Past Brothers rugby team defeats reigning Hervey Bay Seagulls

Past Brothers rugby league has launched its 2023 campaign with two big games, including against the competition’s reigning champs, and the next battle against another unbeaten giant promises to be a big one.

Past Brothers, Matt Craven kicked nine of the 11 conversions, against the Hervey Bag Seagulls last Saturday, winning them the game by 62-8.

Past Brothers coach Andrew Hamilton said his team’s training-ground work had paid off following a 62-8 success over Wallaroos in the Bundaberg Rugby League on Saturday.

The Brothers backed up their 62-4 defeat of reigning premiers Hervey Bay Seagulls in round one with another high-scoring performance at Salter Oval.

“It was a good win,” he said.

“We were trying to work on our completions in training and I think we did that better in the game.

“We were also trying to put sides under pressure and I felt we did that too.”

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Past Brothers have scored 112 points in their first two games of the BRL season.

But Hamilton predicted a tougher test in round three against West Panthers, who continued their unbeaten start to the campaign with a 70-8 thumping of the Seagulls at Stafford Park.

“They are two wins from two like us, so it will be a big game and a lot tighter,” he said.

Hamilton said he had told his team it was hard to pick a player of the match but had special praise for three of his squad.

Youngster Bryden Blair was good at halfback and scored one of the 11 tries for Brothers, with Hamilton saying: “Bryden is only 18 but he took more control of the match and his kicking game helped us going forward.”

Second-rower Matt Craven scored a hat-trick of tries and kicked nine out of 11 conversions.

“Matt is a good addition for us this year,” Hamilton said.

“Not only did he score the three tries, he kicked well also, which could prove the difference in tight games.”

Matt Craven’s move from Easts to Past Brothers (his junior club) has been a good one, says coach Andrew Hamilton. Picture: Brian Cassidy (22/03/2023)

Centre Connor Jones also touched down three times and Hamilton said his speed was key.

“Connor is very quick,” he said.

“That meant he was able to get more space and that was the difference for him to get the tries.”

01/04/2023 – Samuel Tobin was one of the try scorers for Waves Tigers in their win over East Magpies. Picture: supplied

Connor Yeats and Chris Robinson scored try doubles for West Panthers in their big win over the Seagulls, while Samuel Tobin and Brendan Grills were among the try scorers for Waves Tigers in their 30-18 win over East Magpies.

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The Bundaberg Rugby League will take a break for Easter next weekend and returns with round three on April 15.