To’o leads the way as Runaway Bay overcome Shearers to secure the RLGC minor premiership
FOUR tries to winger Jaylon To’o helped Runaway Bay ice the Rugby League Gold Coast minor premiership with a 22-12 win over Ormeau Shearers.
To’o, a Runaway Bay junior now affiliated with the Tweed Seagulls under-20s, made hay on the left edge thanks to impressive performances from five-eighth Guy Hamilton and fullback John Mackin inside him.
The win, with two rounds to play, ensured the Seagulls could not be caught by rising Burleigh and the rest of the chasing pack in the competition’s most even season in recent memory.
Coach Nick Gleeson said his players were stoked to secure a home semi-final but were under no illusions that their job was done.
“It really doesn’t mean anything because it’s all about finishing in the top four but the boys are buzzing to secure a home semi,” Gleeson said.
“We play Tugun next week and then we have the bye, so even if we lose Burleigh can’t catch us.”
Runaway Bay overcame the loss of skipper Jimmy Poland by transplanting reserve hooker Alex Bishop into the No.7 jersey.
Reigning A Grade MVP Jenan Wedderburn-Parrish produced an 80-minute performance in the heat to facilitate a tough win over a determined Ormeau side.
The game was locked at 6-6 at halftime before a second half hattrick to To’o pushed Runaway Bay out of danger.
At Southport, a late field goal to Burleigh five-eighth Shailin Fuller was all that separated the 2019 Grand Finalists in a thrilling rematch.
The match was tied at 22 apeiece in final play when Fuller dinked a chip-shot off the upright and over the crossbar to snatch the win.
Burleigh had trailed 16-4 in the 50th minute but rallied through tries to Will Evans, Jordan Scott and Tristian Powell to lead 22-18 with less than five minutes to play.
Southport tied the game through winger Harley Wood but Callum Burgess-Boomer couldn’t convert the wide conversion.
Burleigh drove upfield and Fuller’s field goal put the game to bed.
In the southern derby, Tugun scored their second win of the season against archrival Currumbin, 20-18.