A man of the match performance by former Papua New Guinea International front rower Aiden Arusa helped the Roosters record a 26 nil won over the Bowen Seagulls at Denison Park in Bowen two Saturdays ago.
Arusa, who has played four seasons with the PN G Hunters in the Host plus Cup, showed his vast experience by leading the young Roosters around the park in defence and attack last Saturday.
The match, which is played each year, honours the playing days of former Bowen and Burdekin player Lona Kaifoto who helped lead the Roosters to their last A grade premiership in the T D R l in 2015.
Roosters coach Steve Lansley said it was a good hit out for his squad which was made up of mainly reserve grade players with a few A graders and under 20 players as well.
Lansley said the best part about the trial was we never let them score a point in the 26 nil win.
He said while Aiden was a standout he wasnt far ahead of a number of players including new signing Jesse Yallop who ran at five eight.
Yallop is normally a winger and is one of the fastest men in the competition but he showed he is quite at home in the halves as well.
Yallop and Luca Lago combined well in the halves feeding the outside men where centre Terry Connors scored two tries and winger Nemia Nawave one.
Dylan Doak played at hooker and his service from dummy half proved valuable .. Dylan also kicked three from five with the boot.
Caleb Noah in the centres proved to be a hard man to stop with John Zaro one of the better forwards.
Both teams used unlimited interchange with the Roosters running 20 players and Bowen 25.
Both clubs will meet again on Saturday March 22 at Rugby Park in both A grade and under 20.
This will give patrons the chance to inspect the new two million dollar dressing shed complex.
The old dressing sheds, which have been there for close on 70 years, are to be demolished.
The Burdekin Roosters will play a return match with Bowen at Rugby Park this Saturday night.
The two clubs met a fortnight ago in Bowen for the Lona Kaifoto Shield but this match will only be a trial.
At time of writing only one match will be played starting at 4.30.
Officials are trying to organise either an under 20 or Ladies match as well and if that happens that match will start at 3.
It is not known at this stage if Coach Steve Landsley will be using his Blacxkhawk allocations but he will be keen to give Joel Mason, Jones Munro, Ethan Hagarty and Bradeyn Cotter a run.
The canteen will be open with a licensed bar.
Contributed with thanks to Brian Carnes.
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