Round 9
North Qld Young Guns 52 d. Central Comets 20

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

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

Guns Back In The Groove
Sun May 13, 2007
Source: www.qrl.com.au

North Queensland has erased a shock loss to Ipswich with a resounding 52-20 win against country cousins the Central Comets at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

Just days after a heartbreaking one-point defeat at the hands of the Jets, the Young Guns were again forced to fight with their backs to wall after the Comets led 10-4 at the start of the match.

However the class of the Thuringowah team eventually shone through, scoring a further four converted tries before the break to steal back the lead and establish a 28-16 advantage.

While it was a meritorious effort by the Young Guns, unsettled by several line-up changes through the week, coach Matt Parish was reluctant to heap praise on his charges.

"I thought it was a pretty sloppy game to be honest. There were a lot of errors and although in the end it was a good win, it wasn't a true indication of the game," Parish noted.

"Central stuck it to us and played fairly well. We just had the advantage out wide and scored a couple a couple of alright tries."

It was an evening of mixed emotions for Parish, who initially earned his stripes in the Wizard Cup with the Comets before joining the Young Guns this year.

Due to the sister-club affiliation between the two organisations Parish has continued to review the bulk of Central's matches, sympathising as the last-placed team has lost eight games in succession.

"I definitely feel for them. There's a lot of good people involved with the club and a lot of good guys in that team," Parish said.

"They came out pretty enthusiastically and stuck it to us. If they hang in there and keep working hard, the results will come for them.

"I've been watching them closely and they don't deserve to be without a win. They haven't had much luck, but I don't think a win is far off."

Best for North Queensland were Sam Faust, Michael Rose, Keiron Lander and Ray Thompson, with Thompson a shock omission this week from the Queensland Under 17s representative team.

Central was again spearheaded by elusive talent Nat Bowman, but were led well up front by big men Peter Penaia and Tyron Haynes. Despite being on a winless side Bowman is among both the leading point-scorers and try-scorers in the league, notching just under 50 per cent of all Central's points this season.

The Comets host Redcliffe at Browne Park next Saturday at 7.30pm, while North Queensland has the bye.

NORTH QUEENSLAND 52 (Karl Johnson 2, Jimmy Andersen 2, Brandon Boor, Ben Lowe, Ray Thompson, Jackson Nicolau, Col Wilkie tries; Jackson Nicolau 8 goals) d CENTRAL 20 (Marty Hatfield, Luke Fatnowna, Yoren Major, Peter Penaia tries; Nat Bowman 2 goals) at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

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