Kirwan dominant but defence is lacking
THE Kirwan juggernaut rolled on in Mackay, but coach Todd Wilson is wary a few chinks in the armour may have been exposed.
Led by a sizzling backline, the Bears dominated The Cathedral College in the first half, holding on for a 46-28 win.
Kirwan now sits alone atop the table as the only undefeated side in the Aaron Payne Cup.
The Kirwan side was outscored four tries to three in a second-half blitz where The Cathedral College’s staunch forward pack found inroads up the middle of the park.
It is the most points Kirwan High has leaked in more than two years of schoolboys footy, and Wilson said it would provide a blueprint for their training this week.
“I am pleased with the result but there is certainly plenty we need to do,” Wilson said.
“(The players) are disappointed and they know that (defence) won’t get us too far in the competition.”
While they struggled to contain The Cathedral College in the back end of the game, there was no stopping the red and black wave in the first half.
From their first touch of the ball, when speedster Jesse Yallop found open space down the left touchline, it was apparent the Bears were on a mission.
Yallop would soon make it a double while imposing rightedge backrower Jeremiah Nanai also showed his class to cross the stripe twice. KIRWAN HIGH 46 (Jesse Yallop 2, Jeremiah Nanai 2, Max Hayley, Tyreece Woods, Manihi Maurangi, Jayk Gwydir tries; Harley Taylor 7/8 goals) d THE CATHEDRAL COLLEGE 28 (Kurtis Farr 2, Jesua Geiger, Tyler Conroy, Germaine Bulsey tries; Ben Geiger 4/5 goals)