Redcliffe and Logan Brothers emerged victorious on day 1 of the BJRL U13JA1 in a high scoring opening to the finals series. An incredible 140 points were scored in the two matches, although that did include extra time in the Logan - Souths encounter.
It is still almost impossible to believe that Souths let the elimination semi-final get away from them in the morning game at Pinklands. Souths jumped out of the blocks dashing away to a 10-0 lead in the first couple of minutes. Logan, without the services of Brisbane rep Matt Sepelini, who broke his arm in last week's encounter against Redlands, steadied however, and struck back with an unconverted try to trail 10-4 midway through the first half. The remainder of the half was an even tussle with Souths finally getting on top to cross Logan's line twice in the dying moments of the half to go to the long break with a handy 18-4 lead.
Souths came out after halftime seemingly intent on wrapping up the match and posted two more tries to dash away to a 28-4 lead with only 20 minutes remaining. At this stage it really looked like "how far Souths" with Logan seeming to have no answer for Souths dashing attack. Souths had never won a semi match and perhaps those doubts set in as Logan dug on all their finals experience to commence one of the comebacks of the year. Logan's big forwards started making ground against the tiring Souths defence and two converted tries saw Logan narrow the margin to twelve points with 15 minutes remaining. Souths then regrouped and a runaway try seemed as though it would be enough to get them home. Logan were having none of it however, and managed to score 3 tries in the final 10 minutes, two of them converted, to bring the score to 32 all at the end of regulation. Souths looked a shattered side, and it was no surprise to see Logan rack up another 3 tries in extra time to book a knockout semi berth with their 44-32 victory.
In the other match across town, Arana got away to a dream start with a great backline move seeing Mitchell Carr score early. Alex Tallon's conversion saw them away to a 6-0 lead. However the next 15 minutes were a disaster for the Panthers with a series of dropped balls and fragile defence seeing Redcliffe cross for three converted tries and an 18-6 lead. Two excellent tries from Rob Southwood, who had dashed across from his Rugby semi at Kenmore, got Arana back into the match, seeing them trailling 18-16 shortly before halftime. This was to be the closest Arana would get to the Dolphins however as converted tries to the baysiders one minute before and one minute after halftime saw them jump away to a 14 point lead. Arana threw everything at Redcliffe for the next 15 minutes but the defence was impregnable. As so often happens, when Redcliffe finally got out of their own territory, they scored a try almost immediately, sealing the result. A further intercept try saw them go to a 42-16 lead, but to Arana's credit they didn't stop trying and a late consolation try to captain Alex Tallon made the final score 42-22.
Redcliffe now go on to play minor premiers Redlands next weekend, the winner of that match going straight to the Grand Final on September 23. Arana and Logan Brothers will battle out the Knockout Semi for the right to play the loser of the Redlands/Redcliffe match in the Preliminary Final.
