Aspley Broncos v Burleigh Bears

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

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

Aspley Triumphs Over Distractions
Sun July 8, 2007
Source: www.qrl.com.au

Aspley has shown remarkable heart in responding from a tumultuous week, further denting Burleigh's finals aspirations with a 34-28 win at Suncorp Stadium.

The result of the match leaves Burleigh five points outside the finals race with only six rounds left to play. In all likelihood it will require the Bears to win all their remaining games.

The situation is rosier for Aspley, consolidating its spot in the top five and putting distance back to the contenders from the Gold Coast.

In reality the win was about far more than being the better team over the course of 80 minutes.

The Broncos had faced one of the most difficult preparations that any team could expect.

Coming off a defeat to second-last placed Souths Logan, Aspley lost players to Queensland Residents and NRL duty during the week.

Coach Mark Gee and his players also continued to deal with the emotions of the death of Joe Clarke, a teammate of many in last year's grand final.

A memorial was held for Clarke on Tuesday and close friends Sam Thaiday, John Te Reo and Ian Lacey were all given the weekend off to fly to New Zealand for his funeral.

As if the circumstances could not be more trying, Aspley came up against a Burleigh side that had its back to the wall, hardened by a desperate win against Redcliffe the previous week.

The ratio of experience to youth could barely have been more marked. Yet the one factor not weighing in Burleigh's favour was the fact five of its players were backing up for their second game in three days.

Ben Black, Martin Griese, Leigh Coghill, Nick Parfitt and Jordan Atkins all featured in the Queensland Residents' record 52-28 win on Wednesday.

Despite posting the first try of the game three minutes in via Robert Apanui, the Bears soon fell behind and by halftime trailed 24-10.

Aspley ran in four tries in the 10 minutes before the break, featuring a double to departing flyer Jamie Simpson.

With their season on the line the Bears came roaring back in the second stanza and closed to 24-22. Aspley then kicked clear once more with a fortuitous try to Rodney Davies, followed by another to Lachlan Morgan.

As he has been prone to do, Burleigh backrower then went about setting up a grandstand finish, scoring a solo try to bring up a hat-trick for the day and bringing his side within six points.

At the death the Bears were pressing the Aspley line but could not break through, frustrations boiling over with a scuffle on fulltime.

Round 17 sees Aspley facing Easts at 2pm on Saturday at Langlands Park, while Burleigh takes on Souths Logan at Pizzey Park at 3pm Sunday.

ASPLEY 34 (Jamie Simpson 2, Lachlan Morgan 2, Rodney Davies, Joel Moon, Jason Moon tries; Ben Green 3 goals) d BURLEIGH 28 (Leigh Coghill 3, Jordan Atkins, Robert Apanui tries; Nick Parfitt 4 goals) at Suncorp Stadium.

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