Nathanael Barnes and Zac Walsh combine to help Tugun Seahawks keep season alive

TUGUN recruits Zac Walsh and Nathanael Barnes have masterminded a last-ditch converted try to save their side’s Rugby League Gold Coast season and knock out defending premiers Burleigh.

TUGUN recruits Zac Walsh and Nathanael Barnes have masterminded a last-ditch converted try to save their side’s Rugby League Gold Coast season and knock out defending premiers Burleigh.

The Seahawks’ season was hanging by a thread at Pizzey Park when a late Jaxson Paulo try put the Bears ahead 12-8 before the visitors struck back with 90 seconds on the clock to snatch a dramatic 14-12 victory.

Barnes defied his 35-year-old legs to leap high and pluck a Walsh cross-field kick to touch down just inside the left sideline, from where the latter put aside the noise of Bears fans to nail the go-ahead goal.

“It was an amazing goal under significant pressure,” Burleigh coach Stuart Wilkins said.

Walsh, 24, was pleased to have pulled through for his team, who he joined this year after stints in the South Sydney and Newcastle systems.

Nathanael Barnes during his Intrust Super Cup days at Tweed Heads. Picture: SMP Images

“Mate, if they were quiet I probably would have missed,” smiled the halfback.

“Everyone wrote us off. We made a pact to each other to dig deep and turn up week in, week out and we’ll come over the top of anyone.”

Tugun had looked at long odds to make the finals with a tough run home against leaders Tweed Heads and Currumbin plus in-form Burleigh but have now won all three to be on a roll.

“Hopefully we haven’t peaked too early but I don’t think so, I think we’re getting some good momentum,” Barnes beamed.

Walsh’s halves partner Keanu Te Kiri had one of his best games of the season. Picture: Jerad Williams

The winger, who scored 135 tries in the Intrust Super Cup, is glad he ended an 18-month hiatus to sign with Tugun in June.

The father-of-two is still making an impact on the field, having also saved a try with a desperate tackle, but is not sure yet if he will play on in 2019.

“I will have to talk to the wife and see how the body is. Just as long as I can get enough time with the kids and the wife,” he said.

The young Burleigh squad were counting on Ormeau taking their first win in 756 days on Sunday afternoon to stop Southport from leapfrogging them but had their hopes dashed.

“I had 11 19-year-olds playing. In the end I think that has probably been a wonderful thing and it’s also been to our detriment,” Wilkins said.

“To be honest, they (Tugun) will be hard to top and I think the other sides will be happy to see the end of Burleigh too.”