Round 7
Northern Pride 40 d. Central Comets 10

2008 Wizard Queensland Cup Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats]

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

Pride Wins Seven Straight
Sun April 27, 2008
Source: www.qrl.com.au

They've lost their two most influential players but the Northern Pride continues to do what it has done from word go - win.

The Pride produced a breathtaking finish to beat the Central Comets 40-10 in Saturday's round seven Wizard Cup match at Barlow Park.

Having lost in-form back rower Joel Reithmuller to a season-ending knee injury, a setback which came hot on the heels of Brett Anderson's departure to the Melbourne Storm, many expected the Pride's bubble to burst.

But the Pride was still able to extend its winning run to seven on Saturday with a 30-point victory against a gallant Comets outfit.

The Comets tested the Pride in a scrappy first half. The Pride managed to take a 10-4 lead into the break but Central drew first blood in the second half to draw level at 10-10.

But just when it looked like an upset could be on the cards, big Pride winger Josh Vaughan produced a 90m try against the run of play to break the Comets' spirits.

The Pride never looked back, running in a further four tries to seal Central's fate.

Drew Campbell and Greg Byrnes both completed doubles for the Cairns-based outfit.

Although happy with the final result, Pride coach Andrew Dunemann was far from impressed with the opening 40 minutes.

Dunemann called Alex Starmer into the starting side following Reithmuller's exit.

"He is (shattered)," Dunemann said of Reithmuller, a Tully product who signed with the Pride from Ipswich.

"I am too, because he was consistently our best player."

Dunemann elected to rest five-eighth Stephen Sheppard, who has been struggling with a sternum problem.

In Sheppard's absence, young Cowboy Jackson Nicolau stepped into the No. 6 jersey.

"He went all right actually," Dunemann said.

"I reckon he went the best he's gone for us so far."

After two strong wins at home, the Pride finds itself on the road next weekend for a round eight clash with Tweed Heads.

Dunemann is amazed the Seagulls have yet to win a game.

But the Pride coach is expecting a torrid encounter, despite Tweed's dismal start to their title defence.

"I think the week off will probably do them a world of good," he said.

"It's going to be a tough game. We've talked about it already and we're under no illusions how hard it is going to be."

NORTHERN PRIDE 40 (Drew Campbell 2, Greg Byrnes 2, Hezron Murgha, Josh Vaughan, Jackson Nicolau tries; Chey Bird 6 goals) def CENTRAL COMETS 10 (Nat Bowman, Wayne Barnett tries; Jimmy Radloff goal) at Barlow Park.

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