Unfortunately Centenary's injury crisis meant they had to forfeit to Logan Brothers, and with Norths Round 12 forfeit to the same team confirmed, Logan Bros have cemented theri place in the top 4.
Arana travelled to Bishop Park with the faintest of semi-final hoped flickering if they could cause an upset over the competition leaders Norths. A perfect completion rate in the first half, with tries to Josh, Fresta and Brendan, showed that the Panthers were on the game but they still only went into the break level at 16 all after some great tries from the home side, particularly a real heart-breaker for Arana after the half-time hooter. Arana however managed to take the lead in the 3rd minute of the second half, before tiredness started to set in and "Jolly" Josh Costello cut loose and tore the Panthers to shreds with some spectacular football to take the Devils out to a 40-22 lead before a late try by Rodger brought the final score to 40-26.
Minute by minute:
3rd min: Norths try; Norths 4-0
7th min: Josh B try/conv; Arana 6-4
16th min: Alex F try; Arana 10-4
20th min: Norths try/conv; 10-10
25th min: Brendan A try/Josh B conv; Arana 16-10
30th min: Norths try/conv: 16-16
FIRST HALF STATS: Penalties: Norths 5-2; Completions: Arana 13/13 (100.0%); Norths 8/12 (66.7%)
33rd min: Geoff H try/Josh B conv; Arana 22-16
37th min: Norths tryconv; 22-22
39th min: Norths try/conv; Norths 28-22
49th min: Norths try/conv; Norths 34-22
52nd min: Norths try/conv; Norths 40-22
55th min: Rodger S try; Norths 40-26
SECOND HALF STATS: Penalties: Arana 7-2; Completions: Arana 10/14 (71.4%); Norths 12/16 (75.0%)
TOTAL STATS: Penalties: Arana 9-7; Completions: Arana 23/27 (85.2%); Norths 20/28 (71.4%)
The other Friday night game saw Springwood host Redcliffe at Tallowood Park. The visitors got away to a 10-0 lead and looked to be in form, however Springwood fought their way back into the game and only trailled 16-14 at half-time after what was a very entertaining first half. The home side had made a number of mistakes in the first half, but cut down on these in the second stanza and put on three more tries to run out comfortable winners 30-16.
The only Sunday game saw Souths and Easts face off at Scott Park in blustery conditions. This turned out to be a very entertaining match with the scores locked at 24 all with less than 10 minutes remaining. However a one-on-one strip allowed Easts to score the critical try and despite each team adding another try Easts held on to keep Souths winless this season with a 36-28 scoreline.
The weekend's results and forfeits see Norths holding the competition lead on 28 points with Springwood in the critical 2nd position on 26. Redcliffe are on 24 points with Logan Bros on 23 with a match in hand, Arana on 18 are all but finished followed by Centenary on 14, Easts on 9 and Souths still to register a competition point.
Brad T
8/8/2004
