Lions dig deep for gutsy win
WESTERN Lions are beginning to breathe even more fire after launching a second half fightback to beat Brothers 28- 18.
The Lions now share top spot on the Townsville and Districts Rugby League ladder after beating Brothers on their home turf, but only after overcoming an 18- 6 halftime deficit.
Both teams conceded it was a tale of two halves, with Brothers winning the first half’s forward battle before the Lions rallied to win the late arm wrestle.
“In the first half we made too many wrong decisions and went away from the game plan,” Lions captain Nathaniel Bowman said.
“We were under the pump, so our coach Josh Stowers gave us a real spray at halftime and I honestly think that’s what turned things around. “I’ve rarely seen him like that. “In the second half our forwards were great and defensively in the middle we fixed things up as well.
“I think our second half would rank up there with one of our better performances of the season.”
For Brothers it was their second loss of the year, but coach Dave Ackers said the result could come as a timely wake- up call before finals.
The Brethren were missing a handful of key players including playmaker Brenn Foster and former Cowboys winger Obe Geia through injury.
“Things just started going against us after the first half, and they ( Lions) got their tries off kicks,” Ackers said.
“The bounce of the went their way. ball just
“But sometimes you can learn a lot from a loss and we’ll get back to training and keep working hard. We’ve had a tough month with injury but we’re not using that as an excuse at all – I think we have good enough depth at our club.”
Centrals and Charters Towers kept their finals hopes alive after scoring important wins on Saturday, with Centrals beating University 44- 18, and Charters Towers scoring the round’s most thrilling result by edging out Burdekin 30- 28.
The Roosters led the Miners 18- 16 at halftime, but it was the home side that got the vital four competition points to close within less than three wins of fourth placed Burdekin.
Third placed Herbert River, who sit one win behind Brothers and Lions, bolstered their for and against ledger with a 82- 0 win over Norths in Ingham.
Dylan Gaggiano scored four tries and Steven Devietti bagged three, while Lachlan La Rosa and Aaron Solari both scored two.
Crushers president Joe Pennisi said Norths deserved credit for competing on every play despite the scoreline.
“The best part about it was they didn’t give up, they kept moving up and putting in the effort,” he said.
The TDRL will have round this weekend. a bye