Try- scoring made easy
THERE is no place Townsville Blackhawks winger Jonathan Reuben would rather be than scoring tries in the corner of a footy field.
Reuben is leading the Queensland Cup’s tryscorers list with 16 from just 11 games, almost twice as many as his nearest rivals Richard Pandia, Michael Purcell ( Ipswich) and Ken Tofilau ( CQ Capras) who both have nine.
Reuben added to his tally last weekend with a four- try haul against the Capras, two of them coming from 90m runs and one featuring an effort that saw Reuben brush off four defenders.
His team might be enduring a drop in form but Reuben is ensuring the Blackhawks remain a potent force.
However, he prefers to praise his teammates rather than take any individual accolades.
“I’m just being in the right place at the right time I guess,” Reuben said.
“It’s good to link up with Carlin ( Anderson) at the back and I’ve got a good halfback alongside me with ‘ Walshy’ ( Michael Parker- Walshe).
“We also have a good second row that runs good lines and it’s good to finish off what they start.
“I feel confident in my game and I just do what I have to do for my team, which is getting across the line and scoring tries.”
Reuben is well on his way to defending the top Q Cup tryscorer crown he won last year, despite missing nine games through injury.
Reuben scored 18 tries in 2016, and given his current form Reuben could pass that mark on Sunday when the Blackhawks travel to Port Moresby Hunters.
“I get pretty excited when I’m in open space because I always back myself,” Reuben said.
“It’s what I like doing, seeing how fast I can run.
“Last year I think I finished on 18 and I’m already on 16, so I think it’s being consistent and the good players I have around me that makes my job look easy.”
Reuben is confident he will soon surpass last year’s haul but is wary that Sunday’s game in PNG could be a battle of attrition.
Games between the Blackhawks and Hunters have usually been low- scoring affairs separated by two or less points.
“It will be tough up there I reckon, but I’ll just do my job and what’s good for the team,” Reuben said.
“They ( the Hunters) are rough and physical but our boys always turn up for the challenge.” to play the PNG