Gold and Vikings unbeaten after two rounds

The ACT & Southern NSW Vikings and Perth Gold have advanced to top spot in their respective pools in the 2006 Australian Rugby Shield, after winning their matches in Round Two of the competition, played on Saturday.

In other matches the Queensland Country Heelers defeated the Darwin Mosquitoes 29-17, while the Melbourne Axemen prevailed over the Adelaide Black Falcons 31-20.

Full match reports are below.

Perth try-fest trounces Tasmania

Defending champions Perth Gold have moved to the top of their Pool after serving the Tassie Jack Jumpers an 86-nil drubbing in Tasmania on Saturday, in Round Two of the Australian Rugby Shield.

Perth inflicted most of the damage in the first half, in which they ran in eight of their 14 unanswered tries, adding to their points haul with six of Charlie Norcross' eight conversions.

While the match was not all one sided - Tasmania held their own at times in the forwards - Perth's strong and classy backs were too good for their hosts and had a hand in scoring most of Perth points.

Quickly realising their advantage out wide, Perth made the most of its backline to play a fast game with plenty of running rugby.

Perth Gold 86 (Charlie Norcross 4, Ryan Lenegan 3, Tim Ashman, Sean Ashton, Dan Bailey, Joe Egan, Nathan Roberts, Ryan Symes, Ryan Tyrell tries, Charlie Norcross 8 cons) defeated Tassie Jack Jumpers 0. Half time: Perth 52-0.

ACT & Southern NSW edge out NSW Country

Australian Rugby Shield newcomers the ACT & Southern NSW Vikings won a hard fought and exciting match against the NSW Country Cockatoos, edging out their hosts 12-9 in Armidale on Saturday.

Three penalty goals to the Cockatoos' Josh Clift kept his team in the match, but it was the Vikings' two tries that saw them finish ahead.

Enjoying their second win from as many matches the Vikings ran in their first try soon after kick off when they went on the attack and broke through the Cockatoos' line before passing the ball out wide to winger Joel Russell to score.

It was another 67 minutes, however, until the Vikings crossed again, this time centre Josh Staniforth adding a crucial five points to his team's tally four minutes before the full time whistle.

The Cockatoos had a last-minute chance to even the scores through a penalty kick on full time and, from 35 metres out and 15 metres in were unlucky to miss by a foot.

Overlapping yellow cards to Jeff Wilson (lineout infringement, 38th minute) and Mark Taufua (late tackle, 46th minute) did little to help the Cockatoos' campaign, which at one point saw the team with 13 players on the field. Wilson went on to sit out the last 11 minutes of the match after being sent from the field for a dangerous tackle.

ACT & Southern NSW Vikings 12 (Joel Russell, Josh Staniforth tries, Ben Johnston con) defeated NSW Country Cockatoos 9 (Josh Clift 3 pens). Half time: NSW Country 6-5.

Second half revival helps Queensland Country to a win

Queensland Country has secured its first win after a second half revival landed the Heelers a 29-17 victory over the Darwin Mosquitoes in Darwin on Saturday.

The home team dominated the opening minutes of the match, attacking the opposition line from the start, which paid off when they posted first points just three minutes in through a try to Evan Needham.

Queensland Country responded shortly after with winger David Nolan crossing for his first of two tries, the result of some skilful running rugby by the Heelers' backline and an unfortunate missed tackle by the Mosquitoes. Nolan's second try came on the half time whistle under similar circumstances.

The boot of Matthew O'Brien, however, put Darwin ahead 14-12 at the break, the Mosquitoes flanker kicking three penalty goals in the first half.

In the second half the Heelers showed considerable improvement at the lineout to increase their possession of the ball, which set in motion some strong scrimmaging and a subsequent try to prop Shaun Richardson that had the Queensland Country bench on their feet.

A converted try to fullback Doug McNicholl and a second try to Shaun Richardson four minutes from full time put the match out of Darwin's reach.

As well as Richardson, lock Garren Davidson and centre Joe Fa'alogo were outstanding for the Heelers, while Craig Moore and Robert Butcher played well for the Mosquitoes.

Queensland Country Heelers 29 (David Nolan 2, Shaun Richardson 2, Doug McNicholl tries, Fran Lando con, Afa Sauia con) defeated Darwin Mosquitoes 17 (Evan Needham try, Matthew O'Brien 4 pens). Half time: Darwin 14-12.

Late tries see Melbourne get over the line

A comeback by the Melbourne Axemen in the dying stages of their match against the Adelaide Black Falcons has given Melbourne its second consecutive win in the 2006 Australian Rugby Shield.

Led by outside centre and captain Todd Cornford, who himself picked up a try, the Axemen were impressive in open play, capitalising on turnovers by Adelaide to score.

Both teams' defence was solid, withstanding attacks to their line in what was a very tight match until the last ten minutes, in which Melbourne snuck in two tries to seal Adelaide's fate.

For Adelaide, hooker Jon Collins and winger Jack Glover stood out, while the visitor's best player was openside flanker Matt Beissel.

Melbourne Axemen 31 (Todd Cornford, Scott Baker, Basil Api tries, Michael Breen 2 cons, 4 pens) defeated Adelaide Black Falcons 20 (Tavita Raikiwasa, Tim Luff tries, Andrew Farquharson 2 pens). Half time: Adelaide 13-12.

2006 AUSTRALIAN RUGBY SHIELD POINTS TABLE

All start times listed are local.

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Four big victories to kick off Rugby Shield (Sun May 7)