Round 7
Norths Devils 14 l. Aspley Broncos 42

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

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

Jockey to Saddle Up For Broncos?
Sun April 29, 2007
Source: www.qrl.com.au

Halfback Brent McConnell is due to celebrate his 100th Queensland Wizard Cup game next week, but may have booked himself an alternate engagement after playing a starring role in Aspley's 42-14 drubbing of Norths.

McConnell scored two tries, set up two more and was dangerous throughout the game, played before a Bishop Park crowd that included Broncos head coach Wayne Bennett.

Less than 24 hours after his Brisbane team limped to a 28-18 defeat at the hands of the Melbourne Storm, Bennett received some encouraging signs from the club's younger brigade. While the senior Broncos had struggled for playmaking options and last-tackle plays, Aspley proved itself to be in complete contrast.

So precise was Aspley's structure that Norths did not touch the ball at all until the 10th minute. By that stage the Devils were 12-0 behind in a contest that was expected to be tightly-fought. A brief fightback ensued and Norths got to within 12-10 before the Broncos kicked clear again.

McConnell featured in the first try of the game, popping a great short ball for Lachlan Morgan to score. He also had a hand in the second Aspley four-pointer, quickly flicking the ball to his right as Jamie Simpson strolled across.

When the second half kicked off McConnell maintained the momentum, performing a show-and-go before clapping on the pace and sliding over for a 38-10 lead. Then in closing the contest he posted the try of the game, throwing a lengthy cut-out to Gideon Mzembe, who broke into the clear. Mzembe fed the ball to a flying Simpson and then McConnell who backed up on the inside.

With halves partner Ben Green also giving his best performance of the year and forwards David Taylor and Clifford Manua at their bullocking best, Aspley recorded its most convincing win of the season thus far.

One player who certainly didn't deserve to be on the losing side was Norths hooker James Aubusson, instigator of all three Devils tries and a terrier in defence. The nuggety rake blitzed out of dummy-half and beat two men with strong running for a solo try in the 17th minute and also laid the platform for tries to Ryan Shortland and Luke Samoa.

Coach Kevin Carmichael gave an insight into Norths' woes, pointing out that only four players have played in all of the club's games after just seven rounds. The Devils have lost four of their last five matches and the only win was an unimpressive effort against last-placed Central.

In coming weeks Carmichael can at least expect the cavalry to come over the hill, with key men Marc Brentnall, Will Scanlan, Aaron Bulow and Anthony Perkins due back.

There is one interesting statistic to note should Aspley's McConnell be called up for NRL duty next week against South Sydney. McConnell debuted for the North Queensland Cowboys last year against the Rabbitohs and scored the winning try.

Round Eight has Aspley facing Tweed Heads at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, 5.15pm, while Norths is away to Souths Logan on Saturday, 3pm at Davies Park.

ASPLEY 42 (Brent McConnell 2, Rodney Davies, Jason Moon, Jamie Simpson, Lachlan Morgan, David Taylor tries; Ben Green 7 goals) d NORTHS 14 (Ryan Shortland, Luke Samoa, James Aubusson tries; Luke Samoa goal) at Bishop Park.

Report sent by: www.qrl.com.au

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