Brighton are atop the Premier Grade ladder for the first time in 2023 while Burnside’s winning streak stretched to five after a rollicking Round 8 in RUSA.
Flanker Samuel Glancy, lock Suliano Mainavolau and fullback Jordan Craig (two tries apiece) lead the Tigers’ charge against Onkaparinga with Schalk Du Preez, Nicholas Simpson and Jaden Phillips also crossing in a 51-7 win at Wilfred Taylor Reserve.
The bonus-point victory launched last year’s premiers into pole position (31 competition points) ahead of the mid-year bye.
Fullback Troy Wilkins was Onka’s sole scorer in a tough day for the hosts, who now sit seven points outside a top four now featuring Burnside (30), Souths (29) and Old Collegians (24).
Over at Parkinson Oval, Keanu Eliepa’s boot was pivotal for Burnside with Samuela Tanaki scoring either side of halftime to spearhead a 41-33 bonus point win over Elizabeth.
Round 8 Results 🧹🧹
Posted by Brighton Rugby Union Football Club on Monday, June 5, 2023
Both sides were willing to run the ball in an 11-try shootout but the host’s class and a yellow card to Knights playmaker Viliame Namoumou cruelled the visitors’ chances of a fourth consecutive win.
Old Colls also picked up a bonus point in their 55-12 win over Woodville with centre Chris Bartlett completing his hat-trick on full time.
Meanwhile Port Adelaide ended their five-game losing streak in emphatic fashion, keeping Adelaide Uni scoreless as Yiannis Boe and Justin Danielson bagged doubles in a 46-0 thrashing at Riverside Oval.
That script was flipped in the women’s competition with Barb Low and Tayler Savage scoring two tries apiece in Uni’s 39-19 win over Port Adelaide while Souths and Woodville maintained their top-two status on the road against Barossa and Old Colls respectively.
That time of the week again. The Leader Newspaper - Barossa Valley headlines.
Posted by Barossa Rams Rugby Club on Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Souths centre Tamika McNab was the difference in a 43-28 win at Lyndoch, scoring five tries and kicking three conversions to see off a brave Rams challenge.
Meanwhile a two-try effort from Old Colls fullback Olivia Heeson wasn’t enough to drag her side home as Woodville banked a 17-10 win to skip two competition points clear of the chasing Burnside.
In the men’s Reserve Grade competition, two-try hero Sakiusa Sugumai helped Barossa maintain their top-four status with a 34-17 win over Souths.
The Rams remain 10 points adrift from first-placed Brighton, who along with Old Colls and Burnside also bagged bonus-point wins in Round 8. However, Barossa’s Third Grade outfit remain on top of their competition ladder after a seventh consecutive win with Brighton Gold, Burnside and Onkaparinga rounding out the pack leaders.
