Burleigh’s keeping foot on gas
BURLEIGH Heads coach Stuart Wilkins says there is no way his team will ease up in next weekend’s final round despite clinching Gold Coast’s minor premiership.
The Bears crushed Bilambil 56-12, scoring 11 tries to two in the clash at Pizzey Park on Saturday, and sealed first place with a week to spare.
Burleigh go into that match four points clear of Runaway Bay, who were idle over the weekend as Ormeau forfeited.
Bay travel to Pizzey Park next weekend but there is no way the Bears will go easy.
“We’re minor premiers and we’ll miss the first weekend of finals, so I’ll be fielding the strongest possible side that I can,” coach Wilkins said.
“On Saturday we had eight players who missed the previous weekend and they’re facing two games in a month.
“It’s really important we get whatever combination we have next weekend as the one we go into the finals with – I’m keen to have a full hit-out.”
Wilkins said he was surprised at the size of the win against Bilambil given the midweek selection problems.
“We lost three top players – our hooker Ricardo Parata, our halfback and captain Jacob Grant and our five-eighth Dan Schwass to QCup,” he said.
Back rower Toby McIntosh and fullback Jesse Malcolm both scored three tries for Burleigh, although Wilkins said lock Lorenzo Maafi was outstanding for his side.
Yesterday Tweed scorched Southport by 60-0 at Owen Park and Tugun beat Currumbin 50-12 at Galleon Way.