In the first game of the round, Redcliffe hosted near neighbours Holy Spirit at Dolphin Oval. The first half was reasonably tight with Redcliffe eventually getting in top to lead 10-0 at the break. With Angus back at his old Qld position of halfback, Redcliffe went on with it in the second stanza to run out convincing 28-4 winners, breaking a run of 3 losses in succession
The second Friday night clash was the Foundation Shield Semi-Final played in calm, clear conditions at Pinklands Oval. Redlands started the better and were first on the board when a break down the right saw Vaughan E back up to race away and score, converting his own try to lead 6-0 after only 5 minutes. Logan Bros bounced back however and 5 minutes later were in themselves when big Albert put through a surprise kick which he recovered and the sent Matt R over in the corner to bring the score back to 6-4. The rest of the half saw Redlands make a number of handling mistakes which presented Logan Bros with several scoring opportunities. Eventually, 2 minutes before the break the pressure was turned into points when Luke L sprinted through a gap to score near the posts. The conversion was missed but Logan went to the break leading 8-6. The first 15 minutes of the second half saw some great football with the lead changing hands three times. Redlands regained the lead in the 38th minute when Sa crashed over wide out, but this lead was to only last a minute before Kruize replied with a similar effort to score beside the posts. Once again the simple conversion was missed but Logan led 12-10. A dropped ball by the visitors proved very costly only 3 minutes later with Geoff swooping on the ball for Redlands to dash 30m and score to put the home team back in front by 2. With 10 mins to go Logan Bros went desperately close to scoring but great defence on the line, and a poor last tackle option by Logan Bros cost them their chance, and Redlands responded with the try of the night, taking the ball the length of the field in 3 plays that swept from one side of the field and back again, before Trent Iselin crossed in the corner. Vaughan converted from the sideline to give Redlands an 8 point lead with 6 mins to go to virtually snuff out Logan's hopes. Redlands looked more likely to score in the closing minutes, but the Logan defence held to go down 20-12 in an entertaining match played in a great spirit, and all players in both sides should be proud of their efforts. For the losers Kruize had a huge game and caused the Redlands defence trouble all night, Albert is getting back to his best after his long injury layoff and Luke and Junior in the backs did some good work. Matt Sep was dangerous off the bench with some barnstorming runs. For the winners Matt Smith marshalled things brilliantly, with Brian P and Jay A getting through their usual mountain of work. Shay did some good work as did Sa, whilst Trent I always looked dangerous. Nathan made some good gains from dummy half as well. In the end it was Redlands speed in attack which proved the difference, and it is clear they are going to be a very hard side to beat this year, now having racked up their 11th straight win.
Stats:
Penalties:Redlands 5-3
Scrums: Logan Bros 8-5
Completions: Redlands 19/31; Logan Bros 20/28
By the minute:
5th min: Vaughan Eriksen try/conv; Redlands 6-0
11th min: Matt Reynolds try; Redlands 6-4
27th min: Luke Lavelle try; Logan Bros 8-6 (ht)
38th min: Sa Asiata try; Redlands 10-8
40th min: Kruize Filipine try; Logan Bros 12-10
44th min: Geoff Davey try; Redlands 14-12
52nd min: Trent Iselin try/Vaughan Eriksen conv; Redlands 20-12 (ft)
A confident Norths side, on the back of three straight wins hosted an "Alex-less" Arana, with Fresta still out injured and Tallon in camp with the Qld team. Arana however welcomed new prop Daniel, who has ventured back to league from rygby, having played for Brothers in his younger days. The visitors started the best with long distance tries to Josh and Rodger giving them a 10-0 lead after 10 minutes. Norths struck back however in the 14th minute to get back within 4. Rob S scored the first of his double late in the half to give Arana a 16-6 half time lead. Norths got back within 4 early in the second half, but then followed a period where both sides struggled with their ball control. Eventually Arana steadied and, as in the previos encounter with Norths, scored three tries in the last 10 minutes, to run out 28-12 winners. It was a great team effort from the winners with the tackling being really shared around with 10 players getting into double figures. Matt Handcock racked up 18 hitups, second best ever in an Arana game in a non-stop display. Josh and Rob really caused the Norths defence trouble as did the three front rowers Zac, Brent and Daniel.
Stats:
Penalties:Norths 5-4
Completions: Arana 15/26; Norths 11/21
By the minute:
8th min: Josh try/Luke conv; Arana 6-0
10th min: Rodger try; Arana 10-0
14th min: Norths try/conv; Arana 10-6
27th min: Rob try/Luke conv; Arana 16-6 (ht)
32nd min: Norths try/conv; Arana 16-12
51st min: Matt try; Arana 20-12
57th min: Josh try; Arana 24-12
60th min: Rob try; Arana 28-12 (ft)
In the other Sunday game at Brandon Park, it looked like it was going to be a real battle with Souths and Easts locked at 4 all at halftime. Souths however put the foot down in the second half and stormed away to run out 32-4 winners and make it 6 wins in a row - their best performance ever.
The weekends results see Redlands maintain a 4 point buffer at the top on 26, from Arana and Souths on 22. There is then 4 points back to Logan Bros on 18 and a further 4 back to Redcliffe on 14 in 5th place. By virtue of the bye, Centenary move to 9 leapfrogging Norths on 8. Outside the top 7 are Easts on 6 and Holy Spirit on 5.
Brad T
22/6/2003
