Darwin Brothers show early intensity to surpass Litchfield Bears

REIGNING premiers Darwin Brothers have proved last season’s final run was no fluke, beating a new look Litchfield Bears 38-26 in the opening round of the NRL NT Premiership

Daniel Warren played a pivotal role in Brothers’ win over Litchfield. Photo: Che Chorley

REIGNING premiers Darwin Brothers have proved last season’s final run was no fluke, beating a new look Litchfield Bears 38-26 in the opening round of the NRL NT Premiership.

Brothers, led by stand-in captain Thomas Clarke, showed their hunger to run with the ball from the early stages, using their pace and skills to stretch a relatively new-look Bears outfit.

It was that early intensity and attacking prowess that saw Jonas Niki go over for the opening try of the match out on the right wing.

And another soon after had Litchfield well and truly on the back foot.

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But as they did in the 2020 grand final, the Bears struck back, capitalising on loose balls and errors.

A slew of tries, including a brace from Bill Burn saw Litchfield back within a score and well in contention at halftime.

Darwin fullback Isaac Seden-Kurnoth managed two tries, sprinting and diving into the try zone for his second, to beat the Litchfield defence waiting too long to tap the ball down.

Litchfield’s woes continued when inspirational captain Luke Mahood came off the field injured.

But the intensity of the Brethren was too good, with Mickael Becat scoring a brace throughout the game, while Aiden Singleton and Clarke also found their way across the try line.

Daniel Warren and Darcy Holmes were also both pivotal in running the ball up the middle for Brothers.

Brothers’ coach Leon Cleal was proud to see his charges hang on to their lead.

But he felt some errors allowing the Bears back in contention could have been avoided.

“The boys played okay. I thought we looked rusty with some new boys in the side, meaning the combinations needed some time,” Cleal told the Sunday Territorian.

“It was a good, tough game that we enjoyed and we will take plenty from, so it was good to see them hang in there to win.

“It was part of our plan to start fast as we did.

“Though there were a couple of errors on the back of that which let them back into the game.

“We have to be more ruthless this year and not let sides come back at us.

“No matter who the side is we’re the target.

“The plan was just to keep things simple. Win in the middle letting the side play the style they know, and we saw that particularly in the last 20 minutes where they really turned it up.”

Litchfield kept pushing in the closing stages of the game, eager to score a consolation try which came their way through a pick-and-go from Dillan Vanderberg.

Nightcliff Dragons also started their 2021 campaign on the right foot with new captain and star recruit Brent Crisp adding plenty of structure in their 24-8 win over Northern Sharks.

Matt Woolimington nabbed the first try, with Bailey Swift, Cameron Versteegh and new signing from Litchfield Clint Chettle also scoring.

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Sharks, however, also showed signs of promise, holding on in defence and putting in their own offensive plays to see Cooper Segeyaro and Lachie Wright on the scoreboard.