Redcliffe, Wynnum and Devils start season with Connell Challenge wins
Meninga Cup, Connell and Harvey 19s junior league latest: Redcliffe’s Brian Pouniu a two-try hero while the Seagulls and Norths under 16s also started the season with wins. Full stories here.
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Brian Pouniu was a two-try hero as Redcliffe’s under 16s celebrated the start of a golden new era for the Dolphins with a season opening win in Connell Challenge action this morning at Kayo Stadium.
Pouniu, the Redcliffe captain, was playing in his first match since his brother Joseph sustained a serious spinal injury during a junior trial with the Gold Coast Titans two weeks ago.
And wins then followed to the Dolphins Harvey Norman under 19s and the Meninga Cup teams later in the day.
And at Bishop Park the Devils under 16s came from behind to pip the Brisbane Tigers 24-22 in thrilling Connell Challenge action. More on those games below.
In Game No.1 of the season the Dolphins under 16s won 16-10, surviving a last second scare when Souths Logan centre Jose Ito broke away down the right touchline and kicked ahead.
But the rolling ball bounced away from supporting fullback Tom Parker and the chance was lost.
The match comes just two weeks from the Dolphins playing in its historic first NRL match.
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Young Pouniu would have endured mixed emotions entering the match, but he had a powerhouse second half around impressive workers Nate Berrigan and Henry Sologinkin to get the job done.
To score his second try Pouniu pounced on a brilliant left rooted grubbed kick on an angle from utility Azariah Toki-Mautairi, with Pouniu’s flashing yellow boots a blur as he sprinted for the rolling ball ahead of both Magpies’ defences and the looming dead ball line.
Earlier, he had:
+ brought off a try saving tackle on his runaway Queensland schoolboys teammate of last season, Joseph Tupuse.
+ scored his first try after bursting free of the front line of the defence to score a close range individual try that snapped a 6-all deadlock.
+ was a first half villain when he threw the pass that led to Souths Logan’s intercept try that opened the scoring.
It was a close encounter which left heaps of room for improvement from both sides, although a weight of possession helped Redcliffe toward the winners post.
Dolphins coach Chris Little said his team’s discipline had been poor across the trials, but the side improved that area of play and dug deep given the absence of several top line players.
“It is a credit to the boys who jumped in. They knew the plan,’’ Little said. “Our mantra this week was ‘do whatever it takes to get the job done’
Souths Logan coach Scott Bannan lamented a lack of football through mistakes, a lack of patience and pushing passes. “We trained against that stuff so I am not sure why they did it, but when we held the footy we looked good.’’
For Souths Logan Ezra Leota was outstanding when injected, taking his team over the advantage line at pace while centre Jose Ito was exceptional on both sides of the ball. Prop Fa’apale Feaunatialso worked hard.
Redcliffe’s best was Berrigan who owned the middle with energy runs and defence, and off his work the likes of Pouniu threatened.
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“We asked him (Berrigan) to be ruthless today and he was fantastic.’’
Replacement middle forward Henry Sologinkin also had a big game in conditions in the heat.
He did a lot of leg work, taking tough runs and backing up in the heat for second effort dummy runs at the ruck. “He is one of the ones who has lacked discipline through the trials, but he was outstanding again,’’ Little praised.
And off their work, Pouniu had an x-factor on the edge. “He will be better for the run.’’
During the second half a supreme individual try from Souths halfback Levi-James Scott Bannan had levelled the scores 10-all with 10 minutes to play, and a fabulous finish beckoned.
In the first half, Redcliffe interchange forward Tylah Akai was a battering ram when he came on, and it was off the back of one of his charges that he helped fatigue the Magpies line which led to classy Carter Welfare stepping back on the inside to score.
Welfare, a Queensland 14-15 years schoolboy last season, also showed nice acceleration and the Magpies were level 6-all just minutes leading up to halftime after Appo’s successful conversion.
Earlier, Souths Logan centre powerhouse Joseph Tupuse was stopped once, but not a second time when he barrelled his way over at right centre.
Tom Parker’s conversion completed the scoring and given the quality of their defence, the Magpies deservedly hit the front.
In the Harvey Norman 19s women, Redcliffe winger Malu and fullback Aspen Nakao lit up the second half to give their side a down payment on victory, before a charging try by Souths prop Savannah Tato cut the margin to 18-12.
Dolphins winger Malu ran 65m, raising her hand in triumph 20m from scoring to give her side a 12-8 lead.
Brilliant fullback Nakao then capped a fabulous match by scoring and in the heat, Redcliffe looked the winners.
But Tato was magnificent with her barging individual try, cutting the margain to 18-12 with 10 minutes to go.
But the match was safe again for Redcliffe five minutes from fulltime when winger Deja
Pelite-Denny darted over, making the score 22-12. The final score was 28-12 after a late try to Penham again.
Redcliffe coach Jason Goulding said he was proud of the girls and thrilled with the middle players and his dummy halves who gave fullback Nakao room.
“Without the middles doing their job - it was a really complete team effort,’’ he said in reference to Nakao’s performance. “I could not be more proud,’’ he said.
He said the likes of Eden Utatao, Lenniece Wright, Armarni-Lea Auvae and co did a great job in the engine room, while No.9 Savage scrambled well.
But there is no doubt fullback Nakao was a wonderful talent and Redcliffe were blessed to have her this season.
Magpies 19s coach Warren Bernardin said despite a disrupted preparation, he loved the effort and attitude of his side.
Souths Logan captain Mackenzie Baty-Karauria led by example, while hooker Savannah Symon and prop Savannah Tato did well.
Meanwhile, the Redcliffe Meninga Cup under 18ss had an explosive start, racing to a 14-nil advantage after twice out flanking the Magpies on the left side. They ended up winning 56-14.
Fullback John-Paul Donevski ran into a gap in the opening minute, and then Prestyn Laine-Sietu got around his man to score his first try.
In between that talented prop Michael Waqa found the chalk and it was all Redcliffe.
Souths Logan then gained some parity, and there was reward for the Magpies on the scoreboard when Korrbin Ahu-Skelton crossed.
But Laine-Sietu, back where he belongs in a Redcliffe jersey, scored again and with the talented Tauave Leofa landing goals, it was 20-6.
Leofa also got on the score sheet with a try, while the big, mobile Amos Tuialii, another junior, plunged over to score making it 32-6 at halftime.
Redcliffe when scored seconds into the second half when the Dolphins snared lost kickoff ball.
With their pack going forward, halves Tauave Leofa and Jahrel Iselin-Jansen played straight, using their pace to send the Magpies back peddling.
Aside from the second half kick off disaster, Souths Logan were much better in the second half with more ball, throwing questions at the Redcliffe defence with some uptempo play.
It was just Redcliffe’s first half start was so stunning, you wonder if any team in the competition could have curtailed them. Seriously the Dolphins were that good.
“It is the first time we have all got together and what I would like to see improve going forward is our defence,’’ said Redcliffe coach Scott Tronc.
“I thought our middles were good out there today.’’
Magpies coach Ben Trim said his side were without the football for the first eight minutes and could not hold Redcliffe with that flow of possession.
For Souths Logan prop Alex Leapai and hooker Jacob Tinsley tried hard.
At John Frederick Park, the Wynnum-Manly seagulls began their season with a gritty 16-10 victory over the visiting Burleigh Bears.
In a heated clash which had no shortage of push and shove, sledging and bone rattling hits, three players stood out - and that was the fleet footed David Bryenton of Burleigh, and the destructing ball carrying from Seagull prop Chaev Kolone and promising fullback Tawa-Dean Simpkins.
Burleigh Bears coach Ryan Gundry said it was a typical game of Under-16 footy. with errors and momentum swings.. “We had momentum, they had momentum. They made less errors and came over the top of us.
“We’re better than that, we know that. Now it’s about going back to the drawing board, working hard and making sure we put in a good performance next week.
Gundry said the exciting Bryenton had come over from New Zealand for an opportunity.
“And we’re happy to give him an opportunity. He’s a good carrier of the footy.
“I was happy with our fullback Seth Gundry. He tried really hard and No.15 Daniel Rakena, who came on and made difference on the edge.
“It was hard losing our big strapping lad Te Ira Rudolph Mokaraka at the start of the game to a knee injury so hopefully he’s okay,” Gundry said after the game.
Burleigh prop Kallen Boss crossed the line to begin their 2023 Cyril Connell campaign, courtesy of a Marley Igasan pop pass.
But it was the electrifying 60m run upfield by speedy winger David Bryenton that gave the Bears a crack at the line. Before that, Wynnum Manly lock Rosario Indelicato and winger Eric Gray- Smith made a try saving tackle each to hold out their rivals. It was a great display from the home side to put their bodies on the line early.
Quick thinking from cheeky hooker Ezekiel Jones levelled the scores at six apiece, the No.9 darting out of dummy half, before jinking and ducking through the defence to slam the ball and score.
The Seagulls struck again after effort plays sure to please coach Ben Weston. Whether it was a thumping hit from winger Kaide Bowman Ievers to dislodge the ball or the line pressure from second rower Majah-Jose Peachey to turn it over, the home side was up to the task.
A cross field kick from halfback Tyler Pereira to try scoring centre Jedidiah Mulitalo sent the ‘Gulls into the break ahead 10-6.
The ‘Gulls came out firing in the second, and although the Bears met them with the same energy, a brilliant line from second rower Riley Baker broke down their defences to push further in front 16-6.
A nice inside ball from Pereira put the charging young gun, who also slotted the conversion, through a seemingly non-existent hole.
From there Wynnum kept piling on the pressure. 14-year-old fullback Tawa- Dean Simpkins, energetic interchange Fononga Tu’itahi and prop Christian Rivers spearheaded their sides momentum surge.
A late try from Bears winger Ryan Raftstrand- Smith gave Burleigh a glimpse but it was too little too late. In the end, the home side ran away the victors.
In the Meninga Cup clash between Seagulls and the Bears, the Wynnum-manly Seagulls pulled away brilliantly in a second half barrage to defeat the Burleigh Bears 28-18
It took a team effort to topple the visiting Burleigh Bears and indeed it brought a smile to the face of head coach Jesse Maclean, who was pleased to see his boys fight through a tough first 20 minutes to come out winners.
Maclean said Burleigh was a great team, who had a lot of attack on their goal line in the first half while his side turned over possession.
“The boys are learning, the first half effort really impacted the second half. Coby Black was great at playmaking, but today his kick chase was outstanding. Those little things are the reasons the middles love playing with him. It was the same with five eighth William Herbert, leading the kick chase. I thought those boys were really good in those selfless areas.
“Cameron Bukowski topped the tackle count today and stayed in the middle for the whole 70 so he was great. Jett Bryce was very good too. He’s a tough young kid.
“It was a great team effort and It’s a great group. Hopefully we can string a few together,” Maclean said after the win.
The scores were tied 12 apiece at half time after a magnificent line break from head-geared five eighth Ryder Williams provided the Bears with their golden ticket to equalise on the siren.
Kanititeiti Sikahele was the rampaging forward to convert it into a four pointer, after Seagulls centre Kylem Vunipola had made a desperate tackle on his line to save a try.
Earlier, Villanova College Year 12 Cameron Bukowski, a promising hooker signed by the Broncos, put prop Zane Ford over. Ford caught the ball at his knees while charging at pull pelt so high praise to him. Centre Jaycob Kingston Francis dazzled for the ‘Gulls too, jinking his way around the Bears defence to cross the chalk and score, thanks to a class cut out ball by halfback Coby Black.
It was just the answer the home side needed after conceding the first try of the day through athletic Bears fullback Zyroam Tarewa-Helihy.
The No.1 was lurking dangerously out wide before pouncing on a grubber kick just before it crossed the dead ball line.
The teams traded blows to begin an exhilarating second half. First to strike were the Bears and it came through No.14 Austin Masters, who with sheer strength and willpower bulldozed his way over.
Then, Bukowski answered with a try of his own, a reward for his support play back on the inside. Black, an extremely talented young halfback with a superb passing game, sent a bullet cut out pass to winger Jeremiah Havea who broke down the right touch line before connecting with Bukowski on his left.
The home side then went bang bang to draw further in front 28-18. Black orchestrated the first when sending Saxon Innes through a hole to score. It was a similar story for second rower Harry Armstrong who pierced the Bears defensive line to score directly after Innes.
The momentum changers in prop Beni Allen, second rower Jett Bryce and the masterful Black made it impossible for the Bears to comeback.
Although Bears prop Zac Kumbamon fought hard with his relentless rucking up the middle, there was no way through the Seagulls brick wall defence.
In the Harvey Norman 19s Women, the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls made it a hattrick of wins at John Frederick Park, overcoming the Burleigh Bears 16-10 in a tight encounter.
An unanswered 14 point surge in the second half proved the difference, with a man of the match performance from prop Fuatino Ah-Him helping the home side come out on top.
Coach Steve Casey said his side was trying to push the pass, but at half time they spoke about playing to their strengths. In the end, that’s exactly what they did and it earned them the result.
“When we play to our structure we play good footy. We tried too hard creating something from nothing but I thought Burleigh played great. They tested us. They will go well this year.
Another standout from the game was Wynnum-Manly’s centre Gloria Seumalii.
“We have just promoted Gloria Seumalii into our BMD squad. She is a strong ball carrier and really reliable in defence. She’s a great kid, works hard on and off the field,” Casey said.
Casey also had high praise for halfback Sienna Lofipo, who “touches the ball more than anyone,” and “played through injury today.”
“I think our winger Charlotte Wells was outstanding. She carried the ball hard, made good defensive decisions. And Fuatino Ah-Him, our front rower, was just incredible. She made that extra effort and that’s what wins games,” Casey said.
The Bears hit the scoreboard first through centre Mhia Taylor, the last person you want to leave open down the right wing.
The Seagulls answered right away, and it was none other than star halfback Sienna Lofipo to create some magic out of nothing. With a nice pass fake inside to deceive the opposition, Lofipo lured in The defence, sending fullback Destiny Mino-Sinapati over untouched.
Then hooker Emma Barners blasted out from the play the ball to scorch her way over the chalk. No one was catching the speedy No.9 from in close.
Burleigh hit back under sticks through forward aggressor Mills Ferguson, the bench reinforcement running a great line to penetrate the line and dive over on the stroke of half time.
Although the Bears led 10-8 at the break, the Seagulls fought back bravely to snatch a gutsy 22-10 win.
For the girls in Red and Green, destructive centre Gloria Seumalii shone bright with her strong ball carrying as did fullback Destiny Mino-sinapati with her fancy footwork and agility, which allowed her to speed past her first defender.
Meanwhile prop Grace Granville played a damaging game for the Bears, earning them metres up the middle with her relentless carries, offloading when given a chance, and thumping her rivals with half a dozen heavy hits. Around Granville was a pack of hardworkers, namely hookers Yasmin Elabassi and Lily- Rose Kolc, centre Mhia Taylor and pressure enforcers Sian McNeill-Ehrlich.
At Bishop Park, a thriller unfolded between the home side Norths and Brisbane Tigers before the Devils gabbed a late win, 24-22, in the Connell Challenge.
Outside back Cooper McInnerney snared the winner three minutes from fulltime after Brisbane Tigers had surged from the back of the field.
Two tries in quick succession to Brisbane Tigers’ pair Raymond Nagas and Kobi Floro had dragged the Tigers from a deficit to a two point lead, 22-20, to set up a thrilling finish.
“I thought we did well to get back into the game after the first half and give ourselves a chance to win,’’ said Tigers coach Lote Tuqiri.
“I am proud of the way we didn’t throw in the towel.’’
Tuqiri said Dom Ierome made a big difference off the bench while Cooper Benvenuti did well with his second stint.
Earlier, Devante Andrews scored a double as the Devils’ Connell Challenge side led 20-12 after 40 minutes of football.
Norths were magnificently led by the tackling and work of edge forward Jarah Chaseling who, along with prop Ryan Johnson and captain Jared Horne, led the way for the Devils.
Around them, Keyarn Pene and Timahna Tandy did well.Coach Shannon Tupara praised his team’s start. “Coming out of the gates we played some good dooty with variety and found a good rhythm,’’ he said.
But he wanted to avoid flat patches through the middle of the game and less errors.
In the Meninga Cup clash between Norths and the Tigers, the Devils won 26-8.
Norths crossed three times in the first half - Tariq Tanner twice and captain Lauloto Salei - before the Devils fended off the Tigers chance of recovery with a late try to Thomas Hansson after Brandon Norris had crossed earlier in the second half.
“We competed and tried hard, but made too many errors,’’ said Tigers coach Michael Lambert.
For the Tigers Jackson Rose scored two tries while PJ Sau and Lincoln Cliffe were the best.
Norths coach Rob Tanielu said his side controlled the game well on attack and defence.
“Although the last 20 minutes was somewhat chaotic, I thought we scrambled well and showed some resilience when the team was on the defensive line,’’ he said.
But Tanielu would like to see ball control improve and less errors next week.
Best for Norths were Nazareth Taua who played in the middle and then in the backrow where he was a handful, while Loto Salei and Zac Herdegen “showed great leadership in steering the team’’.
“Harrison Hill also showed some good deception at No.9 through the middle of the field.’’
On home soil, the Northern Devils succumbed to a 14-6 defeat by East Brisbane Tigers in round one of the Harvey Norman U19s women’s series.
Devils coach Jake Rowland said he was still pleased with the girls despite their loss.
“I think the girls handled it really well.
“It was competitive, which is really the main thing I was after,” Rowland said.
He said centre Mia Davies was especially key in keeping the team in the game when Devils looked to be in real trouble.
It was the East’s forward Karen Pritchard who got the ball rolling and scored the first try of the day before centre Bailey Williams successfully converted, putting Tigers 6-0 ahead.
In the second half, Five-Eighth for the Devils Tayla Sykes scored under the post and converted her own try to make the score level.
It was then the Tiger’s halfback India Seeto who was able to put her outside Centres into prime position to run the ball.
A key playmaker for her side, Seeto was arguably best on field for the day.
Two more tries, including a second for Pritchard occurred on the outside, but #2 winger Florence Edwards was unable to convert.
The win was a ticked box for East’s coach Paul Nieuwenhuyzen, who said it’s never an easy game at Bishop Park.
“It was a very gritty win today… Always a tough game.
“We threw a lot of silly passes this week that we didn’t need to, and the one time we did get a repeat set we scored on that,” he said.
Originally published as Redcliffe, Wynnum and Devils start season with Connell Challenge wins
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