Burleigh bruised but hang on to lead
BURLEIGH will maintain the Intrust Super Cup lead for at least another week despite losing to traditional bunnies Townsville.
The Bears and Blackhawks battled out a gruelling encounter up at Jack Manski Oval on Saturday night with a 6-all deadlock only broken in the 75th minute by a Zach Dockar Clay field goal.
Nerang Roosters junior and former Newcastle half Jaelen Feeney scored soon after to ensure a 13-6 victory for the home side.
“A lot of effort goes into a game like that and to not get the points was disappointing but certainly our effort wasn’t disappointing,” said Bears coach Jimmy Lenihan.
“At the end of the day it’s a loss and there is no such thing as a good loss.”
Burleigh would have surrendered first place but for Norths’ shock loss to cellar dwellers Mackay earlier in the day and they are guaranteed to stay there with two points to come from a well-timed Round 10 bye.
Key players Blake Leary (ankle) and Pat Politoni (knee) pulled up sore from the encounter, while the 2016 premiers are awaiting returns from injury for Jamal Fogarty, Kurtis Rowe and Henare Wells.
The Bears had another new halves pairing – utility Dylan Kelly alongside Dallas Wells – and lacked “polish” at times. “Right at the back end of the game we probably just needed a little bit of polish at the end of our sets with some better kicking choices but that’s going to come when we are a little bit disjointed with our spine,” Lenihan said.
Townsville are now Burleigh’s nearest challenger on the ladder after taking their fifth straight win.
After Tweed’s bye, the Seagulls face Ipswich at home on Saturday.