Townsville Brolgas V FNQ

Yesterday saw the Battle for North QLD Rugby supremacy take place when the Townsville Brolgas travelled up to Cairns to do battle with the FNQ Thunder. The Brolgas competed across 6 different age groups from juniors and seniors – Under 13’s, Under 14’s, Under 16’s, Womens, Under 19’s Colts & Senior Mens – coming away with 5 wins and 1 loss. Below are the results from all games as well as photos & a wrap up from the Women’s, 19’s Colts & Mens games…

Junior Results:

Shadeview – Under 13s def FNQ 29 – 7 
Riley Dau 2 Try, Ruhkoa Ahmat-Nona 3 Try, Amaziah Murgha 2 Conversions

Gabrielli Constructions – Under 14s def FNQ 27 – 5
Aiden Knowles 1 Try, Daniel Malum 1 Try, Riley Williamson 1 Try, Dominic Taylor 1Try, Jamie Critchley 1 Try 1 Conversation

Laird O’Regan – Under 16s lost to FNQ 42-7
Ruben Ape-Tuputala 1 Try, Bryce Kingham 1 Conversion

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Senior Results:

Conrad Gargett – Under 19s Def FNQ 22-17
Harry Willocks 1 Try, Jordan Baxter 1 Try, Viliami Taufa 1 Try, Lewis Ottoway 2 Conversions, 1 Penalty Goal

The 19’s came up against tough opposition in the FNQ Thunder who were a much bigger and more physical opponent. With FNQ Scoring first the 19’s knew they would have to lift their game and did so exploiting the space around FNQ, using their speed out wide with Jordan Baxter crossing for the Brolgas first try. This was followed up with a try to halfback Harry Willocks who took a quick scoot from the back of the ruck to cross the tryline untouched. With a dominant set piece the Brolgas threatened to break out early in the second half but found it tough to break through the oppositions defensive line. A try to flanker Viliami Taufa extended the Brolgas lead, before a late Penalty Goal to Inside Centre Lewis Ottoway sealed a tight victory 22 points to 17. Best on Ground – Jack Andreassen (Brothers), Connor Cavallin (North Ward) & Lewis Ottoway (Brothers).

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Stihl Shops – Women’s Def FNQ 19-10
Tayla Davidson 1 Try, 1 Conversion, Tamika Bray 1 Try, Kyanna Tom-Namok 1 Try, Steph Ullman 1 Conversion

The Women came into their exhibition match against Cairns with a good mix of youth, experience, size & speed. The girls started off with aggressive defence from the outset, followed by dominant forward work allowing Tayla Davidson to show her speed as the Lock forward galloped away to score the first try of the match. Continuing their early dominance, winger Tamika Bray showed her class as the young Brolgas flyer found her way to the tryline from close range to extend the Brolgas lead. Cairns capitalised on their possession scoring before and after half time putting the visitors under a mountain of pressure. However, the girls composed themselves, going 12+ phases before a barnestorming run from No. 8 Kyanna Tom-Namok sealed the game 19 points to 10. Best on Ground – Josie Coddington (Burdekin), Ellie Gray (JCU), Jess Schwartz (JCU).

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Zambrero – Brolgas Def FNQ 42-12
Daniel Chorley 3 Try, Josh Fletcher 1Try, 3 Conversions, Curtis Rayment 1 Try, Nick Poole 1 Try, 1 Conversion)

The Senior Men’s Brolgas came in as heavy favourites after dominating the FNQ Thunder over the last few years and looked to continue their run of form on Sunday afternoon. The Brolgas could not have got off to a better start with outside centre Cameron Griffin putting fullback Curtis Rayment into space allowing him to show a clean pair of heels to find himself scoring an early try. With momentum in favour of the visiting side, winger Daniel Chorley and flyhalf Josh Fletcher were lucky enough to also cross for first half tries. After the break FNQ kicked into another gear piling the pressure on the Brolgas, however, winger Daniel Chorley found himself in the thick of the action once again scoring a brilliant second half double to complete a hatrick for the match. The Brolgas will head into this weekends double header against Darling Downs and Sunshine Coast full of energy after a dominant display. Best on Ground – Martin Brennan (Teachers West), Curtis Rayment (Teachers West), Daniel Chorley (Teachers West).

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The Brolgas Senior teams now fly south to face strong opposition from the South East corner before returning home to face the Thunder again in the Juniors and Gold Coast in the Seniors at Mike Carney Toyota Park on Saturday the 14th of September.