A big Sunday of football with all games being played around the middle of the day, with all games local derbies!
In the first game, Springwood hosted Easts at Tallowood Park. Easts had been showing improved form and were expected to test their Tiger "cousins" however Springwood proved too classy turning a 24-0 halftime lead into a comprehensive 42-0 victory.
The other 11am game was a much tighter affair with competition leaders Norths hosting the team they are to play for the Chaurman's trophy in 2 weeks time, Redcliffe. The first half was a tight struggle with first Redcliffe then Norths scoring unconverted tries in the opening 10 minutes. The visitors sneaked away to an 8-4 lead, but the Devils scored right on half-time to level the scores 8-8 at the break. Norths came out firing after half-time to race away to an 18-8 lead, and looked to have the measure of their opponents, however Redcliffe would not lie down and eventually clawed their way back into the match. In fact it was the Dolphins who finished all over the competition leaders and 3 tries (2 converted) in 12 minutes had the Dolphins leading 24-18. Norths tried desperately to get into the match but a 50 metre penalty goal by Jed sealed the match for Redcliffe 26-18.
The battle of the Panthers, Centenary and Arana, took place at Centenary's home ground, with both teams starting with only 14 players, soon to be reduced to 13 each through injury. The game was closely fought for the first 45 minutes, until 3 sin-binnings snuffed out the home team's chances in the final 15 minutes. Arana started well despite running into the breeze and tight defence and good ball control allowed them to keep Centenary contained. Tries to Dean and Dayne through good backing up in this period saw the visitors jump away to a 10-0 lead, before a determined effort from the Centenary winger brought them a converted try. Arana established an 8 point lead just before half-time when a wide pass sent Luke over in the corner. Centeneary were first to score in the second half when Joe C scored on the last tackle, and Centenary seemed to be getting the upper hand, until a series of penalties and sin-binnings put paid to their challenge with Arana scoring 3 tries in the closing stages to run out comfortable 26-10 winners.
Minute by minute:
10th min: Dean try/Brent conv; Arana 6-0
19th min: Dayne try; Arana 10-0
25th min: Centenary-5 try/7 conv; Arana 10-6
29th min: Luke try; Arana 14-6
FIRST HALF STATS: Penalties: 3-3; Completions: Arana 11/14 (78.6%); Centenary 9/15 (60.0%)
36th min: Centenary-1 try; Arana 14-10
45th min: Nash try; Arana 18-10
53rd min: Brent try; Arana 22-10
59th min: Rodger try; Arana 26-10
SECOND HALF STATS: Penalties: Arana 6-2; Completions: Arana 12/15 (80.0%); Centenary 5/8 (62.5%)
TOTAL STATS: Penalties: Arana 9-5; Completions: Arana 23/29 (79.3%); Centenary 14/23 (60.9%)
In the final game of the day Logan Bros hosted Souths at Civic Park in what was expected to be a fairly comfortable outing for the home side, but the Magpies really took it to their more fancied rivals, and went to half-time only trailling by 2 points 16-14. However Logan Bros eventually got on top, and a couple of late tries blew the score out to 38-20 which was not a true reflection of the closeness of the contest.
With the confirmation that it is to be a four team final series this year, the table is even more interesting, with Norths now only 2 points clear of Springwood and Redcliffe at the top of the table. Arana on 12 complete the top 4 with Logan Bros on 11 breathing down their necks. Centenary on 8 are starting to lose touch with the teams above them and their game against Logan Bros next week will be critical. Easts on 5 and Souths on 0 are 7th and 8th.
Brad T
23/5/2004
