The first 2 rounds of the second series of matches have been completed with some thrilling matches and upset results the order of the day. Of the 8 games played, 3 have resulted in a reversal of earlier results, plus a draw thrown in for good measure.
Souths accounted for Aspley at Brandon Park 26-24, reversing a 32-10 walloping earlier and Holy Spirit jumped Redlands early to lead 22-0 before Redlands fought back going down 22-20. In an amazing coincidence Redlands had beaten Holy Spirit 32-10 earlier as well, before falling to a 2 point defeat this round. Arana were the victims of the other reversal, going down to Redlands 28-20, having beaten them by the same 8 point margin (22-14) in the first game of the season. Arana led 14-0 early but then allowed 28 unanswered points before and after halftime to trail by 14 - a late try closed the margin to 8 points.
Arana also started well against Logan Bros, leading 16-4 at halftime, but as in the first round match eventually won by Arana 26-16, Logan stormed back into the match in the 2nd half to lead 22-16 with only minutes remaining. Only a converted try right on fulltime saw Arana snatch a very important draw, as a loss would have seen Logan Bros leapfrog them into the top 4 on for and against.
Games that resulted in the same winners as earlier were Redcliffe over Logan Bros. 28-14 (21-12 earlier); Holy Spirit over Wynnum 22-10 (20-10); Redcliffe over Aspley 30-6 (20-10) and Souths over Wynnum 40-4 (24-0).
9 of the 21 rounds are now completed with leaders Redcliffe on 16 having only lost one game. Redlands on 14, Holy Spirit on 12 and Arana on 11 complete the top four. Logan Bros are on 9 pts, with Souths on 6, Aspley on 4, and Wynnum yet to open their account.
Some great games are coming up in Round 10 with Arana, keen to revenge their first round thumping, at home to Redcliffe, and Holy Spirit, similarly keen to reverse a narrow first round loss, taking on Logan Bros. A win to the Logan boys could see them back in the 4 if Arana lose to the competition leaders.
The Souths / Redlands clash will also be an interesting one - Souths have now won 2 on the trot and are starting to show some real form - Redlands will be smarting from their narrow loss to Spirit and will be keen to get some winning form on the board ahead of their Chairman's Flag clash with Redcliffe the following weekend.
The final game is Aspley versus Wynnum - Aspley have now lost 6 straight and desperately need a win to get their season back on track - but Wynnum will be no pushovers and no doubt see this as an opportunity to post their first win of the season.
Happy footballing!!!!
Brad T - May 20 2001
