QUALIFYING FINAL:
Arana travelled to Brandon Park with hopes of repeating their 2002 Grand Final victory, but Redlands were equally determined to not fall to consecutive defeats after their loss to Logan Bros last week. Arana started well enough and were unlucky not to score from a cross-field bomb, but it was Redlands who were first on the board when Matt Smith crossed after 6 minutes. The next 12 minutes of the game was closely fought, although Redlands were starting to get on top with quick play-the-balls and good offloads. They were rewarded with a try to captin Fraser to take their lead to 10-0. and then doubled their score in the 3 minutes before half-time to take a seemingly unassailable 20-0 lead to the break. When the Parakeets added a simple try in the second minute of the second half, it seemed a slaughter was on the cards, however the Redlands intensity dropped a little, and it was nearly 20 mins before they managed ro get over the line, with a double taking their lead out to 38-0. Arana managed a consolation try in the last minute for the final score of 38-4. Special mention must go to Daniel S from the U14s who played an outstanding game following an early injury to starting prop Dan G.
Stats:
Penalties: 7-7
Completions: Redlands: 21/34 (62%); Arana: 17/30 (57%)
By the Minute:
6th min: Redlands 6-try/4-conv; Redlands 6-0
19th min: Redlands 1-try; Redlans 10-0
26th min: Redlands 7-try/4-conv; Redlands 16-0
30th min: Redlands 9- try; Redlands 20-0 (ht)
32nd min: Redlands 10-try/4-conv; Redlands 26-0
49th min: Redlands 4-try/conv; Redlands 32-0
54th min: Redlands 9-try/4-conv; Redlands 38-0
60th min: Geoff try; Redlands 38-4 (ft)
ELIMINATION FINAL:
In the elimination final at Dawson Pde, Souths looked as though they would easily account for Redcliffe when 2 converted tries saw them jump away to an early 12-0 lead against a side that had only beaten them once in 3 years. However the Dolphins were not ready to hang up the boots quite yet and fought back to trail by 12-4 at half-time. Redcliffe continued their fight back in the second half, and two further tries wide out, saw them draw level at 12 all and set up an exciting final 15 minutes. Redcliffe handled the pressure better and were first to break the deadlock with a converted try taking them out to an 18-12 lead. They lost a player to the bin, but continued to hold on against an increasingly desperate Magpie side, and finally wrapped up the match with a converted try in the final minute, sealing a surprise 24-12 victory with a 20-0 second half. This reversed the result from only 2 weeks ago.
Progress Scores:
Souths: 6-0; 12-0; 12-4 (ht) ; 12-8; 12-12; 12-18; 12-24 (ft)
The weekend's results see the Magpies finished for 2003, but they can look back with some pride having exceeded most people's expectations after losing a number of quality players from last year' s side, including Kruize, Junior and Beau, who have all platyed rep football this season. Logan Bros and Redlands will now shape off in the Major Semi with the prize a direct passage to the Grand Final, whilst Arana and Redcliffe will battle out the Knockout semi to either progress to the Preliminary Final or hang up their boots for the year.
Brad T
24/8/2003
