Round 12 started on Friday July 14 with the "King of the Jungle" battle between the Lions and the Tigers. Unfortunately for the Slacks Creek side, the visiting Tigers came out on top, with Easts running out convincing winners 24-4. Easts scored 6 tries to 1 with neither side being able to kick a goal. Because of the Brisbane Camp, all the other games were delayed till Wednesday July 19, with Centenary hosting Redlands and Redcliffe at home to Logan Brothers in the two early games.
The game at Dolphin was a tight affair, with the tough Redcliffe defence (currently best in the comp) matching the Logan attack, despite the absence through illness of a number of Dolphin regulars. A try just before half-time saw Logan take a 10-8 lead to the break, and the scores remained tight through the second half, with Logan Bros finally sealing the win with a late converted try to make the final score 22-14 to the visitors. This was Logan's fifth win in a row and they are definitely shaping as Premiership contenders.
Despite the absence of Mosa with a virus, there were still 12 Brisbane players on show at Centenary's home game, and an entertaining first half, saw the Panthers lead the Parakeets by 10-8 at halftime, with both Lauchlan Witt (Centenary) and Jay Aston (Redland) picking up doubles. Centenary had led 10-0 early and Redlands seemed to be getting back on top when the break arrived. The second-half was a different story with a fired-up Centenary side blitzing the Chairman's Trophy winners after the break to careen away to a 30-8 lead despite losing 3 players to the sin-bin. Only 2 late tries to the visitors brought a measure of respectability to the final scoreline of 30-18.
In the late game (which unfortunately turned out to be a VERY late game), Souths transferred their home game to Scott Park to take on the competition leaders Arana. This was a very entertaining game of football throughout, with there never being more than 6 points difference between the teams. The Magpies started well and scored the first try to lead 6-0 after 5 minutes. Arana struck back however with 2 tries of their own to lead 12-6. Souths then drew level, but the Panthers responded and took an 18-12 lead to the break. Unfortunately, right on half-time, Michael Luck from Souths suffered a neck injury going in for a tackle, and 40 minutes elapsed while an ambulance was called to treat him (happily, later hospital tests confirmed only cartilege and muscle damage, and hopefully Michael will be back playing soon). Souths scored 2 quick tries to take a 22-18 lead early in the second half, but a succession of sin-binnings and penalties against the Magpies (including 4 while they were in possession) got Arana back into the game, with Rohan's first try for the Panthers bringing the scores level. Captain Alex T finally took advantage of the reduced defensive line (down to 11 at the time) to dash over under the posts, with the conversion taking the Panthers to a 28-22 lead with 3 minutes to go. Souths attacked desperately in the final moments, with only a magnificent tackle by Josh to hold up a big Souths forward in the in-goal area saving what would probably have been an equalising 6 pointer. Brent had a huge game in the forwards, and it was good to have Rob back, with him topping the hit-ups. That this game was 6th against 1st again proves what a great competition we have this year.
By the minute:
3rd min: Souths Try/Goal - Souths 6-0
10th min: Alex T Try; Luke Goal - 6-6
19th min: James Try; Luke Goal - Arana 12-6
21st min: Souths Try/Goal - 12-12
27th min: Brendan Try; Luke Goal - Arana 18-12 (Half-Time)
33rd min: Souths Try - Arana 18-16
41st min: Souths Try/Goal - Souths 22-18
47th min: Rohan Try - 22-22
56th min: Alex T Try; Luke Goal - Arana 28-22 (Full-Time)
The weekend's results see Arana on 22 once again move away to a 4 point lead at the top of the table, with Redlands, Centenary and Logan Bros all in equal 2nd place. Making up the five on 16 are Redcliffe, with Souths in 6th place on 14 following their fourth successive loss. Easts move to 10 points, with Slacks Creek remaining on 4.
Brad T
20/6/2002
