Gallant University go down fighting
THEY may have fallen short, but Brendon Luta’s belief University will go far in 2020 has not wavered.
The JCU skipper was part of a winless campaign last year, a pain that has fuelled a determined pre-season.
His side’s game knowledge is still developing, as evidenced in the dying stages of their 26-12 loss to North Ward on Saturday.
But Luta said the was undeniable.
“More than enough, stepping stones,” he said of his side’s ability and performance.
“I’m super proud, everyone worked out of their shoes. Our forwards stood up and played very well.
“We’ve got a lot of whiz kids in our backline … they’re ridiculously skilled boys.
“These boys have just started playing union and they’ve got a big road in front of them.”
Luta thrived on the physicality of the contest, particularly his battle with North Ward’s Jack Horton.
However the heat of the match eventually worked against University.
In the second half they were reduced to 13 men for a brief period as North Ward used the advantage to regain momentum.
JCU put forward an early contender for try of the year, a showcase of soccer skills finishing with a desperate offload off the ground to level the scores at 12-all.
Wave after wave of University attack followed, but a series of scrambling defensive efforts from North Ward and an inability for the underdogs to seize the moment and execute turned the tide.
Two late tries from talent last year’s semi-finalists sealed a 26-12 win, much to the relief of Sam Bradley.
The North Ward fly-half lamented his side’s ill discipline at various stages, particularly after their emphatic defeat of Charters Towers in round one.
However, with an eye on going one game better in 2020, he said it was pleasing to see they could adapt to a variety of situations and come away with the rewards.
“We have to be able to win the close ones as well as putting points on the board,” Bradley said. “You just have to know you can hang in there and win those tight ones so that’s good for us.
“We spend a lot of time on line speed and working for the blokes around you.
“We got found out a bit at the end of the second half but there are new combinations so it’s something for us to work on.”