Capras book major semi berth after downing the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in week one of the final series

Young guns just one win away from Hastings Deering Colts competition grand final after stunning win. Read the details here and who starred in the big game at Browne Park.

The CQ Capras downed Wynnum Manly Seagulls in week one of the Hastings Deering Colts finals series.

The CQ Capras under-21s are going to “enjoy the ride” after they stunned the competition favourites with a gutsy win in week one of the Hastings Deering Colts finals series.

Coach Kane Hardy was over the moon after his talented outfit downed first-placed Wynnum Manly Seagulls 24-20 at Browne Park on Sunday.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet that we’re just one win away from a grand final,” he said.

It was an impressive effort from the fourth-placed Capras, given their opponents had won every game from Round 3 of the regular season.

Capras’ centre Coby Williamson makes a fast break.

Hardy has all season long acknowledged the tenacity and resilience of his side and he did it again on Sunday.

“They’ve bonded, they’ve come together. They’re a solid rock and they don’t let each other down,” he said post-match.

“You saw today - they just worked hard for each other.

“It wasn’t flash, we’re not technical, we don’t try to be the Melbourne Storm - we’re just the Capras brand and that’s head down, bum up and working hard.

Capras’ prop Ilami Buli makes a powerful run.

The home side charged out of the blocks and were on the board after five minutes with a try to hooker Owen Pattie.

They suffered a serious blow when they lost hard-working second rower Chris Lee just 15 minutes in after he dislocated his shoulder.

But they stuck to their task and tries to fullback Peyton Jenkins and lock Thallon Peters had them up 16-10 at half-time.

Front rower Jeremy McLachlan, who was one of the team’s best, extended the Capras lead when he crossed just two minutes into the second stanza.

Two second-half tries to the visitors got them within striking distance, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.

But the Capras held firm to secure the victory and book a berth in the major semi-final in a fortnight’s time.

Peters and prop Mitch Lamont were instrumental in laying the platform for the win, while Noah Corcoran received special mention for his defensive efforts on the right edge.

Hardy said he knew his players were up for a big performance on Sunday.

“I could sense it before the game that the boys were on. We got that good jump at the start and I don’t think the other mob were really thinking that was going to happen,” he said.

Hooker Owen Pattie scored the Capras’ opening try.

“Then in the end it just turned into a grind; we could have scored, they could have scored. It just became a gritty, tough game of footy.”

Hardy said he was excited for what was to come and he was thrilled for his players.

“We’re just going to enjoy the journey because at the moment the road hasn’t got a detour, it doesn’t have a dead end,” he said.

“We’re still on the highway so we’re just going to enjoy the ride.”