Barker, Waverley and Trinity all claimed victories on the opening weekend of the 2021 CAS Rugby competition but there were a number of talking points to come out of the first round. 

At Hornsby, Barker scored eight tries including a double to winger Johnathon Reid in a 54-42 victory, but were pushed all the way by an impressive Cranbrook outfit, who reduced the deficit to just two scores midway through the second half. 

Barker dominated the first half and led 35-7 at the break. But Cranbrook flyhalf Oliver Torrence got his side’s attack firing in the second half, with the Eastern Suburbs side scoring three tries to bring the score to 40-26. 

Barker were able to close out the match from that point, but not before Cranbrook added a few more of their own in a high scoring shoot out. 

Cranbrook’s attack will be interesting to watch in the coming rounds, while Barker coach Dean Hargreaves will likely spend the week looking to tighten his side’s defence. 

At Queens Park, Waverley reminded the rest of the CAS competition that they are the defending premiers and a serious title threat in 2021, with an impressive 38-14 win over Knox. 

Waverley scored four unanswered tries in the first stanza, with outside back Ronan Schocher claiming a double and Klayton Thorn, Ethan Halatokoua and AJ Preketes all scoring. 

At Summer Hill, an impressive 90 metre counterattack try finished off by Kian Edmed helped Trinity claim a 22-5 victory over Aloys. 

Aloys played with a strong wind behind them in the first half and controlled territory nicely, before Hunter Hannaford threw a nice cup out ball to Theo Kidd who scored Trinity’s first five pointer. 

Kidd scored his second shortly after the break, but Aloys hit back through Tom Wood to trail 10-5. 

Flyhalf Hunter Hannaford extended his side’s lead with a try from a quick tap, before Edmed landed the final blow with a long range counterattack try.

Trinity host Knox next Saturday and coach Mick Snowden will be eager for his side to build on their second half performance. 

Elsewhere, Waverley host Cranbrook in the Eastern Suburbs derby and Barker travel to play Aloys.