KNOCKOUT SEMI:
The "Bora Ring" , home of Norths Banyo was the site of the game to decide who would carry the northside's hopes forward in the U15JA competition with the loser of this match between Arana and Redcliffe to hang up their boots for 2003. It was a very tight contest early with first Redcliffe, then Arana blowing golden opportunities to score with final passes floating forward. It took 20 mins for the deadlock to be broken when Geoff found a gap to score, with Mitchell C's conversion from wide out giving Arana a 6-0 break. A mistake shortly after gave Redcliffe an opportunity and a neat backline move saw their winger squeeze over in the corner to get back to within 2. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, they too made a mistake in the set after the restart and Mitchell crossed again out wide to give Arana a 6 point buffer at the break. Redcliffe looked certain to open the scoring in the second half, but a miraculous intercept by fullback Luke saved the day, and when Brendan darted through a minute later the Panthers had extended their lead to 12 points. Both sides were hitting hard in defence and there were few opportunities to score, but Arana finally got outside the Redcliffe defence for Jozey, who had a great game, particularly in defence, to score in the corner to parcel up the match for Arana. It was tough going in the heat, and it took till the final minute for the next points with Redcliffe closing the scoring with a converted try brining the finl score to 20-10 to Arana. It was a great effort by both teams in the steamy conditions, and particular congratulation to Alex F who turned in a great match with 11 devastating hit-ups. Unfortunately captain Brent had to leave the field with a damaged shoulder and it is hoped he is not too badly injured. The week's break will certainly be appreciated by the Panthers to get some wounded players back on the field!
Stats:
Penalties: Arana 6-4
Completions: Arana: 20/32 (63%); Redcliffe: 19/28 (68%)
By the Minute:
20th min: Geoff try/ Mitchell conv; Arana 6-0
24th min: Redcliffe 5-try; Arana 6-4
27th min: Mitchell try; Arana 10-4 (ht)
35th min: Brendan try/Mitchell conv; Arana 16-4
46th min: Jozey try; Arana 20-4
59th min: Redcliffe 15-try/1-conv; Arana 20-10 (ft)
MAJOR SEMI:
Logan Bros and Redlands met at Creek Rd for the right to be first into the Grand Final. After Logan Bros thrilling win 2 weeks earlier at Emerson Park this was expected to be a ripper of a match and the spectators were not to be disappointed. There was nothing in the first half with both sides throwing everything into a very physical encounter. The two sides matched each other try for try and at the break the score was locked at 10 apiece. Logan Bros broke the deadlock early in the second half and the next twenty minutes was real semi-final football as Redlands tried to find their way through. With 5 minutes remaing the defence finally cracked and a converted try gave Redlands a 16-14 lead, and it seemed Logan Bros were done. This was not to be however as a mistake from the kickoff saw a freakish try to Logan Bros and just for good measure they scored another right on fulltime (as they did at Emerson) to wrap up the match 24-16 and book a spot in the Grand Final in 3 weeks time. Redlands now have the final of the Foundation Shield on Friday night, before they meet Arana on Sunday week in the Preliminary Final.
Progress Scores:
Redlands: 4-0; 4-6; 10-6; 10-10 (ht) ; 10-14; 16-14; 16-20; 16-24 (ft)
Redcliffe's season has now come to end, with the last 2 weeks perhaps giving some glimpses of what could have been this year for the Dolphins, particularly given their high injury toll in the last weeks of the season - no doubt they will be back next year with a finish further up the ladder in their sights. Logan Bros are, surprisingly to some, first into the Grand Final, and it is up to Arana to see if they can lift to compete with Redlands in the Preliminary Final.
In the meantime, good luck to Redlands as they represent our competition in the Foundation Shield Final on Friday night - hopefully they can repeat the success of Redcliffe last year - Go the Parakeets (this week anyway!)!
Brad T
31/8/2003
