THE NSW Country Cockatoos, which involves Shoals’ duo Aaron Louden and Alex Wilson, have posted another impressive 31–17 five tries to three win over NSW Suburban to reclaim the Maher Ross Cup in their annual clash at Latham Park, South Coogee on Saturday.
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The score-line was the biggest winning margin in the six year history of the Maher Ross Cup, and now sees both Unions sharing the honour of holding the Cup on three occasions which is named in honour of former Presidents of NSW Country and NSW Suburban Laurie Maher and Ian Ross.
Subbies had first use of a strong wind, but they failed to capitalise on the conditions which saw their usual reliable kicker miss two long range penalty attempts in the first 10 minutes.
Country posted the first score of the match when centre Filisione Pauta stripped his opposite number on the Cockatoos’ twenty two and race fifty metres down field before he was rounded up by the Subbies defence.
A quick recycle and hands across the fill in back line saw flanker Michael Howe take the final pass dash twenty five metres down the sideline to cross in the corner for an unconverted try for the Cockatoos to take a 5-nil lead.
Subbies continued to pump the ball into the Cockatoos half and five minutes later they closed the gap to 5-3 when Country was penalised at the breakdown, and their five eight Dan Kelly kicked a close range penalty goal.
Country responded to the score and went on the attack from the restart and mounted a lot of pressure in the Subbies half, which should have resulted in two scoring opportunities, but on both occasions the final pass was put down.
At the 30 minute mark the Cockatoos were finally rewarded when a line out win on the Subbies twenty two saw debut winger Sioni Halanukonuka chime in and step his way through the defence to take out the score to 12-3.
The remainder of the half saw the Cockatoos on the attack but they couldn’t breach the Subbies defence and the teams went to the half time break with the Cockatoos holding a nine point lead.
The second half opened with Subbies lifting the tempo, and after a string of penalties against Country the referee lost his patience and sent Cockatoos flanker Paul Tuala to the sin bin.
It didn’t take long for Subbies to capitalise on this advantage and within minutes their hooker Dan Farrell charged over following a series of pick and drives close to the Cockatoos line.
The ensuing conversion saw the score-line close to 12-10, and it was game on as Subbies were back in the match with their tails up.
Country weathered the storm and ten minutes later were the next to score when centre Simon Newtown finished off a move from a scrum win close to the Subbies line, and with the conversion the Cockatoos had re-established their nine point lead.
The match was swinging in the favour of the Cockatoos, and they lifted the intensity and started to apply pressure in all facets of play, especially the scrum and lineout.
A line out five metres from the Subbies line saw Country drive a maul over the line for Paul Tuala to score a converted try, and the score-line had jumped out to 24-10.
Country continued to mount pressure and five minutes later after a series of pick and drives at the line No 8 Joe Akkersdyk charged over for a converted try and the score had increased to 31-10.
Subbies then started to chance their arm, and on the back of some open running and good support play they tested the Cockatoos defence, and on two occasions they got over the line, but the scrambling Country defence held them up.
In the dying stages of the match Cockatoos five-eight Ben Damen was sent to the sin bin for an intentional foul, and right on full time Subbies worked a play close to the line down the blind side for replacement winger Pat Simpson to cross for a converted try to make the final score 31-17.
Players to stand out in an all-round team performance were Centre Filisione Pauta, Five Eight Ben Damen, Flanker Michael Howell, Prop Alain Miriallakis, Hooker Steve Lamont and Winger Sioni Halanukonuka.
The Cockatoos will now reassemble in Toowoomba next Friday in preparation for their last match of the season against traditional rivals Queensland Country on Saturday, 2 July which will see the “Battle of the Borders Cup” up for grabs.
NSW Country Cockatoos – 31 Joe Akkersdyk, Sioni Halanukonuka, Michael Howell, Simon Newton & Paul Tuala Tries Ben Damen 3 Conversions. Defeated NSW Suburban – 17 Dan Farrell & Pat Simpson Tries, Dan Kelly Penalty Goal and 2 Conversions.