DEWAR SHIELD
Harlequin has experienced their second loss of the season as the battle for Finals spots heated up in Round 15 of the Dewar Shield.
Top of the table Harlequin hosted Power House, going down to the visitors 10-23 in a tough contest.
Power House, who now sit in fourth on the Dewar Shield Ladder, were able to hold back the usually fierce attack of Harlequin who have scored at least 30 points in all but two of their 11 wins this year.
Winger Albert Aiolupotea was best on field for Power House with two tries, while Shane Kilgour and Makesi Stowers also stood out in the victory.
Even with the loss, Harlequin’s forwards continued to excel with Jack De Guingand, Olajuwon Noa and Junior Manase all named amongst the best for the home side.
The win for Power House means that they now sit three points clear in fourth position, however they will need to ensure they maintain their good form in the coming weeks to secure their spot in the finals.
Southern Districts are one step closer to claiming a finals position after a prolific win over Footscray in this week’s Match of the Round.
Southern Districts took out an early lead with the first three tries of the match, however Footscray were able to claw their way back in wet and windy conditions, taking a 21-20 lead late in the game.
A last gasp effort from Southern Districts saw the Pirates score the final try of the match, resulting in a 21-25 victory.
Rawri Garmonsway, Barry Tehiko and Mike Tahitua were best on ground for Southern Districts, with Rebels’ full back Jason Woodward also playing a defining role in the match, let down only by his goal kicking in the stormy conditions.
Ikuna Tukuofa, Keisuke Yamada and Tuipine Apineru all featured amongst Footscray’s best.
The win brings Southern Districts up to 46 points, one point behind fifth placed Footscray on 47 points.
Highlights from the match can be seen on “Rugby Time”, this Wednesday at 9pm on Channel 31.
Melbourne travelled out to Endeavour Hills, recording an emphatic 7-73 victory.
Eight individual players crossed the line for Melbourne, with Mitch Andrews the only multiple try scorer. Chris Slade once again displayed his kicking accuracy with nine conversions from nine attempts.
Fred Austen, Peter Tie Tie and Karl Balemi all had excellent games for Melbourne, while Milfi Taeleipu, Junior Paila and Quinten Williams stood out for Endeavour Hills.
Last placed Box Hill were hopeful of recording their first victory of the season, hosting seventh placed Melbourne University, however this was not to be, with University leaving with a 7-39 win.
Siologa Leota, Byton Creighton and James Yates were best on field for Melbourne University in their fourth win of the season, while Rory Featherstone, Heinrich Muller and Melbourne Rebel Caderyn Neville all stood out for Box Hill.
Next week will be pivotal in the race for finals spots, with Power House hosting Moorabbin, Melbourne playing home to Footscray, Box Hill travelling to Endeavour Hills and Southern Districts taking on Harlequin.
SECOND DIVISION
It was first against second in Round 15 of the Second Division A grade; with ladder leaders Northern taking on second placed Geelong.
Northern reaffirmed their dominance over the competition, recording a 3-27 win, with Geelong unable to score a try against the Panther’s defense.
Miracle Paletoaga, Mona Saiu and Meki Taisi all stood out for the Panther’s in the win.
In the other A-Grade match, Melbourne hosted Eltham, taking a 15-5 win.
In the B-Grade, Geelong drew with Northern 22-22, Melbourne defeated Eltham 37-19, and Maroondah were victorious over Melton 19-5.
REGIONAL
Shepparton have recorded a massive victory over an incredibly undermanned Puckapunyal side in Round 15 of the Regional Competition.
Puckapunyal, who went into the match with only 13 players and no reserves, were unable to match the strength and dominance of the Bulls, resulting in the 142-0 scoreline.
Winger Meke Moananu was the highest try scorer with six, while Bulls Captain and full-back Leeroy Huthan-Grace had five tries to go along side his 16 conversions for the match.
Kamu Titimaea and Vaka Hafoka also played pivitol roles in the Bulls’ big win.
A positive for Puckapunyal were the games of Damien Kenard, Damien Brooks and Lewis Crothers, who were able to put on impressive performances, despite the conditions.
Bendigo celebrated a successful return to their home soil, with a comprehensive 40-5 win over Border Army.
Bendigo dominated the majority of the game, with an impressive first half display giving them a 19-0 lead at half time. Border Army found some form in the second half, scoring their only try of the match on the 70th minute mark; however Bendigo finished the game off with strength, scoring two tries in the final 10 minutes to secure the win.
Loose forward Chris Allison and prop Matt Roughley both stood out for Bendigo, while full-back Phil Keech was impressive on his senior debut.
Originally posted at http://vicrugby.com.au/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=NewsItem&NewsID=37852