The weekend opened with the unfortunate news that Centenary had to forfeit for the second time this year, this time to Redcliffe, due to lack of fit and available players. It is hoped the end of the school holidays will see the team able to fulfil their game commitments for the rest of the year as, at full strength, they could still be a threat for the title.
The Friday night match was a critical one for Holy Spirit with a win over Easts required if they were to be any chance of making the semis. In wet condition the match was a real arm wrestle with the halftime break seeing the two teams locked at 4 apiece. The second half was a similar story with the final score of 10-8 being the lowest scoring match in 3 years of this comp. It was a sweet vistory for Easts however, their second win in a row moving them above Centenary and into the top 7.
On Sunday at Pinklands, Norths took it right to the competition leaders Redlands in the first half trailing only 18-12 at the break, but the Parakeets, smarting from their first loss of the season last start, were far too good in the second stanza turning on some sparkling attack to run out 54-16 victors.
Arana travelled to Brandon Park in the final match of the round, trying to become the first team to lower South's colours there this year. Souths have been the real surprise packets this year, and in this game once again proved they are a real threat for the premiership. The home side started well, opening the scoring in only the 3rd minute and continuing the pressure for the first 10 mins. However it was the visitors who were next to score when a fine ball from Tim C put Alex T into space, and he beat a number of players for a good try. This was unconverted, but shortly afterwards, Jozey, playing well in the unfamiliar hooker role, scored a great individual try, then 5 minutes later made a break and sent Mitchell on his way to the line. A penalty from the kickoff gifted Arana further field position and this time Geoff (who had a great game in attack and defence, including 25 tackles) made a break, once again setting up Alex T for the try, and Arana had kicked away to a 20-6 lead. Souths scored just before the break to get back within 8. The second half saw Arana open the scoring to lead 24-12, but from this point the teams traded converted tries, with Souths never getting closer than 6 points, resulting in the final score of 36-30. Unfortunately Nash was seriously injured as Souths scored with 6 minutes remaining and had to be transported to hospital for an operation on a broken femur, a sad end to his fine season.
Stats:
Penalties: Souths 6-3
Completions: Arana 19/30; Souths 21/28
By the minute:
3rd min: Souths try/conv; Souths 6-0
11th min: Alex T try; Souths 6-4
18th min: Jozey try/Luke conv; Arana10-6
24th min: Mitchell try; Arana 14-6
26th min: Alex Ttry/Rob conv; Arana 20-6
30th min: Souths try/conv; Arana 20-12 (ht)
34th min: Mitchell try; Arana 24-12
43rd min: Souths try/conv; Arana 24-18
49th min: Rob try/Mitchell conv; Arana 30-18
54th min: Souths try/conv; Arana 30-24
57th min: Josh try/Geoff conv; Arana 36-24
60th min: Souths try/conv; Arana 36-30 (ft)
Redlands (26) maintain a 2 point lead at the top of the table over Arana, with Souths on 22 and Logan Bros on 20 battling for a posiion in the top 3. Redcliffe on 16 seem to have 5th spot wrapped up, but it is a battle royal for the last 2 semi position with Norths and Easts on 10 currently shading Centenary on 9. Holy Spirit on 5 seem the only side out of semi contention.
Brad T
13/7/2003
