Gulls’ runaway win after a tardy start
THE reigning premier at one point trailed 12-0 in the clash with host Southport at Owen Park – drawing level on the stroke of halftime in what shaped as a thrilling encounter between Runaway Bay and another premiership hopeful.
But after the break it was all one-way traffic, with the Seagulls piling on 42 unanswered points en route to a 42-12 demolition job over Southport.
The Tigers started hot, crossing for two tries in the opening 15 minutes through Bayley Loughhead and Jordan Best.
Second-rower Adam Christenson got Runaway Bay back in the contest with a poacher’s try five minutes later, before a trademark 40/20 from Seagulls halfback Jimmy Poland set the visitors up to cross through Joseua Catanaeolo prior to the break.
Though Runaway Bay entered halftime with all the
scoring momentum, the Tigers had still looked the better side to that point – that came crashing down once the second half got under way.
It took just two minutes for second-rower Darcy Sims to take an inside ball from Jye Boyd to the house and push the visitors into a lead they would never relinquish.
A Jordan Menzies double in as many minutes punctuated a blistering 40 minutes from the reigning premier, which ran in seven tries in 36
minutes in a statement over the Tigers.
Poland and Boyd pulled the strings with aplomb, showing Guy Hamilton’s departure will not be felt as harshly as some may have thought.
Fullback Tyler Han was electric at the line and unlucky not to score himself, while the ever-consistent pair of Harrison Muller and Alex Bishop led the way once again for the Seagulls.
Simione Ata played a tireless victory game in the second-row for the Tigers and lock Brock Hamill impressed with his footwork and offloads.
In the other Rugby League Gold Coast pre-season games, Burleigh romped to a 62-4 win over Mudgeeraba, Tugun prevailed 48-14 against newcomer Helensvale and Currumbin left Ormeau with a 58-6 victory.
Burleigh, Tugun, Currumbin and Runaway Bay remain in the hunt for the $2000 prize.