Last Sunday week Burdekin Roosters A Grade coach Steve Lansley watched his team play one half of decent football before going down to Western Lions 24 - 22.
This Sunday, the coach watched on as they improved that switch-on period to 60 minutes before turning off and allowing premiership favourites Souths to take the win 40 - 22.
The Roosters looked really good for the first thirty minutes actually leading by 10 nil with two tries before the Redmen came alive to score 10 points themselves through sloppy play from the visitors.
The second try by Souths showed their determination and the Roosters switch off period.
It was soon 16 all after the break but then the floodgates opened as the Roosters played virtually without the ball for close on twenty minutes.
During that time, the Bulls, led by former NRL Star Shaun Nona, scored four converted tries with excellent handling, defence and backing up to blow the game away.
The Burdekin boys did come back but the horse had bolted, and the game was gone.
“We have to get the little things right as we are making too many mistakes,” a dejected coach said after the game.
“I really thought we could win that game but to do that you have to be focused for the whole game and not three quarters of it.
“You can't switch off like we did and hope to win footy matches.”
Lansley thought centre and captain Ethan Hagarty had a top game and was one of the better players on the ground backed up by forward Lachlan Shepherd who tackled anything that moved as well as scoring a good try.
Tate Brombal and Kali Nauque first half were players who did not deserve to be on a losing side.
The coach said the squad would now regroup and get ready for Brothers at home this Saturday.
Tries were scored by Lachlan Shepherd, Kali Nauque, Ethan Hagarty and Tate Brombal with Dylan Doak kicking 3 goals.
In other A grade games Herbert River defeated Charters Towers 18 - 10 and Western Lions were too good for Centrals 32 - 8 with both Brothers and Norths on byes.
After coming home with a wet sail last week to just go down to Western Lions, the Roosters reserves started off in great fashion to race out to 20 nil against Souths in Townsville last Sunday.
They then snoozed and let Souths in for two triers for a 20 - 12 lead at the break.
Souths continued to throw everything at a tiring Burdekin outfit without much ball, but the defence held to see the Roosters post their first win of the season 26 - 24.
Coach Chris Perry said failing to complete sets nearly cost his team who had to dig deep against a team coming off a big win over Herbert River last week.
Perry praised the efforts of French import Paul Meryl who scored a great 60 metre try to win the game when it looked all was lost.
“Paul is a hooker but I have him playing in the centres and he has gone well there scoring a try last week and again this week in hot conditions he and fellow Frenchman Wassine Mauhili are not used to,” the coach added.
Perry said three players tied for players player in Kyle Ferguson, Aiden Stevens and Paul Meryl.
The award went to Ferguson for his great defence and outstanding attack with the other two close by.
Stevens with his great speed and swerve cut the defence to score whilst handing on another.
The coach added that his team has to be with it for the entire game and cannot afford to sit back when in front.
Taluh Pepa scored two tries with one each to Aiden Stevens, Terry Connors, Paul Meryl with John Zaro kicking thee goals.
In other reserves matches Charters Towers beat Herbert River 22 - 10 with Bowen over Norths 32 - 14 and Centrals too good for Western Lions 36 - 10.
In the Ladies, Herbert River defeated Charters Towers 22 - 6 and Centrals defeated Western Lions 16 - 8 while Burdekin, Brothers and Norths had byes.
Burdekin do not have under 20 but Centrals defeated Western Lions 34 - 10, Herbert River defeated Charters Towers 66 - 4 and Bowen defeated Norths 42 - 12 .
This Saturday the Roosters are to play Brothers at Rugby Park in the Ladies, Reserves and A grade with the games starting at 3:30pm.
The A grade will have a couple of players missing attending a wedding but depending on allocation of Cowboys and Blackhawks should put together a side to test last year’s premiers.
Contributed by Brian Carnes
