Meninga Cup, Connell, Harvey Norman U17 and U19 girls league round 5
UPDATE: Meninga Cup, Connell and Harvey girls round 5 latest from Sunday’s matches includes Wynnum’s try of the season as the U17 title contenders also make a move. Reports here.
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The Harvey Norman U17 heavyweights Souths Logan and the Tigers flexed their consider muscle to send a warning shot to rivals, while Wynnum Manly scored the try of the season despite losing to the Bears.
On a wonderful day of Meninga, Connell Cup and Harvey girls’ clashes, the Magpies flew to 66 points in beating Redcliffe, while the Tigers managed 50 points on its way against Tweed Seagulls.
Wynnum’s Hayley Bush also created a golden try against Burleigh in the U19s, despite her team suffering a defeat, while Blackhawks’ halfback Alanieta Nauqe also engineered a try with a special piece of No.7 play.
SPEED DEMONS: MENINGA, CONNELL AND HARVEY GIRLS
UNSUNG HEROES: MENINGA, CONNELL and HARVEY GIRLS
More on those games below, along with a wrap of Saturday’s battles between Capras and Pride, Ipswich and the Clydesdales and also Falcons against both the Bulls and Norths.
BURLEIGH v WYNNUM MANLY
Harvey 17s
The Burleigh Bears’ defence was excellent as the Gold Coast girls rose to an 24-nil win over
a plucky Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Kouogari Oval.
If they were giving out points for endeavour, the Wynnum U17s would be near the top of the table, although the team’s execution was well off today.
But the better side won, and won well. The Bears’ dummy half running around the ruck put pressure on the Seagulls’ line, generating field position which helped winger Isabella Brown and robust left second rower Sharleen-Marie McGregor-Kawana to cross.
Around the speed of the back five and hooker Jayda Collins, strong running Madeline Frazer and mobile No.13 Desiyah Leef also rose before interchange forwards Seneisha Hepi and Psalm Risati-Isaako had their say. Leef deservedly scored a try.
With the ball halfback Jae-Jae Wickliffe and No.9 Collins expertly took their side around the paddock.
Golden hands
There were golden hands galore early on in the match. Firstly Paige Adams displayed amazing control to field a bomb before being unlucky to loose possession in the tackle, and then from the restart Burleigh worked gloriously through the hands to enable winger Isabella Brown to cross.
Halfback Jae-Jae Wickliffe twice handled, as the ball sung through the line via Mia McKenzie and Jaida Flores on its way to Brown who scored.
Paige’s pursuits
Twice Adams saved tries with cover defence.
Initially she produced the tackle of the game when she ran down runaway Burleigh centre Mia McKenzie who had sensationally caught the kick-off and raced downfield. McKenzie seemed certain to score, but Adams came from the other side of the field to grapple her to ground.
Then in the second half she saved another try after the Bears were off and running.
Summer defence rules
In summer heat Wynnum Manly left second rower Summer Thorne held the line with tough front on tackling. She also worked rivals over in the ruck and gave the Burleigh side some of their own medicine.
Harvey 19s
Burleigh Bears may have won the war 30-8, but Wynnum Manly won some of the battle with a golden try nomination in its loss at Kourgari Oval.
While the speed of Bears’ hooker Nadia Windleborn and the guile of halfback Zali Bettridge helped direct Burleigh to a win, it was a try by Charlotte Wells which had pundits talking.
Wynnum half Maaria Elkington hoisted a mid-field bomb from 65m out, and remarkably a sprinting Bush caught it on the full.
She was tackled, but flung up a pass to the supporting Lili Douglas who again found Bush who had somehow rebounded to her feet to be a support player. Buch’s pass then found Wells who sprinted to the corner. That, ladies and gentleman, was the best try we’d see this season.
It then took a 50m intercept try by Bears’ five-eight Te Hokowhitu-Wynne, and then an opportunist 95m try by winger Samara Mackay-D, to completely douse Wynnum’s challenge.
Dynamic duo
One strength of the Bears is the one-two dummy half play of starting No.9, Nadia Windleborn, and then No.14 Elizabeth Ngahe. Ngahe caused grief with her footwork, while Windleborn is quick and direct with a lovely pass.
Textbook Bears
Burleigh’s use of both sides of the field was a feature. As dogged as Wynnum’s players were, the Bears’ ball movement left and right through both halves put pressure on the Seagulls’ - team play which was best evidenced when Burleigh fullback Sharlize Hamilton started the second half running off five-eight Nivea Te Hokowhitu-Wynne
Explosive start
There was an explosive start by the home side, with supporters cheering the outstanding Charlotte Wells on a 45m run to the line after beautifull pass by Bush.
But after a try saving tackle by Seagulls’ second rower Rylee Aspinall on her opposite Liarna Barber-Salvation, exciting Burleigh centre Brianna Toopi restored law and order with a wonderful try and the visitors were on their way to victory
Connell Cup
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TWEED v TIGERS
Harvey 17s
The imposing Brisbane Tigers fired a shot across the bow of premiership contenders with a 50-6 blitz of a skilled Tweed side at Langlands Park.
While the Tweed side showcased brilliant ball skills, speed on tap, and were dauntless in taking it to the line of a much bigger team, the Tigers were simply too brilliant and dominate.
Renowned for being a power side, what the Tigers brought in brawn they matched in brain.
You knew they were onsong early when the opening try came from a wicked flick pass from Tigers lock Riley-Jay Henry-Purcell, setting up bulldozer prop Te Ahurei Latu to claim the first points for the day after a 10 minute tussle with the Tweed side.
The Tweed were well served by centre Eadee Damro and No.13 Avalon Price, but the Tigers had big match performers all over the field.
Battle for the Best
Arguably the two most dynamic players of the day, Tigers centre Taofinuu and the consistently impressive Tweed fullback Lacey McLaren went head to head in a thrilling footrace in the second half.
The speed and athleticism of the pair was highlighted when a show and go from elusive Taofinuu bested two Tweed defenders, finding herself in a blazing foot-race with the gusty fullback who crossed the field to take her down 30 metres out.
Prop takes off
Tigers prop Carayanidis Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu was immense all game with huge hits and monstruous carries that would be expected of a prop of her calibre.
But it was late in the second half that the prop showed off another talent, giving the wingers a run for their money with a 40m runaway try. The powerhouse prop sliced through two Tweed defenders to streak down the side-line and score her second for the day with only minutes left in the game.
The blitzing run from the biggest ball-runner on field summed up versatility of East’s talents perfectly.
Golden try
The Tigers scored plenty of tries, but the team’s second touch down was a sign of things to come.
The Tigers sucked in Tweed’s defence in the middle with three hard runs just short of the paint, before they shifted the to the left with speed and accuracy that gained them a three-player overlap. This left centre Leilani Taofinuu untouched on her way to the line. It was a superb finish to a text-book play from the easts side.
Connell Cup
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Harvey Norman U19s
SOUTHS LOGAN v REDCLIFFE
Harvey 17s
The glorious Gloria Isaraelu scored four fantastic tries as the Souths Logan Magpies took charge in a commanding 66-4 win over the Dolphins.
Left wing Isaraelu had her best game of the season so far, finishing off four tries with a superb long distance dazzler off first tackle the pick of the bunch.
Isaraelu and the Magpies marched toward a 34-0 half time lead and maintained their precision, power and prowess to run riot in the second half and win big.
Ahead a bunch, Souths Logan could have taken their foot of the gas. That was the opposite of what happened.
Isaraelu made two cracking cover tackles to save tries late in the game and it emphasised their tireless 60-minute effort.
STARTING STRONG
The Magpies moved quick and often to have a downpayment on victory at half time when they led 34-0.
The combination of Mele Misa and Sienna Trew was strong. The timely injections from fullback Janique Mili were telling. The craftiness of halfback Marmie Nati never relented and before long, Souths Logan were in the box seat and in the clear.
The first half carnage was conjured from the steady hands of Nati, who assisted on three of the six tries scored by the home side and was just on.
NATI A NUISANCE FOR DOLPHINS
Nati had the ball on a string when moving fast to dab a grubber kick in for Mili who scored.
She showed her attacking prowess soon after when twice breaking the Redcliffe defence and unloading to a support player near the tryline.
It was mesmerising stuff which rewarded the decisive and gutsy play of hooker Okalani Compton and the readiness and positioning of left wing Isaraelu (two first half tries) and the slick Mili.
Harvey U19s
The dazzling feet of Danielle Tutakangahau added the exclamation point on Souths’ gritty 34-16 defeat of Redcliffe on Sunday.
Influential halfback Tutakangahau evaded two defenders with her magical footwork, a left to right step delivering one final blow, the dagger, in a high-quality hit out at Davies Park.
Under scorching hot summer sun, the Magpies returned from a 12-0 deficit and ran in five unanswered tries before Redcliffe replied to make it 24-16 with 10 minutes left.
Then came Tutakangahau’s knockout blow, a superb dash to nail the coffin shut after gutsy defence denied the Dolphins a score for almost 40 minutes through the game’s gruelling middle stages.
With time dwindling down, Souths snared one lst four-pointer when interchange middle forward Natalia Tuhiwai-Palu rumbled her way over and settled the scores at 34-16.
ROARING START
Redclfife came out like a house on fire to land three quick tries and go ahead 12-0.
Halfback and captain Tianah Teo scored a beauty and not long after Grace Filipo found another level to score a cracking try.
Teo took matters into her own hands across the match, running with direction and enthusiasm to give her side front-foot ball.
Souths, trailing by 12, were on the back foot and in need of a quick fix. With the ball in hand, they turned the tide to go ahead 16-12 heading into the second half.
The mini-comeback started with a wonderful run by smooth-moving fullback Nazlyn Waaka-Rhind who pierced a gap, found Nikeisha Ngaru and then followed the play to receive a nice final pass by Ngaru to score.
HERE THEY COME
Souths were clicked into gear after scoring that first try.
The bench impact of powerhouse Mele Misa and utility Bella Alo was felt and the Logan girls were gunning for more points.
Left wing Rebeka Lee strode over, courtesy of some crafty playmaking from Tutakangahau and then on the stroke of half time forward leader Kiera Rangi landed the Magpies’ third unanswered try.
It was game on.
MISA MASTERCLASS
Souths enforcer Misa made another profound impact in both the under-17s and under-19s matches with her power game.
A Mabel Park prop, Misa was one and a half players in her first game where she was a starter. Then, off the bench in her second game, Misa continued to move bodies out the way as she motored forward.
Misa and her under-17s teammate Alo gave Souths a nice boost after trailing early because Alo made the initial break that culminated in Souths’ fourth successive try scored by goalkicking ace Dakotah Brady-Heaslop.
The offloading Rangi also asked plenty of questions, while whippy centre Nikeisha Ngaru injected herself at a crucial time when she ran a nice switch line to score Souths’ fifth and most timely try.
Connell Cup
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CUTTERS v BLACKHAWKS
Harvey U17s
The out stretched right arm of Mackay winger Keeley Logan was the difference, as the winger snared the clinching try eight minutes from fulltime in a thriller against Blackhawks.
It was a slugging affair, with Blackhawks leading 6-nil at the break, only for a barrelling try by Theresa-Gelia Malayta enabling her side to draw level.
Then Logan somehow got the ball down from a seemingly impossible position, reaching out to ground possession and given her side a 10-6 advantage.
It was a nice passing move involving Ruby Watt, Abby Callander and Courtney Harris, but Logan still had no right to score. Her side won 10-6.
Alanieta the Poet from Burdekin
Without overcooking it, Alanieta Nauqe creation of a try for Makayla-Jayne Benson was poetry, sheer poetry, by a No.7.
She straightened the attack, took on the line and looked left, dummied to her right and then angled her body back to the right again to pick up the supporting Benson. Gee it was good football.
CLYDESDALES v IPSWICH, Harvey 17s
Clydesdales halfback Sedeequa Nelson was the difference in bruising, physical clash won 18-8 by the Darling Downs’ girls over Ipswich.
With her captain Chloe Thompson leading a forward protection racket against a tough Ipswich pack, Nelson scored a remarkable solo try and conjured up a second for winger Isabelle Duncombe which was the difference in a match which was much closer than the scores indicated.
But she could only have a say in the match if her forwards went forward, and leading the way was prop Chloe Thompson.
Ipswich had a host of strong players, including dangerous fullback Jannali Wyles-Entermann, interchange forwards Louretta Mataafa and Tamika Brennan-Rowe and Havana-Lee Tiepa-Campus, but the better side won.
WOW FACTOR
Nelson produced the wow factor of the match with a brilliant 80m solo try.
Off the back of a quick ruck ball by prop Millie Wolff, and slick service from hooker Isabel Johnston, Nelson was granted front attacking opportunities.
A dummy, a weave and a side swerve around the second line of defence opened by a canyon to the tryline which she covered quickly. It was one of the best individual tries of the season.
Nelson impacted the match with her ability to take advantage of quick play the balls generated by props Thompson and Wolff.
Around her running game and superlative solo try, she also saved a try with a subtle piece of defence on Ipswich centre Mieke Moata’ane at a crucial moment in the first half when the Jets were pounding the line.
Nelson’s kicking game, and associated chase of her own kicks, also aided her team’s performance.
OUCH - IT’S SLEDGEHAMMER IME
Tannah Klass stung like a bee in defence. No Clydesdales’ forward ran with freedom down the left hand side of the field where Klass stood in the defensive line.
Her timing was telling and would have been noted by rival teams.
CHLOE’S CLOUT
Clydesdales captain Chloe Thompson did have to say a word - her “follow me” example said it all as she took ruck ball close to the Ipswich line, powered through the defence and scored.
That moment against the physical Jets defence said it all and would have inspired her teammates. Around that, her ruck running was immense and it was no coincidence Ipswich worked their way back into the game during her absence from the field.
IPSWICH’S INTERCHANGE ACES
Jets interchange forwards Tamika Brennan-Rowe and Louretta Mataafa revved up their team’s performance after the Downs’ girl had prized open a 12-nil advantage.
With straight, hard running and quick play the balls, they helped give their side momentum which took momentum away from the Clydesdales and gave Ipswich parity in the game.
Brennan-Rowe also produced the pass which kept the ball alive that led to her team’s first try.
KICK-CHASE OF THE MATCH
Ipswich’s opening try came off the back of a wonderful tactical kick by five-eight Amber Collins, made even better by winger Camry Soli’s chase which regained possession for Ipswich.
It was off the back of that moment that the Jets were able to string together their first try as Brennan-Rowe, Pania Powhiro, Monica Tuala-Leaunoa and Ebony-Rose Te Kura handled, leading to centre Mieke Moata’ane hitting the gap and scoring.
CONNELL CUP
Innocent Baruani was the difference as Ipswich Jets hung on against a fast finishing Clydesdales 20-18.
A Liam Marshall try minutes from full-time set the scene for a gripping finish, as Clydesdales swept the ball 90m to almost pinch the win.
Baruani was the difference with his creation of tries for winger Harlem Tamali and right centre Samu Afoa.
In defence he also played an important role in Clydesdales’ centre Chevy Ryan not scoring at a time when Ipswhc clung to a 18-12 advantage.
The Clydesdales’ were never far from Ipswich’s shadow, with No. 13 Alastair MacLachlan and prop Thomas McDonald excellent around the middle, as were Ipswich props Tomasi Vaitai and Lane Edmonds.
Ipswich’s defence was also busy containing Downs’ five-eight Charlie Barnes, second rower Laythan Potter and hooker Max Murphy
“It was a tough game with a few too many errors at the wrong time,’’ said Clydesdales’ coach Ned Murphy.
PEACH OF A PASS x 2
Innocent Baruani’s pass under fatigue late in the first half for his winger Tamalii to score was a peach of a pass.
Almost as good was another ball to his centre Afoa who scored just after halftime. Baruani displayed the crisp hands of a five-eight, shuffling possession onto his centre with ease despite being under pressure.
His vision and awareness was something you can’t coach.
CHARLIE’S RUN
Charlie Barnes text book running game which took advantage of forward generated momentum was out of playbook No.1.
After mobile No. 13 Alastair MacLachlan had generated quick ruck ball, Barnes backed his skills, racing 20m to score under the posts.
MacLachlan’s ability to generate ruck speed with a play the ball also helped Max Murphy burrow over for his try early in the second half.
HARVEY 19s
On a glorious Darling Downs day, the Western Clydesdales twice fended off a dogger Ipswich to find a win.
The home side led 12-nil and 24-8, but were never comfortable as Ipswich eluded the knockout blows.
Ipswich captain Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa was magnificent for her side, while a glorious pass by forward Praya Lio for her winger Bree-Anna Owens to score set the scene for an exciting finish.
The Clydesdales won because of the work of the middle girls who each had a strong work ethic.
Tall Downs’ prop Libby Dunn also did her thing in the ruck, with long striding runs at pace, but also some subtle ball play which added variety.
Classy centre Lucy Davis crossed first, before Lille Merlow burrowed over around a sea of bodies. Those tries gifted their side a 12-nil lead.
Dunn’s ruck speed also handed her dummy half, Sienna Carr, an important try after the Ipswich girls had cut the margin to 14-8 courtesy of their captain and halfback, Harrison-Leaunoa.
BYRNES BURST
Someone needed to crack the match open and that someone was outstanding Clydesdales’ hooker Mia Byrnes, whose long run gave field position for Merlow to barge over.
Displaying the speed and movement of the fullback she once was, Byrnes dashed, running 40m to take her side deep into attack.
FIVE ON FIVE
Down 12-nil, and with halftime upon them, the Ipswich players rallied to almost generate space down the sideline for left winger Bree-Anna Owens.
Owens had eyes for the corner post, but Angel Austin had other ideas, wrapping herself around Owens and bundling her over the sideline.
THE CAPTAIN’S WANT
Ipswich needed something going into halftime and captain Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa provided it with a muscling try.
The No. 7 could easily have been held, but she fought hard to wriggle her way over for a try which cut Clydesdales’ advantage to 12-4. Boy, didn’t Ipswich need that try.
Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa also created another try with a grubber kick that was scoped up by centre Geraldine Lomas.
Meninga Cup
Ipswich hooker Harrison Hill and prop Henry Kallquist again proved great enhancements to their team’s campaign as a composed Jets second half to pull away from the Clydesdales and win 42-14 in Toowoomba.
Despite the Clydesdales displaying plenty of spirit to twice fight back, you always sensed the Jets were half a step ahead of their rivals.
The trio of No. 13 Lachlan Coburn, halves Ryder Williams and Nathan Fraser, and hooker Hill were the brains’ trust in the win.
Edge forward Jabiri Mack and prop Kallquist, recruited from Rockhampton, were also strong for the winners
DON’T YOU LOVE A RUN AROUND
There is nothing like seeing a good old-fashioned run around in full swing, particularly when it generates a try.
Ipswich hooker Harrison Hill and his prop Henry Kallquist were the men to execute the clever exchange of passing which resulted in Ryder Williams and Tavita Pomale linking to put winger Melchizedek Nonu over to give his side a 16-8 lead.
MACK TRUCK MUSCLE
Ipswich second rower Jabiri Mack opened the scoring with a magnificent solo try, hitting the gap at speed and finding a swerve of the hips to help him over the line to give the Jets a 6-nil advantage early on.
Soon after Mack was in the middle of a catch and pass movement from the tryline, with halfback Nathan Fraser backing up down the middle of the field to score after Ryder Williams and Tavita Pomale had put winger Melchizedek Nonu on a long run.
ELARA HITS TARGET
The Clydesdales’ needed something special, and No. 13 Shaun Elara provided it with a beautiful pass in contact that found his second rower Riley Zanette steaming onto the ball.
It was a great play by the St Mary’s old boy and that try reduced the margin to 16-10.
Earlier, the Toowoomba-based side found strength to also rally, with Harry Robinson scoring an opportunist try after a horror mix-up caused by the Clydesdales’ defenders from the restart.
CAPRAS v PRIDE
Harvey 17s
Alex Bukowski remarkably scored three tries as the Capras’ girls donned their wetsuits to swim to a convincing 24-nil win in pouring rain over a competitive Northern Pride.
Scoring one try was a milestone moment in the rain, let alone three, but Bukowski was at the top of her game.
The Capras set up the victory in the first half, fighting hard against the ever improving Northern Pride.
HOT START IN THE BIG WET
The Capras had got off to a hot start in the soaking wet, executing play after play despite the slippery conditions.
A mix of hot potato, great decisiveness from Josie Wegand (hooker), and telling likes from the likes of Alex Bukowski opened up a 12-0 half time buffer for the visitors.
The usual suspects found their way onto the scoresheet. Terrific trio Bukowski, edge forward Maycee Brown and work horse Wogand went in after tremendous build up play saw the Capras strut their stuff moving down field.
The bounding Bukowski barged over first after a wonderful carry from Charlotte McLean got her team on the front foot.
Both girls have been in everything over the past two matches. Brown, sporting bright pink headgear and fluoro-yellow boots, crashed over shortly after with a telling line back towards the ruck.
WHAT THE COACHES SAID
Capras coach Nicki Carpenter: Our grit and determination in attack was what impressed most,’’ she said. “In such terrible conditions we used the ball really well on the edges, while defence was also on point.’’
Pride coach Elionora Oberleuter had high praise for her hooker Nelly Roberton, but ball security and defence let her side down. “We gave Capras too much ideal field position. The girls know I am still always proud of their efforts but they know it’s back to the drawing board on Monday for our last game in Townsville.’’
DESPERATE DEFENCE
Despite desperate defence from Pride’s No. 9 Robertson and Jehaziel Kose, the Capras cashed in again five minutes from half time when busy fullback Kayla Vella made a smart pass to Wogand who scored.
Indeed Pride’s committed defence, while not good enough to win the match, was a credit to a squad which continues to improve.
Connell Cup
Capras centre Kaelan Callaghan scored a dream try to lift his side above a rising tide and defeat Northern Pride 22-6 on a rain soaked Barlow Park in Cairns.
With the match in the balance, Callaghan took a tap restart 25m from the line, burst through the defence and beat the cover defence on the line.
It was the type of try the kid could have dreamt about in his sleep. It was a special moment in a dour match.
Callaghan’s try, and a dummy half dive by Walt Lanson to score, proved the difference after the Capras had turned down 6-4 entering the second half.
No.14 Lanson had a strong match when injected, while hooker Jay Marsh continued his excellent form. Capras No.13 Lachlan Anderson and second rower Jake Armstrong again impressed.
WHAT A CATCH
Seriously, Ryan Millard should be in the slips for the Australian cricket team. His pick up of a grubber kick threaded through by Tyler Addo would have got plaudits in the dry - let alone in the big wet which greeted players in this match.
It was a sensational catch by the halfback which generated the game’s first try.
BUSBY, BILES BACK THEMSELVES
The Capras halfback Michael Busby and fullback Harley Bilesback their skills, regardless of the weather, when they rolled the dice on a right side short side play.
With the halftime siren looming, the pair crisply and cleanly delivered possession into a flying winger Kobe Oberhardt who shed two defenders to score.
Harvey 19s
The Northern Pride struck twice in the second half to palm off fierce competition from the Capras to win 24-12.
Outstanding second rower Lisa Waireg scored a wonderful individual try to turn a 12-8 halftime deficit into a 14-12 advantage, and then quick footed centre Jaeda Morato scored after fullback Jordana Woods had kept the slippery ball alive with sure handling.
There was not a struck match between the sides, and it took Waireg’s surging run and Woods’ fight in a tackle to deliver a pass to inch their side ahead of the Capras.
“We knew it we could hang onto the ball in the conditions we could create momentum and put some poitns on the board,’’ said Pride coach Karl Adams.
WONDERFUL WAIREG
The second rower was enormous in the heavy conditions, with her skill on the right side a constant threat. But he had helpers, with Jytte Wallace and Sari Ericson strong through the middle, while No.14 Makeilla Gibson influencing her side with clear, precision play around the ruck.
HAIL CASSAR
You’d love to see CQ fullback Teleah Cassar play in the dry. Her performance to drag the Capras from a 4-8 deficit into a 12-8 advantage played a huge part in the CQ’s girls’ amazing away win to the Pride.
In heavy rain, the CQ No. 1 conjured up a try for her halfback Manaia Faiumu Malone when she was able to keep the ball alive, and then soon after backed her running skills to slide over in the left hand corner.
Both pieces of player were dry weather efforts in heavy conditions and deserve to be acknowledged here.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
The Pride twice struck in the first half, once when middle forward Teneisha Ah Kee proved too powerful in the wet close to the line, and on another occasion when prop Syianna Banu was on hand to pounce on a grubber kick by clever NQ hooker Layla Geck.
But in between those scores, superb hands in the conditions by Capras centre Dale Lewis enabled her winger Keira Smith to cross and the CQ girls were back to a 4-all scoreline.
Meninga Cup
It took until the cusp of fulltime, but the Northern Pride got the lollies 30-14 in a gripping, gruelling clash against Capras.
Two first half tries to prop Kaiden Lahrs laid foundations for a lead which at one stage blew out, but the big hearted Capras were never going to throw in the white towel.
Back the CQ boys came, with a try by Harrison Hill cutting Pride’s advantage to just 24-18.
It took a show and go try by five-eight Ben Walker to finally bury their rivals and hand Pride victory.
This was despite a brave effort by CQ headed by hooker Curtis Seierup.
“We had more effort and desire today in very tough conditions,’’ said Pride coach Bevan Walker.
LAHRS DOUBLE
A Kaiden Lahrs’ double hauled Pride into the lead until Capras’ spiritual leader Jake Oberhardt battered his way over to score.
Lahrs scored both tries, but his front row partner Mafiou Cherif played a role with a dummy run, and then a catch and pass from close range.
It was nice partnership work by the arrow heads from the Pride forward pack.
PRAISE FOR CAPRAS
In the driest conditions of the day, Capras started the match by playing dry weather football, swinging the ball left and right before right centre Anasta Tamwoy opened the scoring.
The Capras’ front six then grinded their way back into the contest, giving the side a sniff with just minutes remaining.
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS VS WIDE BAY BULLS
HARVEY U17s
You couldn’t count on one hand the amount of standout stars the Falcons had against the Bulls in round five.
With the home side picking up a 60-0 victory, the one sided display was led by Sunshine Coast captain and talented second rower Ace Pollock.
FULL POWER POLLOCK
The rising NRLW prospect was immense on Saturday, playing a solid all round game by displaying her wide range of passing, kicking, offloading, tackling and hard running skills.
“Coming in after a week off we made it clear we didn’t want to force anything so it took us a little bit to settle into the game but once we did the points just flowed,” Pollock said after the win.
“Our biggest asset is when we run in twos as a team because we make plenty of line breaks, complete our sets well and just add another layer to our attacking options.”
Pollock said she felt she was growing in confidence with each match.
“The last game I played was my club footy grand final back in September so I do think it is tough to get straight back into it at the start of the season but I feel like as I’ve settled and we’ve developed our combinations, I’ve grown each week,” she said.
“We have so many good attacking players in our side so I’d definitely say the girls around me are making my job so much easier.”
LLOYD FLYING UNDER THE RADAR
Lock forward Pearl Lloyd was also immense, capped off by her stunning 60m try in the first half.
Lloyd said she was enjoying her new role as a link player within the team.
“It was a bit difficult at the start just because I wasn’t familiar with many of the girls but it’s starting to get easier and easier every week and I think that shows in our performances,” she said.
“Having so much communication and attacking options around me it definitely allows me to take a step back but also be vocal when I need to be.”
Alongside Pollock and Lloyd, halves duo Lily Bain and Marley Chan were solid as well as fullback Aamira Renouf, hooker Asha Holmstrom and centre Tahlee Donald.
Connell Cup
A final quarter blitz from the Falcons flipped the script on what was an agreed upon ‘ugly’ display against the Wide Bay Bulls.
The Bulls kicked out to an 8-0 lead with two tries in the opening 12 minutes and despite the Falcons having the majority of the ball and field positioning, they couldn’t hit back.
15 MINUTE U-TURN
The error count was through the roof until the Falcons finally were able to hold onto the ball and complete back-to-back sets, scoring five unanswered tries in the last 15 minutes.
For the Bulls five-eight Edward Mackay and hooker Samuel Adcock performed well for their side while for the Falcons their two best were right centre Ashyr Kelso and fullback Taj Kuhl.
With the scoreline not a true reflection of the match, Falcons fullback Taj Kuhl said there would be a few tough training sessions for his side next week.
“It was just so hectic and we were scrambling from the get go for no reason,” Kuhl said.
“We couldn’t complete a set, it was error after error, just ugly footy to be honest.
“Once we started to complete our sets, kick to corners and put the pressure on them we started to find our groove.”
HARVEY U19s
A good all round performance was enough for the Devils to claim some vital ladder points, beating the Falcons 20-8 in round five.
The travelling side scored some good tries early to give them a good lead but impressed the most with their collective defensive efforts.
Pinned down on their try line for a fair chunk of the second half, Norths held their own to finish with their heads held high.
VULU, TYRELL TOO GOOD
Devil’s right centre and wing pairing of Te Arani Vulu and Courtney Tyrell showed their class against the Falcons in round three.
A Tyrell double and one try for Vulu was enough for Norths to rest their hat on.
What also stood out was their defensive efforts, showing strong positioning and communication.
For the Falcons Takoda Thompson was positive as always along with both Ladewig sisters out wide.
Meninga Cup, Norths v Falcons
The North Devils have punched their ticket into finals contention thanks to a second half blitz against the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
After travelling up the Bruce Highway, Norths acted like a sponge for the opening half, soaking up any attacking pressure by the Falcons before punching holes in their defence.
A 14-12 halftime score was as close as the Falcons got as the Devils kicked into gear to come away with a 40-22 win.
North’s forwards really stood up to the task in the middle of the field, pinning down the Falcons pack and keeping them on the back foot.
LOCKED IN
Devils lock Charlie Dickson was immense all game, playing direct when he needed but also looking out wide the opportunity presented itself.
He took the ball to the line really well, putting his teammates through the gap or going himself for some handy metres.
Five-eight Noah Blooranta also showcased his positive running game which unlocked plenty of space for his outside men.
Centre Robertson Tusi Tofu was solid with two tries of his own while Nate Clark was also strong off the bench.
For the Falcons Will Graham was strong as he has been all season.
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