Darlington Point-Coleambally have climbed to third on the Group 20 ladder following a 44-18 win against Tullibigeal-Lakes United on Sunday.
The Roosters sped out to a 28-6 lead before the Sharks romped back into the contest after DPC were reduced to 12 men.
Just before half-time, Robbie Simpson was sin-binned for a tackle where he slammed Tim McAuley into the turf.
The tackle came right after DPC was penalised for a lifting tackle on McAuley.
TLU immediately took advantage as Matt Pike crossed from close range to see DPC’s lead reduced to 16 points at half-time.
Nine minutes into the second half TLU cracked DPC again on the back of a James Williams 40-20.
Jesse Wighton picked up a Dylan Hately grubber, crashed over the line and it was game on at 28-18.
The next 10 minutes saw both sides have attacking chances but both defensive lines held solid.
It was an opportunistic try to Simpson – on the back of a spilled bomb – midway through the half that reignited the scoring.
TLU continued to search for points but it was the Roosters who crossed again in the 68th minute.
Ben Tupou scored before DPC captain-coach Clinton Green went over for his third try of the day to seal the win.
Despite the three tries next to his name, Green said it all came from his forwards doing the hard yards.
“I got a bit of luck, I was just following the big boys around,” Green said.
“Everything good that happened today came from our middle third.
“I thought on the back of their hard work, in either defence or attack, we worked from that and the backs finished it off.”
Jarrad Williams had a big game for DPC whilst McAuley was one of TLU’s best with some hard as nails charges.
DPC join TLU and Yanco-Wamoon on 20 points whilst Leeton remain on top with 21 points.
The Black and Whites, who had the bye, round out the top five with 19 points whilst West Wyalong and Waratahs sit four points off the pace.
