Pride draw final at home
Northern Pride will host Easts Tigers in the first week of the Intrust Super Cup finals after a 10-10 draw against Tweed Heads on Saturday night secured a home final. Pride seemingly had the game wrapped up with a minute to play, but a last-gasp try from Seagulls skipper Lamar ManuelLiolevave gave the visitors the chance to secure a point. Pride coach Ty Williams said the Pride would need to improve their ball handling to conquer the Tigers this Saturday.
NORTHERN Pride will host Easts Tigers in the first week of the Intrust Super Cup finals after a 10-10 draw against Tweed Heads on Saturday night secured a home final.
In front of a small but vocal crowd at Barlow Park, the Pride seemingly had the game wrapped up with a minute to play, but a last gasp try from Seagulls skipper Lamar Manuel-Liolevave gave the visitors the chance to secure a point.
Rex Johnson kicked the pressure conversion to secure the draw.
It was largely a scrappy contest, with both sides dropping the ball regularly.
Pride coach Ty Williams thought the pressure of the occasion might have affected his side’s skills.
“The thought of having to win to play finals could have played on their minds,” he said.
“But we’ll take it. The one point gets us fourth spot and a home semi-final. It’s an exciting time for us.”
Williams said the Pride would need to improve their ball handling to conquer the Tigers this Saturday.
“We completed our sets at about 60 per cent, which is very ugly. That won’t win you finals games,” the coach said.
“The biggest thing now is that we are there and it’s now a six-team competition.”
The Pride started perfectly when outstanding winger Enari Tuala crossed in the third minute to take a 6-0 lead.
Seagulls counterpart Kiah Cooper responded in the 11th minute with a flying try.
The conversion was missed, leaving the scores locked at 6-4. The scoreboard didn’t budge until the 71st minute when the Pride’s Jack Campagnolo kicked a penalty goal.
Campagnolo added another penalty goal with three minutes left and it appeared the Pride would take the points.
But Manuel-Liolevave’s last-gasp try gave fans a talking point.
Williams said big forward William Bugden and reliable centre Brett Anderson were his standouts. He also praised debutant Peter Hola, who played about 30 minutes.
“His footwork is exceptional and defensively he was good. He’s only 18 so this was a test for him and he showed he was up to it,” Williams said.
“If I do get allocated him next year he’s going to be a good footballer for us.”
Young forward Darryn Schonig also earned praise for playing a full 40 minutes.
“David Murphy was carrying a bit of a foot injury so we didn’t put him out there after half-time,” Williams said. “Darryn really stood up.” Murphy is expected to be right to play this Saturday, with the Pride’s only main injury concern Javid Bowen, who is nursing a knee injury.
The Pride will be forced to play their home final at Brothers’ Stan Williams Park at 3pm on Saturday due to Barlow Park being booked for rugby union.