Lapse in concentration proves costly at home
‘‘ WE WERE DOING WELL AT 18-10 WITH A TRY DISALLOWED JUST BEFORE HALF-TIME. IT WAS AN EVENLY CONTESTED SORT OF BATTLE.
WESTERN MUSTANGS COACH EUGENE SEDDON
There were early signs of promise, however it was ultimately another tale of what could have been for the Western Mustangs in the Hastings Deering Colts competition.
Coming up against the ladder-leading Burleigh Bears, the Mustangs were downed 58-10 at Gold Park.
It wasn’t a methodical beatdown however, but a 15-minute spell after half-time that proved their demise.
After trailing 18-10 at the break, the Bears went on a rampage, piling on six tries in quick succession to stretch the advantage out to an unassailable 42-point lead.
Coach Eugene Seddon said it was a tough period for the side after putting themselves in a competitive position against the competition frontrunners.
“It was that 15-minute window where they put all their points on,” Seddon said.
“We were doing well at 18-10 with a try disallowed just before half-time. It was an evenly contested sort of battle.
“We then found ourselves down 52-10. It was a lapse in concentration that can happen in these under-age grades. We’re not a consistent 70-minute team yet.”
The Mustangs were their own worst enemies early on, as Burleigh crashed over to score in the second minute of play.
“Our first two defensive sets, we gave away two penalties,” Seddon said.
“Then in our first two yardage sets we made errors, which saw them scoring early form our unforced errors.
“We were then able to hit back because we didn’t panic.”
Despite the slow start, the Mustangs were able to work their way back into the contest.
Austin Jennings got the home side on the board in the 11th minute, before Richard Murray crossed soon after to give them their only lead of the game.
The Mustangs will be on the road this weekend as they face off with the second-placed Wynnum-Manly Seagulls at Kougari Oval.