Bulls get the win despite high toll
THE casualty ward at Machans Beach is overflowing but Barron Trinity Bulls keep on winning, putting away a hardhitting Southside Crusaders in a 2017 grand final replay at the weekend.
Crusaders scored the first two tries of the match at Petersen Park but the Bulls responded strongly to run away 37-20 victors on Saturday afternoon.
Bulls skipper Cameron Thomson said he was proud of his team, who were without walk-up starters Jai Doherty, Darnell Mahendrarajah and Kerwin Swanson with knee injuries, while winger Jimmy Ngutlick is sidelined with a dislocated shoulder.
“I could probably keep going,” Thomson said laughing as he ran through the Bulls’ injury list.
“It wasn’t our first choice line-up but Tim England had a really good game and he’s made the Under 19s Queensland Country team, which is great. Our scrum did a very good job.
“They had a monster forward pack. We probably gave up 200kg in there. They threw everything they had at us.”
The Bulls have won every game through the first nine rounds of the FNQ Rugby competition. If they were to remain undefeated, they would be the first to do so since Northern Beaches Mudcrabs’ magical 2015 premiership season. But Thomson said the focus remains on the group improving its game each week.
“Nobody’s talking about maintaining an unbeaten winBROTHERS ning streak for the season,” he said.
“Every game has something to improve on every week.
“We focus on that and not worry too much about the opponent. We spend a fair bit of time on defence in training and it’s starting to show.
“I think that’s part of the culture of our club. We’re hitting a little bit of a slump with injuries but others are stepping up.”
Openside flanker Felix Pese was named best-afield for the Bulls.
“Felix’s just tenacious out on the field and doesn’t stop all day,” coach Wayne Meredith said. “He’s just a very good young footballer.”
Bulls take on Brothers next weekend at home.
“We’re expecting quite a few to come back,” Meredith said.
“I don’t know what to expect from Brothers. They’re a little bit of a wildcard. We’ll just prepare as if we’re playing their best side.”