Hammers downed

A SPIRITED first half display by the Gympie Hammers' rugby union side wasn't enough to slow the Noosa juggernaut at Albert Park on Saturday.

A SPIRITED first half display by the Gympie Hammers' rugby union side wasn't enough to slow the Noosa juggernaut at Albert Park on Saturday.

The Hammers matched it with the competition front runners in the first half and went to the break only trailing by ten points, but ended up losing the game 64-14.

In fact the Hammers opened the scoring after a set play from a line out saw Andrew Rye crash over for a try which was converted to give the Hammers a seven point lead.

The Hammers scored their second try after another set play when inside centre Ryan McLeod was put into space for another five pointer.

Hammers' coach Dave Crowley said his team's first half effort was first class.

“The boys are improving every week, but the game got away from us in the second half,” Crowley said.

The second half saw the Hammers defend for most of the game and Noosa started to rack up the points.

“Their half back and inside centre caused us plenty of grief,” Crowley said.

“At the end of the day we were beaten by a better side- they are the best side in the competition,” he said.

Crowley said Drew Ogden and Ryan McLeod had great games.

The Hammers travel to Maroochydore for their final game of the season next weekend and the coach is hoping for another strong showing.

“We are in a rebuilding phase, we have a lot of players who haven't played before,” Crowley said.

“In the off season we hope to recruit some new players and get them jobs in the region,” he said.

Originally published as Hammers downed