Coach spray changes play

Bears fight back after harsh halftime advice

AN almighty halftime spray by coach Jimmy Lenihan has sparked Burleigh to a timely Intrust Super Cup victory.

The Bears were let down by poor handling in the opening 40 minutes at Davies Park yesterday as Souths Logan shot out to an 18-8 lead.

Spectators did not have to lean up against the Bears changeroom door to hear what Lenihan thought of his side’s first-half display, giving his players a rocket to rival some of the great dressing downs.

“We just had a little bit of discussion on ways we can probably improve our second half. I’ll leave it at that,” Lenihan chuckled when asked of his halftime address.

His players certainly responded. The Bears scored five tries in the last 30 minutes, including a late double to fullback Kurtis Rowe, to run away 38-22 winners.

“I don’t think it’s an effortbased thing but sometimes we’re still learning our roles and what we have got to do and we’re not quite there yet,” Lenihan said. “We have got to keep bedding down repeat habits and what we’re doing in our roles. For a big part of the first half we were once again around that 50 per cent (completion) mark – you can’t give anyone that much opportunity.”

The Bears’ second-half charge was led by their forwards including Jack Stockwell, who was playing his first game of the year after overcoming a hip injury.

The win breaks a tumultuous period for the club, who have mainly made headlines in the past fortnight for multiweek suspensions to Pat Politoni and Sami Sauiluma.

“I don’t think we lost morale as such but it was an important game to get a win,” Lenihan said. “For us to find a way through while missing some quality players as well is a good thing for the group. Pat Politoni is not the easiest bloke to replace when he touches the ball the most.

“Sam Coster and Jordan Scott did a really good job at hooker.”

Earlier in the day, Tweed were thrashed 32-6 by Wynnum Manly.