Round 1
Souths Logan Magpies 36 d. Central Comets 20

2007 Wizard Queensland Cup Index [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Souths Logan's Cannard facing five weeks on the sidelines
Wed March 21, 2007
Source: www.qrl.com.au

Souths Logan's Tim Cannard faces as many as five weeks on the sideline after being charged with a grade two dangerous throw from the Magpies' win against the Central Comets on Saturday.

The Christchurch-raised forward has until 4pm Wednesday to accept an early guilty plea and receive a four-week ban or alternately fight the charge on Thursday and risk a five-match suspension.

Cannard has 93 carry-over points and receives 30 per cent loading for a prior similar offence in the last year.

Other matters from Round 1 of the Queensland Wizard Cup saw both Daniel Coburn (Ipswich) and Peter Penaia (Central) cleared of high tackle reports. In both cases the on-field penalty was ruled sufficient.

Lower grade charges include a grade two striking charge against Sunshine Coast forward Matt Keating which could bring a possible one-week suspension.

News sent by: www.qrl.com.au


Magpies pass test with flying colours
Mon March 19, 2007
Source: www.qrl.com.au

Souths Logan co-coach Jason Burnham believes his side's 36-20 win over Central in 34C heat will set up the Magpies handsomely for a crack at heavyweights North Queensland next weekend.

Whispers throughout the pre-season have been of a stronger, fitter Magpies outfit and that certainly appeared the case as they weathered the scorching conditions at Brandon Park on Saturday.

Central threw everything they had at the smaller Souths Logan side early on, punching holes with the likes of Pete Penaia, Geoff Black and George Tuakura ? between them more than 360kg of flesh and bones.

The Comets claimed their first try in that fashion, offloading after creating a dent and scoring straight up the middle of the park. But gradually attrition took its course, the Magpies clung on and suddenly at halftime they found themselves in the sheds at halftime 20-4 ahead.

It was more of the same in the second half, with Bundaberg's Matt Templeman and Tully's Tanu Wulf both notching doubles for the black-and-whites. Burnham contested that only poor ball security from his side kept the score as close as it was.

"We're definitely way ahead of where we were at this stage last year in terms of strength and fitness," the former Canberra Raider said.

"You could see in that first half we came over them. They're a big team and it was a matter of playing patiently, running some smaller men around the field and sticking to our guns.

"We've got no problems with the physical side of things any more. We can match and hold anyone. It's going to be a matter of skill when we come up against sides like North Queensland and Aspley now."

Burnham called the testing afternoon an 'acclimatisation' to the conditions which can be expected when his side runs onto Dairy Farmers Stdaium this coming week.

One bolter who has given himself every chance of making the trip north is teenage back Wade Watson, who made an impressive debut against the Comets after being a late call-up for Kyle Lodge (elbow). Others to gain a special mention were the vastly improved Wulf, forward Darren Glase and jack-in-the-box Quentin Laulu-Togagae.

Returning to face his old club, Central utility Nat Bowman posted two tries, but could not alter the course of the game.

New Comets coach Steve Anderson and his men will no doubt be bitterly disappointed after pushing themselves hard in the offseason, yet are always a much tougher proposition on home turf.

This year's first game in Rockhampton falls on Saturday night, with the Comets hosting a resurgent Burleigh at 7.30pm. Souths Logan's match against the Young Guns in Townsville has been moved back one hour to a 6.30pm kick-off.

SOUTHS LOGAN 36 (Matt Templeman 2, Tanu Wulf 2, Quentin Laulu-Togagae, Darren Glase, Paul Rolls tries; Brandon Costin 3, Paul Rolls goals) d CENTRAL COMETS 20 (Nat Bowman 2, Brendan Gibb, Mick Esdale tries; Nat Bowman 2 goals) at Brandon Park.

Report sent by: www.qrl.com.au

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