National Rugby Championship
Rising defend Horan-Little Shield in NRC thriller
ESPN Staff
August 23, 2015
Melbourne Rising's Jack Debreczeni was in command at fly-half © Sportography
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Queensland Country 31-39 Melbourne Rising Melbourne Rising have defended the Horan-Little Shield at the first time of asking with a thrilling 39-31 victory over Queensland Country in the National Rugby Championship. Last season's minor premiers overcame two yellow cards to triumph in the inaugural Shield challenge, with which they were presented after their eight-point win on the Gold Coast. The Rising scored six tries to five in another entertaining NRC encounter, the visitors' back-row trio of Scott Fuglistaller, Colby Faing'a and Jordy Reid largely proving the difference while scrum-half Ben Meehan bagged a brace of tries. The Horan-Little Shield was unveiled ahead of last week's NRC opener in one of several great new initiatives for the competition's second season. The Rising will next defend the Shield at home to Brisbane City on Saturday.
Despite scoring more tries, the Rams couldn't hold back the Eagles © J.B Photography
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Greater Sydney Rams 31-32 NSW Country Eagles NSW Country Eagles have held onto a tight one-point 32-31 victory over Greater Sydney Rams to kick start their 2015 season.Although the Rams started well and out-scored the Eagles five tries to four, Jono Lance's perfect boot proved the difference for the Eagles. In a tight first half that saw the lead see-saw between each side, the Rams opened the scoring in with a fourth minute try from Jordan Heyer who crashed through a small gap to take an early lead. The Eagles quickly hit back with Joel Brooks getting the ball in space an running away for an 80-metre try, before Ed Stubbs crossed to give the visitors a 16-5 lead. Making sure to get involved in everything Andrew Kellaway had a great game for the Eagles as he set up several tries before he scored his own in the final minutes of the half to secure a 24-18 lead. However, not everything was going the Eagles way, with half-back Michael Dowett seeing yellow midway through the half, resulting in the Rams crashing over for back-to-back tries to Cohen Mason and Paul Asquith. Both sides made a strong return in the second half, trading tries, but it was a missed conversion from Jai Ayoub and the Eagles strength to hold the Rams back throughout the final 20-minutes, that saw the visitors secure their opening win. North Harbour Rays-29-45 Sydney Stars The Sydney Stars have made the perfect start to their 2015 campaign with a strong 45-29 win over their local rivals the North Harbour Rays, building on their win over the Rays at the end of last season. In a fast paced match, it was the Rays who opened the scoring in their opening match, but their lack of cohesion and time together before the match cost them as they struggled to hold back a high flying Stars side. The Rays opened the scoring early with a try in the corner to Alex Northam before a costly Stars' mistake gave the homeside another chance to extend the lead with Michael Adams crossing under the posts. But the momentum soon shifted with the Stars hitting back with four tries in eight minutes, the fourth coming from a huge hit on Rays' fullback Dave Feltscheer who left the ball behind and saw the Stars over again while the Rays slowly capitulated. The Stars found the line again with Dave Dennis linking up with James Hanson for their fifth try just minutes before half-time. The Rays hit back early in the second half with two fantastic tries, but the Stars continued to hold their lead and extend it with Tom Coolican crossing over to push the Stars well in front.
Karmichael Hunt scored the first try of the season © Getty Images
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Brisbane City 29-16 Perth Spirit Brisbane City made an impressive winning start to their National Rugby Championship title defence, defeating Perth Spirit in a replay of the inaugural grand final. Karmichael Hunt scored the opening try of the second season, his first in the tournament after moving to rugby from the AFL, having been set up by Junior Laloifi. Junior Laloifi then posted City's second score, an early contender for try of the season, after linking with Liam Gill, the pair exchanging multiple passes, before the full-back iced the 70-metre breakout. The Spirit crossed for their first try of the season through Kane Koteka five minutes from the break, when the flanker was on the end of a rolling maul to crash over to help bring up the 13-8 half-time score line. Brisbane City centre Samu Kerevi opened the scoring in the second half, with Spirit No.8 Angus Cottrell responding three minutes later when he shrugged off a defender from close range to score. Ian Prior again added the extras to again bring the visitors within five points, but Jake McIntyre capitalised on a weight of pressure when he crossed eight minutes from full-time to secure the home victory © ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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