Nerang sunk by sure boot of Lolesio

THE Wild West of Gold Coast sport has thrown up another head-scratching round of rugby union action.

Surfers Paradise thumped Palm Beach Currumbin 52-23 in Round 1, before edging Nerang in a 22-20 thriller in Round 2.

Nerang went on to shock defending champion Helensvale 25-6 in Round 3.

With those results in mind, Nerang should have walked into PBC’s home ground at Bienvenue Drive with a cricket score on its minds.

It didn’t work out that way. The Alleygators triumphed over their visitors 34-11, with 18 points from the boot of Ethan Lolesio – the elder brother of Wallabies prospect Noah – doing the bulk of the damage.

Lolesio nailed three-fromthree conversions and a perfect four penalty goals, including two long-range efforts from almost halfway.

No.8 and former New Zealand Schools representative Logo Fotofili was man of the match for his strong carrying and defensive organisation.

PBC rugby manager Michael Bell said Nerang would not be the last big scalp his Alleygators take in their return to first grade this year.

“It was our patience more than anything, he said.

“We respected possession better than we did in previous weeks.

“The boys are starting to understand our structures, so it’s starting to come together.

“Knights are obviously favourites (to win), but it’s great it’s such an even competition.

“Anyone can jag a win on their day.”

The juggernaut Knights rolled on through Surfers Paradise 47-13 after leading

19-3 at halftime.

Coomera Crushers repelled Gold Coast Eagles’ invasion of Coomera Sports Park, 19-7.

Helensvale rebounded from last week’s upset loss to Nerang with a 31-7 away victory over GCDRU battlers Bond Pirates.