Canaries on fire at last

Former Carlton Illawarra Rugby League glamour team Dapto have finally broken through for their second win of the season after accounting for Berkeley 42-20 at Dapto Showground on Saturday.

The loss of many players from last season’s team has left the Canaries anchored to the bottom of the ladder after five rounds, but they came alive on Saturday to leave the Eagles reeling in a match that they probably saw as a way of reinvigorating their season.

Dapto’s completion rate pleased coach Dean Calloway. With next week’s game against Collegians looming, he will certainly be hoping it stays that way.

A late try to Ben Cole and field-goal by Ben Robson has allowed Collies to snatch a thrilling 19-12 win over the plucky Wollongong/University Bulls at University Oval.

Collies led 12-6 at halftime and the Bulls equalised in the 41st minute when prop Jarrod Dykes crossed as both teams tried to get the ascendancy before Cole scored eight minutes from time, with Reece Simmons converting.

Robson’s field-goal three minutes later sealed the victory.

Thirroul Butchers remain as the only unbeaten side in the competition following their 38-14 win over Corrimal Cougars in the Ziems Park local derby on Friday night.

After winning their first three games of the season the Cougars have now lost three in-a-row and desperately need a change of luck if they are to arrest their slump and will be looking at next weekend’s clash with bottom placed Helensburgh at Rex Jackson to get back on the winners list.

Helensburgh meanwhile sliumped to another loss, this time at the hands of the Western Suburbs at Parrish Park.

As hard as they tried the Tigers just couldn’t keep the Red Devils at bay, with winger Sam Midgely and five-eighth Mark Simon getting hat-tricks and captain and centre Kevin McGuinness scored two.