Conditions perfect for Bulls trying to take a win at home

IT WAS a mixed day of competition for the Charters Towers Bulls, with coaches reporting some tight games on Saturday.

UNDER 10s

In the final home game of the truncated 2020 season the MGS Pastoral Under 10 Bulls faced off against the Ross River Redskins.

The conditions on Dave Thomas Oval were perfect, with a dry pitch and clear skies.

The Bulls were ready to open the day’s play with an exciting game of rugby.

Tessa Goodwin was captain and elected to receive the kick.

Having trained well during the week, the Bulls immediately went on the attack with quick recycling of the ball, putting points on the board early.

The first half was an exciting tussle from the two under-10 teams, with handling errors and counter-rucking creating turnovers for both sides, with the first half ending in a draw, 15-all.

At the full-time whistle the score was 50-15 in favour of the Bulls.

One try was scored by each of Danny Clark, Xavier Griffiths and Jack Webb, Sam Flood and Taj Koch scored two tries apiece, and Michael Archer three tries.

With the entire team playing so well giving points this week was very difficult.

Three coach’s points went to Sam Flood and Jana Michaelis for excellent combined game play, two points to Jack

Webb, Casey Potter and Curtis Reardon for excellent recycling of the ball and strong running and one point each to Michael Archer, Ben Peace, Taj Koch, Tessa Goodwin, Xavier Griffiths, Danny Clark, Jamie Leppien and Riley Gott for giving their all.

UNDER 11s

The Eagle Drilling NQ Under 11 Bulls hosted North Ward for the last home game of the season on Saturday in front of a great crowd and beautiful weather.

Ben led the young Bulls out ready to take on the Sandcrabs, and with a full team finally available since the restart of the season, the boys were keen to play A solid first half had the boys just behind going into the break.

The second half started with great intensity by both sides with some great young rugby being played.

Solid line runs by the young Bulls and great support play allowed us good ball movement and field position for the half.

A strong effort at the ruck saw us win the ball and allowed Henry a good run down the edge to score a good try.

The Sandcrabs were too strong on the day and got the win 35-15. Coach’s points were awarded to Ben and Hamish (3) for excellent defence and solid in the ruck and two points for Henry for solid defence and strong support and running.

One point was awarded to Aaron, Archer, Lawson, Jett, Seth, Zach, Asaeli and Zander for their all-round improvement.

UNDER 12s

In the last home game of the year, the Garbold Haulage Under 12 Bulls took to the field against the Sandcrabs.

We grabbed the bulls by the horns in the first 15 minutes and were playing a great game.

Our passing and tackling was top notch and we created a number of great opportunities.

It was awesome to see the team coming together and playing some great rugby.

Unfortunately, we began to lose our way towards the end of the first half and let in a couple of quick tries.

After halftime our young Bulls came out firing and again brought the game to the Sandcrabs and played a solid game of rugby.

Coach’s points went to Harry (3), Tio (2) and Josie (1).

UNDER 14s

Last Saturday the Hollimans Group Under 14s Bulls played their last home game of a disrupted season.

The opposition was Ross River who have always been a formidable and physically tough opponent, and Saturday’s game did not disappoint for some crunching tackles and excitement.

It was a game all about defence for the Bulls and they defended well.

The Bulls started the game really strongly with a massive kick from the start and some good pressure in defence forced Ross River to knock on.

However, the Bulls couldn’t quite capitalise on possession and turned the ball back over letting Ross River score in the sixth minute. Ross River looked set to score again quickly but some amazing defence by Riley Amos and Mickey Luke saved a try by pushing the opposition player out of the field of play before he had a chance to ground the ball.

The visitors weren’t deterred, and came back for another go but yet another massive tackle from Riley Amos rattled them and they lost the ball.

Ross River got the ball again but a great steal by Hunter Mckellar put the ball back in the Bulls’ possession. Unfortunately the home side couldn’t keep it and Ross River scored again twice in quick succession.

In the last few minutes of the half the Bulls played some really tough and smart football and had Ross River rattled.

The visitors kept giving away penalty after penalty letting the Bulls gain a lot of ground until they finally broke through putting Angus Ford over the line to score, which Cam Trevor converted, sending the game to halftime at 21-7.

The heat and the physical toughness of the game was starting to take its toll on the Bulls in the second half, but they still played some outstanding rugby.

The boys held it for a few phases but then lost it, letting Ross River score once more on the full-time whistle.

Despite the score being 45-12 against the Bulls, the players were pleased with the way they played, as were the coaches. Coach’s points went to Riley Amos (3), Riley Beare (2), and Mickey Luke (1).

UNDER 16s

A vastly improved Griffiths Pharmacy Under 16 Bulls went down to Western Suburbs in one of the games of the day at Dave Thomas Oval on Saturday.

After a shellacking last week in Townsville, and two weeks of intense training, the young Bulls have started to turn the corner and began to show what they are capable of.

Bryon Tincknell continues to lead by example both on and off the paddock since his appointment of captain and has adapted to the role willingly.

The match began with determined defence by the home side.

Western Suburbs were on the attack early, and centre turned wing Jed Marshall saved two tries in five minutes with superb defence.

Despite the defensive efforts, the visitors did cross first, taking an early lead.

That only spurred on the Bulls, who then went on the attack.

It was well organised by returning pivot Bryce Kingham and brutal, with forwards careening into the defence.

Zai Hopkins beat multiple tackles returning the ball from a down field kick, and then the backs linked up and Jake KyleRichards carried several defenders with him to score a great try in the corner.

Tyler Thomson missed the conversion and the game was tied up at 5-all.

The Bulls had their tails up, and Mcdowall produced a barnstorming run to keep the home side on the front foot. As he made 40m, the home crowd spurred him on.

After being awarded a penalty, Kingham spotted an overlap out wide, putting Marshall in space. He crossed the try line, Thompson converted, and the home side was in front, 12-5.

The young Bulls did concede a late try but carried a two-point lead into halftime.

The Bulls were upbeat about their chances of a win against the second-placed Western Suburbs and at the break coach Len Knuth praised the players’ commitment and told them continue with the aggression and optimism.

Realising they had a fight on their hands, the visitors had to work hard for the win.

Despite committed defence, they ran in two unanswered tries in the second half, with the final score Western Suburbs defeating Charters Towers 24-12.

The referee had to intervene late in the match to prevent tempers from boiling over, but the Bulls did turn in their most cohesive performance yet.

If this form continues the side will present a danger late in the season.

One coach’s point went to Kyle who has played an outstanding defensive game.

Owen Elliott also picked up a point and two points went to Kingham and three points went to Marshall.