Tooheys New John I Dent Cup Preview: Round 7

Saturday, 4 July, 2009

Kick-off times:
First Grade: 3.05pm
Reserve Grade: 1.40pm
Colts: 12.15pm
Third Grade 12.15pm
Fourth Grade: 10.55am

Match of the Round:

Queanbeyan (4) v Wests (2) at Campese Field, Queanbeyan

Wallaby lock Peter Kimlin returns to the Wests line-up this weekend for their Tooheys New John I Dent Cup Match of the Round against Queanbeyan at Campese Field.

Kimlin’s return from the Wallabies’ domestic Test season squad is the only change to the Wests pack. Inside centre Harry Guinness has again been included in the Lions’ backline while Peter Sutton joins the side on the wing after fullback Ben Tyler opted to undergo season-ending surgery.

Scrumhalf Peter Raines will be looking to continue his try-scoring spree after the Wests half crossed for a hatrick in the side’s 50-33 win over Gungahlin a fortnight ago.

Queanbeyan, currently in fourth place, can jump to second on the competition table with a win on Saturday. The reigning premier’s cause has been assisted by the return of No.8 Seilala Lam and inside centre Robbie Coleman from the Australian Under 20’s campaign at the IRB Junior World Championship in Japan.

Lock Darren Bully and winger Dan Yakapo are also back for the Whites.

Queanbeyan: 1. Nathaniel Iona, 2. Anthony Hegarty, 3. Adam Hastings, 4. Matt Hirst, 5. Darren Bully, 6. Tim MacNamara, 7. Daniel Penca, 8. Lala Lam, 9. James Stannard, 10. Johnny Kevin, 11. Jamie Marmont, 12. Robbie Coleman, 13. Tyler Stevens, 14. Dan Yakapo, 15. Josh Hastings

Wests: 1. Richard Tabalutu, 2. Travis Ford, 3. Lachie Ferguson, 4. Peter Kimlin, 5. Ben Miller, 6. Aaron McInnnes, 7. Luke Roughton, 8. Jarrett Budworth, 9. Peter Raines, 10. Gus McKerchar, 11. Leon Baigent, 12. Harry Guinness, 13. Adrian Turner, 14. Peter Sutton, 15. Joe Matthews
Referee: Nathan Kearns

Royals (1) v Easts (7) at Phillip Oval, Phillip

With five bonus-point wins from as many starts, Royals will be determined to complete the first half of the season undefeated this weekend.

Standing in their way is an Easts side, who, despite still searching for their first win of the year, have begun to show considerable improvement in their past two outings.

Easts, under the guidance of new coach and former Brumbies Academy mentor John Ross, pushed Uni-Norths to the final siren in their last encounter, conceding a try on fulltime to lose 35-32.

Flanker Henry Vanderglas was outstanding for the tri-colours in a losing side, scoring two tries and had he not received a first half yellow card – at which point the Owls ran in 17 points a ten-minute period – the result could have been very different. Inside centre Jimmy Crompton was also strong for the Griffith-based club scoring 22 of their 32 points.

Royals return from a two-week lay-off following their regular and competition byes. The Phillip club has made a number of positional changes within their forward pack while prop Kesomi Lolotonga returns from the Australian squad for the IRB Junior World Championship.

Royals: 1. Kesomi Lolotonga, 2. Eugene Mulipola, 3. Jay Cash, 4. Sitaleki Timani, 5. Kerian Greialish, 6. Willie Taufoou, 7. Joe Kolokihakaufisi, 8. Sokai Tai, 9. Tim Ferrari, 10. Craig McMahon, 11. Junior Lafaele, 12. Tim Cornforth, 13. AJ Abel, 14. Jason Swain, 15. Henry Stowers

Easts: 1. Tom Ringland, 2. Reza Almasi, 3. Sean Casey, 4. Tom McGregor, 5. Byron O’Dell, 6. Henry Vanderglas, 7. Jack Vanderglas, 8. Mauri Keiserie, 9. Phil Coulter, 10. Jon Burgess, 11. Matt Farnes, 12. Jimmy Crompton, 13. Nathan Elwood, 14. Nate Lowers, 15. Adi Ison
Referee: Sam Christophersen

Gungahlin (5) v Tuggeranong (3) at Nicholls Enclosed Oval, Nicholls

Gungahlin face a near ‘must win’ encounter if they are to maintain touch with the top four leading into the second half of the competition.

Gungahlin sit six points adrift of Tuggeranong and Queanbeyan, who share third/fourth place on 21 points.

The Eagles have lost the services of Jimmy Campbell for the season after the tighthead prop sustained a knee injury in their 50-33 loss to Wests. Andrew Webber will fill the void in the front row while outside centre Matt Hawke has been included for his first top grade match of the season after returning from injury.

Tuggeranong will look to consolidate their place in the top four following a surprise last round loss to Queanbeyan

Former Namibian World Cup representative Emile Wessels receives his second first grade start for the year while Scott Irwin replaces Julian Salvi at blindside flanker, after the CA Brumbies loose forward signed with UK club, Bath.

Gungahlin: 1. Derek Leefe, 2. Matt Hogan, 3. Andrew Webber, 4. Tom O’Sullivan, 5. Jack Cuzner, 6. Tim Donnellan, 7. Brendan O’Neill, 8. Ben McGee, 9. Anthony Dawes, 10. Sean Connochie, 11. Kurt Mulcahy, 12. Tevita Halaifonua, 13. Matthew Hawke, 14. Daniel Callaghan, 15. Tyronne Anderson

Tuggeranong: 1. Sione Taula, 2. Michael Henry, 3. Uelinotoni Tu’ulakitau, 4. Chris Slack, 5. Chris Boon, 6. Scott Irwin, 7. Colby Faingaa, 8. Marty O’Brien, 9. Beau Mokotupu, 10. Jeremy Te Huia, 11. Jake Knight, 12. Emile Wessels, 13. Edward Stubbs, 14. Brendan Taueki, 15. Tim Curran
Referee: Andrew Crozier

Uni-Norths (6) – BYE