Burdekin clean up Team revives top- four dream
BURDEKIN have got their top- four ambitions back on track after grinding out a 45- 28 win against the North Ward Old Boys.
The Canetoads overcame a sloppy first half to overpower North Ward after halftime and it was their setpieces that laid the foundation.
Clamouring for a win after enduring a recent run of defeats, including two home losses against Brothers, Burdekin played Saturday’s game at the Townsville Sports Reserve with a point to prove.
But it was not the blistering start Canetoads coach Brendan Bunyan was hoping for, with North Ward more than willing to get into the arm wrestle.
“The first half was pretty arduous but at halftime we spoke about the things we needed to change and we played some good- looking footy,” Bunyan said.
“It shows we are capable but we just need to be consistent at the right times.
“I told the guys it will be a long season if we don’t cut out the silly errors, so the positive thing is that they took that on board and cleaned things up.”
North Ward on the other hand endured another tough defeat to extend their losing run to three games, adding further disappointment to a season that started with two wins on the trot.
Burdekin have moved from fifth to third after overcoming a slow start featuring their round one 60- 0 defeat to Teachers Wests.
“It’s just about getting 15 men to do the right things on the field,” Bunyan said.
“The boys are going to get tested again this weekend but the boys are looking forward to it, and they enjoyed getting that challenge yesterday.”
Teachers remain peerless after dishing out yet another round of punishment, this time on Ross River.
The Redskins were expected to put up tough resistance following their thumping of North Ward the week before, but instead were thrashed 71- 0 by the steamrollering Bulldogs.
Seamus Huppatz, Brendan Bowring and Colby Mason crossed for doubles and team- mates Martin Brennan, Hugh Huppatz, Paulino Aloisio and Nathan Norman also scored for Teachers.
Teachers have now scored close to 300 points after six games, handing them a points differential that could prove unassailable.
Brothers remain in touch, however, after scoring a 57- 14 win against Charters Towers at Mike Carney Toyota Park.
Brothers’ flanker Tom Audis scored three tries, Brendan Morgan and Billy Bulley got doubles and Ayden Pyper kicked six goals in the round seven win.
The result keeps the Brethren just two wins behind Teachers with a game in hand.