Bumper round 7 of Meninga, Connell and Harvey girls action features three try heroes galore
There were three try heroes galore in Meninga Cup, Connell Cup and Harvey Norman under-19s girls’ junior representative rugby league action over the weekend. See how the games unfolded across the state here.
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Another bumper round of Meninga Cup, Connell Cup and Harvey Norman under 19 representative rugby league unfolded this weekend.
Here we bring you many of the ups and downs as the teams plough toward the semi-finals which were now within sight.
In some game day highlights:
+ Townsville Blackhawks prop Chloe Watson scored three tries in her team’s win over Northern Pride;
+ Caleb Cresswell was dynamic for the Bears in their Connell Cup victory, including scoring four tries;
+ The Mackay Cutters were forced desperately to repel a fast finishing Capras in the Connell, winning 16-10;
JUNIOR REPS R6 TEAMS OF THE WEEK
+ Conrad Browne scored in the first set of the match as Ipswich Jets beat the Bulls in Connell action;
+ In a round of hattricks, Cutters Harvey 19s’ La Naliah Hine also scored three tries;
+ There was another three try effort, this time from Blackhawks’ Connell Cup winger Dylan Gourley;
+ There were two Harvey Norman under 19 thrillers, including a 14-all draw between Norths and Souths Logan, and a match won 26-20 by the Bears over Tweed;
+ Redcliffe halves Carter Welfare and Noah Fien pulled the trigger on another impressive win by the Dolphins;
+ A double by Redcliffe Meninga Cup centre Prestyn Laine-Sietu to pull away from Wynnum Manly in wet conditions;
+ A try of the season contender by Clydesdales fullback Mia Byrnes;
+ A clinical performance by Clydesdales Meninga Cup halves Joey Sankey and Matthew Moore;
+ Riley Zanette’s two try effort in a tight win for the Clydesdales Connell Cup team.
Cutters v Capras
Connell Cup
The Mackay Cutters were forced to man the pumps to turn away a fast finishing Capras in Mackay today.
A dropped ball by a Capras’ player minutes from full-time denied the CQ side a converted try which would have tied the scores. In the end Mackay won 16-10.
Down 16-nil at the break, Capras simply had to be the first team to score in the second half and they were.
Off the back of a series of hard runs and quick rucks, second rower Zac Bateman plunged over to score a try which he also converted. It was 16-6.
Playing straighter and running harder, Capras actually controlled the opening seven minutes of the second half.
And when Cutters did get possession, urgent marker defence on the goal line and a rushing defensive unit helped curtail Mackay’s danger men.
Cutters defence was also strong, but with seven minutes remaining it was breached for the second time in the half when winger Leo Fanuatanu crossed.
The ball had been spun across the line, through the hands of Oberhardt, Melrose, onto fullback Will McLaughlin and then centre Harrison Meilland who drew and passed to his winger. At 16-10 it was anyone’s game.
In the first half inform Mackay fullback Adam McSherry crossed again, and with tries by Joshua Toby and Jack Townsend, Cutters enjoyed an 18-nil lead at the break.
“In the first half I thought we didn’t get off the bus,’’ said Capras coach Carpenter. We were dominant in patches but paid for our own mistakes and the Cutters put 18 points on us.’’
“In the second half they responded, but we weren’t good enough to reign in the 18 point head start.
“But I’m proud my boys didn’t give up and kept swinging until the full-time siren.’’
Capras’ best was prop Henry Kallquist who led by example and who inspired his side back into the match through his actions. He was well supported by No. 13 Jake Oberhardt and Jay Marsh.
Meninga Cup
Mackay Cutters coach Andy Battaia must have thought he had been talking to a pot plant during the week - not his players- just minutes after the start of the match.
The message all week was that his players had to earn the right to play football, to move the ball.
So what happened first up? Mackay used the ball without going forward and bungled possession.
“I was not happy with the first half,’’ Battaia said.
“The message during the week was we had to earn the right to play footy.’’
The inevitable error was made.
“But the boys defended their mistake. There was no panic at halftime (Mackay led just 10-8), we got back to winning the field possession and we came away with a nice win.’’
Cutters produced a four try second half and it turned into a 32-8 win for the Cutters.
Rory Woodall led the way on a busy afternoon. He started in the second row and ended up at right centre. His reward was a second half try.
Harvey under-19s
Cutters winger La Naliah Hine blazed to thee tries as her side defeated Capras 36-4 in Mackay today.
La Naliah Hine had three tries by halftime as the Cutters established a match winning advantage by the break.
But it was hooker Paityne Johns who continued to set the standard across the competition, with her elite play from the ruck.
Both Johns, a Queensland schoolgirls representative last season, and interchange forward Ebony Temple were fantastic for the winners.
“The girls did a great job executing the game plan and really took them on through the middle with their forwards,’’ said Mackay Cutters coach Matt Sanders.
“I think across the season the girls have come a long way in terms of being patient in attack and not going away from what works.’’
Seagulls v Bears
Connell Cup
Burleigh centre Caleb Cresswell was a three try hero as the Bears scored eight times in the Gold Coast local derby against Tweed Seagulls.
With the forwards doing their job, the Bears had too much strike in its backline.
Fullback Kingston Seve was a running threat around organised halfback Marley McLaren, and on the edge of the field Cresswell proved too hot to handle.
It was a comprehensive win by an outstanding side. “It was an outstanding team effort,’’ said Bears coach Ryan Gundry.
During the first half the Bears were probably even better than the 16-nil scoreline indicated, having scored four tries including a double by Cresswell.
“Caleb was great and took the opportunities presented to him,’’ coach Gundry praised.
Middle forward Tupou Francis was also excellent, along with five-eight Daniel Rakena.
Meninga Cup
Tweed halfback Zane Harrison was captain calm again as he steered the Seagulls to a fabulous win, 36-8, against local rivals Burleigh.
Harrison is one of the best in the business, a wonderful organiser, astute tactical kicker and strong runner who can straighten the attack himself.
He is one of those halfbacks who lures his side into positions where they build pressure on the opposition.
You saw the whole package from Harrison again on Saturday - including his goal kicking. He kicked six conversions.
The Seagulls - and Palm Beach Currumbin SHS - were lucky to have this Gold Coast Titans signed junior who hailed from beautiful Cudgen headland just over the border.
As a unit, Seagulls overwhelmed their rivals.
“We got taught a lesson in building pressure and execution,’’ said Burleigh Bears coach Ben Linde.
Bears had some excellent players, however, including thrilling outside backs Creedence Donovan and Phil Coates, and willing prop Brady Turner.
Tweed coach Sam Meskell said initially things did not go to plan after they lost No.13 Isaac Harrison while also coaching some players who had niggling injuries. “The most pleasing thing was our effort in defence and how we built pressure in attack,’’ coach Meskell said. For Tweed Tom Summer up front had a strong game, while Zane Harrison, of course, fullback Mason Barber and five-eight Jake Lateo were influential.
Harvey under-19s
It was a hell of a contest between the Burleigh Bears and Tweed Seagulls during a seesawing thriller on a wind swept Gold Coast.
Bears won 26-20, with a try by Seagulls’ Shanarlii Peckham toward the end of the second half setting the scene for a thrilling finish.
Tweed had started strongly with two early tries, but this derby clash was never going to be a runaway to one side or the other, and by halftime the Bears had captured the lead for the first time, 16-14.
“I was pleased with all the girls’ effort. We turned up regardless,’’ said Bears coach Spencer Taplin.
“It was a good way to end the season. The girls turned up for each other right to the end and I am proud of the team.’’
Tweed coach Anthony Swain said his team paid the price for drifting from the game plan and as a result the side relied more in individuals in the match.
“We get a few players back which will give us a great boost in the lead up to our semi-final against Easts (Brisbane Tigers).’’
Jets v Bulls
Connell Cup
On a weekend for hattricks, Ipswich Jets flying winger Conrad Browne scored three tries, including one in the first minute as his team beat the Bulls 64-4.
For the Jets Vena Aukusitino Fetalaiga (twice), Tiger Campbell, Ioane Tiatia (twice), Josiah Grey,
Xzavier Timoteo, Neyon Taito-Makea and Christian Mikaele also crossed in a superb close out to the season
The Jets will miss finals footy this season with the Clydesdales going through from their pool, however this was a brilliant way to go out.
The home side were firing on all cylinders and ran in 12 tries to one in a dazzling showcase at the North Ipswich Reserve.
Meninga Cup
Ipswich Jets coach Tye Ingebrigtsen has again praised his team’s defence despite his side amassing 70 points against the Bulls on Saturday.
Defence has been a focus for Ingebrigtsen as he builds his side toward a possible semi-final appearance.
And the group delivered in spades, restricting the Bulls to a late try by Mitchell Sly.
“That was again what impressed me,’’ he said.
“We’ve had something like six tries scored against us in the last five games.
“We are just working hard to get that part of our game right.’’
With the ball, prop Kanaan Magele took his team forward. He was outstanding.
Harvey under-19s
Ipswich coach Michael Wardrop praised the spirit of both teams after his side hit the winners post as comfortable 64-4 winners.
The Jets were up and running from the word go, and despite the forever trying Bulls side, they were never going to be beaten.
“I was happy with the way we moved the ball well,’’ Wardrop said.
He said although it was a team effort, Zebadiah Latu Mulumulu, Dakota Taputoa and Ariana Henderson did well.
But he reserved praise for Sifa Leapai, his prop who the club lent to Wide Bay to help out.
The Ipswich try scorers were: Zebadiah Latu Mulumulu, Dakota Taputoa, Lyla Duffy, Astrid Mann, Luciah Silao, Ariana Henderson, Lilly Cobbin and Kaiah Hansell. For Wide Bay, Courtney Jackson and Abbie Renouf-Dowdle crossed.
Devils v Magpies
Connell Cup
A 12-all halftime match turned into a Souths celebration as the big Magpies’ forwards ramped up their second half effort.
It was another outstanding team performance with no weak link in the chain.
When Souths Logan went straight and direct, the side was almost impossible to contain, and on the fringes the pace of five-eight Tom Parker, and the power games of centre Joseph Tupuse and edge forwards Te ara Tamepo-Habib and Ronnic Starkey added a dimensionto their attack.
But best of all were middle forwards Fa’apale Feaunati and Mace Andrew, the Souths co-captains who just don’t have an off switch, and interchange prop Emmanuel Asomua.
Souths Logan coach Lincoln McLeod said both skippers, Andrew and Feaunati, were tremendous leaders. “One of their traits is actions speak louder than words and again their actions were great,’’ he said.
For all this, Norths were not far away.
Replacement Devils’ hooker Tai Kapaith almost scored close to the line, while a chip and chase by five-eight Olley Spicer almost created something out of nothing. But the better side won.
“We had a 10 minute period after halftime that we didn’t control possession which Souths’ took advantage of and scored quick tries.’’
For the Devils Dyer Akauola and again Lincoln Dalton were Norths’ best.
Meninga Cup
What a difference a week can make for Souths Logan.
Seven days earlier the Magpies struggled to implement its game plan, stay the course under pressure or give themselves a chance.
Yesterday it was like a new side. Had some spectators seen a box of Magpies jumpers in a box before the start of the match and ran onto the field wearing them? No. It was the Souths Logan squad playing to its ability.
And the improved performance showed on the scoreboard, with an 18-14 win over a quality Norths outfit the result.
“We stuck to the game plan a lot better this week,’’ explained Souths Logan coach Ben Trim.
“And we also defended much better on the edges.’’
The win was even more meritorious when you consider outside back ace Bailey Trew was lost early with a HIA, resulting in players playing out of position.
As he is every week, Jayden Solien was again among Souths Logan’s best.
And the talented prop Dirhys Sefo was not far behind him either, while Mou Taumaletila-Maulolo was his normal high standard in the tight clash. Norths coach Shannon Tupara said it was frustrating his side took wrong options after being good enough to create opportunities. Captain Lauloto Salei moved to hooker and did well - he is such a good competitor, no one would be surprised - while Maddox Goodwin switched to No.13. But the very best for Norths was right edge forward Brandon Norris while Sylas Simon stood up well at the back.
Harvey under-19s
A late try from Souths Logan winger Rebeka Lee salvaged a 14-all draw in a mini-classic at Bishop Park.
The Devils had come from a 10-4 halftime deficit to hit the front courtesy of Kasanita-Amani Fotu and Skylahparadise Heke, but this multi-pronged Souths Logan outfit was never going to die wondering.
“I am just pleased we played out the game for the full 60 minutes,’’ said Magpies coach Warren Bernardin.
There were plenty of good players, including Souths Logan foursome Dakotah Brady-Heaslop (five-eight), Nikolina Fangupo (No. 13) and fullback Te Rina Pearse. Norths coach Leon Savelio said he was so pleased to see the girls “turn up for each other’’. “We’ve been riddled with so many ups and downs this season and to see them come together like they did today was so rewarding. Ava Walters at fullback was top notch while the increasingly impressive Easter Taualai was a ripper. Also, new halves partners Georgette Di Trapani and Jessica
Jahnke moved the side around well, while props Jacinta Neemia and Ally Ramsay took the side forward.
Blackhawks v Pride
Connell Cup
The Townsville Blackhawks produced an outstanding first half performance to lay the bricks and mortar for its 30-6 win.
Winger Dylan Gourley benefited from his team’s shifts with three tries in just nine minutes and by halftime Blackhawks had assembled a 22-nil advantage.
Pride did well to gather themselves at the break, and when Riley Wells scored a converted try early in the second half they were partly back in the match,
But in the end the scoreline reflected the better side had won.
“It was quality in the first half, although we did let the pressure off a bit in the second,’’ said Blackhawks’ coach Nathan Norford.
Gourley deserved praise, not just for his finishing, but also for his hard yard carries.
Townsville’s forward effort was led by edge forward Taakoi Benioni who was one of the players from the weekend of footy. He is very hard to handle.
Meninga Cup
Pride and Blackhawks produced one of the matches of the weekend with a rousing local derby on Jack Manski Oval.
It was a battle between both big forward packs, with Pride battering ahead 18-10 by full-time.
Blackhawks, whose cause was not helping by being down to 12 men for all the second half after Logan Brooks’ send off, had turned 10-6 at halftime.
But hulking interchange prop Gabriel Tunimakubu and tough as teak forward Wyatt Lourigan thumped Pride ahead. It was a lead they were able to defend.
“It was a great team effort and I am very proud of them all,’’ said Blackhawks coach Luke Harlem.
“We had 12 men for the majority of the match so they played well considering.’’
Pride coach Bevan Walker said while the effort was evident, again execution with the ball let the side down and despite the win “I was not happy with the way we played at all’’.
As mentioned earlier middle forwards Wyatt Lourigan and Gabriel Tunimakubu did their job, but so did hooker Braith Dowson around his forwards.
Jonah Raidaveta also gave impact off the bench, Jack Rix did well off the bench, while fullback Liam O’Brien - who is having a bumper season, again impressed.
Harvey under-19s
Chloe Watson scored three tries in a super team performance as the Townsville Blackhawks claimed a 32-0 nil over Northern Pride.
Prop forward Watson scored two tries in quick success to open up the scoring, and then crossed again late.
Coach Rob Hall heaped praise on both his props, Watson and Easther Mikaele who laid a platform through the middle.
On the edge rookie Chloe Maxwell, up from the under 17s, also impressed Hall. “She looks to have a bright future,’’ Hall said.
“Defence was our focus again and we scrambled well to hold them out and frustrate them into errors,’’ Hall added.
Blackhawks other tries came from fullback Brandy Yallop, Maxwell, second rower Jahntae Mara and five-eight Teyanna Mataa.
Pride coach Floria King-Smith said a lack of communication did not help her team’s performance, and they struggled to compete despite the group working hard in patches.
“Our middles Lisa Waireg and Lily-Jay License worked hard, while half Teesha Potts controlled the team once we lost Layla Geck (hooker).’’
SUNDAYS GAMES
Wynnum Manly v Dolphins
Connell Cup
A white hot Redcliffe Dolphins continued to impress with a superb performance, winning 26-nil in greasy conditions at Kougari Oval.
Thwarted early by Wynnum’s defence, Redcliffe stayed on track and wear down their opponents.
This is a crack under-17 side which must be a dream to coach. They play at speed around the ruck, have even more speed on the edges, and have two of the best halves in the competition - Carter Welfare and Noah Fien.
Around them they have Charlie Dickson who is the complete No.13, imposing middle men Cody Starr Maddocks, they have middle forward Jairus Halahala roaring off the bench, and the best edge player in his age group, Brian Pouniu.
On the other edge is Duquan Talaepa who saved what seemed a certain try today with brutal cover defence that dislodged the ball.
Most of the players mentioned were all signed to the Dolphins NRL academy.
Redcliffe did not have it all their own way.
It is not just the team’s talent, it is their desire on things like kick-chase which speaks volumes.
It was No.13 Dickson who scored a crucial side which extended his team’s lead just after halftime.
After a denting run from Maddocks, Dickson produced a second effort close to the line to get the ball down.
That was a tough, gritty try - and the other try of the half was pure skill when Fien chip kicked across the face of goal for his centre Logan Hudson to score. “We started off rough but they are all starting to understand their roles. The spine gets us around the field really well,’’ said Dolphins coach Larry Dickson.
Wynnum Manly players had got their beauty sleep, that’s for sure.
They came ready to play defensively, and anything the Dolphins were able to throw at them, they doused with well organised defence.
It took a dropped ball to catch the defensive line by surprise, resulting in a Redcliffe right edge spread that saw Jake Carsburg, one of the former outside backs of the competition, cross in the corner.
With halftime just 60 seconds away, Carsburg scored again in the right corner sooner after.
Mereki Warradoo flicked a ball to Carter Welfare, heavily involved playing first receiver, who unloaded to a running Noah Fien. Fien’s pass then found Carsburg.
Wynnum would have been disappointed to be down 12-nil after holding Redcliffe for so long, but Redcliffe’s speed of ruck play and Welfare’s organisation had started to make an impact the more the match progressed. Wynnum coach Blake Trace said his squad was enduring a tough season through injuries and it was frustrating he had not been able to field the same 17 twice. “Multiple changes each week hust but it is the way the boys turn up for each other that pleases me most,’’ coach Trace praised. “They work hard for each other and have reall bought into the culture we want to drive at the club. If I few things go our way you never know but that’s 17-year-old footy.’’ For Wynnum, fullback and skipper Tyler Peirera and hooker Zeke Jones did their jobs very well.
Meninga Cup
The impact of decisive interchange hooker Mathias Santo-Hero was just what Redcliffe needed to come out on top 28-20 in a serious grudge match against a brave Seagulls side.
Wynnum were up for the skirmish, and led 16-8, before Santo-Hero’s punch off the bench clicked things into gear for the visitors.
Sharp shooting Redcliffe halfback Zac Herdegen nailed a penalty goal to put things out of reach for Wynnum Manly three minutes shy of time, after a try out of dummyhalf from Santo-Hero undid determined goal line defence from the Seagulls.
Santo-Hero scurried from the ruck to score, then his accurate passing to Lachlan Buchbach helped put tryscoring ace Prestyn Laine-Sietu in for a timely double.
Laine-Sietu, a known scorer, showed a turn of pace for both his tries scored within four minutes of eachother.
That was the turning point of the match which came after a real back-and-forth under slippery conditions at Kougari.
In the first half, just when Redcliffe looked to have gathered momentum in the minutes leading up to the break, it was Wynnum who turned defence into attack and a rousing late surge which extended the Seagulls lead to 16-8 at the break.
During the first half Wynnum prop Beni Allen was not intimidated by his task in the middle against Redcliffe prime movers Michael Waqa and Elijah Rasmussen while both Wynnum centres, Jaycob Kingston-Francis and the physical Tariq Tanner, stood up to Redcliffe’s shifts.
But the thing about playing Redcliffe in Meninga and Connell at the moment is their strike power, and unless you are on defensively all half, they will pick you apart.
And so it was the case when, just moments to halftime, Redcliffe’s pack drew Wynnum in, and then lightning hands by five-eighth Buchbach gave his winger Jeremiah Havea just enough time to dive over in the corner.
Earlier, it was a piece of Harry Armstrong magic which put Wynnum back in front midway into the first half.
One of the best week to week players in the competition, Seagulls’ skipper Armstrong put some music back on Redcliffe with a fine unload under heavy pressure in defence.
Alert fullback Kylem Vunipola then swept onto the pass, and the timing of his delivery to centre Jaycob Kingston-Francis played a part in Kingston-Francis crossing to score.
This was after Wynnum had shocked Redcliffe with a try in the first minute by Topaz Mohi.
Kylem Vunipola, Mohi and Charlie Johnstone were fearless with their carries while five-eighth Larry Clark, Beni Allen and Harry Armstrong were fierce on defence for the home side.
For Redcliffe, Zac Garton and Baylen Donald were physical on defence and big Larry Siala, Michael Waqa and Patrick Kailahi damaging with their crash runs.
Harvey under-19s
A feel-good try on fulltime by prop Tyra Church was the perfect ending to Redcliffe’s clinical 24-0 victory over Wynnum Manly.
Without their prop powerhouse Reegan Hicks, Redcliffe were able to turn good field position into points and while the Seagulls defence was strong, the dam wall broke five times across the sixty mintues.
Ruby Bezgovsek, Kiera Rangi, tough hooker Raewyn Olomalii, Diantae Savage and Church crossed for the visitors, but it was after plenty of hard work, cherished possession and playing a ton of the game in Wynnum Manly’s half.
You could not fault the home side’s effort. Time and time again Redcliffe were denied on attacking raids, with Steve Casey’s Seagulls turning up for eachother in their final game of the season.
Clydesdales v Falcons
Connell Cup
A sensational try scored by Braithen Scott put the exclamation point on a 23-12 come from behind win by the Clydesdales over the Falcons.
Scott put in a deft chip kick over the defence for Shaun Elara who caught the ball and flicked it back on his right to Scott who cored under the sticks.
This miraculous play capped off a 15 point scoring spurt by the Clydesdales who trailed 12-8 heading into the final 10 minutes of the game.
Falcons captain Jackson Koina scored the go-ahead try for the Falcons who led 12-8 heading onto the home straight, but immediately edge forward Riley Zanette replied for the home side.
A slippery Zanette landed two tries within the space of four minutes to recapture the lead for his side.
Then a cheeky Scottt, with a field goal, put his side further in front at 19-12 to ensure a victory in the 58th minute.
He and Elara then combined to score the try of the game which inflated the lead to 11.
Kolby Seymour, Joseph Litidamu, Zannete (two tries) and Scott scored for the Clydesdales, while captain courageous Koina bagged a double in what was a fitting way for the skipper to finish the home-and-away season.
Harvey under-19s
Livewire Clydesdales hooker Mia Byrnes scored one of the tries of the season in her team’s rousing 30-4 victory over a gallant Sunshine Coast.
Byrnes, sporting pink headgear, caught an offload shy of halfway and tore down the middle of the field to score an epic final try.
Byrnes bursted away from a handful of defenders and looked sure to be tackled as she approached a triangle of Falcons players close to the try line.
But she was sure on scoring, the impressive utility back pinning the ears back and slicing through every last opponent as she slashed away for a try of the year contender.
Just before Byrnes’ brilliant show of pace and athleticism, five-eighth Jessica Barnes dazzled with a carry of her own.
Barnes broke the line and stormed downfield before being brought to ground. This linebreak led to the Clydesdales fifth try which was scored by tall prop Libby Dunn.
Earlier, Byrnes opened the scoring for the home side before scores from Jessie Friedrichs, Lucy Anlezark and busy No.14 Mikeely Scott paved the way for the Clydesdales to capture their sixth win in six games.
Trusty fullback Mia Vines crossed for the Falcons lone try, but all eyes were on the Clydesdales’ rake Scott who was seemingly everywhere.
She offered crisp ball to her halves, challenged the line with her runs from the ruck, and even filled in at first receiver on multiple occasions as the Clydesdales fast paced game style, spearheaded by Scott, delivered a 24-point-victory.
Meninga Cup
The Clydesdales fended off a fast finishing Sunshine Coast outfit to snare a gritty 26-16 victory, their fourth of the season.
The home team took great care of the ball, defended like men possessed and had great go-forward in the middle with Bailey Rathmell, Braith Clark, Bodhi Sharpley and Matthew Simpkin putting in monster efforts.
The Clydesdales, who had more attacking sets in the opposition’s half, won the first stanza 12-6 before a strong defensive showing in the second half saw them win by the skin of their teeth.
Edge forward Trace Beattie scored his second try on the final play of the game with a wonderful try in the left corner.
He has been a tremendous try scorer this year.
The Falcons threatened to draw level at 22-22 when barnstorming prop Braith Clark stormed towards the posts but there was Beattie, again, making a big play. This time it was his defence.
There were strong defensive efforts abound, particularly from Tyler Te Tana and fullback Brock Sankey who each pulled off a trysaving tackle in the first half as the Clydesdales poured on pressure.
Creating that pressure were halves Matthew Moore and Joey Sankey, who, with their deft attacking kicks and pin-point spiral passes, tired the Falcons defenders down so that the likes of Matthew Drews and Matthew Schultz could strike.
The classy Sankey scored a try and set up another with a cross field kick.
Hot-stepping Falcons utility Finn Lawson, tough halfback James Marriot and forwards Jackson Kite and Tyrell Hopkins stood tall for the visitors, who returned serve brilliantly when things didn’t go their way.
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