A successful return from injury by former Brisbane Broncos prop David Hala for Burleigh Bears and busy performances by Seagulls winger Kalifa Faifai Loa and hooker Matt Srama were features of the Titans’ feeder clubs’ frustrating weekend that saw both teams narrowly beaten in the Intrust Super Cup.
Hala, who carried a cut forehead into the game courtesy of a midweek training mishap, came off the bench and injected energy and power into the Bears despite being heavily targeted by an Easts Tigers side that won the match at Pizzey Park 22-20 after the Bears squandered possession persistently in the final minutes just when they seemed on target for their fourth straight victory.
Meanwhile the Seagulls went down to Sunshine Coast Falcons 28-24 at Piggabeen Sports Complex due to too many second-half errors.
The Seagulls led 18-16 at the break but lost their way, conceding the next 12 points.
“We didn’t play well and just gave away too much possession and didn’t control the ball well enough,” said Srama.
“It was disappointing after coming off the bye but we know we can match any side in the competition if we play smarter.”
Mark Ioane also returned from injury with Hala for the Bears. He started the match up front while Hala came off the bench and both showed what powerhouses they will be when called upon by the Titans.
“Dave really injected something from the bench and will be better for his first game back” said Ioane. “It was good to see him powering into the defence after the frustration of missing the first few weeks of the season.
“It was just disappointing we shot ourselves in the foot in the last 10 minutes when we should have closed out the match.”
The Bears led 20-14 and were in control of the match, with Tyler Chadburn and Tom Rowles dominant, but lapsed in concentration and let the Tigers in for two late tries.
The Seagulls let the Falcons gain momentum in the second half before getting back to within four points with six minutes left.
Right on full-time Faifai Loa went within centimetres of scoring a try that would have levelled the scores and set up a grandstand finish but fell just short.
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 28 (Callum Klein, Hymel Hunt, Suli Vunivalu, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Kenny Bromwich tries; Brett Doherty 4 goals) def TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS 24 (Shaun Carney, Matt Parata, Nathanael Barnes, Ricardo Parata tries; Jamal Fogarty 2, Blake Anderson 2 goals) at Piggabeen Sports
EASTS TIGERS 22 (Richie Kennar, Shaun Nona, Jake Foster, Troy Giess tries; Donald Malone 3 goals) def BURLEIGH BEARS 20 (Tyler Chadburn, Tom Rowles, Josh Ailaomai tries; Tyler Chadburn 4 goals) at Pizzey Park.
POINTS TABLE AFTER ROUND 6
Team |
Played |
Won |
Draw |
Lost |
Bye |
F |
A |
Total |
Townsville Blackhawks |
6 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
230 |
110 |
10 |
Ipswich Jets |
6 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
166 |
118 |
10 |
Mackay Cutters |
6 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
135 |
90 |
10 |
Easts Tigers |
6 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
130 |
88 |
8 |
Wynnum Manly Seagulls |
6 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
136 |
124 |
8 |
Burleigh Bears |
6 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
124 |
104 |
6 |
PNG Hunters |
6 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
144 |
140 |
6 |
Tweed Heads Seagulls |
5 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
128 |
138 |
6 |
Redcliffe Dolphins |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
132 |
142 |
4 |
Sunshine Coast Falcons |
5 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
104 |
122 |
4 |
Norths Devils |
6 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
104 |
145 |
4 |
CQ Capras |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
84 |
154 |
4 |
Souths Logan Magpies |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
106 |
188 |
4 |
Northern Pride |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
72 |
132 |
2 |
*Round 2, Northern Pride v Sunshine Coast postponed to May 3 due to cyclone
