Bulls on charge but branded as ‘anxious’
REIGNING premiers BarronTrinity Bulls may be stampeding through the 2017 FNQ Rugby season undefeated, but their biggest rivals believe the club is getting “anxious”.
Barron-Trinity Bulls continued their undefeated title defence with a 26-12 win over the Northern Beaches Mudcrabs at Machans Beach on Saturday afternoon.
The clash, dubbed the “Battle of the Beaches”, saw the Mudcrabs “shock” the Bulls with two tries in the opening 10 minutes.
But the lead was short-lived, with the Bulls nudging ahead 14-12 by halftime before “running through” the Mudcrabs in the second stanza.
Coach David Brooks said his players were “surprised” the opposition took the field after forfeiting in reserve grade and threatening to do so in Premier grade, which he blamed on an “attitude” problem.
But Mudcrabs coach Andrew Derrington said his club was struggling with a “tragic run” of injuries and players relocating for work.
He suggested the Bulls were getting anxious and nervous in the second half of the season.
“We are hurting. We have had a lot of injuries and that is unprecedented,” Derrington said. “There was a fair bit of pressure saying we just needed to man up. We are not putting our players in a position where they are playing two games in a row.”
Bulls’ flanker Tim England was awarded man of the match and fullback Kerwin Swanson also turned in a strong performance to cross for two tries.
Brooks said his players ran through the Mudcrabs defence.
“A couple of the guys fired up and took it upon themselves,” he said.
The Bulls sit on top of the ladder with eight wins and 11 competition points ahead of Brothers in second place.
Brooks said he believed Brothers were a “dark horse”.
“I think overall it is just the commitment. There is a really good feeling at the club and everybody is there for each other.” In other round nine games, JCU Mariners defeated a gallant Innisfail Vikings 34-19, while Brothers made light work of the Wanderers 28-0.