Qld rugby league junior reps: Round 2 as it happens
Qld rugby league junior reps: The Tigers and Tweed rise to wins, the Cutters overcame the Blackhawks while the Seagulls’ Connell Cup young guns made it two in a row as a Broncos-signed centre ran riot. Round 2 coverage here.
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Wynnum Manly right centre Dean Tauaa would be appointed the Connell Cup’s dean of destruction after he bumped, stepped and motored forward in his team’s frantic 38-16 win over the Tigers on Saturday.
Wynnum led by as many as 16 in the middle stages when they were up 22-6 and the Tigers got as close as six when they trailed 22-16 after edge forward Max Rakitovszky scored.
That was the closest the Tigers would get because halves Jordan Hotere and Lachlan Hooker had plans of their own in the final 30 minutes.
Hooker’s penalty goal on full-time from almost 40m out put the icing on the cake and it was also a reward for his hard work when the match hung in the balance.
JUMP TO: Tigers v Seagulls, Falcons v Jets, Capras v Pride, Cutters v Blackhawks, Magpies v Tweed, Clydesdales v Bulls.
HOTERE IS HERE
After hooker Ezekiel Jones, Dean Tauaa and Bensen Manu stamped their mark early scoring tries, five-eighth Hotere had a big say in how the Seagulls would finish.
The Seagulls soared early and Hotere had his finger on the trigger, sending destructive left edge forward Majah-Jose Peachey into a gap to score and then scoring a dazzling try of his own in the 50th minute to extend the lead at 30-16.
Peachey powered home 45m to land a beauty, the big man beating the last line of defence with speed which could only resemble that of an outside back.
Hotere was key again when stepping back on his inside and crashing over to score a crucial try after the Tigers had made a game of it.
Hooker Tai Kaipath (two tries), centre Zane Platt, captain Jonah Wilde and Nikorima Wharakura were all big contributors but a pair of timely plays by Hotere ensured the visitors only got a sniff.
DEAN OF DESTRUCTION
Before the impact of Hotere, Peachey and Hooker, who kicked five-from-six conversions and nailed two penalty goals, Tauaa was a menacing presence on the right edge.
He was a freight train who took no prisoners. In attack he bumped off defenders, made post contact metres and stepped his way to the tryline for Wynnum Manly’s second of the day.
Around him, mobile prop Franck Iraguha, lock Daniel Cash and Koby McGarrity were busy.
Tauaa’s left centre, Churchie young gun Bailen Noy, was excellent when making a full field trysaving tackle.
Tigers winger Harrison Vera had intercepted a cut out pass and it rebounded off his hands into the bread basket of Jontaye Brown who went 80m before being run down by Noy.
Harvey under-17s
Brisbane Tigers prop Carayanidis Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu was one unstoppable force which helped propel her side to its second win of the season.
Easts beat the Seagulls 28-12 and Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu’s power game produced two tries, one of which was a 30m solo rampage that drove her team into the clear and left multiple defenders in her wake.
Lock Riley-Jay Henry-Purcell was also a nightmare to tackle but again Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu was a difference maker after last weekend making a try-scoring impact.
The sheer tenacity of a much smaller Seagulls side was most evident when tireless forwards Amber James and Te Heihinapouri Mark worked themselves to a standstill.
And when sniping five-eighth Khiara-Lee Liuvaie took the ball to the line or diminutive dummyhalf Emily Whittaker went out of her way to tackle bigger bodies.
It was some effort.
DUNCAN GOES THE DISTANCE
Fleet-footed left wing Charlize Duncan dazzled to complete a superb 68m try for the Tigers and draw level at 6-all.
Wynnum Manly Seagulls livewire Whittaker had scored first before Easts dummyhalf Taylor Martin-Habib, halfback Tiahna Kanawi and five-eighth Charlotte Keki combined to set Duncan free.
She burst down the touchline and in the blink of an eye was scoring under the posts after a telling left-to-right step saw her get past the last defender.
Duncan has worn jersey No.5 for the Tigers but is a serious utility. She is equally adept in the halves and at dummyhalf.
Her try clicked the team into gear because shortly after prop Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu and playmaker Keki, going herself from the ruck, scored tries to make it 16-6 at half time.
DUMMY, STEP, BANG!
Whittaker was to the fore again, dummying and then stepping right to left to go in under the sticks and move within four points at 16-12.
For the second successive week Seagulls rake Whittaker was an all-or-nothing performer.
She was grand against a much bigger Tigers outfit, Whittaker scoring Wynnum’s first two tries, converting both of them, tackling courageously and organising the attack from the base of the ruck.
Her first try, a dummyhalf scoot, was trumped by her next try where she sold the pass to a rushing defender and then stepped back on her inside to evade the next and score under the sticks.
Wynnum were right there, but then came the barnstorming Henry-Purcell and Co.
Harvey under-19s
The Tigers roared to their second straight under-19s win, announcing themselves as premiership contenders in the process.
The visitors won 30-4 and outside backs Saupo-Mina Toeleiu and Fleur Ginn were first-half heroes who scored two tries each. Ginn also could have had two try assists but they were ruled as forward passes.
Toeleiu, a powerful left edge runner, was on the receiving end of some great playmaking by Kameryn Bray, India Seeto and Kayleen Takai to give her side early cushion.
Wynnum Manly defended for the majority but when they had their chance left winger Chase Windle made no mistakes after the classy Ariana Henderson put her in with a wonderful draw and pass.
In defence, lock and captain Hayley Bush, five-eighth Sienna Stanford and busy fullback Charlotte Wells could be seen giving their all, and a little more.
FANTASTIC FLEUR
Tigers fullback Fleur Ginn has had the midas touch in two games to start the season.
Last week against Norths she offered quality over quantity when she got the ball in attack.
In round 2, the Stretton SC product was untouchable when she had room to rove and early ball in a four minute stretch of magic approaching half time.
First she darted 40m off a scrum reset to go over near the right corner. A few short moments later and Ginn was in on the other side of the field when she pinned the ears back for a 60m solo try.
The Tigers led 26-4 and scored another stunner 10 minutes later when No.13 Chloe Maxwell released an offload in contact to the alert Dominika Baleinagasau.
Meninga Cup
A triple treat of tries from Seagulls left wing Yuri Dempsey played a big part in holding out a fast finishing Tigers outfit that almost completed a stunning comeback at the death.
Wynnum Manly led 18-0 at half time and 22-10 with 15 minutes left but the tenacious Tigers clawed back to be within striking distance, down 22-20 with 10 to go and then 26-20, on the final play.
They found themselves closing in on the ‘Gulls goal line at the death but it wasn’t to be.
Wynnum was safe, only just, and had Demsey not flexed his muscles when in contact then it would have been a different story.
Twice in the second half Dempsey wriggled out of stellar cover tackles to plant the ball down over the line. Earlier, he opened the scoring superbly when halfback Braithen Scott found him with a cross field kick.
Demspey provided the finishing touches required to take advantage of the wealth of possession and field position the Seagulls were afforded in the first half.
STAUNCH DEFENCE
It took the Tigers 45 minutes to break free of the shackles and land their first try. It said a lot about Wynnum Manly’s defence that they could nullify Easts’ attacking weapons for such a prolonged period of time.
Big Isopo Taunu’u, energetic tackling terror Caleb Cresswell, the boundless Levi Hawea and lock Tamai Baker were game defenders for the home side.
Finally the mountainous Motootua Kia struck for the Tigers and then soon after right centre Jaffahl Skillington went in off a Grady Payne cross field kick.
Titanic left edge forward VJ Vialau then scored two tries within four minutes to spark life into the Tigers but the Seagulls pulled away when dempsey snared his third and final five minutes from time to nail the coffin shut.
Falcons v Jets
Harvey under-17s
A left to right sweeping tsunami from Falcons halves pairing Lily Bain and Marley Chan was way too much to handle for the Jets in round 2 at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Despite Ipswich showing glimpss of magic in a 48-0 victory over Wide Bay last week, the travelling side fell victim to a point-a-minute first half meaning they found themselves 30-0 down at the break.
Offering dynamic options on both sides of the ruck, five-eight Bain crossed for a hattrick of tries. Halfback Chan scored two herself.
The pair were extremely well supported by captain Ace Pollock, fullback Aamira Renouf and prop forward Sophie Bachinger.
BAIN ALL PAIN
A much more settled second half meant the match finished 44-6 with player of the match Bain expressing her pride in the team’s effort.
“We dug deep in the second half as I thought our defensive efforts were good after having plenty of the ball in the first half,” she said.
“We had a great training session on Thursday so to put into play what we practised today was really pleasing and really helped us perform.
“It makes my job a lot simpler when I have so many girls running off my hip or creating space out wide.
“We finished off our attacking chances really well so hopefully we can continue that form.”
The performance of Ipswich prop Emilee George was a highlight for the visitors.
Connell Cup
Four unanswered second-half tries from the Jets was enough for the visitors to grab crucial ladder points over the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
Both sides displayed some good attacking skills courtesy of fullbacks Ira Yeatman (Jets) and Taj Kuhl (Falcons). But it was a true battle of the forwards with both sides going toe-to-toe through the middle of the park.
A grindy, stop-start first half saw just four points separate the two teams.
With the sides deadlocked at 18-all with 10 minutes to play, the Jets attacking pressure was too much for the Falcons defence with the boys from rugby league heartland putting the game out of reach with two late tries.
FULL POWER VAITAI
Rabbitohs young gun forward Tomasi Vaitai was outstanding for Ipswich, showcasing his tough running, defensive aggression and communication skills when setting up his teammates.
“We had to just stay down and keep focused, keep at it and stay in the grind, especially when it got tough towards the end of the game,” Vaitai said.
“The Falcons middles are strong and seem to keep running all game which is a credit to them but we did our job as a group which helped us get the end result.”
Jets hooker Peter Uilavai-Pita also had a great match, scoring two tries and controlling the pace of play really positively.
JETT IMPRESSES AGAIN
For the Falcons it was captain Jett Ryan who controlled the speed of the game really well and also set a high standard with key defensive efforts.
Falcons goalkicker Angus Lanagan also continued his perfect conversion rate while being well supported by returning prop Kaio Moses, second rower Taj Burke and halfback Cooper Lees.
Harvey under-19s
A stop-start match unfolded between the Falcons and Jets and it was a three-try blitz from the home side that was the difference.
It took the Falcons 10 minutes to kick out to a 14-0 lead thanks to some individual brilliance from Jennifer Ladewig, Lila Parr and Jessica Cross.
There were some exciting glimpses from the Jets in the second half but ultimately the visitors left themselves too much to do in too little time.
The match ended 14-10 with Falcons head coach Jack Reed proud of his side’s efforts.
“The girls would’ve liked to finish better, you could see it in their body language at full time they were a bit down on themselves despite the result,” he said.
“We had to remind ourselves that our play to get in front was really positive so a good learning opportunity to better understand footy isn’t always pretty.
“Sometimes you have to roll up your sleeves, kick to corners and apply pressure so I was proud of them there and especially their efforts in defense on our try line.”
THOMPSON TOO GOOD
Rising Queensland under-19 and Falcons talent Takoda Thompson enahnced her reputation once again when storming onto the ball in attack and laying out big hits in defence.
Her darting runs and link up play with halfback Lila Parr and winger Olive Payne was also crucial.
TWIN TROUBLE
Ladewig sisters Dianne and Jennifer have already proved themselves as great pick ups for the Falcons this season with the Rugby 7s gems having early success after giving league a go.
In round 1 it was Dianne who was dynamic on the wing while in round two Jennifer slotted in at fullback and was everywhere all at once.
Meninga Cup
The attacking prowess of the Falcons Meninga Cup boys again shone through in an enthralling 32-26 success over the visiting Jets.
Ipswich created few chances in the opening half and field possession wasn’t in their favour.As such, the Falcons took a commanding 18-0 lead into the break.
Momentum quickly swung in the second half with the Jets storming out of the sheds with a point to prove.
Boy can they play a fast-paced attacking brand of footy.
Jets middle men Henry Kallquist and Bill Fraser were monumental in getting their side close to the line. It left the the home fans with their hearts in their mouth, creeping forward on their seats as the game entered the final five minutes with the scores level at 26 apiece.
The Falcons then marched down the field before Ellyjah Birve converted his own match-winning try with less than a minute left on the clock.
Phew, the Falcons were home.
CONSISTENT KOBY
In round 1 Falcons halfback and captain Koby Brown performed strongly but was able to somewhat take a back seat given the elite attacking firepower from the players around him.
Against the Jets, his game management and footy IQ shone as bright as ever steering his side to a gritty victory.
The rising playmaker set up a handful of tries and knew when the ball would be better suited on the right side of the field for his five-eight Birve.
Brown’s kicking game and communication were standouts of his. The 18-year-old Brown said “ee gave away some cheap penalties and errors here and there so we allowed them back in the game which turned the momentum back on us.”
“We still completed well and I knew we had it in us to still stick to our processes so it wasn’t ideal but still happy to get the win.”
Prop forward Tyson Knight was also strong for his Falcons side while Jets players Fraser, Corey Elder and Jakequan Roberts-Welsh stood tall.
BIRVE’S BACK
Falcons livewire Birve missed the 2024 club season due to some unforeseen off field circumstances.
To begin 2025 the bottom age playmaker has slotted in extremely well alongside a host of attacking weapons.
“I felt a lot more confident this week after getting through round 1so I just wanted to get my hands on the ball as much as possible and play my game,” he said.
“I feel quite protected out there which has been great.
“I’ve played with a few of these boys in past seasons so I’ve found it a lot easier when they’re helping me week to week and just allowing me to stick to my strengths.”
GRAHAM CAN DO A JOB
Will Graham, a Queensland Reds Under-16s gun (2023), is having his first taste of rugby league this season and he is fitting in nicely.
Graham found his feet last round against the Western Clydesdales but went to a new level against the Jets with a complete performance on both sides of the ball.
Starting at hooker, Graham controlled his middle forwards really well while also making a number of tackles.
A change to lock after an injury to Jaelym Hohaia seemed absolutely no worries for Graham who continued to give it his all.
He then made the move back to number nine for the final 20 minutes, the former Australian Schoolboy select diving over to score and help his side secure vital competition points.
Cutters v Blackhawks
Harvey under-17s
Cutters hooker Ella Duncan recovered from the tackle of the season so far by Townsville prop Taylar Viero to help her side to 20-6 victory over Townsville.
Light on her feet, Duncan’s energy with the ball and service in the wet were key features of the win.
She helped her side score the first try, skirting from dummyhalf and giving her side depth in which to attack to the left.
Off the ball went toward the eventual try scoring winger, Keeley Logan, as five-eight Ruby Watt, centre Courtney Harris and fullback Abby Callander handled.
From there Mackay built their game, culminating in a 16-0 halftime lead after Duncan jinked her way over in the ruck, and also helped open up a channel for her prop Kelsi Hazledine who crashed over.
To Townsville’s credit they hang on and the side received a great boost when leading forward Macey Lahrs opened the scoring in the second half to make it 16-6.
Both sides slogged away in the wet, with Mackay finally securing the win when second rower Trinity White burrowed over.
CIANNA FAULKNER
Outstanding Mackay lock Cianna Faulkner did not have to wear pink headgear to stand out, but in the gloomy conditions she shone like a lighthouse.
To score a try Faulkner took advantage of her team’s momentum with an outstanding, leg-pumping run that took her side to the brink of scoring. Then, from close range, Cutters’ prop Kelsi Hazledine plunged over.
Faulkner’s mobility and support play nicely complemented the Cutters’ middle rotation.
TACKLE OF THE SEASON
Taylar Viero’s enormous hit on Pride No.9 Duncan shook the far north. Bang, as the front rower came at pace against the advancing Ella Duncan who was backing herself with a dummyhalf run.
It was a big, big tackle by the Townsville middle forward.
Pride’s Takiyah Sweet then returned serve with her own blockbusting tackle.
OH SO CLOSE
Down 16-nil, there was a flash of enterprise by Blackhawks’ five-eight Mia Pashley whose collection of ruck ball, and then the execution of a grubber kick, almost created a try for her winger Harlem-Rae Henaway.
BACK FIVE WORKHORSES
In wet conditions, the Mackay Cutters’ dummyhalf running of their back five - Callander, Harris, Logan, Jade Williams and Lucymda Tronc - was well executed and important.
The girls earnt a hot shower after the match.
Cutters v Blackhawks, Meninga Cup
Mackay were a serious Meninga Cup U19 side, that’s for sure.
The Cutters’ performance in heavy conditions against good opposition was one of the highlights of the season so far.
Playing largely mistake free football in the mud, Cutters overcame Blackhawks by 32-4.
The handling of hooker Ryan John in the wet was outstanding, and his service helped the Cutters forwards and outside backs power down field.
Overall Mackay has a beautifully balanced side. They feature a No.13 (Jack Thorburn) with footwork, powerful middles like Travis Laner and Tavita Penaia Te’o, and strike on the edge through the second rowers Doyle and Grady.
Of the group that played, Laner played long minutes and probably shaded his teammates for best player, but it was a strong team performance
TAKE A BOW TOBY
Toby Woodall had limited chances in heavy conditions, but he made an impact.
In the first half it was his long run down the sideline which gave his team field position to sweep wide to the left which ended in the arms of second rower Doyle scoring.
Then in the second half he backed himself in a 12m blindside run, hurling himself at two defenders and managing to get the ball down under extreme pressure in the corner. It was a brilliant performance by the winger.
MORE THAN BASH BROTHERS
While Cutters centres Flynn Battaia and Zane Elletson can be a couple of bash brothers, they can also put their wingers away.
The boys pride themselves on their ruck runs from the defensive end of the ground where their acceleration and leg drive help Mackay make ground.
Yesterday left centre Battaia was rewarded with a try in the wet when he bashed his way over to score, while he also put his winger Rylan Misztela over the score.
On the other side of the field, Elletson is always eager to try and use the pace of his winger, Toby Woodall.
BLACKHAWKS’ BEST
It was a tough day at the office for the Townsville side, but fullback Riley McIntyre and interchange forward Ryder Soper were comfortably their team’s best.
In shocking conditions fullback McIntyre worked his backside off during a low mistake rate performance while Soper tried to lift his team with his performance off the bench.
Cutters v Blackhawks, Connell U17s
The Townsville Blackhawks broke through for a treasured win over arch rivals Mackay during a 10-6 result in the wet.
Blackhawks were the better side, with Cutters centre Norman Campbell helping keep his side in the game with his defence and strong carries.
Campbell had helpers, however, with second Caleb O’Brien strong with his edge runs and defence, while interchange forwards Rocky Hancock and Will Hamblin impacted the game in the second half.
But they could not bridge the gap between the sides.
Cutters v Blackhawks, Harvey U19s
Mackay claimed a 22-6 win in terrible conditions after elite back Jen Kimber somehow retained her footing on a wet track to shine in the victory.
The match was a slog affair for long periods, but the Cutters showed enough ball handling to manage 22 points in the game.
Kimber twice scored, including one brilliant individual effort. She was outstanding, while forward Selinda Cowley also shone.
“It was very gutsy,’’ Cutters’ coach Matt Sanders said about the win.
Kimber Magic
The game was up for grabs when Mackay fullback Jen Kimber ran 35m off a scrum, dashing her way to the line to score.
To score her second try, after an hour of exhaustive football, Kimber followed a kick by Caitlin Tanner to score after covering 40m to get to the ball.
Magpies v Tweed
Harvey under-17s
Torah Luadaka - and Tweed - did it again to win late, 14-12, in an U17 thriller against Souths Logan.
Seagulls’ halfback Luadaka kicked an angled conversion to break open a 12-all deadlock after her pass had put Tweed centre Nia Brooks in for a try.
For the second successive week Tweed came from behind to win in the second half after producing a last-gasp win over Redcliffe in round 1.
Souths Logan had defended Luadaka’s show-and-go dummy pass, but were unable to nullify who catch and pass skills on the right hand side of the field.
“Torah was heavily marked, but Diamond Graham, Affica-Jade Hippi and Lacey McLaren really came to the forefront as usual,’’ said Tweed coach Veronica White.
Jade-Hippi was outstanding. Playing No.13, her mobility and leg speed around the ruck against a big pack was telling.
“All the girls are actually improving with every game, so it was a great team effort,’’ White said.
“They certainly know how to dig deep. They also prove that you don’t have to be the biggest player on the field to make a difference.’’
WHO MATCHED THE MAGPIES POWER GAME? JALIRIAH GLENBAR DID
Jaliriah Glenbar gave the Souths Logan pack some of their own medicine with an inspiring solo try which cut the Magpies margin to just four points.
With her team struggling to find a way through, prop Glenbar just ran straight and hard, barrelling her way over.
ANOTHER HIPPI MAKES HER MARK
Affrica-Jade Hippi’s mobility around the ruck as a No.13 helped her side find its feet to victory.
She had plenty of run in the championship rounds toward the end of the match and helped give her side the momentum it needed to inch past their rivals.
MAGPIE MARTYN DONS RUNNING SPIKES
Magpies’ winger Lauryn Martin donned her running spikes to race 80m and score her first team’s try.
The flying winger had accepted a pass from her centre, Peytton Wentholt, who had fielded a bomb.
Wentholt kept the ball alive in a tackle, handling Martyn possession who beat her opposite before running unopposed to score under the posts.
DIAMOND CRACKS DAM WALL
Souths Logan’s goal line defence had been outstanding in turning away Tweed, but sneaky Tweed hooker Diamond Graham scampered to find a way through the Magpies’ defence.
She took off like a scolded cat from the cut, and despite being cut down, Diamond had penetrated Souths’ brick wall which helped No.13 Affica-Jade Hippi dive over from dummy half. Tweed lead 6-nil.
THE MAGPIES POWER GAME
Souths Logan’s had put themselves into the mix courtesy of a power game.
Forwards Bella Foai, Alessana Betham, Cienna Dumas and Mamele Misa were handfuls, while Elisa Asomua’s dynamic charge through the ruck to score cranked open a 12-4 halftime advantage. Throw outside backs Afeena Faamafu and Gloria Isaraelu also added thumping power and clout to the power game.
But in the end Tweed had the fitness and mobility to finish over the time.
TREW BLUE
Souths Logan prop Sienna Trew against produced a tremendous prop forward game.
She impressed with her work rate around the middle, ability to mop up and defend either with a catch and grab or leg driving power shining brightly.
Any team in the competition would be delighted to have this no-nonsense middle forward warrior in their side.
Harvey under-19s
It was a Hickling-Hippi masterclass as the girls got together to unravel Souths Logan 24-14 in the U19s.
Halves Savannah Roberts-Hickling and Natalia Hickling ran either side of the ruck to steer their side to an impressive victory.
Souths Logan played the game out, with halfback and captain Danielle-Elizabeth Tutakangahau scoring late, but the better side won.
While the Hickling girls excelled, it was Tweed No.13 Grace Maxwell who got through a mountain of work around the middle, while Kiara Wright and Kaliyah Browning had impressive running games.
THE HICKLING HALVES HAVE IT
Tweed’s halves were masterfully with their creation, looking for half chances on the edge of the ruck.
Five-eight Savannah Roberts-Hickling put her fullback Joshalynn Walker over in the right hand corner, then in the left corner halfback Natalia Hickling created space for winger Shelera Williams to score in the corner.
Savannah Roberts-Hickling was also prepared to take the line on, while Natalia Hickling scored her team’s fourth try when she supported Kaylee Booth on the inside
Hickling then laid on Tweed’s fifth try when she pushed a one handed pass onto her winger Shelera Williams.
Tweed has a good pack and wonderful strike at the back through fullback Joshalynn Walker, but they also have quick between the ears players like the Hickling halves.
WAS IT GREG INGLIS? NO IT WAS PHOENIX-RAINE HIPPI
By heavens Phoenix-Raine Hippi is a beautiful player. Her effortless performance to move around her opponent and lop toward the line was not unlike what former Queensland Origin great Greg Inglis was able to do.
It was only a 12m burst, but it was style, class and easy.
It was just another moment to add to her highlight reel moments.
MARTINA’S MOMENT DESERVED A TRY
Martina Williams deserved a try for her athletic performance late in the second half.
After breaching the line, she grubber kicked ahead for herself, regathered and set sail for the tryline, only to be hauled in by Nazlyn Waaka-Rhind.
Connell Cup
Tweed’s hot start, where they ran in four answered tries within the first thirty minutes, proved the decisive difference in a fiery battle won 20-16 over Souths Logan at Marsden SHS.
Tweed led 20-0 at half time and had the game almost wrapped up at that point, although the Magpies rallied hard to leave with plenty to be proud of.
Souths Logan won the second half 16-0 and that was a just reflection of their spirited comeback effort. Fullback Vita Filo, right wing Malakaih Beals, halfback Harrison Taylor and lock Semuela Naleba were influential in engineering that momentum shift.
Barnstorming middle forward Sione Haukinima was perhaps the most inspirational.
A SURGING SIONE
Watching big Haukinima power forward was a sight to see in this game of two halves.
He was a force, bounding off the back fence and slicing through Tweed’s defensive line. Twice he broke through and moved his side out of danger.
The Forest Lake State High youngster is also a high-class lock in rugby although he was in his element playing as a middle forward on Saturday.
TWEED’S TERRIFIC START
The Seagulls beat the Magpies out of the gate to snare a 20-0 half time lead and put a down payment on victory away from home.
Powerful right centre Judah Marsden kicked his team into gear when he plucked a pass on the 10m line and stormed 90m downfield to score a stunner. Magpies half Harrison Taylor very nearly held him up over the line.
Tweed treasured possession and were rewarded for doing so when big Kobi Hauraki stepped his way to the tryline. Dummyhalf Jai Bilish added another score when he dummied and wove from the ruck base to extend Tweed’s lead to 16 points.
Then, approaching half time, a clinical backline sweep to Seth Coe made it four unanswered tries for boys in black and white.
Meninga Cup
The Tweed Seagulls completed a clean sweep of victories for the second consecutive week after the club’s Meninga Cup side resembled a professional team in their 40-14 triumph over the Magpies.
Tweed’s fourth victory was as comprehensive as any seen in round 2 because the Coast side ran in four tries each side of the half and were still applying pressure in the 70th minute.
Superb tries scored by five-eight Javon Andrews, fullback Ray Puru, edge forward Cruz Dangerfield and winger Josh Donovan set the game alight.
But the little things, such as Sunny Kama and Puru’s rucking, Zane Harrison’s crisp passing, Bodhi Sharpley’s nononsense carries and Taylan To’as rugged defence, also made a palpable difference.
Proceedings started when the pacy Puru put Donovan over in the corner and they finished with a mesmorising dash from Andrews to score.
In between, Tweed controlled momentum with suffocating defence and a low mistake rate between both forwards and backs.
THE FIGHT BACK
Souths Logan trailed 14-0 after 17 minutes and from there it was an uphill battle. Impressively, the home side did turn the tide for a good chunk of time in the second half when they started to get the rub of the green.
Just on the stroke of halftime five-eight Tom Parker dabbed a chip kick over the Tweed defence for Saia Poese who scored. It was the team’s highlight of the game and young Parker was busy again in the second half when he chased his own grubber kick and scored after Kama had dropped it.
Jack-in-the-box fullback David Bryenton also scored a top notch try when he muscled his way over in the 43rd minute. However the game was already out of reach.
Tweed’s clinical backline moves, where PBC SHS trio Kama, Puru and Sam Stephenson were prevelant, showed why they reigning premiers are again the team to beat in this age group.
Capras v Pride
Harvey under-17s
Capras defeated Pride 22-6, but there was no picnic on the way to victory.
Capras had jumped out of the blocks to lead 12-nil after tries to Ashlynn Self and Alexis Bukowski.
But Pride received a douse of encouragement when Alyssa Ale crossed to get her side on the board.
It took second half tries to Maycee Brown and Macey Evans to put plenty of real estate between their side and the probing Pride girls.
Capras coach Nikki Carpenter said her girls’ pushed up in support to help secure tries.
“They were all amazing with their energy and effort,’’ she praised.
PRIDE POWER
Northern Pride centres Alyssa Ale and Niya Hodgeand, along with second rowers Elishama Suavai and Ciarn MacBride were most dangerous for the Cairns-based side.
MacBride was her arguably her team’s best and deserves high praise for her work in attack and defence.
Capras v Pride, Meninga Cup
Taakoi Benioni scored three tries as the Northern Pride displayed plenty of heart to hang on with 12 men and beat Capras 26-22.
Coach Bevan Walker was delighted with the “character’’ displayed by his side after Capras came late and hard at their rivals.
The win was even more meritorious when you consider Pride entered the season without a trial game due to the big wet. ““The boys are hanging in well.’’
TAAKOI’S TRIPLE
Taakoi scored three well constructed tries, running nice angles to find this way beyond the grasping Capras’ defenders.
His three try performance was a reward for middle forwards Mafiou Cherif and Marley Helion who were powerful.
Directing Pride around the park was impressive halfback Zac Herdegen, the former Queensland schoolboys halfback.
CAPRAS RECOVERY
The Capras were hit between the eyes when Pride established what looked to be a match winning advantage, but they also displayed spirit to rally.
Capras were best served by prop Josh Nilon who deservedly scored a try which closed the gap and gave CQ a chance to win the game late.
Aiding Capras’ recovery was Calum Denman who gave his side some good impact off the bench.
Capras v Pride
Harvey under-19s
The Northern Pride hooker Layla Geck produced an elite game as her side slugged it out to win 16-6.
Geck displayed the fitness of a triathlete to play the entire game in demanding conditions.
She had plenty of helpers, including props Mia Eteru and Mariah Tihopu.
Both Geck and Eteru were rewarded with tries.
PRIDE PROPS
Northern Pride needed plenty of forward grunt to get over the top of the Capras’ girls, and both Eteru and Tihopu produced the power game to give their side the edge.
Pride v Capras, Connell Cup
The Capras winger Colin Leisha scored three tries as the CQ outfit edged out the Pride 18-12 in a thrilling U17 clash today.
CQ seemed to have the match in hand but a try by Pride’s Miki Toquero narrowed the margin to a converted try.
Clydesdales v Bulls
Harvey under-17s
The Clydesdales were given a fright by a gutsy Wide Bay before the Darling Downs outfit got back to basics in the second half win well, 42-6.
The Toowoomba-based side attacked with its defence, with the players running straight and hard during the second half to arrest a modest start to the game.
Second rower Keelie Hilt was tremendous with her tough runs and hard defence. Her performance was just what the Clydesdales needed and she thoroughly deserves high praise.
Halfback Sedeequa Nelson also continued to blossom as a game manager, while not losing her flair.
BLADES MAGIC
Mikaela Blades’ kick and chase try in the second half was a brilliant moment in the match.
A brave little warrior from the Valleys club, Blades’ has plenty of natural ability with the ball, as highlighted by her own try and her creation of another try for a teammate.
Blades plays above her weight and is learning how to run the side from the ruck.
MAUI’S ENERGY
Toowoomba were treading water in the first half, playing a bit of touch football and seemingly expecting things just to happen.
But they regrouped at the break and helping give the side energy was bench player Lanelle Maui.
REDCLIFFE v CLYDESDALES, Meninga Cup
Redcliffe’s Meninga Cup win over the Clydesdales included a 75m try scored by Jake Carsburg, his second four-pointer within the space of 90 seconds.
From the restart following Carsburg’s first try, Dolphins’ halfback Noah Fien attacked the blindside with a pass to his second rower Jacob Morton.
Morton took off toward halfway before finding centre Carsburg who ran half the length of the field to score.
The Dolphins’ left side attack was particularly potent, with Redcliffe having the option to go short to second row Zac Garton, who picked up the outside men on a sweep.
Garton’s first try was a rampaging effort from a scrum move, when he came deep and hard while angling his run back toward the posts.
DASHING DOLPHINS
Carsburg’s two try opening to the match was only a part of Redcliffe’s early match blitz. While No.7 Fien had attacked a short blindside on the right side of the field, fellow half Lachlan Buchbach attacked the left side of Athletics Park.
His brilliant break ended with him grubber kicking ahead for his fullback Callum Bowles who finished the 60m movement by scoring.
The razzle dazzle continued late into the half when Redcliffe centre Christian Simpson superbly put his winger Jeremiah Pua on a long run to the tryline.
DAY’S DOUBLE
While Redcliffe exploded out of the blocks to score three long distance tries before the clock had hit the 10th minute mark, the Clydesdales did regroup.
Left second rower Jett Day twice scored, once when his halfback Joey Sankey went to the line and passed, and on another occasion when he followed a grubber kick by five-eight Jake Durie.
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