Round 13
Central Comets 22 l. Burleigh Bears 29

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

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

Bears End Central's Run
Sun June 15, 2008
Source: www.qrl.com.au

Burleigh's returning representative trio has sparked the Bears to an important Wizard Cup victory over the Central Comets.

Gun centre Adam Fielder, tough back-rower Martin Griese and reliable fullback Nick Parfitt backed up for the Bears after playing for Queensland Residents on Wednesday night.

Fielder scored two tries to take his season tally to 17. Griese and Parfitt were also solid performers for the Bears, who led from start to finish on their way to a 29-22 victory over the Comets at Rockhampton's Browne Park.

It was a crucial victory for a Bears outfit coming off a disappointing 26-4 loss at home to the Easts Tigers.

Burleigh was missing their three representative players for that match.

But with the classy trio back in the line-up, the Bears proved too slick for an in-form Comets team.

Central entered the match in high spirits after stringing together a hat-trick of wins.

But their prospects of a fourth-straight win nosedived when the Bears raced to an 18-0 lead on Saturday night.

The Comets struck back with a try just before half-time, but there was to be no miracle recovery in the second half.

Burleigh coach Jimmy Lenihan was relieved to come away from Browne Park with the two competition points.

"I think they (Comets) will sneak a few more wins up there for sure," Lenihan said.

Lenihan has been bitterly disappointed with his team's ball control in recent weeks, with a spate of schoolboy errors in attack frustrating the former Gold Coast and St George centre.

But Lenihan was delighted to see the Bears control the ball in a thoroughly professional performance.

While pleased to have his representative contingent back in the fold, Lenihan saved a special mention for unheralded prop Travis Simpson.

Simpson has been knocking on the door of a permanent first grade spot at Burleigh for a number of seasons.

He now seems to have nailed down that elusive starting spot in the Wizard Cup. He capped off a strong game against the Comets with an important try.

The Bears, who share fifth spot with the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, now turn their focus to Sunday's local derby against Tweed Heads at Pizzey Park.

The Comets are away to Souths Logan.

BURLEIGH BEARS 29 (Adam Fielder 2, Trent Purdon, Travis Simpson, Scott Smith tries; Nick Parfitt 4 goals; Murray Emmerson field goal) def CENTRAL COMETS 22 (Nat Bowman 2, Karl Johnson, Shanan Wood tries; Nat Bowman 3 goals) at Browne Park.

News Source: www.qrl.com.au

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