Rd 1 recap: How the Meninga, Connell and Harvey girls junior league competitions unfolded on Saturday as Tweed produce clean sweep of Redcliffe
Tweed Seagulls had a sensational four match clean sweep of Redcliffe, the Blackhawks rose against the odds while the Tigers roared against Norths in round one of the Meninga, Connell Cups, the Harvey 17s and Harvey 19s competitions. More here.
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The Tweed Seagulls produced a sensational four game clean sweep of Redcliffe as the Meninga Cup, Connell Cup and Harvey 19s and 17s kicked off for another season.
JUMP TO: Blackhawks v Capras - Tigers v Devils - Wynnum Manly v Souths Logan - Falcons v Clydesdales - Tweed v Dolphins - Cutters v Pride - Jets v Bulls.
Tweed won the Meninga Cup 22-12, claimed the Connell Cup 18-4, won the Harvey Norman U17s 24-20 and enjoyed victory in the Harvey U19s 36-24.
It was a huge day for the club.
There were other big results, including in the north where the Blackhawks shrugged off a dreadful build-up due to consistent rain to win three of its four games against Capras, while the Brisbane Tigers continued its Meninga Cup revival under coach Ben Weston with a gritty win over Norths in the Meninga Cup.
Read on for all the best highlights from Saturday’s junior statewide clashes. The highlight play of the day was delivered by left winger Quinn Timperon who scored a stunner to give the Tigers a 10-0 lead over Norths.
TIGERS V DEVILS
Harvey Norman under 17s
At Langlands Park, inspirational hooker Enah Desic and powerhouse prop Carayanidis Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu spearheaded the Tigers to a comprehensive first-up win.
The home side won 36-8 over a daring Devils outfit and Desic’s two-try performance featured a wonderful connection with her middle forward battering ram, Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu.
Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu asked questions early of the Norths defence and she announced herself again in the second half when scoring a try and creating another when she offloaded to Desic, who sent it in the way of right wing Luseane Poese.
The Devils must be proud of their determined goal line defence, which was highlighted when hooker and captain Paige Stagg made a cracking trysaver over the line.
In the end, there was not much Norths could do when the Tigers rolled forward through Charity Faalogo, Neleilani Ulugia, Riley-Jay Henry-Purcell and Te Ahurei Latu and sent it wide to impressive centres Leilani Taofinuu and Lily Sumner.
DESIC’S FIRST HALF DOUBLE
Tigers dummyhalf Desic was a glue girl in the middle for the home side and had a stunning first 30 minutes of play to kickstart the season.
Desic’s defence in the middle was unrelenting and in attack, she timed her runs smartly to score two tries and importantly, reward the hard work of her tireless forward pack.
The headgear-wearing hooker, who had the radar working off the tee, could have also had a try assist to Ulugia but it wasn’t awarded (obstruction).
The Tigers led 16-0 approaching half time and when she came off, Norths scored immediately when Abuk Gaw powered over. It was a sign of how important her defence, communication and encouragement was.
SHORT ON THE SHORT SIDE
The Devils were well and truly in the fight when right winger Leilarnie Short took no prisoners to score a stunning 45m try in the second half.
The Tigers scored in rapid-fire succession late in the match but before this, to make it 20-8, dummyhalf Stagg made the supreme decision to attack the short side and draw her defender in just enough to give the pacy Short a slight head start.
Short pinned the ears back to get past her opposite and then stepped inside to evade ever present fullback Ebony Tziros and score.
It was magic.
CONNELL CUP
An exciting contingent of young Dolphins dazzled in Norths’ 32-4 taming of the Tigers in the Connell Cup.
Dolphins academy players Ethan Grimshaw (left centre), Boston Nau (fullback), Lincoln Dalton (lock) and Taoso Taoso (second row) led the way for the visitors in their six tries to one showing.
Another Dolphins academy ace, Eli Rauluni, played strongly. Rauluni, the son of former Fiji and Queensland Reds halfback Jacob, scored the opening try after the ball shifted swiftly between Dalton, Nau and Grimshaw.
Grimshaw, Nudgee College’s quicksilver 100m sprinter, scored a 50m try as easy as you like when he went in-and-away off a tap and pinned his ears back.
NUDGEE COLLEGE YOUNG GUNS
Grimshaw and his Nudgee College teammate Billy Spicer were prominent from start to finish. Grimshaw’s try was a stunning highlight, and Spicer scored one himself before acting as a playmaker to set up Norths’ final try scored by right wing Jamal Bell.
Spicer held up his pass nicely before James Grey put Bell in for the sixth. Just moments before, 57 minutes into the game, Spicer had made a long distance covering tackle which dislodged the ball from a runaway Harrison Vera.
That effort summed up the relentless attitude of the Norths forwards and few channelled that mindset better than captain Dalton and left edge forward Taoso Taoso.
They were everywhere.
BENCH REINFORCEMENTS
The Devils got off to a flyer and led 16-0 at the main break. Ensuring the lead remained intact was a terrific trio of bench reinforcements: Tayshaarn Tonga, Romarion Kupenga-Tuitama and Jevahnissi Vevesi.
The sniping Tonga scored a try and brought boundless energy at hooker, while middle forwards Kupenga-Tuitama and Vevesi kept Norths rolling forward towards the stripe.
Tenacious Tigers Nik Wharakura, Zane Platt and skipper Jonah Wilde, in his return from injury, got through a mountain of work rushing up in the line and cleaning up tackles.
However the tackle of the day was delivered by gutsy Tigers forward Kingzen Lefono who let rip with his right shoulder when applying pressure on a kick off.
Harvey Norman under 19s
The Tigers picked up where they left off last season, when the side progressed to the grand final, and dealt with a tenacious Norths side 36-10.
New faces left, right and centre lit up Langlands to keep Norths at an arm’s length and even when the visitors were out of it on scoreboard, they kept coming, and coming, and coming in an inspired team performance.
Eva Steers’ try in the 58th minute and Madison Morris’ courageous cover defence at fullback was proof of that.
The Tigers’ try on full-time, when Lishainah Ulugia, Porche John and Zerenity Tuala combined expertly after going 100m upfield in one set, showed their class.
The home side had the game wrapped up earlier when its right edge trio of Orianna Clarke, Namoe Gesa and Rosa-Millan Lefono stamped their authority to lead 22-4 at half time.
Gesa’s jamming defence, Clark’s angled runs and Lefono’s carries challenged Norths from start to finish and it didn’t get any easier in the middle. That was where Tuala, the goalkicking Ulugia (4-6 conversions), Tupoutua King and Porche John moved mountains on both sides of the ball.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Prop Ulugia, who had her radar working off the tee, continued to enhance her reputation after last year making the Queensland City representative side.
She opened the scoring and had enough gas in the tank to follow the play in the 60th minute when she created her own try.
Tuala, a newcomer from Manakau - a town in New Zealand’s North Island, also came out firing when she got her chance off the bench.
Norths defenders had a better chance of getting a cheap Guzman Gomez burrito in Enoggera last Thursday on its opening day than stopping Tuala in her tracks near the line. She grabbed two tries before Lorren Leli joined the party with a try of her own.
MENINGA CUP
Highlight plays were a theme at Langlands with the Meninga Cup clash producing stunning tries, incredible tackles, sharp tactical kicking and breakout performances.
The breakout performance came from Tigers terror Grady Payne who kicked his side onto the front foot to lead from start to finish and win 32-16.
Norths threatened to draw level when mobile big man Jasper Barry crashed over but the referee called it back for obstruction.
That was the closest they came and Pouakai Jackson-Williams put the icing on the cake when he stepped his way to the tryline three minutes from full time.
HALFBACK PAYNE IN SEVENTH HEAVEN
Masterful playmaker Grady Payne had his prints all over the Tigers highlight-laden 26-16 triumph over Norths.
He started the match with a pinpoint cross field kick that was gobbled up and scored by Pouakai Jackson-Williams. In the second half he created his own try with a chip and chase and then set up a telling try to Ryder Koia when he pounced on loose ball and flicked it away as Lachie McCall brought him to ground.
On top of that, Payne kept Norths’ back three Adaquix-Jeremiah Watts-Luke, Kurt Jones and Ruben Webb busy with his dangerous short kicking game.
He had it on a string. No kick showed this more than when he, off balanced, grubbered the ball into Norths’ in goal area from 35m out.
ANYTHING YOU CAN DO, I CAN DO BETTER
Quinn Timperon’s impossible try off the kick of Jackson-Williams stole the show early. In a fine response, Sunshine Coast talent Emerson Jackson pulled off some magic of his own to pull the Devils within a score, down 16-10.
Emerson’s telling in-and-away step was followed by a perfect flick in contact that put Kurt Jones over for a special try right as the whistle blew for halftime.
You’ll be hard pressed finding a better try than Timperon’s this season. Jackson’s juke in the left corner, given how well the Tigers had started, was huge in the context of the game.
Devils lock Charlie Dickson had just been sin-binned and his side trailed 16-nil. The decisive Carter Welfare (halfback) and twinkle toes of Keyarn Pene helped turn the tide. A timely covering tackle by Noah Blooranta on a runaway Jahziah Maulio-Gillan was also important.
WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS V SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES
Harvey Norman under 17s
Souths Logan got the job done 40-6 over Wynnum-Manly, with a power game through the forwards creating momentum and space on the edge.
But the Seagulls deserve high praise for their tenacity. They clung to Souths-Logan’s coat tail for so much of the game, and it was a good performance against one of the competition heavyweights.
“We were rusty today, and our defence was the best part of the win,’’ said Magpies coach Matt Fitzgerald. He said it was also pleasing to see some other players, like five-eight Marmie Nati, step up when senior footballers like Lewis and Mili were rested in the second half.
“Our younger girls have been pushing hard and have started to put pressure on the big guns in the team,’’ Souths Logan coach Fitzgerald added.
TOUGH TACKLING
There were two classical cover defending tackles - one from each side - which were eye-catching moments.
Wynnum-Manly five-eighth and captain Khiara-Lee Liuvaie produced the tackle of the game, a beauty on winger Gloria Isaraelu who seemed certain to score.
There was also another covering tackle of note by Souths Logan centre Lauryn Martin on winger Ella Prackert.
BETHAM BOMBSHELL
Lock Alessana Betham was a powerhouse performer during the opening half with her pace, swerve and ability to dominant the ruck when tackled a highlight.
Souths Logan had plenty of front foot performers in this period which set up the win, including Sienna Trew and Mamele Misa. But Bethman was enormous.
Full credit must go to her prop, Elisa Asomua, whose run and clever pass under pressure created the space for Bethman to run 30m for her second try just after halftime.
How appropriate it was that Betham finished the match with a barge-over try.
ATTENTION: HERE COMES AFEENA
Attention opposition teams. Souths Logan centre Afeena Faamafu will be a threat this season and defenders will need to be on red alert. The left centre fed off Lili Lewis where her evasive skills in half a gap impressed, but so did her strength and ability to toss off tacklers and keep moving.
WONDERFUL WHITTAKER
Wynnum-Manly captain Emily Whittaker was a marvel.
She produced a boot lace tackle on a rampaging Biarnka Joyce when the edge forward had eyes for the line, felling a much bigger player with grit and technique.
Her covering tackle to assist an excellent try saving tackle by Breanna Gault on Gloria Isaraelu was another inspiring piece of play by Whittaker late in the first half when she would have been fatigued.
PLUCKY SEAGULLS
Wynnum Manly finished with no bench players, underlining the grit of the squad.
Centre Mia Collier defended well for the Seagulls, captain and halve Khiara-Lee Liuvaie had a good match while prop Te Heihinapouri Mark had a huge task considering the opposition.
CONNELL CUP
Wynnum Manly’s defence was the cornerstone of the side finding the winners post 20-10 in a predictably tough, close clash against Souths Logan.
Wynnum turned over too much ball for the liking of coach Jon Buchanan, but they made up for those errors by defending their way to victory.
“We had to be (strong in defence) because we turned over way too much ball,’’ Buchanan said. “The big thing was we turned them away for most of the game.’’
Indeed Souths Logan’s second try, scored by Jeremiah Toko, came toward the end of the match which indicated the consistent quality of the Wynnum tacklers.
Souths Logan Connell coach Adel Haig said his side was up for the fight against tough competition. “We lost a few boys during the week and our preparation was terrible so they really proved the type of squad which, mentally, we have.’’
TOMU’S COOKING
He may have played in the losing side, but for the Magpies Tomu Cook was outstanding at centre.
But the Magpies had another first class performer in hooker Ekekiel Filipi. The 2024 Mabel Park SHS Langer ace was excellent for the Magpies with his dummy half work.
BARRY TAUKOLO
He has to keep working hard, but in a disjointed attacking performance the Wynnum Manly fullback was dangerous.
Taukolo simply has a knack of making things happen when he is around the ball, and so it was the case again in round one.
THE JONES BOY
Wynnum Manly coach Buchanan knows what he is going to get from hooker Ezekiel
Jones before every match - so do his teammates.
Jones, a full game contributor, was a pillar in the middle with his dummyhalf work and tireless defence.
Wynnum Manly also had two players making an impact on the edges in stages, rip-and-tear Mabel Park SHS student Majah-Jose Peachey and Adam Wilson.
MENINGA CUP
The Seagulls versus Magpies clash was a cracker. Action packed to say the least.
From Preston Cassidy’s solo try to start and Joey Tupuse’s quick reply off a Tom Parker chip kick, onlookers knew it was on straight away.
Wynnum’s Braithen Scott then hit back with a deft grubber which was planted by edge forward Jared Horne. Both teams were firing.
It came down to the wire with Wynnum ahead 24-22 with four minutes to play. The crafty Scott dabbed in one final grubber kick which ricochet into the hands of Horne who scored the dagger.
Scott added the extras then to nail the coffin shut, 30-22.
KENDALL IS KING
Souths Logan centre Finn Kendall was at his destructive best late in the first half when he intervened at just the right time when his team trailed 16-4.
Kendall caught the ball on his 30m line, busted through two tacklers and went the distance to spring energy into the Magpies.
It was a beauty. But wait, there’s more.
Five minutes later his fullback David Bryenton had a moment of brilliance, breaking the line and kicking through for his chasers.
His Keebra Park SHS school mate Joey Tupuse got there first and the scores were level, 16-16 heading into the second half.
MORCOM MOVES IN
Wynnum Manly right centre Tom Morcom made a telling impact in his first game for the club.
When the game was hanging in the balance midway through the second half, he put Oli Patterson over for a try and then followed it up with a try of his own.
He ran a fantastic line back towards the ruck and sliced through to retake the lead at 24-22 and then Scott’s grubber kicking had one final say.
FINAL SAY
Seagulls’ country recruit Cohen Jackson was outstanding while impressive No.13 Jared Horne was at his hard working best.
Coach Blake Trace said his team’s defence after error was a highlight of the performance, with his players backing themselves without the ball.
TWEED SEAGULLS V REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS
Harvey Norman under 17s
Tweed Seagulls captain Torah Luadaka produced a sublime finale to the girls opener when she triggered her team’s dramatic win in the dying minutes.
Tweed pipped the Redcliffe Dolphins 24-20 after trailing 10-0.
Halfback Luadaka produced two magic moments to turn the 10-nil deficit into a 12-10 lead for her side shortly before half time.
Then, with seconds remaining, Luadaka made the break which produced the winning try for the Seagulls dummyhalf Diamond Graham.
A brilliant dummy from the crafty half saw her stride away downfield before crossing the ball to Graham on her left, who went in straight under the posts to take the lead with time dwindling down. Importantly, Luadaka slotted all four of her conversions.
Redcliffe rallied desperately in a nail biting, last stitch effort. They came up empty-handed.
Albeit Luadaka was magic, it was the tenacious Tweed defence that made all the difference when Redcliffe were dominant in the first half. That was what kept the home side close enough to steal the win late.
“The girls’ never-say-die attitude really helps in these types of games, especially when around the try line defence. I was very happy with their effort,’’ said Tweed coach Veronica White.
“They know what they need to do when they come up against the strong and bigger teams.
“When we learn to complete sets, particularly in the first half, we will see the quality of football they always reaps the rewards, no matter how big the opposition is.’’
TERRIFIC TORAH
In the first half, she scored a runaway try when she scooped up loose ball and beat the Redcliffe defenders in a footrace.
Earlier, she showed her class when helping second rower Cienna Dumas score after hooker Graham had expertly given Luadaka quality attacking ball.
Graham also proved a force to be reckoned with in the second half, busting through the middle with a gusty 20m run to set up second rower Cienna Dumas for her second try just beside the sticks.
It was then all tied up 14-all. Cue Luadaka.
DOLPHINS DYNAMIC START
Redcliffe raced to a 10-nil lead after a dominant opening by prop Luisa Olomalii. She was both a go-forward prop powerhouse but more often than not took on the role of an extra half by delivering the ball wide to her potent right side.
MERCEDEZ ARRIVES WHEN NEEDED
Prop Mercedez Lisone Siaea rose to the occasion in the second half the Tweed needed someone to take charge.
Coach Veronica White had hoped she would fire when the going got tough and Siaea delivered in spades.
NATI MAGIC
Nati, the Dolphins captain, scored the opening try from a quick right hand shift and then produced a lovely pass to help centre Storm Manuel score her team’s second.
The fullback kicked off the second half in fine fashion, receiving a perfectly timed pass from Manuel to steam down the left side and, with sharp footwork, she beat the last defender.
Edge forward Mya Onsiai made wine from water after a relentless back and forth, barging her way through Tweed’s defensive wall to find the paint and edge the Dolphins in the front.
THE MYA’S MAKE AN IMPACT
Dolphins’ pair Mya Onosai and prop Mya Tronc were strong, fierce competitors for Redcliffe in a match which could have gone either way.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
CONNELL CUP
Tweed coach Chris Patison will demand his team cut its error rate after a gutsy 18-4 win over Redcliffe started the season on a positive note and left room for improvement.
The Seagulls will take the 14-point win against a club which has dominated this age group for two seasons as a notch in the belt, but better is expected with the ball.
However, Tweed’s defence was of a four star rating. Redcliffe scored just one try and that was evidence of the connected black and white line.
Second rower Kalani Patu was exceptional on the edge for Tweed, while five-eight James Smith was also excellent for the winners.
Winger Levi Handyside was a beneficiary of big Patu’s workrate and Smith’s playmaking when he crossed for two first half tries.
Redcliffe were well served by Cohen Cochrane.
Harvey Norman under 19s
The Tweed Seagulls were all too clinical for the Redcliffe Dolphins, edging the visitors out 36-24 in a gutsy game of back and forth.
Redcliffe came out with all guns blazing to clinch the first points of the day with a slick try from five-eight Deleni Patai, but it was Tweed’s fast-paced ball transfer and ability to keep the ball alive that came out on top.
Fleet-footed halfback Natalia Hickling produced Tweed’s first real attacking opportunity, sweeping around the back to deliver a lovely ball to five-eighth Shanarlii Peckham who stepped back to the inside to score. That was the first of eight tries Tweed produced.
While Redcliffe displayed plenty of flair as well, the well-oiled ‘Gulls side, led from the front by captain Phoenix-Raine Hippi, would not let up.
The former Australian Schoolgirls select from Ballina Coast State High displayed serious power when she charged through Redcliffe’s defensive seam, put on the burners down the sideline and finally offloaded to the equally speedy Skylah Samson who scored.
Hippi scored her own two tries late in the game to top off a fine performance.
TWEED TALENT TAKES OFF
Speedsters Roberts-Hickling and Joshalynn Walker teamed up to produce the highlight moment of the game.
An under pressure Roberts-Hickling chipped a brilliant exit ball down the field, which was chased down by an absolutely flying Walker who ran the length of the field to score just before half time.
Natalia Hickling was a halfback magician who threatened with almost every touch.
In the last minutes of the game, a brilliant midfield dummy pass and some serious pace earnt her a well-earned try. It sealed the deal for the Seagulls.
MEMORY PATAI’S VISION
Fantastic vision and execution from Redcliffe’s Memory Patai earnt Redcliffe some well needed points in the second half when she bested defenders with elusive footwork.
Her teammate Ruby Bezgovsek followed her lead shortly after, collecting an errant ball in front of the posts and touching down to lessen the gap.
MENINGA CUP
Tweed Seagulls coach Sam Meskell lamented the amount of ball his side dropped in a 22-12 victory, but gave his outfit a gold star for its defence after a rousing win over Redcliffe.
Meskell said the tackling needed to be good because of the dropped ball, and it was.
Indeed several desperate efforts prevented Redcliffe getting closer on the scoreboard as the team rallied.
A Javon Andrews 40-20 at an important part of the game also helped turn Redcliffe away.
But Tweed still found enough points to win the game, scoring 22 points. “We have attacking weapons if we can built prssure,’’ Meskell said.
HOORAH FOR HARRISON
That man Isaac Harrison was again a model citizen in the middle, fighting hard to win contact with his hit and spins, and giving his all in the wrestle.
He had plenty of mates, including another middle forward, Bodhi Sharpley, and in a good team effort those boys slightly shaded others on the field.
REDCLIFFE COACH REFLECTS
Redcliffe coach Scott Murray said his team made too many errors and gave away too many penalities against Tweed.
Hooker Braelan Marsh and his middle forward mate from central Queensland, Carter Ford, were the Dolphins best.
They were beaten well today by Tweed, but expect this Murray-coached side to find its groove and give more than a yelp this season.
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS V WESTERN CLYDESDALES
Harvey Norman U17s
Two 15-year-olds and the Clydesdales defence was to the forefront of a splendid road trip win against a very competitive Sunshine Coast.
The Clydesdales prevailed 18-10, with the Darling Downs’ girls defending like their lives depended on it during the final minutes as the Falcons came late and hard at their rivals.
“Our defence was something I was really, really happy with. That is what won it,’’ said veteran coach Russell Jones. “It was a good, tough, gritty win.’’
“We turned a lot of ball over early on and throughout the game, but our fitness and defence is what won us the game.
“They threw a lot at us in the last five minutes, but we kept getting their bodies there. The girls’ effort was fantastic.’’
Two youngsters in the Clydesdales’ side in particular, No.13 Tilly Wilks and halfback Sedeequa Nelson, did very well, but it must be stressed it took a team performance to topple the Falcons. Clydesdales centre Caitlin Wiggins also shone.
The Sunshine Coast were only a whisker from winning.
The the Falcons wingers Sailor Bowker and Kirra Pamenter worked hard and were outstanding, while in the middle Pearl Lloyd held up well against the Darling Downs forwards Lloyd’s defence was excellent as well.
Then in the halves, Lily Bain impressed once again, and her heads up football will be a feature of her team’s play this season.
HARVEY 19s
A grindy, full team effort was enough for the Clydesdales to scamper across the finish line with a 20-14 victory against the Falcons in round one.
Queensland under-19 emerging origin talent Zoe Robson was the standout for the travelling side, scoring two tries and creating a number of attacking opportunities on both sides of the field.
ROBSON FEVER
Queensland under-19 emerging origin talent Zoe Robson was the standout for the travelling side, scoring two tries and creating a number of attacking opportunities on both sides of the field.
ABOVE PARR
For the Falcons, it was their two Queensland under-19 talents Lila Parr and Takoda Thompson who did all they could to keep their side in the contest but it wasn’t to be with the Clydesdales scoring two tries in the final two minutes to seal the win.
Rugby 7s talent Dianne Ladewig also showed her Falcons teammates what she is capable of, scoring two tries on the wing and creating plenty of headaches for opposition defenders.
MENINGA CUP
Chip kicks on fourth tackle followed by three pass wide plays pretty well sums up the Falcons Meninga Cup side this season.
With countless offensive weapons through the middle and out wide, their aggressive, fast paced attacking style was simply too hard to stop for the Clydesdales in round one with the Falcons recording a solid 36-18 victory.
THOMPSON THE TORNADO
Canterbury Bulldogs signed talent Nate Thompson from Falcons led the way for the home side but was extremely well supported by a number of teammates including five-eight Ellyjah Birve, halfback Koby Brown and right edge forward Malakye Blow.
Thompson, who finished with two tries and was held up on two other occasions, said it was a great way to start the season.
“It was a big step up from playing Cyril Connell last year to Mal Meninga this season, some bigger bodies that definitely hit harder but I thought it was a great first hit out,” he said.
“We’ve got some great attacking players which really just allows me to run off the back of them and choose an opportunity or create space.
“It’s a good start from everyone, a good platform that we’ve laid and hopefully we can build on that each week and see where we end up.”
The Clydesdale’s struggled to guarantee themselves repeat sets close to the line although despite the result, five-eight Jake Durie showcased a great passing and short kicking game.
CONNELL CUP
SUNSHINE COAST v CLYDESDALES
It was a classic case of individual brilliance mixed with round one footy between the Falcons and the Clydesdales at the Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday.
It began as a battle of the fullbacks with Clydesdales Cooper Brown slicing through three defenders to score first followed by Sunshine Coast’s Taj Kuhl linking up well with his left side attack.
With neither side able to gain momentum or control of the game, Falcons halfback Cooper Lees was the next to show the crowd what he could do, grubbering through for himself to extend the lead to 12-4.
As Clydesdale’s Chevy Ryan was sent to the sin bin with just over 10 minutes to go, the home side put the game out of reach through prop Teile Munyard as winger and goalkicker Angus Lanagan slotted his third straight conversion.
Hooker Will Joyner was among the Falcons best while prop forward Oliver Kleijn unfortunately suffered an ankle injury in the second half.
Falcons coach Tim Baldwin labelled it a “typical first hit out’’, clunky in stages but always gritty.
“I thought our ability to defend on our line was good. We hung in when we had to,’’ Baldwin said.
JETT TAKES OFF
Sunshine Coast captain and No.13 Jett Ryan had another strong match. He has been a tremendous player for the Falcons over the last couple of seasons, and produced again in round one.
Ryan played the full match and as a result the Falcons were able to get high value from their middle rotations, including interchange forwards Carter Kiernan and Axel Fairfull.
It takes a special play to start and finish playing lock these days and Ryan is one of those players.
Clydesdales coach Ned Murphy said despite the loss, his side defended well.
“But we need to work on our ball control because we turned too much of it away,’’ Murphy said.
MACKAY CUTTERS V NORTHERN PRIDE
Harvey Norman U17s
Mackay’s Takiyah Sweet was outstanding as the home side started well to defeat their FNQ neighbours, Northern Pride, 16-4 in Mackay.
Sweet said a high benchmark with her edge forward performance, with her courage in attack and defence dominating that section of the field.
“I think our connection and effort on effort in defence worked well for the crew, and we can build from there,’’ said Mackay Cutters’ coach Imogen Healy.
For the visitors, Pride captain Elishama Suavai was superb in defeat for the visitors, with her strong runs inspiring her teammates.
Pride coach Elinora Oberleter was proud of her side given the limited build-up.
“We had missed a few training sessions due to the weather, and couldn’t get a trial match so we weren’t fully prepared,’’ she said.
“But despite the loss, the girls took away what we need to work on for next week.’’
PRIDE’S SUPER SUB
Northern Pride did not win, but they still produced the Super Sub of the match. Megan Tresize was outstanding for Pride, with her impact lifting her teammates.
CONNELL CUP
Mackay started its season with a 38-12 win over Pride on the back of old fashioned props Jake Peters and George Gofton getting the job done upfront.
On a hot Saturday the boys rolled up their sleeves and rolled forward, while holding their line in defence.
“They laid a platform for us to play off the back of.’’ said coach Brett Watton.
Beyond the props, the Mackay spine players of Eli Cookson (hooker) and halves Koby Daly and Grange Womal were able to play some nice football which brought their second rowers and centres into the game.
In addition, fullback Lachlan Brown was effective pushing up in support and he was rewarded with a try from a terrific pass by his centre, Norman Campbell.
MENINGA CUP CUP
Cutters middle men did the hard yards early, and the outside men came into their own later on as Mackay produced a beautifully balanced team performance to beat Northern Pride 38-14.The tight forwards ran with gusto at the start, and from that the team’s left edge attack toward second rower Joel Doyle came into its own.”The plan was to front load the game, and we focused on coming out hard from the start,’’ said coach Andy Battaia.After the softening up, Mackay started exploring their edges.In support of the middle men were the back five of Kooper Shears, Toby Woodall, Flynn Battaia, Zane Elletson and Rylan Misztela.In between the middles and the edges, second rower Doyle was a handful.
HIGH FLYING FIVE
Mackay coach Andy Battaia stressed it was an even team performance by his side, but he could not help but be impressed with his back five of Kooper Shears, Toby Woodall, Flynn Battaia, Zane Elletson and Rylan Misztela. ”All of our outside backs were outstanding and our back five would have made 100m plus metres easily,’’ Battaia said.
BLACKHAWKS V CAPRAS
Harvey Norman U17s
The Capras claimed a thrilling win, 12-10, over Blackhawks in Rockhampton.
The weather played havoc with Blackhawks’ preparation and as a result the side had limited training and no trial games.
After a nervous first half, the Blackhawks’ girls settled down and found their feet.
“We started to play our game,’’ said Townsville coach Rebecca Petersen.
She had high praise for halves Alanieta Nauqe and Diaz Bowen, and believes the side will be better in the weeks ahead. “We have a lot to take from this game so we will go away and work on it,’’ Petersen said.
CONNELL CUP
Could either the Blackhawks or Capras had a tougher start to the season? Both teams absolutely gave it to themselves, with Townsville tiptoeing to a grafting 8-6 win against their rivals.
What a match it was, a game which swung in the breeze until full-time.
It was a special performance by Blackhawks given the squad had not been on the field for three weeks due to FNQ’s big wet. “I loved our effort in a tough, physical match like the ones which are always played against Capras,’’ said Blackhawks coach Nathan Norford.
“We haven’t been on the field for three weeks, so we just need to keep building.’’
Capras coach Todd Hansen said his team paid a price for poor handling, but he could not have asked more of his side in defence.
“I was proud of the defensive effort from 1 to 17 to stay in the game,’’Hansen praised.
Centre Leo Fanuatanu and second rower Jack Armstrong were particularly good for Capras.
HARVEY 19s
The Townsville girls lifted themselves off the canvas to turn a 0-10 deficit into a 12-10 win against a forever trying Capras.
What a triumph it was given the tenacious opposition from CQ, and the fact that the Blackhawks’ preparation has been washed away over the last three weeks.
“I am really happy with the girls’ defence. They repelled the Capras,’’ said coach Gavin Lloyd.
“They kept it simple and kept believing in the processes we have in place.
“Down 10-nil they showed some real determination to get back in the game and do enough to get the win.’’
Mikaela mighty
Easther Mikaela and Olivia Fletcher were tremendous in a gutsy team performance.
Mikaela was an enormous presence in the middle, ploughing through the hit, only to slam into a brick wall of defenders - and then do it all again.
Hooker and captain Fletcher had run in her legs, which was so welcomed by her pack.
Meanwhile, in matches between Ipswich and Wide Bay, the Jets won the Harvey 17s 48-nil and the Connell Cup 32-10.
Originally published as Rd 1 recap: How the Meninga, Connell and Harvey girls junior league competitions unfolded on Saturday as Tweed produce clean sweep of Redcliffe
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