Monaro Colts Johns & Daley Cups: Round Five Wrap

The final round of the Andrew Johns & Laurie Daley Cups saw Monaro overpower Riverina in both matches at McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga on Sunday. 

This served as a consolation victory for the Andrew Johns Cup side, as they were already out of contention for progressing further and finished third in their pool with a 2-3 record. 

While the Laurie Daley Cup side look ahead to their semi-final clash after proving to be the strongest in the Southern Conference.

Following their round one loss, they went on to win four consecutive in dominant fashion to finish first in their pool. 

Andrew Johns Cup

Monaro Colts 38 d Riverina Bulls 8 

Monaro got on the board early through centre Darcy Baldwin who stepped inside after a silky left side shift before beating multiple defenders to cross for his teams first try. 

It wasn't long before the Colts were back in the attacking zone. A few quick passes ended up in the hands of edge back-rower Tyla Hope who burrowed over for Monaro's second. 

Individual brilliance from centre Latrell Dyer added to Monaro's lead, as he scored a 40 metre line break try to bring the scores to 18-0 before half time. 

Riverina were first to score in the second half through an improvised kick which ended up with fullback Dean Mott scoring in the corner. 

Another shift to Monaro's dangerous left side saw Baldwin cross for his double, before the Bulls continued to stay within range through scoring a length of the field intercept try to bring the scores to 24-8 with just under 15 minutes remaining.

However, all hope was soon lost for Riverina when winger Sebastian Jones scored in the corner to seal the game for Monaro and sign off from the Andrew Johns Cup as winners. 

Laurie Daley Cup 

Monaro Colts 62 d Riverina Bulls 12 

Monaro didn't waste any time, scoring two quick tries through prop Alex Hardy hitting a hole to cross for their first, followed by deceptive body movement from fullback Ash Flint to create the overlap and gift centre Luke Tualii a try. 

Monaro's right side terrorised the Riverina defense with electrifying pace and silky ball movement which saw winger Lachlan Cunanan score three back-to-back tries. 

Prop Jesse Milin crashed over on the brink of half time to bring the scores to 32-0 at the break. 

Although Riverina were first to strike in the second half, Monaro picked up from where they left off.  

Their right side continued to put Riverina on the back foot, as they scored three consecutive tries down that edge through Toby Ferris, Ryan Blowes, and Cunanan crossing for his fourth. 

With a little over 10 minutes remaining, Prop JJ Mau Pohiva made a barnstorming run, bumping off multiple defenders and making plenty of ground, setting up for Hardy to crash over for his double. 

Monaro kept their foot on the gas and scored another two through Yuri Hromow hitting a gap to score, followed by an impressive chip kick from halfback Jonah Anderson which bounced friendly for Ferris to grab a double. 

The win secured Monaro's top spot in the Southern Conference heading into finals.