Coast wins rugby at Woy Woy

Woy Woy Oval hosted the opening round of the NSW Rugby Country Championships on March 1.

Defending Caldwell Cup champions the Central Coast Waves defeated Illawarra in what was described as "a tough battle".

"It was a hard-fought battle throughout, with the game dominated by a very strong southerly wind during the entire 80 minutes," Central Coast Rugby Union president Mr Larry Thomson said.

"The Waves ran with the wind in the first half and went to the break leading 20-5, but the Illawarriors closed the gap to three points in the second half when they had use of the wind.

"Central Coast won the game by 20 points to 17 in a pleasing start to the series."

Unfortunately, the Central Coast Under-19s were "steamrolled" by Illawarra 52- 5 earlier in the day.

Central Coast and Newcastle Hunter now sit at the top of the table with four points after the first game.

"Several players played well for the Central Coast," Mr Thomson said.

"Winger Denis Raft had a good game showing great pace during the game.

"Captain and number eight Andrew Moseley played well, as did flanker Ryan Metcalfe, inside centre Tim Hill and second rower Dave Plunkett."

Central Coast played Central West at Orange on Saturday, March 8, with the final score not known at time of printing.

The Waves will then head off to play Newcastle Hunter at Birmingham Gardens on Saturday March 15, at 7pm.

The Caldwell Cup Final will be played at Sydney Football Stadium on Friday, March 28, as a curtain raiser to the Waratahs v Cheetahs match.

Central Coast currently holds a three-year-straight title win for the Caldwell Cup.

Press release, 4 Mar 2008 Larry Thomson, Central Coast Rugby Union