The round 9 games certainly demonstrated what a great competition we have with the top 2 teams being defeated and the bottom 2 teams really pushing their more highly rated opponents.
Logan Brothers travelled to Pinklands for the first game of the weekend and certainly came away smiling, reversing their two point loss to the Parakeets in their last meeting last year by coming away 20-18 victors. Redlands paid dearly for some lack of discipline with Logan Brothers scoring 2 tries while Redlands players were in the sin bin. Redlands led 8-6 at half-time, but Logan kicked away to a 20-8 lead midway through the second half. The Parakeets weren't done however and 2 late tries saw them close the margin to 2 points.
Slacks Creek certainly made Centenary work for the 2 competition points, and actually led till near half-time. They faded in the second half however, eventually going down by 32-6, after trailling 14-6 at the break. Unfortunately one of Centenary's new players suffered a nasty ankle injury in this game, and our best wishes go to him for a speedy recovery.
The other Friday night game saw the undefeated Arana side put their record to the test against their long-time "bogey" side Redcliffe at Dawson Pde. The game was a thriller throughout, with Arana starting the best, and only desperate Redcliffe defence holding them to a 4-0 lead midway through the first half. Redcliffe then gained some continuity and put on 2 quick tries to go to the break with a 10-4 lead. Arana began the second half the same way they had the first, and three unanswered tries saw them leading 18-10 with 10 minutes to go, and th match seemingly in control. Redcliffe didn't see it this way, and two late tries saw them get up 20-18. Thanks go to Rob Southwood for helping out the injury hit Panthers, and he turned in a great game.
Sunday's game gave Souths a final opportunity to press for a Chairman's Flag berth, requiring a 62 point victory to nudge out Redlands, there cause was not helped by the absence of a number of players through illness. The Tigers never gave them a chance and in fact led the game 18-16 well into the second half, before the Magpies switched up a gear, eventually running out 34-18 winners.
The weekend's results saw Arana finishing the first round on top with 16 points, followed by Redlands and Souths on 14, the Parakeets grabbing a Chairman's Flag place on for and against. Then come Centenary and Redcliffe on 12, making up the top five. Logan Brothers on 10 are snapping on their heels, followed by Easts on 6 and Slacks Creek on 4.
Brad T
20/5/2002
