Welcome to NT Club Corner - your one-stop shop for all the weekly news and social rugby updates from across the Top End.
Week 2 of the Darwin senior competition was an absolute cracker with our NT Bitumen & Asphalt (NTBA) B-Grade Men returning while our juniors also joined the fray over a massive Friday and Saturday.
In the XXXX A-Grade men's competition, University flyer Stylianos Vrontos continued his hot start with a double in the Pirates' 31-15 win over Souths before reigning champs Casuarina roared to life with a 27-0 win over Darwin Dragons to open their title defence.
In the women's competition, Dragons ace Jazmin Lord (three tries) shone in a high-scoring 59-0 win over Casuarina with Mele Tupou, Elisa Niki and Courtney Tamati also among the top performers.
In the NTBA B-Grade men's competition, Casuarina and Dragons jagged bonus-point wins over Palmerston (43-5) and University (29-13) while Katherine earned a tight 21-19 victory over Souths on the road.
XXXX A-Grade Men: Robbie Butcher (Uni), Stylianos Vrontos (Uni), Tobey Atkinson (Dragons), Trey Crowley (Cougars), James Cardwell (Cougars)
Women: Debbie Gimini (Souths), Courtney Tamati (Dragons), Jazmin Lord (Dragons), Cecilia Misob (Dragons)
NTBA B-Grade Men: Terry Gillett (Katherine)
Here's how the ladders are looking after Round 2 of Darwin seniors:
This week sees the return of defending NTBA B-Grade premiers Swampdogs, who'll face Casuarina in a grand final rematch at 7:30pm on Saturday night.
Last year's decider was a belter with Mark Gillam and Joseph Cameron (Swampies) trading tries with Asiveli Rauga and Sosaia Akaveka (Cougars) while Hayden Austine and Liam Pollard slotted penalties.
Ultimately, it was Austine's boot that proved the difference with a missed Casuarina conversion attempt leaving the scores 17-15.
Meanwhile, there's a lot to like about the XXXX A-Grade men's fixture between Cougars and Souths - a repeat of last season's preliminary final.
Rattled by Uni in their major semi final, Casuarina had to dig deep to get past a fiery Souths outfit, eventually prevailing 17-11 before going on to take the title.
Full Darwin seniors Round 3 fixtures below:
Finally, Friday night sees our Darwin juniors competition return for Round 2!
We've got a massive 19 games to chew through so make sure you get down to Marrara and support our next generation of rugby players and coaches!
PLEASE NOTE TWO IMPORTANT CHANGES TO THE WEEK 2 JUNIOR DRAW
- The Under 11s Rugby Park 2 fixture at 7:40pm is being played between Casuarina and South Darwin. The Under 11s NTRL 2 fixture at 6pm is being played between PRUC Red Crocs and PRUC Blue Crocs
- The Under 13B NTRL 2 fixture is now between Darwin Dragons and Swampdogs
Please remember that Skyring Rugby Park and NTRL are non-smoking venue. It is also a licenced venue - therefore NO BYO alcohol - and we ask that non-service dogs (guide dogs etc) are left at home.
Full Round 2 Darwin juniors fixtures below:
