Loss still a plus for Clydesdales
They may not have won on their return home but the Toowoomba Clydesdales were still happy with the result of their long-awaited FOGS Cup Colts Challenge home-coming.
The Clydesdales under 20s were much more competitive than they have been in previous weeks as they suffered a 20-16 loss to fifth-placed Burleigh yesterday at Herb Steinohrt Oval.
The Clydesdales started well and took a 4-0 lead thanks to a try from back-rower Ryan Horton.
Burleigh hit back with a try of their own to take a 6-4 into half-time.
The visitors had a player sent to the sin bin just before the break but despite the disadvantage, Burleigh shot out to a 16-4 lead after two tries early in the second half. Clydesdales hooker Nathan Bowering scored a try before Burleigh hit back to make the score 20-10.
The Clydesdales conjured a late try to Kurtis Shayler to get the score to 20-16 but Burleigh held on to defend the final 30 seconds to close out the four-point win.
Clydesdales captain Todd White was nevertheless happy with the effort from his team in its first home game since early April.
“We put in a really good performance today. It felt really good,” White said.
“We weren’t too worried about the result today, it was mainly about getting in a good performance and playing footy like we were at the start of the year and I feel like we did that.
“This is a massive building chance for us. This is the first step in the right direction.”