Who tops the try scorers and point scorers lists this week?

by Paul Cook –

It was all out action at the top of the Shute Shield try scorers list last weekend as the three leading contenders all got their names on the ‘meat’ scoresheet. James Dargaville briefly ousted Harry Bergelin from his grip on pole position when a try for Sydney Uni in Friday night’s draw with Randwick took him one five-pointer ahead of the Manly flanker and onto 12 for the season.

However, proving to be as tenacious in his fight to outscore allcomers as he is at the breakdown, Bergelin hit back with a double in Saturday’s huge clash against Eastwood to retake top spot for another week on 13 tries, although you do feel that – on current form – Dargaville’s breath may be getting just that little bit warmer on Bergelin’s neck.

Not to be outdone, Eastwood’s Nick Batger crossed for his tenth of the season in the same game at Manly Oval to stay in contention in third, while Souths’ Denny Godinet and Penrith’s Jerome McKenzie remained on eight.

Behind them lies a trio of Warringah Rats; Sireli Tagicakibau and Harry Jones both scored against Penrith to join team mate Dave Feltscheer on seven tries but it is Jones that is writing his own headlines in 2014. His first year in grade is proving to be a showreel of the 18-year-old’s talents and he certainly knows where the line is. His seven tries in 1st Grade have come mainly from the bench (he has had two starts) while he also leads the 2nd Grade listings with another 10 tries.

That’s 17 tries in his debut year with almost half a season still to go. I get the feeling we’ll be hearing plenty more about Master Jones over the next few years.

Whilst we’re giving plaudits to efforts outside the top grade, a big shout-out too for Sydney Uni winger Christian Yassmin, who has racked up an incredible 23 tries for 1st Grade colts. Well played young man.

Photos: Carl Peterson / AJF Photography / Ric McLallen / Pat Dunne / Carl Peterson

Pierre Hola’s absence from the Woodies’ 1st Grade side is starting to bite the veteran Tongan as he slips slowly down the points scorers rankings to sit fourth in the race for the Roscoe Fay Trophy. Having been ousted from the Shute Shield hotseat by Jai Ayoub, Hola has been keeping his eye in with 20pts in the Colin Caird Shield but in his absence, Dave Harvey (West Harbour), Hamish Angus (Warringah) and Rohan Saifoloi (Southern Districts) have prospered to become the leading trio.

Leader Harvey (120pts) has a bit of a gap between himself and Angus in second (104pts), both players bagging 14pts in Round Ten. Pressing hard in 3rd is last year’s winner, Saifoloi, whose 19pts for the Rebels in their victory over Easts at Woollahra Oval gave him the round’s best individual return. It looks like being a close run thing between all three for the rest of the season but if you were putting your money on someone else from outside the top four placings to feature, you could do worse than back Manly’s Dane Chisholm (74pts). He may be 20pts behind Hola but with Manly leading the way on the ladder and looking favourites to take out the Minor Premiership at least, the league convert is likely to have plenty of opportunities in the coming months to significantly add to his tally.

Photos: JYASP / Karen Watson / PL6 Photography / SPA Images

Round 10 Results & Scorers:

Manly 42 (Harry Bergelin 2, Mitch Lewis, Mali Hingano, Lui Siale tries; Dane Chisholm 4 cons, 3 pens) defeated Eastwood 22 (Matt Gonzalez, Nick Batger, Michael McDougall, John Grant tries; Ben Batger con) at Manly Oval.

Sydney University 23 (James Dargaville, James Nonu Carling tries; Byron Hodge 2 cons, 3 pens) drew with Randwick (Nathan Roye, Tristan Goodbody, Andrew Norton tries; Liam Windon con, 2 pens) at University Oval No.1.

Warringah 34 (Scott Bradley, Brad Dixon, Sireli Tagicalibau, Harry Jones tries; Hamish Angus 4 cons, 2 pens) defeated Penrith 18 (Daniel Arona, Pusi’aki Fifita tries; Robbie Mate con, 2 pens) at Pittwater Rugby Park.

Southern Districts 34 (Jed Holloway, Faleula Finau, Ben Connolly tries; Rohan Saifoloi 2 con, 4 pens, drop goal) defeated Eastern Suburbs 12 (Michael Fakava, Damon Anderson tries; Warwick Percival con) at Woollahra Oval.

Parramatta 37 (Alex Samoa 2, Larry Hermens, Aisea Namoa, Even Olmstead tries; Tom Woods 3 cons, 2 pens) defeated West Harbour 29 (Dave Harvey, Joel Brooks, Rory Sidey, Tito Mua tries; Dave Harvey 3 cons, pen) at Merrylands RSL Rugby Park.

Northern Suburbs 44 (Richard Woolf 2, Michael Wells 2, Will Weeks, Cam Crawford, Ben
Matwijow tries; Mitch Walton 3 cons, pen) defeated Gordon 15 (Jono Broome, Tobias Gukibau tries; Terry Preston con, pen)