Final indignity caps ISC season to forget

Pride’s brave efforts in defining match overshadowed by bus debacle

THE Northern Pride wrapped up their 2019 campaign with a gutsy 12-10 loss to the finalsbound Tweed Seagulls on Saturday afternoon, but the club’s tumultuous season had one final twist in store for players and coaching staff yesterday.

Just when it looked like the Pride’s season from hell, which saw the club finish with their worst win-loss record in history, was finally over, the team was left stranded at a Gold Coast hotel in the early hours of the morning.

“We had to run the gauntlet to get home,” said coach Ty Williams.

“They didn’t have a bus there in time to pick us up and get us to the airport, so we were stuck there.

“Luckily, it all eventuated. We sent a crew out earlier with the majority of our travel gear and just got the airline to hold it.

“We probably only left about 10 minutes later than what we should’ve.”

The travel mishap was a fitting way to end a season where very little has gone right for the Pride.

The club has been ravaged by a never-ending injury list, which was compounded by the mid-season losses of starting hooker Connor Jones and prop Will Bugden – to Featherstone Rovers and concussion-related retirement, respectively.

However, the coach said the club had proved it was on the right track with its recent performances.

“Even though we didn’t get the win (against Tweed), I was very happy with the way we finished the season over the last few weeks,” Williams said.

“We were really good on Saturday. They (Tweed) scored their two tries off kicks, whereas we scored one off a kick and one off some pretty good play.

“We were into it all the way and I was very proud of the boys when they walked off the field.”

Williams said it was important for his side to finish the season strongly and take confidence into the 2020 pre-season.

“We showcased what we’re about – we’re gritty and determined in everything we do,” he said.

“I’m just proud of the young fellas moving forward and I’m excited to see what the future holds for the Pride next year.

“We’ll do a bit of a review process now and I’ll get that formally out to everybody this week – just seeing what we can improve and what we’ve done well.”

Williams said the club was “pretty deep” into its recruitment for next season, with an aim to start getting players signed off as early as this week.

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