THE Sunshine Coast has stamped itself as a major player in the race for the Queensland Cup title following its strong 30-18 victory over top two contender the Northern Pride at Stockland Park.

The in-form Sea Eagles soared into fifth spot on percentages on the back of the club’s fifth successive victory.

Of those five victories, this one was without doubt their biggest scalp, although it must be said that the Pride was a little light on after a number of injuries to key players.

Pride coach Andrew Dunemann was forced to make a late reshuffle after the loss of inspirational halfback Chris Sheppard (hamstring).

The Pride line-up included 13 players who have strapped the boots on in the local Cairns & District Rugby League this season.

Dunemann was pleased with the first half performance after watching his side come from two converted tries down after 20 minutes to level the score at 12-12 at the break.

The Sea Eagles made a blistering start to the round 15 clash, with Mark Page and Jack Pearson crossing the Pride line with stylish touch downs.

The home team was controlling the ball with great precision at that stage and it looked as if they could rack up more quick points.

But the Pride steadied and finished the stronger of the two sides in the opening half.

The visitors opened their account through classy utility Rod Jensen, who burrowed his way over from dummy half.

With the half-time siren looming, Greg Byrnes charged on to a short pass from Jensen and crashed over under the posts.

However, the Pride lost its way in the second half as the Sea Eagles scored three tries to one in the final period to clinch their eighth win of the season.

Sunshine Coast forward Jon Grieve put the Sea Eagles on the front foot in the 51st minute when he made a clean break and turned the ball back on the inside to Dennis Sandow who raced away to score.

Trent Hodkinson converted for an 18-12 lead.

But the Pride refused to surrender, and when Hezron Murgha completed a sweeping backline movement, the boys from the north stood on the verge of a great win.

It wasn’t to be, though, as the Sunshine Coast kicked away with tries from Hodkinson and Shane Neumann in the final 13 minutes.

Grieve, the ABC TV’s man of the match, was pleased to come away with another two competition points.

“We were guilty of clocking off just before half-time but it was good that we could click back into gear and come out on top,” the Bundaberg junior told the ABC.

Jensen conceded the Pride let it “slip away”.

“I think we sort of let ourselves down defensively (and) if a few of those passes would have stuck it would have been a different scoreline,” he said.

The Pride will look to hit back this weekend at Barlow Park when it hosts the Burleigh Bears.

http://www.qrl.com.au/display.php?pg_id=4778

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites

0 Replies, start dicussing now