Damage of first half ends hopes

A HOMETOWN blitz at the Queensland Country Championships has unravelled South Queensland’s title tilt.

South Queensland were blown off the park in the early stages of their first game in Townsville as hosts North Queensland sprinted to a 24-0 halftime lead.

They held firm in the second term to end up 31-5 down before bouncing back on Saturday with a 24-8 win over Central Queensland.

“They did all right for a bunch of new blokes,” coach Stu Beakey assessed.

“We only lost the first game in the first 30 minutes, we pretty well got ambushed.”

Out of the nine-strong Gold Coast contingent in his side, Beakey said forwards Mitch Planten and Sean Finigan plus outside back Jack Finigan were among those to make strong cases to be selected in the next representative squad, the Queensland Country Heelers.

The Heelers’ showpiece match will be against NSW Country on June 30 in Goondiwindi.

North Queensland annihilated Central Queensland 80-7 yesterday to seal the opens crown.

South Queensland meanwhile took the honours in the under-19 division after an unblemished campaign.