Centrals bubble bursts in hot spell

A withering second half blast saw Western Lions bring an end to Centrals’ undefeated start to the season in only 10 thumping minutes.

Two tries to Foley Shield prop Braydon Ross and another to former Souths Logan Magpies under-18s backrower Jonathan van Aswegen saw the Lions pile on 16 points between the 55th and 65th minutes.

The game hung in the balance at 16-14 until that scoring run put victory beyond doubt.

MIGHTY MCMINN

It was a man of the match display from Blackhawks forward Zachery Mcminn in his return to the club that gave him a shot in A-grade as a teenager.

Mcminn scored a try and notched two try assists from the Lions’ No.13 jersey to orchestrate the 36-20 boilover at Townsville Sports Reserve.

Centrals were threatening to run away with the contest until Mcminn fired a 20m cut-out pass, left-to-right, to find Taylor Pearce and close the gap to 16-10 at halftime.

Mcminn powered over to score early in the second half and then put the cherry on top of Lions’ scoring run, snatching up a dropped ball and breaking the line for van Aswegen to score. Top marks.

TIGER KINGS MISSING

Centrals sorely missed the presence of NRL veterans Robert Lui (suspended) and Matthew Wright (injured) in the halves.

Hooker Maverick Pegoraro and 2022 No.7 Scott Evans were solid in the first half but could not halt the Lions’ runaway momentum or match the kicking excellence of Jacob Bourke.

WINTER IS COMING

V.J. Winterstein, kid brother of Cowboys premiership winger Antonio, impressed with his blazing speed on senior debut for Centrals.

Last year’s Kirwan Bears captain scored two tries in the first half including a rapid 90m runaway after scooping up a dropped Lions pass and depositing it between the opposite goalposts.

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