BROTHERS S TAY ON T OP WITH LATE WINNER

BROTHERS have maintained a three- point gap atop the North Queensland Premier League ladder after Anthony Roulston’s late winner got them out of jail against a resurgent Burdekin at Hi Vista Park on Saturday.

Fresh from upsetting secondplaced MA Olympic the week before, Burdekin looked set to grab a point before Roulston found the back of the net with virtually the last kick of the game.

Roulston finished with a brace and Brothers coach Paul Daly believes the premiership could be decided in the next month with the top three sides all scheduled to play each other.

Burdekin remain fifth but are just two points outside the top four after Warriors and Rebels played out a scoreless draw at Melrose Park.

“Burdekin beat Olympic the other week and they’re a young team who show a lot of ticker,” Daly said. “I certainly would have liked a more relaxed game but they were very good.

“The next two or three games in particular are big; we’ve got Olym- pic in there and it’s going to be huge in determining who won the league.”

In Saturday night’s other clash MA Olympic kept the pressure on Brothers in the premiership race with an easy 4- 1 win over Saints Eagles Souths.

MEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE: Townsville Warriors 0, Rebels 0; Brothers FC 3 ( A Roulston 2, S Howe 1), Burdekin FC 2 ( T Smith, K Mulholard); Saints Eagles Souths FC 1, MA Olympic 4.

WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE: Northern Fury FC 11, Rebels 1 ( Jenner Falkenberg).