Teachers too good as Bulls walloped

TEACHERS West coach Terry Shiells believes Charters Towers is on track to eventually become a competitive Townsville District Rugby Union force, despite his side handing the Bulls an 80- 0 lesson on Saturday.

Back- rower Hugh Huppatz bagged five tries in the 12- triesto- nothing result as Teachers maintained their unbeaten start to their title defence.

The result was part of a lopsided round where Burdekin hammered University 80- 0 in Ayr, while North Ward dominated Ross River 65- 7.

But Shiells insisted the scoreline against third- placed Charters Towers wasn’t an accurate reflection of the contest.

“They certainly make you work hard for your tries,” Shiells said.

“80- 0 looks like a walkover, but it was a contest the whole game. We were just a bit quicker and our skill level was pretty good.

“They certainly have the tenacity required to eventually make things happen if they keep at it.

“I started coaching Teachers three or four years ago and we were in the same spot ( as Charters Towers) with a lot of young guys coming through.

“They have a lot of young guys in seconds and firsts, and if they retain them I’m sure they’re going to improve,” Shiells said.

“They beat us in second grade and our team was on top, so that’s a good sign for them going forward.”

Teachers West will start unbackable favourites to maintain their unbeaten record against winless University at Mike Carney Toyota Park this Friday night.

TOWNSVILLE DISTRICT RUGBY UNION RESULTS: North Ward 65 beat Ross River 7 at Mikey Carney Toyota Park; Teachers West 80 beat Charters Towers 0 at Charter Towers; Burdekin 80 beat University 0 at Ayr.