Southside powers on
Wanderers look for answers
In a game that was tipped to be close, Southside put together their best performance of the season to dispatch Wanderers in their FNQ Rugby premiership game.
Southside 38 defeated Wanderers 12.
Southside’s power and physicality provided the platform for Christian Would to cross for a double, as did form prop Ezekiel Sauvai.
The win sees Southside move to outright third with now a five-point break between them and Wanderers.
Wanderers entered the match off the back of three straight defeats and the result on Friday evening has left coaches Sam Delvin and Traye Hodge reassessing the status of their season, after a promising start with three straight wins. What is concerning for Wanderers is the fact they have only scored 29 points in the past four games, which is surprising considering the attacking threats they have.
Injuries have hindered Wanderers over the past few weeks and they will be hoping for a return of Harvey Dench in a must-win game on Friday night at the Crab Pot versus the Mudcrabs.
In the battle of the beaches the men from Machans came away with a 13-point victory over rivals Mudcrabs in an entertaining game.
Barron 27 defeated Mudcrabs 14.
Former Brothers centre Navi Ratulevu was at his destructive best for the Bulls with a hat-trick and some bruising defence.
Ratulevu has been one of the recruits of the season, with his power and pace being a major asset to the Bulls’ good start to the year.
The victory promotes the Bulls into outright second and their 48+ point difference is the second best in the competition. Mudcrabs will rue the chance to close the gap on the top four after leading 14-12 at halftime. Scrumhalf and assistant coach, Josh Binks-MacNee was Mudcrabs’
best and he was supported well by Danya Martinez and Cam Wilson, who crossed for a try and kicked both conversions.
In a match that saw top play bottom, JCU continued their perfect start to season 2023 with a comprehensive 47-7 point win over Port Douglas. Port Douglas entered the game with a number of players unavailable.
Port competed well despite being undermanned and if the Reef Raiders can keep their best 15 on the field they will push for finals in 2023. The loss of inspirational skipper Richard Johnston and backrower Santiago Carrizo Vega has been tough on Port Douglas, however Spanish international flyhalf Manuel Ordas will hopefully be cleared to play this weekend and the likes of Ordas, Luke Edwards, Frank O’Dea and Wayne Oui in the backline is exciting.
JCU will be disappointed in their first 20 minutes of the match, where they were well off the pace and missed numerous chances. Best on field was loosehead prop Jayson Morris, whose skills were on show with some brilliant short passing and goal kicking. Morris will be missed this week as he is away, and will cause a selection headache when he returns.
Reserve Grade:
Brothers 32 defeated Wanderers 15
Brothers got the monkey off their back with an impressive 32-15 win over Wanderers on Saturday at Stan Williams Park.
It has been a tough year for the Brothers club, with player shortages, but Pete Collins and Patty Williams have been the cornerstone for the club and the result on the weekend justifies the hard work they have put in.
Brothers outscored Wanderers six tries to three for a much needed confidence boost heading into the bye.
Barron 41 def Mudcrabs 5 Women’s:
Barron 39 def Mudcrabs 20