Northern Pride v Burleigh Bears

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

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

Powerful pair pack punch
Mon June 30, 2008
Source: www.qrl.com.au

A superhuman effort from tireless prop Ben Laity and an explosive debut from former Wests Tigers forward Luke Harlin has helped the Northern Pride to a 28-12 Wizard Cup victory over the Burleigh Bears.

Laity made an astonishing 37 tackles and 26 hit-ups to earn high praise from Pride coach Andrew Dunemann.

Dunemann said the former Easts forward was "outstanding" in a non-stop performance at Barlow Park.

New arrival Harlin also made some telling contributions for a Pride team that remains firmly entrenched in the top three.

"He only got here on Thursday," Dunemann said of Harlin.

"He really gave us some punch last night."

Harlin's move to Cairns came at just the right time for Dunemann, whose current forward pack is barely recognisable from the one that took the field in the early rounds.

With the likes of Joel Reithmuller and Mark Cantoni out injured, and Matthew Bartlett, Ben Vaeau, Greg Byrnes and Scott Bolton now with the NQ Cowboys, the Pride's stocks have been stretched.

But the northern newcomers are showing no signs of a late season form slide, even though many of their southern counterparts believe it is just a matter of time.

Dunemann is thrilled with the progress of his "locals".

"Out of the team last night, there were nine who played in the CDRL last year," the former Canberra Raiders utility said.

The score was locked at 6-6 at half-time, but the Pride went on the attack in the second half to inflict Burleigh's seventh loss of the season.

The Pride skipped away to a 28-6 lead, before Burleigh crossed for a late consolation try.

"It was tough in the first half," Dunemann said.

"We dropped a bit of pill but we kept on hanging in there. They were physical so we did really well to match them."

Former Maroons speedster Ty Williams stepped up to the plate in the absence of regular fullback Chey Bird (sternum injury).

Williams set up a "special" try to Rodney Griffin with a superb pass early in the second half.

Report Source: www.qrl.com.au

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