Round 5
Toowoomba Clydesdales 42 d. Central Comets 18

2006 Wizard Queensland Cup Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Australia > Queensland > State/Metropolitan Level Competition: Wizard Queensland Cup

No Hoof-Hearted Effort From Clydesdales
Mon April 10, 2006
Source: QRL

TOOWOOMBA has strung together its most convincing display of the season thus far after a relentless second half allowed the Clydesdales to punish Central 42-18 on Saturday.

Following a humbling loss to North Queensland and narrow wins against Tweed Heads and Ipswich, Toowoomba coach Mark Gee finally got the type of performance for which he had been searching.

Whats more the Clydesdales did it without the experience of Barry Berrigan or Sam Thaiday, both of whom have inspired recent victories.

With Berrigan now retired and Thaiday on Brisbane Broncos duty, Toowoomba put together a true 17-man effort to lead the Comets out 16-8 by halftime.

We were a lot better in that early part of the game this weekend than we have been, assessed Gee.

Our defence stepped up a cog. The last few weeks have been about getting guys familiar with the system and developing an understanding of how players work in combination.

Called in to replace Thaiday was hard-hitting back-rower Derricke Watkins. Meanwhile Nathan Strudwick packed in at hooker, a position where the Broncos are now desperately low on stocks.

Indeed there is much interest in whether the Broncos will simply fill the dummy-half role with a player from within their ranks or cast their gaze over other Wizard Cup and NRL teams.

Central hooker Herewini Rangi has been one of the powerhouses of the competition since arriving in 2005, but unfortunately didnt have one of his better games as the Comets fell behind on Saturday.

Once more Toowoomba showed its ability to stride home in the final 20 minutes, with Jason Moon ending the match on a hat-trick.

Statistics show that in the four games played this year, Toowoomba concedes an average of 18.5 points in the first half to 13 points in the second half. At the same time the Clydesdales are scoring just 12.5 points in the first half to 19.5 points in the second half.

The aggregate halftime score for games involving Toowoomba is 74-50 to the opposition, while the second halves have been won 78-52 in total by the Clydesdales.

While the numbers show a quirky anomaly, coach Gee will have more pressing concerns this week.

Both forward Lynden Murphy and winger Denan Kemp are on report, for lashing out in a tackle and performing a late illegal tackle respectively.

Round Six sees Toowoomba face Easts at Langlands Park, while Central hosts Souths Logan at Browne Park. Both games are to be held Saturday.

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