Bears’ new combo clicks into top gear
BURLEIGH’S reshuffled spine has made a promising start together in front of their Pizzey Park faithful with a crucial 26-12 win against Wynnum Manly yesterday.
With five-eighth Dallas Wells suffering a seasonending pectoral injury in Papua New Guinea, the No.6 jersey was thrown to recruit Dylan Phythian.
His presence in the halves means all four of Burleigh’s playmakers – fullback Kurtis Rowe, Phythian, halfback Jamal Fogarty and hooker Pat Politoni – have NRL experience to their name.
Phythian has settled in nicely since his mid-season move from Newcastle and will form a key part of the Bears’ push for a second Intrust Super Cup premiership in three years.
“They did OK,” coach Jimmy Lenihan said of his halves.
“Our kicking game was a lot better than it has been the last few weeks, which was something that we have really tried to work at.”
While disappointed for Wells, Fogarty spoke highly of his new halves partner, who booted a 40/20 yesterday.
“Me and Dyl, we sort of just simplified our game this week,” he said.
“He has got a brilliant leftfoot
kick which helped us on the left edge … it’s a good way to start our little partnership but we have got three more weeks to go and then have got to really turn it on.”
The result, set up by a rock-solid first half, brings Burleigh back into play for a top-two finish – which offers the bonus of a second chance in finals – after Townsville lost to Norths and Redcliffe’s shock draw against Mackay.
Lenihan though insisted their sole focus was getting themselves back on track, considering they have won only three of their past eight matches.
“We are sort of limping at the moment. (This) was a good, tough win which we really needed to have,” he said.
“Every game now has just got so much importance to it, it’s crazy.”
Meanwhile, Tweed Heads coach Ben Woolf concedes his side’s finals chances are effectively over following their 30-22 loss to Easts on Saturday.
Woolf nonetheless declared nine wins this season – with three games still to play – marked a step forward.
Spots are on the line for 2019 and young Seagulls forward Kirk Murphy grabbed his chance with an excellent showing against the Tigers.
“Probably by necessity with the injuries, we have had to use 46 players this year so the positive of that has been we have had the chance to look at a lot of guys and some of them have really stood up,” Woolf said.