Round 18
Central Comets 28 d. Northern Pride 16

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

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

Comets Continue Late Rally
Sun July 20, 2008
Source: www.qrl.com.au

Can the Central Comets take a place in this year's final series?.

That is the main question Wizard Cup fans are asking after the Comets scorched ladder leading Northern Pride 28-16 in front of a parochial Browne Park crowd.

It is still more improbable than probable, but if they continue their form from last night, their odds will continue to shorten.

The Comets conceded the first try but struck back soon after and were never headed in what was a physical but scrappy affair.

Last time the two teams met, the Pride belted Central 40-10.

With revenge on their mind, Comets star halfback Nat Bowman said his side expected to win this week.

Asked if his team was pumped about their victory, Bowman replied: "Not really".

"We were very confident heading into the match. It was a good win, but the way we have been playing, we always felt we should win," Bowman said.

"We are a real team at the moment. There is a lot of confidence in the team and we aren't just individuals anymore."

The fact the Comets see the historic win as merely another step, not a great achievement, is a positive for a club that has never reached the finals.

Indeed, the Comets, who currently sit on 18 points, will need to keep winning if they are to take one of the two finals spots still left.

The Comets inspiration was classy fullback Guy Williams.

Normally a five-eighth, Williams was bashed all game by the Pride's kick-chase team, but kept returning the ball with vigour.

"He was great out there. He did heaps of work for us," Bowman said.

"He looked pretty worn out in the sheds after the game. That's my normal position so I felt a bit sorry for him that he had to work so much."

While the Comets gained much from the match, the Pride are now back with the pack.

The Pride's trip to Browne Park was supposed to see them place one hand on the minor premiership trophy.

But after being outmuscled, the Pride is now level pegging with the Ipswich Jets.

Next week the Pride plays Tweed Heads, while the Comets face an in-form Wynnum Manly side at Kougari Oval.

When the teams last played in round eight, the Seagulls won a tight contest 34-24 and if the Comets can reverse that score line, the question of whether they can make the finals will become even more intriguing.

CENTRAL COMETS 28 (Marty Hatfield 2, Guy Williams, Nat Bowman, Andrew Dale tries; Nat Bowman 4 goals) def NORTHERN PRIDE 16 (Hezron Murgha, Gordon Rattler, Quincey To'Oto'Ulugia tries; Chris Sheppard 2 goals) at Browne Park.

Report Source: www.qrl.com.au

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