Western Clydesdales rebound in 70-point thriller against Pride
The Western Clydesdales Colts rebounded with an impressive performance following their poor Round 3 loss. Find out what happened in their big win and who their stars were here.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Ditching their losing ways at the border, the Western Clydesdales U21 Colts rebounded in epic fashion against the Northern Pride.
Leading from start to finish, the Colts put on a brilliant display of attacking football with 10 tries and eight conversions, winning 56-22.
“It was a good bounce-back by the boys and I was impressed by the performance as a whole,” coach Gus McKellar said.
“I was impressed by the guys’ efforts in the things that don’t get seen, like kick chase, quick off the line, solid tackles and keeping pressure on the ball carrier and their ability to grind it out.
“We scored a couple long range efforts that were impressive, both of which came off the back of sharp ball movement to our edges, which we have been working on, as we have speed in those positions.”
Critical of his side’s 56-14 loss to Tweed last weekend, McKellar made sure to address the team’s weaknesses ahead of their clash with the Pride.
“Our focus throughout the week was to tidy up our errors in defence, in particular, tidy up our ruck defence,” he said.
“I felt like we very passive in our line speed against Tweed last week so that was also a focus, so I was happy that they executed in those areas a lot better.
McKellar was buoyed by his rookie centre’s debut performance, crediting him as key to their attacking successes.
“I thought Bailey Nash, coming up from the 18s (Meninga Cup side) and playing in his debut was really solid.
“He scored two (tries) and set up some with nice assists and had a very good game in general.”
TOP PERFORMERS
Bailey Nash: The 18-year-old debutant made an immediate impact to the side’s attacking arsenal. His coach was very impressed with his ability and level-headed nature in tough situations.
Kai Duggan: Kicking six of six and scoring one himself, the captain had a stellar performance and was the key linkman, directing his side around the park.
Hopoate Finau: Bagging a double in the opening 25 minutes, the winger ran the length of the field for both, burning his opposing number with his sheer pace.
ROUND 3 vs. TWEED
The Western Clydesdales under 21 Colts were unable to carry their winning form across the border at the weekend.
Up against a strong Tweed Seagulls outfit, the Clydesdales conceded 11 tries in a 56-14 loss.
The Clydesdales allowed seven tries in the first half, and went into the halftime break down 36-10.
Beaten soundly in every major metric, on both sides of the ball, the Clydesdales fought back in the second-half but it ultimately wasn’t enough.
Starved of possession, and time on the ball, the Clydesdales regularly conceded tries.
Tweed made the most of their opportunities, running in a try almost every seven minutes.
Ahead of their Round 4 clash against the Northern Pride, the Clydesdales must tighten-up their defence if they don’t want another significant score put on them.
ROUND 2 vs. JETS
The Western Clydesdales Colts produced a come-from-behind win for the ages at the weekend.
Trailing 16-10 at halftime the Clydesdales were gritty and determined in their 42-34 win over the Ipswich Jets.
“At times we played probably some of the dumbest football I’ve ever seen,” Clydesdales captain Kai Duggan.
“But there was a period in the first (half) where we defended our line for like 12 minutes, we let one in but we probably saved the game for ourselves from that effort.
“Our defence was so much better than last week.
“We were able to defend our mistakes this time and I think that was our biggest improvement from our last game performance.”
Down at the half, the Colts came out firing in the second, putting together sets and troubling the Jets.
“We put together some really good attacking sets in patches, honestly we were probably lucky to get away with the win there but we’ll take it,” Duggan said.
Through their scrambling defensive efforts and hearty hit-ups out of their own half, the Colts looked the better team through conditioning and desire to win.
“We have been working since November (pre-season) on our fitness and making sure that each player understands what is needed from them and where to be on a given play,” Duggan said.
“So, I think that if we can continue to play how we did in the good patches we will put together more winning performances.”
TOP PERFORMERS
Luke Cesari: The Meninga Cup winger didn’t look out of place in a stellar performance on the weekend scoring a hat-trick.
Kai Duggan: The captain and halfback put on a show with his attacking skill and foresight. Possessing a sweet kicking game and unafraid of taking on the line, Duggan led his side to a brave victory.
Oliver Bichel: A centre with the ability to break the line akin to Justin Olam, Bichel had no regard for his own wellbeing, making carries through the middle of the Jets’ pack and proving difficult to get to the ground.
Flynn Kaiser Capewell: The prop was one of the standouts on the field, making incredible tackles through his utter will to compete on every play. He also proved to be deceptively quick, capable of making good metreage post contact.
Darcy Carwswell: The prop uses his size to his advantage, trucking the ball through the middle of the park, making some big hit-ups in defence as well.
ROUND 1 vs. TIGERS
Finishing bottom of the ladder last season, the Western Clydesdales under-21 Hastings Deering Colts looked to turn around their fortunes with a statement win on the weekend.
Unfortunately they finished on the wrong side of a 44-16 scoreline.
Unable to rundown a 22-12 halftime deficit, the Clydesdales were guilty of wasting chances to score.
“We squandered three or four big chances which really hurt us,” coach Gus McKellar said.
“It seemed like every time we were at their (try) line, we lost the ball and piggybacked them (Tigers) through penalties and repeat sets all the way up the field.
“The result was disappointing.”
McKellar acknowledged that it is the first game of the season and there is no need for ‘doom and gloom’ just yet, but said his side must improve ahead of their round two clash.
“We were very untidy around the ruck, so that will be a big focus for us at training this week as well as making sure our support plays are sharper,” he said.
“We didn’t build any pressure and lacked execution, especially in the second half, when it mattered.”
The side did show promise in a number areas during their performance.
“They showed plenty of effort and had a number of sets where they looked really good in attack with the footy in hand,” McKellar said.
Named: The Origin stars who will play in Toowoomba NRL trial
The Broncos and Titans have named star-studded teams for their Toowoomba pre-season showdown this Sunday. Find out who will line-up at Toowoomba Sports Ground here.
League star in induced coma after rural Queensland car crash
A 20-year-old Queensland rugby league star is fighting for life after a car crash left him with severe head and chest injuries. Here’s how you can support him and his family.
NAMED: The players who hold the key in race for Toowoomba cricket finals
As we enter the business end of the Toowoomba cricket competition, we shine a light on the players from each club who could shape the premiership race.
Sport shorts: The Darling Downs and South West stories you need to see
Check out our latest instalment of sports shorts where we shine a light on the region’s sporting stories.
TRL TRACKER: Former NRL playmaker signed in shock move
TRL TRACKER: A TRL club has made one of the biggest moves this off-season with the acquisition of an elite playmaker. Details here.
Titans win stampede to sign boom Coast twins
The Gold Coast Titans have won a stampede to sign boom Year 9 twins from King’s Christian College, but a Logan City young gun from Cameron Smith’s old school remains hot property.