“Ill-discipline cost us that game, a game we should have won,” Roosters reserve coach Chris Perry said after his team were defeated by the Bowen Seagulls at Rugby Park last Friday night 18-16.
The teams were playing for the inaugural Lona Kaifoto Challenge Shield.
Lona Kaifoto from Bowen was an integral member of the Burdekin Roosters ten years ago, helping the club to win the TDRL A grade premiership in 2015 defeating Herbert River in the final.
He then spent a couple of years with the HostPlus Blackhawks before preparing to play again for the Roosters.
A serious car accident that left Lona fighting for his life in the Townsville Hospital was followed by months of rehabilitation and although he has made a great recovery, he was told his rugby league playing days were over.
Since then, he has maintained a keen interest in the resurgence of rugby league in Bowen by first being their coach and now their manager for the team coached by his brother-in-law Tyson Stocker.
Lona has always kept a keen interest in the Roosters and if he could, he would have the tri colours on again.
A side stepping try by centre Riley Horan opened the account for the Roosters before Horan again had a hand in the second try putting the flying Dom Arrate over in the corner.
It was converted by five eight and captain John Zaro and the Roosters were looking good leading 10 nil.
That is when the ill-discipline started with Bowen receiving too many penalties for bad play.
With the glut of possession, the Seagulls attacked with a converted try coming right on the half time bell for the locals to go in leading 10-6.
A stern talking to at the break by Perry had the desired effect for a while with the Roosters showing more in attack and defending well.
They were rewarded when Caleb Noah scored a good try which Zaro again converted, and they lead 16-6.
Instead of playing on as they started the half, individual play set in with again poor discipline in defence.
Bowen took advantage and narrowed the score to 16-10 with a converted try.
The Roosters were disallowed a try after an infringement with Bowen working up field resulting in a try near the posts.
Former Roosters half Flynn O’Brien added the extras, he kicked three from three, to lead the match 18-16.
In the closing stages, the locals tried desperately to close the gap but failed with the Lona Kaifoto Trophy going south.
Perry said that the game was there to win but his team had thrown it away.
“Hopefully it will be a good lesson,” the coach said.
The coach named Riley Horan as his standout player backed up by Zac Campbell in the forwards.
The club will have no games this weekend but will start the season proper on Sunday April 7 in Townsville against Western Lions.
Contributed by Brian Carnes
