CLIFFHANGER

PBC and Wavell Heights play out a Langer Cup thriller

PALM Beach Currumbin and Wavell State High School have produced an old-fashioned rugby league cliffhanger in a drawn Langer Cup thriller at Wavell Heights.

Reigning champions PBC and emerging young guns Wavell left nothing in the tank in a seesawing encounter worthy of an elimination final on

Wednesday. With the scores locked at 18-all, both teams tried to position themselves for the winning play, but to no avail.

Wavell can thank fullback Corey Thomas for his two trysaving tackles while Kallum Stacey’s blazing individual try from nowhere was instrumental in Wavell breaking even on the scoreboard.

PBC, composed for so much of the game, lost their way slightly in possession in the closing minutes as full-time loomed but there was no lack of effort from the Gold Coast boys.

PBC coach Brad Davis said a draw was probably a fair result and praised his team’s defence.

“Proud of the defensive effort and a lot of boys did not play last week so for them that was their first game,’’ he said, lamenting the attack for not being able to finish a couple of chances.

What a great game it was. Twice PBC interchange forward Oskar Bryant crossed to score, with his second try coming after PBC had been giftwrapped possession with a penalty.

Bryant’s swivelling try allowed the Coast side to lead 16-12 with 20 minutes remaining and the stage was set for a thriller.

Advantaged by yet another penalty, PBC almost scored from the next set from the restart, but Wavell fullback Thomas came up with his second try-saving tackle.

Then came Stacey’s withering sideline run from 60m out to score, and with his sideline goal it was 18-16 with 10 minutes to play.

The first-half sin-binning of PBC second rower Ezra Ubaldino proved decisive earlier in the game after PBC had started well in the first half.

PBC five-eighth Ryan Rivett was like a puppeteer with his kicking game, deftly placing the ball to the corners and occasionally attacking with a short kick. PBC lead 6-nil and although far from dominant, did deserve the advantage.

But Ubaldino’s tackle on threatening Wavell fullback Thomas and subsequent sinbinning aided Wavell.