Tweed Heads climb to top of the ladder
TWEED Heads have soared past Currumbin into the Rugby League Gold Coast lead after just fending off a resurgent Southport outfit 26-22 at Owen Park.
The Seagulls flew to a 20-0 halftime lead yesterday before inexperience let the hosts back into the game.
“I suppose when you are 20 points up you get a bit excited and go away from what you know,” said Tweed coach Kevin Campion. “We made it really hard for ourselves … we were probably lucky to get away with a win.
“Some of the things that we did were just uncharacteristic … but those young guys, they need that. They just can’t keep playing against kids every week.”
Campion’s side’s rise into first place comes despite them needing to call on five under-20 players as unavailabilities for their Intrust Super Cup squad have a flow-on effect.
Curtis Dansey-Smaller impressed his coach enough to all but book his spot for the rest of the A-grade season while Isaac Lee was strong on debut.
“He (Lee) really stood up. He played well. I think he
has got a big future,” Campion said.
For Southport, the result forced them out of the top five with a series of close losses starting to prove costly.
“It’s like snakes and ladders – you’re up a ladder and then down a snake. We’re back into sixth from fourth,” Tigers coach Mark Ross said of the congested table. “Another couple of minutes and we might have got there. We came home with a wet sail – we won the second half 22-6.
“As disappointed as I am, at least we can take that into next week.”
Currumbin dropped to second following their 26-12 loss to Burleigh on Saturday.
Eagles coach Ryan Gundry said the defending premiers, who have now won four straight, are building ominously.
“Youth brings enthusiasm and in this competition that is something that can take you a long way,” Gundry said.
“The good work that we did at the start of the season is definitely helping us in terms of our ladder position so I have had the luxury of trying a few things.
“It’s just more about regaining the nucleus of the group and getting them set on a goal.
“They are disappointed obviously with how they have been playing … they are all working hard.”
In other games, Tugun defeated Bilambil 42-10 while Runaway Bay belted Ormeau 74-0.