Lowly Norths sting Rays

IT seemed like the writing was on the wall for the Sunshine Coast Stingrays less than 20 seconds into yesterday's match against Norths.

IT seemed like the writing was on the wall for the Sunshine Coast Stingrays less than 20 seconds into yesterday’s match against Norths.

In the first phase of the match, star Stingrays flyhalf Shane Drahm, a former Queensland Red, threw a looping cut-out pass that was nicely picked off by Norths winger Sam Purvis, who raced away for the opening points.

The Stingrays were playing catch-up before most of the Stockland Park crowd had taken their seats and Norths was able to hold them off for a 32-27 victory.

Stingrays coach Toutai Kefu was blunt in his summation of the game, saying his side, which made the grand final last year, had simply failed to match the passion of the Premier Rugby cellar dwellers.

“After today and watching the DVD of the last couple of weeks, we’ve been out-enthused,” he frankly said.

“The (other) teams have just turned up and been a lot more keen and eager than us.

“I don’t know why that is. If they can’t motivate themselves well they probably shouldn’t be here.

“We’ve seen this team can be so much better and we’ve seen them play a lot better than today. I can’t motivate them. They’re grown men. They should be able to motivate themselves.

“They’re hurting more than I am. They’re the ones out there trying to play rugby and execute the game plan, so they’ll have to turn it around themselves.”

The Stingrays shot to a 14-5 lead after tries to Stefan Vandewalt and Ben Church, with recent Australian under-20s recruit Blake Enever showing his skills to set up Church.

Norths pinched the lead back after Purvis bagged his second and livewire fullback Jesse Mogg slotted a cheeky drop goal.

Robbie Butcher kicked a penalty on the stroke of the buzzer for an 18-14 score line at the break.

The visitors stretched their lead early in the second stanza with a great chip-and-chase from Mogg and they held a 12-point lead when Butcher kicked another penalty.

Late on, stand-in Stingrays captain Tom Beattie bagged a try between the posts and the Rays trailed by just five after a Drahm drop goal.

But the sides traded penalties and Norths was able to hang on for a memorable victory, leaving Kefu and his squad wondering how to turn their season around.

“There was some good phases and passages of play,” he said.

“Our game plan, I suppose, sometimes is working, but most of the time it isn’t.”

“We’ll have to reassess before next week, but we can definitely turn it around.”

Originally published as Lowly Norths sting Rays