Rugby league: Herbert River Crushers play Townsville Souths as 2024 season starts
The Herbert River Crushers have been left to lick their wounds after a poor first hit out under disappointed new coach Todd Cockburn.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Herbert River Crushers have been left to lick their wounds after a poor first hit out under disappointed new coach Todd Cockburn.
The Crushers, playing at home in Ingham, were comfortably beaten 22-12 by Souths RLFC Townsville and will have a mountain to move next week away against Charters Towers Miners who drilled Norths 44-12.
The Crushers’ woes could be summed up in the first 20 minutes when despite dominating territory and possession, the ill-disciplined team spilled the pill three times on first tackles, lost both second-rowers to injury, misfired on attack and were down 4-0 against the run of play.
Souths, last year’s grand finalists led by experienced half Shaun Nona, made the most of their comparatively limited opportunities and were up 10-0 at half-time, but not before the Crushers had kicked a restart out on the full to summarise their performance in the first 40 minutes.
Although the Crushers again conceded, hard-working playmaker Aaron Solari scored under the posts for a converted try to bring the score to 16-12 with the prospect of a come-from-behind victory 10 minutes from time.
To the disappointment of a good-sized crowd, that did not eventuate with weak defence out wide allowing Souths a final dot down to extinguish all hope.
Speaking after the match played in hot, soggy and humid conditions Cockburn said his rebuilding team started off strong but had done the opposite of what they had spoken about prior to kick-off.
“We didn’t want to do what we said so we let them come back into the game will silly errors and back-to-back discipline errors.”
He said he was buoyed by his team’s improvement in the second half, with tempers on both sides boiling over into two team scuffles.
“I will never doubt the determination of anyone who pulls on a Crushers’ jersey but we’ve just got to be better and do what we talk about,” he said.
“Obviously we’ve got a new squad and we’re still working on a lot of stuff but holding the ball is a basic.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Rugby league: Herbert River Crushers play Townsville Souths as 2024 season starts
Vehicle rolls on Bruce Hwy north of Townsville
Emergency services are responding after a vehicle rolled on the Bruce Highway between Townsville and Ingham.
End of an era? Iconic outback rodeo enters voluntary administration
The Mount Isa Mines Rodeo has entered voluntary administration after a shocker 2024 event where crowd numbers were 40 per cent less than expected.
Why most Queenslanders don’t want ‘cheap’ Games
Many Queenslanders have resoundingly rejected Premier Steven Miles’ no frills option for an Olympic Games stadium, instead backing the more ambitious proposals which could also lure major artists like Taylor Swift to Queensland. SPECIAL REPORT
Woman left with ‘life-threatening injuries’ after alleged DV attack
Police have declared a crime scene after a 41-year-old woman suffered ‘life-threatening injuries’ during a shocking alleged domestic violence-related attack in Townsville.
How ‘powerful, unique’ mentoring program is making its mark
A veteran Townsville educator says a mentoring program for young and long-term unemployed people is achieving success like nothing she’s seen in over 40 years of education and community service.
KAP candidate hits back at LNP’s ‘dirty’ attack ad
Katter’s Australian Party says it’s appalled by an ‘American-style’ attack ad from the LNP depicting one of their candidates behind bars, asking voters if they want to be represented by someone with a rap sheet.