Reality bites as Hogs in trough

GRIFFITH University Colleges have given Helensvale a 54-19 reality check to all but seal the Gold Coast District Rugby Union minor premiership.

The Hogs had grown in confidence after drawing 17-17 with Surfers Paradise three weeks ago but will now need to regroup as they sweat on injury news for players including Sean Finigan (ribs).

“Credit to Colleges, they just kept the pressure on and our heads went down,” said Helensvale coach Tonga Lea’aetoa.

“Every now and then you should be shown reality and the reality is the last two weeks we have played against easy teams. It hasn’t helped our cause but I’m glad we’ve got this game (out of the way). It shows us what we need to improve on if we are going to be contenders.”

Helensvale scored either side of halftime to be in the hunt at 27-19 but the visitors dug deep, with a 95-metre intercept try to Knights fullback Jason Beeton breaking the Hogs’ spirit.

South African-born Beeton had a stellar game and was pleased with his side’s effort a fortnight before they face Surfers for the third time.

“We’ve been trying for weeks to get a solid performance together. It’s hard when we have byes and teams forfeiting but it was good to put everything in place and get a good win,” the 23-year-old said.

Beeton played for Queensland

Premier Rugby club Sunnybank before joining the Knights, where he has enjoyed being entrusted with the No.15 jersey.

“I just thought I would come and play some park footy and get my confidence back,” he said.

“I was sort of stuck on the wing in premier grade and I was a bit down on myself and wasn’t really confident with my game.”

Beeton added that the minor premiership had been their pre-game goal, and they have now secured first place barring an unthinkable upset.

At James Overell Park, the Gold Coast Eagles were up 24-10 with 30 minutes to go when the game was called after a Coolangatta Tweed player was badly concussed while attempting to make a tackle.

Eagles co-coach Jason North said the score may revert to its halftime position of 12-10 under competition rules.

The incident followed the Eagles’ second-grade game being called off 10 minutes early when the referee was injured in an accidental collision with a player.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Surfers Paradise beat Palm Beach Currumbin 88-0.