Runaway Bay extend Southport’s losing streak to three in final round of RLGC’s A grade comp

SOUTHPORT’S worrying Rugby League Gold Coast form has continued as their attention now turns to snapping a three-game losing streak in the pressure-cooker environment of an A grade semi final.

SOUTHPORT’S worrying Rugby League Gold Coast form has continued as their attention now turns to snapping a three-game losing streak in the pressure-cooker environment of an A grade semi final.

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Seemingly cruising towards the playoffs after crushing Ormeau 72-6 on August 3, the Tigers today stumbled into second spot with a 28-24 loss at home to Runaway Bay.

The result, in which Southport surrendered an 18-6 lead, followed heavy defeats to Burleigh (52-10) and Tugun (32-0), and only allowed them to remain second after third-placed Currumbin suffered a surprise 26-10 loss away to Bilambil.

EAGLES’ EYES FIRMLY ON FINAL ROUND

With the Tigers now set to host Currumbin in the first week of finals next Sunday, they must rediscover their mojo to again become a premiership threat.

Runaway Bay crossed five times through Ian Fuaivaa (two), James Poland, Doryann Hape-Apiata and Daymerk Pelo, with four-pointers from Naz Monsall, Roin Reo, Dallas Donnelly and Simione Ata leaving Southport tantalisingly short of a confidence-boosting win.

Southport‘s Jack Conlan takes on the Runaway Bay defence. Picture: Mike Batterham

Victory for the Seagulls was not enough to displace Tugun from fourth spot after the Seahawks prevailed 26-12 away to wooden-spooners Ormeau.

Tugun will now host Runaway Bay in an elimination semi final next Sunday and Seagulls coach Nick Gleeson said the signs were positive for his side.

LOST TITAN - DAN MORTIMER

“(Beating Southport) was just more of a confidence win than anything, knowing we can beat those top three sides, which we haven’t been able to do all year,” Gleeson said.

“They jumped out quite strong but we’ve put a huge emphasis on our 30-minute to 60-minute mark (of each game), that’s where we’ve been losing a lot of games this year. We came out from 18-6 to 26-18 and then scored a couple of late tries to get back in it.

“That’s the first time this year we’ve been able to string back-to-back wins but I think our last month has been good. It’s a different feel around the club, we’ve got a few boys back form injury so we’re getting some boys back at the end of the season.

“Overall it’s been a pleasing month for us moving forward.”

SEAHAWKS ISSUE FINALS STATEMENT

Playing their last game of the season, Bilambil raced to a 20-0 halftime lead against Currumbin before withstanding a second-half fightback.

In Saturday night’s Debbie Marzella Cup grand final, minor premiers Parkwood overturned a 22-16 halftime deficit to defeat Mudgeeraba 30-24.

RLGC A GRADE – ROUND 21

BILAMBIL 26 (Sam Plater 2, PJ Tevaga, Jack Rowles Tries; Carne Rhodes 5 goals) DEF. CURRUMBIN 10 (Pele Peletelese, Josh Campbell Tries; Phil Ramage 1 goal)

TUGUN 26 (Jai Veli, Timothy Cassidy, Jacob Grant, Nicholas Harrold, Rory Lillis Tries; Samuel Meskell 5 goals) DEF. ORMEAU Ormeau 12 (Grayson Te Kiri, Thomas Tapu Tries; Grayson Te Kiri 2 goals)

RUNAWAY BAY 28 (Ian Fuaivaa 2, James Poland, Doryann Hape-Apiata, Daymerk Pelo Tries; Jake Powell 4 goals) DEF. SOUTHPORT 24 (Naz Monsall, Roin Reo, Dallas Donnelly, Simione Ata Tries; Jack Conlan 4 goals)

RLGC DOUG LIPP CUP

Burleigh 22 def Mudgeeraba 18

Currumbin 28 def Bilambil 14

Tugun 74 def Ormeau 6

Southport 56 v Helensvale 12

RLGC DEBBIE MARZELLA CUP

Parkwood 30 def Mudgeeraba 24

RLGC UNDER-20S

Mudgeeraba 42 v Burleigh 10

Runaway Bay 30 def Currumbin 22

Helensvale 34 def Southport 0