Bears boss savages league loss

“STUPID football” has sent Burleigh crashing to their first loss of the Gold Coast Rugby League season.

Bears coach Stuart Wilkins said his side were outclassed by rivals Tweed Heads in the 18-8 result yesterday.

“We played stupid football and we gave them six or seven – at least – seven-tackle sets,” he said. “We just kept kicking the ball out over the dead ball line or putting it in the air with no chasers.

“We kept giving the ball back to them and they just used it and they were really good. They were a very polished side today and we had no answer to them.”

While critical of their own use of the ball, Wilkins could not fault his players’ defensive display.

“I was really proud of our effort in defence because they had a massive amount of ball,” he said.

Wilkins conceded a bye and a 110-4 domination of Ormeau had not been an ideal preparation but said a bad day had been due.

“That was a loss that we were inevitably going to have and we’re better off having it now than in September,” he said.

Seagulls coach Darryl

Fisher was “really happy with the way the boys played” but maintained a sense of realism, given that the Bears lost halves Sam Grant (pictured) and Keanu Te Kiri to injuries.

Ormeau bounced back from that record loss to Burleigh to lead Bilambil deep in the match. The Jets however found a way out of trouble to win 28-12.

Runaway Bay continue to hold second place after accounting for Currumbin 44-22 while Tugun returned to the winners’ circle with a 40-16 defeat of Southport.