at the break as Newcastle fought back bravely.

The Knights, without injured five-eighth Jarrod Mullen for most of the second half, mounted stern resistance despite conceding tries to Warriors duo Evarn Tuimavave and Patrick Ah Van.

Kurt Gidley's individual brilliance complemented the controlled directional play of Danny Buderus and Scott Dureau as the visitors searched for answers and came up with tries through James McManus and Wes Naiqama.

The Knights continued to press the Warriors' goal-line defence right until the death but their quest for the equalising converted try fell painfully short when Logan Swann wrapped up the ball for the hosts with 20 seconds to play.

Naiqama's late try completed a double for the prolific former Dragons centre, while Ryan Shortland marked a dream debut for the Warriors with a brace of tries in the opening 40 minutes.

The Warriors' victory was their second at home this season while the Knights must regroup after suffering consecutive narrow defeats.

Gidley was outstanding for the Knights with 157 metres gained and a superb effort to set up Naiqama's second, while the key defensive trio of Buderus, Chris Houston and Daniel Tolar incredibly racked up 33 tackles apiece.

Veteran Warriors' forward and stand-in skipper Ruben Wiki ran hard for 148 metres from his 11 hit-ups, while five-eighth Michael Witt produce seven kicks in play in addition to five goals from six attempts.

Warriors: 26 (R Shortland 2, E Tuimavave, P Ah Van tries; M Witt 4 conversions, penalty goal) defeated Knights: 20 (W Naiqama 2, C Paterson, J McManus tries; K Gidley 2 conversions) Read more Yahoo Sport

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Balmain Tigers close to collapse By Heath Gilmore - Sporting legends are rallying to save Balmain Tigers Leagues Club from imminent collapse. Dawn Fraser, Ben Elias and Paul Sironen want Leichhardt Council to end three years of delays and approve redevelopment plans that would rescue the club from financial oblivion.

The club has long-standing plans to build a premises with 140 residential apartments, 39 shops and a car park on its Victoria Road, Rozelle, site.

Ms Fraser said yesterday: "I was made a life member of the club this year, which I consider one of the greatest achievements in my life, not only for me but for my family. To think that Leichhardt Council's failure to make a decision on the development could lead to the end of the Tigers just appals me."

Balmain Tigers chairman David Trodden yesterday disclosed the full extent of the club's financial plight - interest payments of $200,000 a month and a 20 per cent drop-off in poker machine revenue.

Mr Trodden said the Tigers, now in their 100th anniversary year, would fail to see it out unless a decision on the redevelopment was made by the council this month.

The collapse of the leagues club would sever one of the last ties holding the independent and financially strong Wests Tigers Football Club to its inner-west heartland, renewing calls for the joint venture team to base itself at Campbelltown.

"The club needs a decision now if we are to survive," Mr Trodden said.

"We don't want any favours, just certainty that someone will take responsibility and make a decision to decide our redevelopment and save this famous sporting club.

"Our proposed redevelopment has been subjected to an unprecedented three years of community consultation and discussion. All the issues that could be assessed by council have been, three times over. Now is the time for action.

"Council promised a decision on our future in 2007. It's now 2008 and we still have no guarantee we will get a decision. Unless we get a decision in April, we cannot guarantee that we will continue supporting any level of football, including the 120 teams and 2800 kids who play in our competition. The club also provides vital local community services and employs over 100 staff."

Leichhardt Mayor Carolyn Allen said the council had to make a decision based on the planning requirements of the community, not the financial position of the club.

She said a revised plan for the site would go on public exhibition on Wednesday, with the council to make a decision in late May or early June.

"Tigers is a great club and I am a member. But there may be other reasons for their financial position," Cr Allen said.

"There have been major issues with traffic and overshadowing, with the club proposing something much larger than originally discussed with our planners.

"The Tigers wanted the Planning Minister [Frank Sartor] to call the project in last December. He thought we had been too slow but has been happy with our progress since then."

State MP for Balmain Verity Firth said: "Of course any development needs to be very carefully assessed and the community's views heard and considered. But three years is too long and has clearly led to great uncertainty for both the Tigers and the community."

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I'm happy to say normal service has been resumed - Phil Gould - It's not uncommon for grand finalists from one season to make a slow start to the next.

Grand final hangover, they call it. The implication is that both outfits are still full of champagne and have supposedly taken a lot longer than other teams to rip into their pre-season preparations.

This is not true, of course, but mediocre performances in the opening weeks of the premiership seem to be the norm.

It appears as though success makes them a little soft and they can't seem to find the same motivation and energy they showed only a few months earlier.

This year the two top teams produced similar scenarios, which soon had tongues wagging that these could be the beginnings of rapid falls from grace.

The Manly Sea Eagles lost their opening two games to average opponents and the Melbourne Storm, after a cheap victory over the Warriors in game one, stumbled to losses in rounds two and three.

Two weeks ago Manly couldn't attack to save their lives and the loss of playmaker Michael Monaghan was seemingly coming back to haunt them.

Despite a desperately unlucky one-point loss to the Sharks and a hard-fought, four-point loss in the wet to the Roosters, some experts claimed the defending premiers might have lost their edge and with it their air of invincibility.

I am happy to say, however, normal service has now been resumed.

In the case of the Storm, the defending premiers always find it tough early on.

For a start, they are the premiers. Everyone lifts to play them and, until they actually taste the extra intensity, it's hard for a coach to prepare them for the onslaught.

Secondly, there's the often overlooked fact that the team of 17 that plays together and wins the grand final never plays together again.

The Storm played the opening weeks of this season without several of their grand final heroes. In their place come a handful of youngsters who did not win the title but are now being asked to defend it.

In essence, it's a whole new team. A team that needs time to develop their own style, character and personality. The problem is they will be judged by the fans and media in comparison to the champion side that won the title.

The major thing for a coach to guard against is placing unrealistic demands on the new team members, asking that they replicate the skills of those they have replaced.

On Friday night in Melbourne, the 2008 version of the Storm finally emerged from darkness and blew the unbeaten Broncos off the park.

It was impressive.

Hooker Cam Smith led his forwards with a dynamic assault on the advantage line and the Storm had no trouble advancing the ball all night.

This gave playmaker Cooper Cronk room to move and set his outside men alight. The ball movement was scintillating and the number of players in motion on every play gave them plenty of options to exploit their confused opponents.

Three tries to left wing Anthony Quinn demonstrated how the Storm targeted and destroyed the inexperienced Broncos' right-hand defence.

The quality of this performance showed that the losses in previous weeks were more a matter of a slow development rather than any oversight or lack of effort in their physical and mental approach.

Rest assured, the Melbourne Storm are back and, with just an even share of luck in running, they are again the team to beat.

Manly's return to form in their 46-point thrashing of the Warriors on Monday night was a victory for smart coaching. Full marks to Des Hasler.

In the opening two rounds, the Manly attack spluttered along like a lawnmower running on dirty fuel.

Manly again experimented with a halves combination of Matt Orford and Jamie Lyon. Someone in the place appears determined to prove that Lyon is a No.6. It has never worked before and it failed again.

Lyon is a talented footballer but he is not a playmaker, and he certainly isn't robust enough to be making the 30 tackles a game today's five-eighths are generally forced to make.

Manly's attempts to create a two-pass, second-receiver attacking game reminiscent of their halcyon days with the great No.6 Cliff Lyons calling the shots fell well short of the mark.

Hasler's response was swift.

He returned Lyon to his favourite left-centre position. He shortened the Manly attacking game to half-field football.

By this, I mean that rather than set up his players on the long side of the field and start his attacking raids with two long passes of the football, Hasler directed his forwards to charge the ball to the middle of the field so his players could set up attacking formation in the half-fields either side of the posts. From this position Orford could choose either side of the field to attack and brilliant fullback Brett Stewart would follow his lead.

Of course, Orford and Stewart favoured the left side of the field on most occasions to give the dangerous Lyon plenty of opportunities.

The result? Three tries to left winger Michael Robertson and three to Stewart signalled that the Sea Eagles had also found their rhythm. Problem solved!

When Manly put the cleaners through the Rabbitohs at Brookvale Oval this afternoon they will join the Storm on four competition points and both teams will be sitting comfortably in the middle of the pack on the ladder, only two points from the competition leaders.

Gee, those slumps didn't last long enough, did they? Read more League HQ

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Brisbane Second Division Rugby League Wrap-up - Banyo is undefeated on 8 points in Northside 1, after they beat Mitchelton 22-14. Valleys Juniors and Deception Bay Bombers are on 7 points after Valleys had the bye and Deception Bay beat Dayboro 36-24. Pine Rivers are in fourth place on 6 points after beating Aspley 34-6. In the other matches, Sandgate Brighton beat Nundah Devils 22-16 to be on 5 points, while Normanby beat Samford 27-16.

Easts Juniors are the undefeated leaders on 8 points in Southside 1 after beating Carina 42-8. Logan Brothers beat Wynnum Manly Juniors 20-8 to be in second place on 6 points. Redlands beat Sunnybank 28-12 for Redlands, Carina and Sunnybank all to be on 2 points.

In Northside 2, Deception Bay Juniors and Valleys Juniors share the lead, on 8 points, after Deception Bay beat Pine Central 56-26 and Valleys beat Mitchelton 40 14. Arana Hills beat Burpengary 26-16 to be on 6 points. Pine Central, Mitchelton, Banyo and Northside Natives are all on 4 points after Banyo beat Aspley 38-30 and Natives beat Kallangur 32-24.

St Brendans lead the Southside 2 competition on 8 points after beating Wests Inala 24-12. Centenary St Josephs beat Logan Brothers 34-24 to be on 7 points, with Inala on 6 points. Slacks Creek, Logan Brothers and Mt Gravatt are all on 4 points, after Slacks Creek beat Carina 34-6 and Mt Gravatt beat Beenleigh Juniors 34-22. Redlands had the bye.

In Southside 3, Cannon Hill and Logan Wanderers are undefeated on 8 points after Cannon Hill beat Beenleigh 30-0 and Logan Wanderers beat Edens Landing 26-16. Sunnybank beat St Brendans 24-20 to be on 6 points. St Brendans and North Stradbroke Island share 4 points after North Stradbroke beat Wynnum Juniors 36-12.

Browns Plains and Mustangs Brothers share the competition lead in Southside 4, on 8 points, after Browns Plains beat Beenleigh Juniors 30-4 and Mustangs beat Sunnybank 26-14. Sunnybank remain on 6 points. St Brendans drew 24-all with Waterford to be on 5 points, with Waterford on 3 points. In the other match, Bulimba Valleys beat Slacks Creek 62-6.

Aspley is the leader in the Albert Bishop Shield, on 7 points, after beating Browns Plains 60-0. Arana Hills and Wynnum Juniors share 6 points, after Arana beat Wynnum 68-10. Capalaba and Easts Juniors are level on 5 points after Capalaba beat St Josephs 82-6 and Easts beat Logan Brothers 34-14.

In the Arthur Sparks Shield, Logan Brothers, Souths Juniors and Albany Creek are all on 8 points, after Logan Brothers beat Carina 50-20, Souths beat Samford 28-8 and Albany Creek beat Greenbank 30-12. Sunnybank, Samford and Waterford are on 6 points Sunnybank beat Mitchelton 24-4 and Waterford beat Arana Hills 30-22. St Josephs and Valleys share 4 points after St Josephs beat Graceville 28-24 and Valleys had the bye.  Check out our website 

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GOLD COAST 32 CANBERRA 12 - Canberra's week of woe worsened tonight with a loss to Gold Coast, further marred by a "king hit" by forward Michael Weyman.

The outclassed Raiders finished the match with 12 men, Weyman sent off for an ugly 67th-minute punch on Titans reserve Daniel Conn at Skilled Park.

Referee Ben Cummins took little time to give Weymans his marching orders after he and his fellow match officials eventually separated all 26 players who converged on the ensuing stoush.

Conn, who had just scored under the posts to seal the game at 20-6 for the home side, was forced off the field with a suspected broken nose and a nasty gash under his eye. Weyman remonstrated with Cummins before he was sent off.

"You've king hit the bloke - go,'' Cummins said.

The Coast then finished off the visitors with two late tries to end a forgettable week for the Raiders whose coach Neil Henry had announced he would leave the club for North Queensland at the end of the season.

Hard-working back-rowers Anthony Laffranchi and Mark Minichiello were both superb for the Titans, each scoring a try, while Scott Prince earned a clear points decision over rival halfback Todd Carney.

The Titans grabbed a share of the competition lead with a third win at their new home, which is quickly turning into a fortress, from as many starts.

Gold Coast dominated play for most of the encounter but were unable to break free from the determined Raiders until Conn's try, the fourth of six, set up by some Mat Rogers magic.

It was actually the Raiders who opened the scoring in the sixth minute when winger Colin Best intercepted a floating Rogers cut-out pass and ran 90m to score untouched to silence the home crowd.

But the Titans took little time to bounce back, their co-captains combining as Luke Bailey scored from a Prince bomb that Joel Monaghan failed to detonate under heavy pressure from Luke O'Dwyer.

The score remained deadlocked at 6-6 until the 22nd minute when O'Dwyer finished good lead-up work by Minichiello who stormed on to a suspect Rogers short ball and then drew fullback Bronx Goodwin.

Despite being outplayed, the Raiders threatened to wrest back the lead in the dying stages of the half with Best twice denied a second try by the video referee.

With rival winger Jordan Atkins sidelined with a leg injury, the best chance came when reserve Josh Graham left his wing for Best to stroll over from a Terry Campese cut-out but the lanky Raider put his left boot on the sideline.

GOLD COAST 32 (L Bailey L O'Dwyer A Laffranchi D Conn B Jeffery M Minichiello tries S Prince 4 goals) bt CANBERRA 12 (C Best A Purtell tries T Carney 2 goals) at Skilled Park. Referee: B Cummins. Crowd: 17,381. Read more Daily Telegraph

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Cowboys punish Eels to record maiden win - Parramatta copped the brunt of three painful defeats as the Cowboys snapped their losing streak with an emphatic 38-14 win at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday evening.

With the uncertainty surrounding the coaching post in Townsville put to rest following the appointment of Neil Henry during the week, the Cowboys expressed themselves on the field with their trademark free-flowing football.

Captain Johnathan Thurston shrugged off concerns surrounding his form with a composed performance, while the Eels failed to justify their tag as premiership favourites with a poor defensive effort.

Carl Webb, Justin Smith, Ashley Graham, Jacob Lillyman, Mark Henry and Anthony Watts crossed the tryline for the Cowboys, with Thurston adding seven goals from as many attempts to celebrate North Queensland's first win of 2008.

Webb and Smith crossed for early tries with Thurston adding the extras to set up a 12-0 lead just 10 minutes in to the first-half.

Brett Finch scored for the Eels with Luke Burt's conversion reducing the margin to six points before Ashley Graham (28th minute) and Eric Grothe (37) traded tries.

Thurston's late penalty goal extended the Cowboys' advantage to 10 points heading in to the break.

Opportunities presented themselves for both sides following the interval and with Jarryd Hayne and Eric Grothe lurking on the edges the Eels threatened to wrest the ascendancy.

But the North Queensland made the most of its chances, Thurston sending Lillyman across the line on an angled run in the 58th minute to widen the gap.

Converted tries from Henry and Watts followed for the Cowboys, the latter opening his first grade account with a try spawned from a break in open play.

Tualima Tautai's late try provided nothing but consolation points for the Eels, whose record now stands at 2-2. ABC Radio

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Sharks sink Dragons in extra time - "One penalty all game and it stood out like dog's balls and lost us the game."  St George Illawarra villain Jason Ryles summed it up perfectly after he gave away a soft penalty in just the second minute of golden point extra time that led to Luke Covell's 41m goal and Cronulla's 18-16 NRL win at ANZ Stadium.

Ryles was penalised for lying on Sharks fullback Brett Kearney too long in the tackle and Covell duly slotted the long range effort from in front of the posts.

It was a heart-breaking end for the Dragons, who led 16-12 until Sharks winger Bryson Goodwin miraculously clutched onto Greg Bird's grubber kick to score in the corner with two minutes to play.

Covell produced an abysmal sideline effort to try and win the game in regulation time, but made no mistake of his penalty attempt and thrust his arms in the air to claim the win.

Ryles was shattered he gave away a crucial penalty, but coach Nathan Brown blamed a poor defensive effort on that set of tackles that allowed the Sharks to carry the ball inside scoring range.

"Very disappointing," said Ryles.

"It was heartbreaking there at the end.

"I just tackled him and stayed on too long. I couldn't believe it when he blew it.

"I was cleaning up someone else's mess and unfortunately I got tangled up in it."

The Dragons had appeared on track for victory after Ben Hornby crossed in the 70th minute and Jamie Soward converted for a 16-12 lead.

But Sharks five-eighth Bird, in the final roll of the dice, grubbered to the corner and winger Goodwin clutched the ball from thin air to ground it within millimetres of the sideline and level scores 16-all.

Bird had earlier tried the same play on the second tackle and booted the ball out of play.

Sharks coach Ricky Stuart praised the Test star for having the courage to try again.

"There's a lot of confidence in Gregory," said Stuart.

"The first read was a bad read and the second read was why he played rep football last year.

"It made me very happy to see his next read was that he showed confidence in his ability, he showed confidence in kicking it again.

"A weaker player with attitude would have tucked it under his arm or just offloaded being a poor read."

It was a bitter end to a tough week for the Dragons, with Brown told he was no longer wanted beyond this year and Brisbane's Wayne Bennett would take over as coach.

But they started strongly as skipper Mark Gasnier put Josh Morris across in the corner in just the 13th minute.

Gasnier endured a battle royale with opposite Ben Pomeroy, both centres setting up two tries apiece.

Pomeroy put Bird over just before the hour as the Sharks claimed a 6-4 half time lead, then chipped ahead for Kearney in the 63rd minute as Covell's conversion gave Cronulla a 12-10 advantage.

But Gasnier appeared to set up the match-winner when he put Ben Hornby across in the 70th minute, only for Bird to set up Goodwin and former co-captain Ryles to give away a soft penalty on the last tackle.

The Sharks jumped to equal top of the ladder with three wins from four games, but Stuart knows they need to improve to compete with the better teams in the NRL.

"We will be a lot better football team when we can get our attack going," he said.

"You can't continually keep going through by the skin of your nose.

"It might have been ugly tonight but I'd rather have an ugly win than losing attractive. Read more Yahoo Sport

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ARL Centenary Plaque Program Update - Current Bulldogs director and former Test international Paul Dunn holds fond memories of Bathurst Sportsground which he today helped honour with an Australian Rugby League centenary plaque.

Dunn, who unveiled the centenary plaque at today's Under-18 Western Region trials at Carrington Park, recalled the heartbreak of a grand final loss at the ground which first hosted a Rugby League match in 1913.

"I grew up playing my junior footy at grounds like [Carrington Park] and I actually played an Under-18 grand final at the Bathurst Sportsground," Dunn said today.

"It was 1981 and I was playing for Bathurst Railway. We played in all three grand finals on the day and we only lost the Under-18s which was the team I was playing for unfortunately.

"We dropped the ball over the line with one minute to go and ended up losing 17-14."

Dunn said there were many more good memories had at his hometown's two famous grounds before going on to a successful first-grade career with Easts, Canterbury, Penrith and Parramatta.

"I remember coming to watch the 1979 grand final between Cowra and Bathurst Charlestowns and there was just so much atmosphere on the day," Dunn said.

"It's great that there is a plaque here to recognise the two grounds because they have played a big part in the history of country Rugby League."

Country Rugby League Vice President Paul Rossiter was also on hand to unveil today's plaque, which is mounted at Carrington Park - the ground that replaced the Sportsground as the town's major Rugby League venue in 1984.

"Bathurst is and has been the premier venue for Rugby League in Group 10 for many years and the centenary plaque is something that pays tribute to countless grand finals, group divisional and international games played here," Rossiter said.

Today's plaque unveiling in Bathurst is one of three for the Group 10 region, with Orange's Wade Park and Oberon's Sportsground set to be honoured later this month.

The NSW country town of Griffith will have its local ground and leagues club commemorated with a centenary plaque later today and Ourimbah's Bill Sohier Park tomorrow afternoon.

Centenary plaque unveilings are set to continue throughout the year in NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Northern Territory, Victoria and Western Australia, honouring sites of historical significance to Rugby League. ARL Online

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Merry-go-round makes coaches sitting ducks By Stuart Honeysett - Some changes are not necessarily for the better. Take the NRL's decision two years ago to scrap the June 30 anti-tampering deadline. It was designed to bring an end to clubs flaunting the rules by driving player negotiations underground.

Instead, like the proverbial rock being tossed into a pond, it has created a ripple effect that is hurting the game. One of those ripples is the coaching merry-go-round that has blighted the code for the past couple of seasons. Coaches are now forced into making early decisions about their futures so clubs can get on the front foot over player recruitment.

This week, Canberra coach Neil Henry confirmed he would move to North Queensland next year. The following day Brisbane's Wayne Bennett was announced as coach of St George Illawarra from 2009.

Although both moves had been foreshadowed, they could still leave a sour taste in the mouths of Raiders and Broncos fans for the rest of the season.

Then there is the fate of the coaches left behind. Cowboys coach Graham Murray knew he had no future in Townsville after being told his contract wouldn't be renewed long before Henry was appointed. Nathan Brown learned of his fate this week after the Dragons signed Bennett.

How will their teams cope with the news? Who is now responsible for recruitment and retention? How can one coach be effectively looking after two clubs?

It isn't over yet. The Bulldogs are yet to make a decision on the future of Steve Folkes. The Broncos are still searching for a replacement for Bennett and have identified Melbourne's Craig Bellamy as a prime target.

It is a unique situation that seems the domain of rugby league, although the NSW Waratahs have decided to cut Ewen McKenzie adrift after this season.

The AFL doesn't appear to have a problem with coaches signing with rival clubs mid-season. Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos said as much when he used his weekly newspaper column yesterday to take a swipe at both rugby codes over the issue.

Is the current set-up a good look for the game? According to Newcastle coach Brian Smith, who has lived through it, the answer is no.

Smith went through the experience when his former club Parramatta made an early call in November 2005 that they wouldn't renew his contract past the 2006 season.

Smith only lasted until May of that year before he decided enough was enough. The cracks had started to appear by that stage. Halfback Tim Smith and hooker Mark Riddell were in hot water for turning up drunk to a training session. The Eels were second last on the ladder and struggling for form. Smith was losing his grip on the team.

"I'd stress that every one of those situations is individual and should only be assessed by the people that are in it," Smith said.

"Mine was unpleasant. In the end, my job was always about having to make hundreds of decisions about whether a player is the right fit for the team, whether players are the right fit for the club on a contract basis, etc, etc.

"I'd always looked at it the same way for myself: was I the right man for the job?

"I felt like I wasn't and I think I was proven right in the end. When I stood aside the results of how the team went from that point on improved, so I made a good decision."

Smith said a lack of regulation governing player movement was contributing to the situation, given the coach of a club featured prominently in most contract discussions.
"We're only three rounds into the comp and we've already seen players that have made decisions about where they're going to be playing next year," Smith said.

"There are dozens of others that have been made and haven't come out yet, or are about to be made. And one of the questions the players all want to know is, who is the coach going to be?

"So while you've got players as free agents you've got pressure on clubs to make decisions about who's going to be their coach for the following year."

Penrith coach Matthew Elliott went through it in 2006 after announcing he would leave Canberra for the Panthers at the end of that season.

Whereas Smith had his decision made for him by the club, Elliott was in control after deciding to take the offer from Penrith.

While the Eels struggled until Smith was replaced by Jason Taylor, Elliott's Raiders marched on to the finals.

Could the same situation unfold this year?

Bennett took charge of his own destiny after telling Brisbane he wanted out of the final year of his contract and the Broncos have started the year strongly.

The club made the decision for Murray and the Cowboys are still searching for their first win this season and playing like a team unlikely to turn things around against the Eels in Townsville tonight.

Does taking the decision off a coach effectively emasculate him for the rest of the year?

"It's too hard to generalise," Elliott said. "Each individual coach has a different reason for making the decision. That's not the issue. It's when the decisions are being made.

"It didn't affect me. The only thing that affected me was other people's perceptions of it. Players had it covered. They knew me well and nothing changed, so internally it didn't impact."

Elliott has been a long-time advocate of a player transfer window, allowing clubs a brief period each season to conduct contract negotiations.

"I think you look at the most professional sports in the world and look at how they regulate their player movement," Elliott said.

"There's plenty of good models there, because I don't believe ours is working."

Some critics believe the game should adopt a draft similar to the AFL, but this has already failed in league after a court ruled it was a restraint of trade.

NRL chief executive David Gallop said yesterday any moves to resurrect one would have made it difficult for Melbourne's Israel Folau to return home to his family in Brisbane, and therefore would be bad for the game.

While agreeing the system isn't perfect and the coaching movement unusual, he maintains it is better than the days of the June 30 deadline, when the backroom deals that contravened the anti-tampering rules made the deadline a joke.

"It's far preferable to have all player movement happening in a transparent landscape rather than one where the game's rules were held up to ridicule," Gallop said. The Australian Read more Celtic Crusaders

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Hull FC 8-24 Bradford - Bradford scored three unanswered second-half tries to heap the pressure on second-from-bottom Hull.

After a period of early pressure, Shaun Berrigan went over from dummy-half to put Hull ahead but Chris Nero collected a Ben Jeffries pass to level.

After a penalty from either side, Matt Cook and Semi Tadulala scored twice in five minutes for the Bulls.

Cook crossed from dummy-half and Tadulala in the corner before forward Sam Burgess barged over late on.

The result lifts Bradford into joint second in the Super League table, although the remainder of the top four have yet to play this weekend.

But injury-hit Hull have now won just two of their 10 fixtures, collecting only five points, and the result increases the pressure on coach Peter Sharp.

The Bulls' preparations had not been helped by the withdrawal of David Solomona - and with Willie Manu in top form Hull started strongly.

Manu barged through several tackles before offloading into the arms of Bradford's Paul Sykes.

And it took an interception from Wayne Godwin to cut out a Kirk Yeaman pass after another break from Manu before Berrigan eventually scored.

The home team lost momentum after Richard Horne left the field with an arm injury and the Bulls levelled two minutes before the break.

Bradford were dominant after the interval and Paul Sykes should have scored after a break from Burgess, but he was dragged away from the line by Yeaman.

However, the match was over as a contest after the scores from Cook and Tadulala, who went over after neat work from Burgess and Nero.

Hull coach Peter Sharp, "I saw some really encouraging signs, but at the moment we can't sustain it for long enough.

"We let teams off the hook all the time - and you just can't do that.

"Bravery is not a quality we lack but we need to roll up our sleeves. We need to be mentally tougher."

Bradford coach Steve McNamara, "Things just aren't going for Hull at the minute.

"I really feel for their coach. I think he's a super bloke, a super coach - and I think he's got a super side when he's got everyone back on the field.

"I think people need to lay off him - and you'll see how good Hull FC will be as the season goes on."

Hull FC (6) 8
Try: Berrigan
Goals: Tickle 2

Bradford (6) 24
Tries: Nero, Cook, Tadulala, Burgess
Goals: Deacon 4 Read more BBC Online

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Brett Kenny says 'don't let Smith play' - Matt Marshall
EELS legend Brett Kenny has launched a stinging attack on troubled Parramatta halfback Tim Smith, saying the club is only playing him in first-grade to save face.

Kenny, who previously called for his former club to sack Smith due to alcohol-related off-field issues, believes Eels officials are embarrassed to trot Smith out in park football because of his NRL contract worth over $200,000 a season.

He says that, rather than Smith's value to the Eels, led to his NRL recall in round 3 after a fortnight with Sydney club side Wentworthville.

Smith will face Cowboys star Johnathan Thurston in Townsville tonight after a modest return last weekend.

"I reckon they've brought Tim Smith in because he's on a lot of money," Kenny said. "They can't stand the thought of him getting $200,000 to be running around in park footy. I wouldn't have Tim Smith there. I can't understand it."

Despite the fact Smith and halves partner Brett Finch guided the Eels to a preliminary final appearance last season, Kenny argues there's no place for the pair in the same NRL line-up.

He believes Finch, who played No. 7 for the opening two rounds, deserves the halfback spot alongside boom Tongan Feleti Mateo - who has been shifted to lock after beginning the season at five-eight alongside Finch.

"Personally, I couldn't have Brett Finch and Tim Smith in the same side," Kenny said. "They're very similar players.

"Both like to have control of the game and I think Brett Finch has done enough, so he shouldn't have been moved from that position. I would have kept him at halfback." Read more Courier Mail

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Future of Welsh Rugby League unveiled - The future of Welsh rugby league was formally unveiled at the Brewery Field, the home of the Celtic Crusaders, last week.

Crusaders' Head Coach John Dixon and Football Manager / Assistant Coach Anthony Seibold officially launched the new player pathways that will allow young Welsh talent to fulfill their potential.

The new scheme will see the introduction of seven 'Geographical' Home Grown Squads spread throughout Wales.

These squads will be made up of 24 identified players between the ages of 12 and 16 and will be under the direct supervision of the Crusaders Player Performance Manager and Area coordinators.

From these squads the identified 'elite' players will become part of the Celtic Crusaders Scholarship programme or 'Elite Home Grown' squad. This squad will be made up of 12 Elite players in each age group with direct supervision from the Celtic Crusaders coaching staff and be based at the Crusaders' ground.

These players will pass through the age groups with the guidance of the Crusaders coaching staff, Player Performance Managers and Geographical Area coordinators into the under-18 Crusaders Colts team, through to the planned reserves/under 21 team and ultimately into the Celtic Crusaders first team squad and Welsh honours.

Last Tuesday, 50 junior rugby league players from the length and breadth of Wales aged between 13 and 15 were invited to attended the launch and took part in a training session that was run by John Dixon and assistant coach Anthony Seibold, while their parents watched from the Grandstand.

These 50 players were identified by the Club as potential future stars of the game via the Crusaders National Schools Competitions and Wales Rugby League Conference Junior Leagues.

Following the hour-long training session, a 45-minute question and answer session about the future of Celtic Crusaders was held with the parents in one of the Brewery Field's hospitality suites after the DVD that accompanied the Crusaders' Super League application was shown on the big screen.

The Welsh club, that has applied to join Super League for 2009, has made it clear that the development of young players is at the heart of plans going forward.

Anthony Seibold said: "From the moment the club was formed, a little over two years ago, we have always maintained that the incredible young rugby talent here in Wales would be at the heart of the future of the Crusaders.

"We are in a privileged position in being able to draw from such a huge pool of talent and with seven separate development squads we believe we will be able to find and develop exceptional rugby league players. This is one distinct advantage we have over other teams competing for a licence in next year's Super League.

"We have a pathway for kids to come through the Crusaders development system wherever they come from in Wales and play for the Crusaders in the Super League. It has taken a lot of effort to get to the stage where we can launch such a comprehensive player pathway, but it has been worth the wait.

"To have over 120 kids and parents attending the launch was fantastic. Everyone walked away knowing that there is a pathway and a future for Welsh children in professional rugby league. The Crusaders have a great future and these children will play a vital role in that. There is something very exciting going on down here in Wales." Read more Celtic Crusaders

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BARLA News Update - Due to incompatibility between BARLA and Rugby League personnel, the BARLA Board of Management following a Strategy Meeting on Sunday 11th November agreed to ask the Rugby League Services to relocate.  On Thursday 15th November Rugby League Services were asked to relocate from the BARLA Offices, West Yorkshire House, Huddersfield. This was as per the terms of the agreement made by BARLA and the Rugby Football League on the Friday 4th May 2007.
Read more BARLA

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Catalans Dragons 28 defeated Huddersfield 16 - Jamal Fakir scored his first try for almost two years to help Catalans Dragons extend their best-ever run in Super League and climb into the top six on Friday night.

The Dragons came from 12-4 down and held off a late fightback from Huddersfield to win 20-16 - their third away victory of the season which extended their unbeaten run to five matches.

Jamahl Lolesi scored the only try of a dour first half for the Giants and Ryan Hudson extended the hosts' advantage with another try just after the break.

However, the Dragons hit back straight away with French Test prop David Ferriol proving unstoppable from five metres out.

Thomas Bosc, who impressed with the boot, then went over to put his side in front for the first time and Fakir gave the visitors a cushion when he charged down Chris Thorman's attempted clearance and re-gathered to touch down.

Darrell Griffin reduced the deficit with the third Giants try before the game finished on a controversial note when Giants scrum-half Luke Robinson appeared to have the ball stolen in a two-man tackle after being pulled down short of the line but referee Richard Silverwood awarded a scrum to the visitors. Read more Sporting Life

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Storm score 28-8 triumph over Broncos Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett called on the NRL to make a stand on the controversial chicken-wing tackle after Melbourne prop Adam Blair was placed on report for wrenching the arm of Michael Ennis.

The incident soured an otherwise impressive 28-8 victory for the Storm, who snapped a two-game losing streak and ended Brisbane's perfect start to the season.

Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer finished the match on the bench again nursing his sore knee, although club doctor Matt Hislop said the joint was not unstable and the surgery remained intact.

Blair was reported by referee Jared Maxwell in the 54th minute after pinning and twisting the left arm of Ennis, who was in considerable pain.

"What I'd like the league to let everybody know in no uncertain terms is that the game is not going to tolerate what we've spent the last 12 months going through, or the last three years, until it became farcical in the end," said Bennett.

"The game is not about wrestling holds and technique, the game is about tackling technique.

"And if you don't tackle somebody properly then the game has either got to rub you out with suspensions or rub the tackle out.

"Because I tell you what's going to happen - in a month's time everybody's going to be doing it, as happened with the grapple tackle."

Storm coach Craig Bellamy admitted the Blair incident did not look good, but he again insisted that the Storm did not teach their players to deliberately target opponents' arms in the tackle.

"If you think we teach our players to grab their arms in the tackle or tackle the opposition's arm, that would be ridiculous," he said.

"But Blairy is in a situation there where if he didn't get a hold of that arm he was gone.

"(Ennis) was sort-of behind him when he grabbed hold of it.

"The referee has taken action and we'll just see what comes of it."

"I have no problem with the league taking a stand, but I'm telling you now we don't practice that tackle," added Bellamy.

"It would be ridiculous to say that we go out with a tackle technique of grabbing people's arms as the first contact.

Winger Anthony Quinn scored a hat-trick of tries for the Storm as the Broncos lost for the first time in four matches.

With Queensland coach Mal Meninga watching from the stands, Melbourne fullback Billy Slater made another bid for a Maroons recall with a flawless display.

Slater set up the Storm's first try for Quinn with a perfectly timed wrap-around pass in the eighth minute and had a hand in many of the home side's best attacking moves.

Melbourne went 12-4 ahead in the 20th minute when Bronco-to-be Israel Folau outjumped Denan Kemp to claim a Cooper Cronk bomb.

Winger Reece Robinson finally got the Broncos on the scoreboard with a four-pointer in the 31st minute.

But Melbourne went to the interval leading 18-4 after Robinson made a hash of another Cronk bomb, allowing Ryan Hoffman to score.

Lockyer got his team back into the contest by setting David Stagg up for a try in the right-hand corner five minutes after the Blair incident.

Quinn iced the match for the Storm with near-identical tries in the left-hand corner in the 67th and 73rd minutes, with centre Will Chambers supplying the final pass on both occasions.

Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith had a great night with the boot, converting four of the Storm's five tries, while Ennis was nought-from-two for Brisbane.

The comprehensive victory meant Melbourne had now outscored Brisbane 142-22 in their last five matches at Olympic Park. Read more Yahoo Sport

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Mason haunts Dogs upon Homebush return Willie Mason scored two tries in the first match against his former club as the Roosters pummelled the Bulldogs 40-12 at Sydney's Olympic stadium on Friday evening.

The so-called grudge match failed to live up to its billing as the Roosters romped to their third victory from the opening four rounds with a seven tries to two drubbing.

The Roosters lined up with four players from the Bulldogs' 2004 premiership-winning side in Mason, Mark O'Meley, Nate Myles and Braith Anasta.

Mason in particular attracted plenty of attention from gun Bulldogs forwards Sonny Bill Williams and Lee Te Maari, but produced the ultimate response with a try either side of half-time.

The State of Origin and Test forward was at his brutal best, running damaging angles in attack with 14 hit-ups and two line breaks in addition to his try double.

The Roosters' halves pairing of Mitchell Pearce and Braith Anasta controlled the visitors' go-forward with a neat combination of lateral ball movement and kicks a testament to Brad Fittler's tutelage.

Pearce, Amos Roberts, Craig Fitzgibbon, Setaimata Sa and Shaun Kenny-Dowall all crossed the tryline for the Roosters, who at 20-0 ahead had the game well under control at the interval.

Fitzgibbon levelled five conversions and a penalty goal for the Roosters, while for the Bulldogs Ben Roberts and Corey Hughes posted tries with Hazem El Masri adding four points from the boot.

Roosters: 40 (W Mason 2, M Pearce, A Roberts, C Fitzgibbon, S Sa, S Kenny-Dowall tries; C Fitzgibbon 5 conversions, penalty goal) Bulldogs: 12 (B Roberts, C Hughes tries; H El Masri 2 conversions)
Read more Yahoo Sport

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