Gympie Devils win in a nailbiter

GYMPIE Devils held on to win a cliff hanger against the Noosa Pirates on Saturday night 16- 14.

Picture: Codey Warhurst

GYMPIE Devils held on to win a cliff hanger against the Noosa Pirates on Saturday night 16- 14.

The rugby league team, playing at home and in pink for breast cancer, could have still lost the game after the final hooter but held on for a vital win.

Devils winger Michael Blaik was running the ball up field when the hooter sounded to end the game, but a clever strip by a Noosa defender in the tackle saw the Pirates have one last raid on the Devils line.

Luckily the Gympie defence scrambled well to tackle the Pirate and win game, keeping the Devils in the hunt for the finals.

Coach Darren Burns said he was proud of his team's effort to hold Noosa to only three tries.

“We had the right attitude in defence it made the difference,” he said.

The Devils started the game on fire racing to a 10 nil lead after a tries from halfback Nick Swan and fullback Ben Bambling. Swan's try came from a neat move from the base of a scrum.

Some clever footwork saw him beat a couple defenders and dive over near the posts.

Bambling's try was set up by some smart Devils' passing which put the custodian into space and he outran his opposite number to score out wide.

Two late second half tries by the Noosa's Anthony Zipf and Daniel Pockram saw the teams go to the dressing sheds tied at 10 all. The Devils returned to the field in the second half knowing they needed to win to stay in finals contention.

Swan scored his second try after some strong forward running got the Devils close to the line.

His neat footwork got him through the Pirates defensive line to score and then he stepped up to convert the goal to take the score to 16-10.

The game went from end to end with both teams attacking and defending strongly, but a dubious knock on call by the referee John Perez gave Noosa the scrum feed on half way.

Noosa won the scrum and attacked, with Zipf eventually crossing for his second try.

Noosa missed the kick leaving the score 16-14.

Burns who was nursing a swollen nose and two blackening eyes said the game was one of the toughest he had played in all year.

“It was physical, one of the best of the year,” Burns said.

He said the fact both teams only scored one try a piece in the second half showed both teams had turned up to play.

“It goes to show both teams wanted to win the contest,” he said.

Burns said Devils forward Riley McDowall was voted the Devils best and Nick Swan was also impressive. The win keeps the Devils in the hunt for a finals berth with the top six teams making the final series.

The Devils are currently in seventh spot one point from sixth spot and two points from fifth.

Burns said the Devils will need to win the majority of their final three games against Maroochydore, Nambour and Caloundra to make the finals.

“We have no more home games so it won't be easy,” Burns said.

“But we have a team that is good enough,” he said.

Devils reserve grade had another impressive win beating Noosa 42-8. The Reserve grade Devils have had a great year being unbeaten at home and are a real chance of win ning the competition.

Originally published as Gympie Devils win in a nailbiter