Round 15
Central Comets 22 l. Toowoomba Clydesdales 38

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

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

Clydesdales In Stride
Mon July 3, 2006
Source: QRL

MARK Gee has credited a welcoming atmosphere in this years Toowoomba camp as the reason for the Clydesdales unwavering consistency in the face of wholesale changes week-to-week.

Once more on Saturday the Clydesdales underwent a significant reshuffle before taking on the Central Comets, with the short-staffed Brisbane Broncos calling up a swag of Wizard Cup players.

Coach Gee was left to fill the gaps with talent from the local Toowoomba Rugby League and FOGS Cup affiliate Aspley.

It proved a shot in the arm more than a hindrance, as several of the newbloods shone in a 38-22 victory at Browne Park, marking the Clydesdales 11th win of their last 12 games.

Among those called up were young Clifton-Allora Wattles forward Luke Brosnan and Toowoomba Valleys winger Josh Phelps, both of whom have trained without guarantee of an appearance.

Phelps scored two tries on debut back in Round 10 and again stepped up to the plate when needed, executing the most decisive play of the game.

With Central leading 16-6 and a little over 10 minutes left in the first half, the Comets again broke into the clear and looked set to score. However, Phelps had other ideas and performed a brilliant cover tackle to snuff out the opportunity.

Momentum then swung the other way and Toowoomba raced in two quick tries to make it 16-all at halftime. From there the Clydesdales went on with the job, grabbing an equal share of the competition lead along with the North Queensland Young Guns.

We are all full of faith in the younger and newer guys, Gee said.

Theres a really good atmosphere in the team at the moment and that has been generated from the players themselves.

Anyone who comes into the side is welcomed and encouraged.

Also driving the victory were Chris Muckert and Lachlan Morgan. Muckert was said to be greatly disappointed at being overlooked for Queensland Residents selection and he played with plenty fire in the belly. Meanwhile Morgan, son of late Broncos chairman Paul, had his best game yet for Toowoomba since converting from rugby union.

Central had every reason to pull out its best for the match and the Comets started full of vigour. Although Toowoomba scored first, Central laid on the next three tries and tested their younger rivals with an emphasis on physicality.

Yet the loss was their fourth loss of their last five games, making the Rockhampton clubs chances of a finals appearance even slimmer.

In the lead-up to the match it was announced that Toowoomba had released winger Leon Bott, scorer of 11 tries this season. Bott has subsequently joined the Cronulla Sharks.

TOOWOOMBA 38 (Gideon Mzembe 2, Josh Phelps, Charlie Fetoai, Fraser Anderson, Jamie Simpson, John Te Reo tries; Nick Parfitt 5 goals) d CENTRAL 22 (Wayne Barnett, Tyron Haynes, Jade Wogand, Herewini Rangi tries; Scott Porter 3 goals) at Browne Park.

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