Brighton continued their high-scoring antics on Saturday while Burnside, Elizabeth and Southern Suburbs jagged bonus point wins to earn top four placing for another week.
Round 5 yielded 50 tries across the four Premier Grade fixtures with the Tigers running in 14 tries to 1 against Adelaide University before the Knights (15 tries) and Burnside (11 tries) piled on points against Woodville and Port Adelaide respectively.
Speaking after his side’s 92-5 win, Brighton coach Richard Wasley paid tribute to a number of fresh faces being brought through the Tigers’ system.
“We know there’ll be tougher challenges ahead but we’r playing well and it’s given us a chance to blood a few younger guys into first grade,” Wasley said.
“It was really good to see Gareth Joseph get a run in first grade last week and I’ve emptied my bench in the past two games to give some of these teenagers and reserve grade players a taste.
“There’s been a real focus on conditioning and tackling at training – we’re belting each other on a Tuesday – and I think our defence and catch-pass have really benefited from those heavy contact sessions.”
Happy Mothers Day to all our Rugby Mums, the ones that get everyone to the game, the Mum coaches, the Mum managers, the Mum 1st aid, the Mum sideline supporters and sooo many more hats!! Thankyou 🥰
Posted by Elizabeth Rugby Union Football Club on Sunday, May 14, 2023
While Brighton, Elizabeth and Burnside enjoyed big margins, Souths’ 30-18 win over Old Collegians to stay atop the Premier Grade ladder shapes the defining result from Round 5.
Coming off their first loss of 2023 to Elizabeth, the Bulls had to make a statement against an unbeaten Old Colls and delivered on the road.
Sanevaca Ronavuso was again a hat-trick hero as Souths scored 5 tries to 2 at Tregenza Oval, backing up their impressive women’s outfit who ran out 60-0 winners earlier in the day.
Emily Symonds and Grace Bridge scored doubles while Frances Afeaki (1 try, 5 conversions) topped the scorers list in a bonus-point victory that sets upa mouth-watering clash with unbeaten rivals Woodville this weekend.
Burnside also emerged victorious in Round 5 of the women’s competition while Brighton remain clear atop both the Reserve and Third Grade ladders (Brighton Gold) after continuing their unbeaten streak.
