Centenary were able to get a team on the field for their home clash with Holy Spirit for what turned out to be an entertaining, if at times fiery, clash. The Panthers had not had a vcitory since April and a win was a must to keep their finals hopes alive, and on the night, they did just enough to hold the Hornets at bay, turing a 16-8 halftime lead into a 26-18 victory, with Lauchlan Witt picking up a hat trick on his return from injury.
The Norths/Redcliffe clash at Bishop Park was a real arm wrestle with Redcliffe taking command early to lead 6-0, but missing an easy penalty goal and a number of other scoring opportunities before Norths struck back to trail 6-4 at the break. The only score of the second half was a converted try to Norths, enough to give them a 10-6 victory in the lowest scoring match of the last 3 years in this comp.
Arana hosted competition leaders Redlands with some hope of challenging for the minor premiership, but these hopes were short-lived with Redlands scoring 3 tries in the first 10 minutes to dash away to a 14-0 lead against the depleted defending premiers. The home side steadied to trail by only 20 at the break, but the second half was a smilar story with the visitors jumping away to a 34-4 lead after only 8 minutes, and eventually cruising to a 48-10 victory. Doug Harden, up from the B's put in a fine effort, as fid Geoff playing in the unfamiliar halfback role.
Stats:
Penalties: Redlands 6-3
By the minute:
3rd min: Redlands try/conv; Redlands 6-0
7th min: Redlands try; Redlands 10-0
10th min: Redlands try; Redlands14-0
19th min: Redlands try/conv; Redlands 20-0
26th min: Redlandstry; Redlands 24-0
29th min: Brent try; Redlands 24-4 (ht)
33rd min: Redlands try/conv; Redlands 30-4
38th min: Redlands try/conv; Redlands 36-4
50th min: Redlands try/conv; Redlands 42-4
56th min: Redlands try/conv; Redlands 48-4
59th min: Geoff try/Mitchell conv; Redlands 48-10 (ft)
The Sunday game saw Souths travel to Logan Brothers home ground at Civic Park in a match critical in deciding 3rd and 4th position on the table. Souths opened the scoring, but the home side soon replied with two tries of their own t take the lead. The first half was a tight tussle, with the visitors eventually trailling 12-10 at half time. The second stanza was similarly hard fought, reminiscent of South's game last week with Arana, and once again it was the Magpies who were defeated by a converted try 28-22.
Redlands (30) now have a 4 point buffer at the top of the table over Arana. Logan Bros have regained third spot on for-and-against over Souths with both on 24 points. Redcliffe on 16 have a shaky hold on 5th spot, but it is still a battle royal for the last 2 semi positions with Norths and Easts on 12 currently shading Centenary on 11. Holy Spirit on 5 are now out of semi contention.
Brad T
20/7/2003
