Last Saturday, the Burdekin Roosters' A grade team delivered an exhilarating performance, holding the second-placed Western Lions to an 18-all draw at the RLTD grounds in Townsville. This marked a significant turnaround from their previous encounter two weeks ago, where the Lions had triumphed over the Roosters with a 26-0 victory on home turf.
Coach Steve Lansley praised his youthful squad, highlighting their strong showing for the majority of the match.
"We were leading well but in that last wo minutes we let in two converted tries whilst bombing a couple of our own to draw the match," Lansley commented.
He acknowledged the team's relative inexperience, noting the absence of seasoned players as a contributing factor.
Lansley specifically lauded the performance of young half Jye Olsen, advocating for his potential inclusion in the Blackhawks under 19 squad next year.
"That young fella (Jye) has played two games A grade and has impressed his team mates that much he has received two players player awards," Lansley added, highlighting Olsen's impressive kicking game with two successful forty-twenty kicks.
The coach awarded two points to French hooker Paul Meryl, underscoring the 18-year-old's maturity and significant contribution, including two tries scored. Additionally, front-rower Henry Teuteu's return from the Pride was commended for his endurance in playing the entire 80 minutes, showcasing his resilience as a formidable presence on the field.
In other A grade fixtures, Charters Towers defeated Norths 34-24, Brothers narrowly edged out Herbert River 12-10, and Souths dominated Centrals with a commanding 54-20 victory.
The ladies' match demonstrated a fierce battle of strengths, where the Burdekin Hens displayed commendable speed in open play but faced formidable challenges in the forward exchanges against the physically imposing Western Lions.
Despite their efforts, the Hens struggled to match the Lions' size and power, particularly in defence.
Coach Anita Hagarty expressed disappointment over the absence of key players who missed the game, resulting in a thin bench for the team. Despite these setbacks, Hagarty praised individual efforts, highlighting Abby King for her standout performance and Margie O'Rourke for her determined runs through the centre. Anna Marie Bin Awel's resolute try was a testament to the Hens' tenacity in the face of a robust opponent.
In other women's matches, Charters Towers secured a 22-4 victory over Norths, while Brothers delivered a commanding 26-0 win against Herbert River.
Contributed with thanks to Brian Carnes.
The Burdekin Rooster's up and coming success story Jye Olsen
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