Bowen calls for greater control

CENTRALS coach Matt Bowen has urged his side to improve their ball control as they come up against Herbert River in the top- of- the- table clash at Townsville Sports Reserve tomorrow afternoon.

The Crushers proved too good for Centrals in Round 2 with a 34- 18 victory in Ingham, but the Tigers have been in superb form heading into the rematch with five straight wins.

Bowen was confident the Tigers could match it with Herbert River but he warned they had to be more focused after letting Western Lions get the jump on them last weekend.

“Last week we hurt ourselves. We dropped the ball too many times coming out of yardage,” Bowen said.

“We can’t do that against Herbert River.

“It’s always a tough game and they beat us last time.”

Bowen has laced up the boots for Centrals in recent weeks, scoring three tries and kicking 11 goals in his three games at five- eighth.

The Cowboys legend doesn’t expect to play against Herbert River tomorrow – admitting he’s “a bit grazed up and sore” – but Bowen was confident they had the team to get the job done.

“We’ve got a good bunch of boys and they’re willing to learn and listen,” he said.

In the weekend’s other games, Norths and Western Lions will battle it out for fourth place on the ladder at Peggy Banfield Park tonight.

Meanwhile, defending premiers Brothers will be looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they host Charters Towers at Jack Manski Oval tomorrow.

TDRL, Round 9: Tonight: Norths v Western Lions, 7.30pm at Peggy Banfield Park. Tomorrow: Brothers v Charters Towers, 3pm at Jack Manski Oval; Centrals v Herbert River, 3.45pm at Townsville Sports Reserve.