Bears go down to Wynnum Manly in Round 1 of finals

Fortunate now to have a week off, the break will give the team a chance to freshen up and get a couple of key people back. 

A large crowd gathered at BMD Kougari Oval to cheer on the Seagulls, with the 'Chook Pen' filled to overflowing. The game began as a tight tussle as you would expect from these two quality sides, with the team’s sizing each other up with strong hit-ups and tight defence.

Then against the run of play, Dylan Kelly scored out wide for the Bears and Josh Rogers slotted the extras to go 6-0 up. 

Wynnum Manly came storming back down field and off a Pat Politoni error nearly scored. But it wasn’t until the 26th minute after the Bears were forced to take a drop out that the Seagulls were able to score after a strong break by Brisbane Bronco TC Robati, who crashed over to score a try 10 metres wide of the posts. Arthars converted and the scores were tied up.

Once again, play settled into an arm wrestle, until it was broken in the 35th minute by a penalty against Jeff Lynch of the Bears, with Arthars slotting the extra two points.

Three minutes later, the Gulls ill-discipline cost them a penalty when Francis Kalisolaite-Taulau got pinged for stripping the ball and Rogers took full advantage, kicking the two points to see both teams go into half-time locked up at 8-8.

In the 42nd minute Tristan Hope, who was close to player-of-the-match made a break, which led to skipper Sam Scarlett crashing over and Arthars converting to take the score to 14-8. 

Hope played one of his best games for the club in recent memory with 38 tackles he led from the front in defence.

A 15-minute window of bone jarring tackles from both teams, some of which led to midfield scuffles, kept the crowd on edge.

They were silenced in the 60th minute when Shallin Fuller of the Bears crashed over for a try that Rogers converted, and scores were locked at 14-14.

Then in a flash of brilliance, Bronco Selwyn Cobbo made a break on his own 30 metre line and with a slashing run, went 70 metres to score right in front of the crowded Chook Pen which erupted in the loudest cheer the hill has heard in a long time.

Drinks, cans and cups flew into the air as Cobbo's team-mates ran in from everywhere to congratulate him.  Arthars converted and the Gulls were up 20-14 and a possible sniff of victory in the air.  A valiant Burleigh outfit for the first time all day started to drop their heads.

Then in the 75th minute, the game was put out of reach by Arthars, who iced the game 22-14 with a penalty goal.

Notable performances from both sides included Hope and Politoni who made 38 and 34 tackles respectively, while Cobbo ran for 224 metres and Robati lead in the line breaks.

Wynnum earn a week off and have progressed to the preliminary final being staged at Suncorp Stadium on October 3.

The Bears will get another shot next weekend to press further into the finals.