Three games on Friday night this weekend, one on Sunday, with Norths picking up the 2 points for the bye.
The early game on Friday night saw Easts at home again, this time against Redcliffe. As predicted it was a close encounter with both teams having their chances to win. The first half was tight as reflected in the 10-all halftime score. Easts broke the deadlock with a converted try in the early stages of the second half, and hoped they would be able to hold on, as they had earlier in the season against Norths. Redcliffe lifted however and, aided by a couple of critical errors by the Tigers in their own quarter, were able to score two tries themselves to take a 20-16 lead which they maintained to the end of the match. The Tigers whilst disappointed at the loss would have been pleased with the improved effort compared with their previous two outings, whilst Redcliffe know they will have to lift on this performance to be competitive next week against the in-form Redlands side.
Meanwhile at Pinklands, the joint competition leaders Redlands and Souths met in the match of the round. Unfortunately the Souths side were missing a couple of regulars including Mase and were never in the match after another strong first half performance from the Parakeets saw them leading 22-0 at the break. The Magpies hung in there however, restricting Redlands to only two more tries in the second stanza to go down 32-0.
The final Friday night match saw Arana, U14A premiers from last year, host Holy Spirit, U14B0 Premiers from last year, at Dawson Parade in rainy conditions in what turned out to be more a "dropathon" than a football match. The Hornets could only manage a 52% completion rate, whilst the home team were even worse at 47%, including 7/19 in the second half. Despite this four converted tries in 14 minutes late in the first half was the springboard that got the Panthers home 44-0, after they led 28-0 at the break, conincidentally the margin being the same as the match in round 1 last year. Both sides would have been somewhat disappointed by their performance in this match, although there were som bright spots, with Nash, Jozey and Mitchell all scoring fine individual tries. Arana's defence was solid as well, holding out a number of Hornet forays close to the line. Brent was also back to his best, with some barnstorming runs, and it was good to have Phippsy and Fresta back after they missed last week's win against Centenary.
By the minute:
3rd min: Jozey T try; Arana 4-0
15th min: Nash try/Luke conv; Arana 10-0
18th min: Jozey try/Luke conv; Arana 16-0
22nd min: Nash try/Luke conv; Arana 22-0
29th min: Josh try/Luke conv; Arana 28-0 (HT)
37th min: Mitchell try/Luke conv; Arana 34-0
41st min: Luke try; Arana 38-0
51st min: Alex T try/Luke conv; Arana 44-0 (FT)
The Sunday game saw Centenary, once again with only 13 players and with Lagi S, Matt M and Nick W missing, travel to Civic Park to challenge the in-form Logan Bros side. The match opened with two tries in the first 10 minutes to the locals giving them an 8-0 lead, but Centenary struck back with a converted try to bring the margin back to 2 points. Logan struck back with 2 more tries (one converted) before the break, and at 18-6 it seemed to be just a matter of how much they would win by. The gutsy Centenary side hung in there however and scored another try to get back within 8 points, but the turning point of the match was when Centenary lost the ball when pressing the Logan line and the Brethren scored from that set to take the margin out to 14. Centenary were rewarded for their gutsy effort with a consolation try in the closing minutes to take the final score to 24-14.
The weekend's results sees Redlands and Logan Bros remain unbeaten on 8 points, with Arana and Souths sharing 3rd place on 6. Redcliffe are alone in 5th on 4 points with Centenary, Norths, Easts and Holy Spirit all on 2 points.
Brad T
6/4/2003
