FORMER NRL star Timana Tahu will line-up for Shortland when they take on Dora Creek in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby League A-grade match at Neville Thompson Oval this Saturday.
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Seeing Tahu, a former NSW and Australian rugby league representative and Wallaby, go around at Dora Creek, will be a highlight for local rugby league fans.
Shortland also boasts former Newcastle Knights’ NRL player Chad Redman in their team.
Shortland and Dora Creek are both coming off losses.
Shortland was rolled 38-30 by last-placed Cardiff on Saturday, while the Swampies lost 42-30 to second-placed Stockton.
The Swampies started very slowly, made mistakes, and continually put themselves under pressure.
“The pressure was too much and Stockton scored two early tries to jump to a 12-nil lead,” Dora Creek secretary Josh Lyden said.
“The Swampies eventually gained some possession and were mounting a promising raid down the right-hand side when Stockton took an intercept to run the length of the field and score a try that was converted for an 18-nil lead.”
Momentum then began to swing back toward the Swampies, and tries from centre Sam Agalidis and five-eighth Israel Smith had Dora Creek back in the game trailing 18-10.
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“And when centre Justin Budahazy crashed over, it was 18-14 to Shortland,” Lyden said.
Just before halftime, tensions spilled over when Dora Creek players alleged some foul play, and a melee of pushing and shoving ensued.
“The result was two Stockton players and Dora Creek’s Diamond Charlie would spend the first 10 minutes of the second half in the sin bin,” Lyden said.
“Unfortunately, Dora Creek were unable to capatilise on the numerical superiority because they didn’t touch the ball for the first eight minutes of the second half, and Stockton were able to score two more converted tries to take their lead out to 30-14 before the players returned.”
Stockton scored again to push the lead out to 36-14 before Dora Creek started to stage a comeback, and play the football they are capable of,” Lyden said.
First, Smith put second-rower Brendan Quigg through a hole to score.
Further tries to Epeli Vure and a second to Sam Agalidis reduced the deficit to six points at 36-30.
“However, the run ended there with Stockton scoring against the run of play, and converted, for the score to end up at 42-30.”
Coach Brad Clark said Smith’s performance, on his return after a 10-week lay-off with a dislocated elbow, was impressive. Forwards Diamond Charlie and Brendan Quigg also got through plenty of work.
“Slow starts to both halves will have to be rectified this Sauturday when the Swampies play competition leaders Shortland at home,” Lyden said.
