Trial results

[Berkeley_Eagle]

Titans give Canberra a run for their money

February 17, 2008

Titans 28 Raiders 34

Gold Coast's band of rookies gave Canberra an almighty scare before a flurry of late tries sealed a 34-28 victory for the Raiders in their NRL trial in Ipswich.

The highlight of the match was undoubtedly a 40th-minute try to fullback Shannon Walker, an excitement machine who must surely play NRL football this year.

The 2007 Queensland Cup Player of the Year found himself in space on the left flank and put a wicked step on Raiders fullback Bronx Goodwin before sprinting to plant the ball under the posts.

Walker, 18, was safe under the high ball and showed blistering pace whenever he carted back the ball.

Titans coach John Cartwright would be delighted with the effort from his youngsters, drawn from the state competition, considering centre Kingi Aka-Oula was sent off early in the match for a high shot on Michael Brophy.

Playing against a team boasting nine regular first-graders, the Titans were level at 18-all at the three-quarter time break.

But the Raiders ran in three quick tries to blow out the scoreline to 34-18.

Joel Rapana, who scored a 90-metre try to opening the scoring, bagged his second to reduce the Titans' deficit to 34-22.

Kayne Lawton added even more respectability to the scoreline with a try just before the final siren.

AAP

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

Civoniceva has first run with Panthers

February 17, 2008

New Penrith skipper Petero Civoniceva had his first run in new colours as the Panthers kick-started their 2008 NRL campaign with a series of low key trials at Windsor.

The entire Panthers squad from the juniors right through to the top grade had a run, but all eyes were on Civoniceva following his off-season move from Brisbane.

The Test prop didn't disappoint either, leading an experimental Panthers outfit to a 28-0 win over the Erina Jim Beam Cup side in a 30 minute trial.

Panthers coach Matthew Elliott used the match to test out a few new combinations, which included a new halves pairing featuring last year's rookie sensation Jarrod Sammut at halfback and former NSW winger Luke Lewis at five-eighth.

Sammut showed plenty of heart and potential when thrust into the top grade at fullback last year, but with Rhys Wesser back from injury, his path to the No.1 jumper appears blocked.

One of Sammut's rivals for the halfback spot, former South Sydney No.7 Joe Williams, missed the trial due to a virus.

Elliott rested most of his first choice players for the second 30-minute clash which ended with the Panthers running out 16-0 winners over the Windsor Jim Beam Cup side.

The Panthers step up the 2008 preparations with their first official trial against Parramatta in Albury on Friday night.

Their final pre-season hitout is against the Bulldogs on March 2 at ANZ Stadium.

AAP

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

Hannant spearheads win for Broncos

February 17, 2008

Broncos 20 Cowboys 10

Front rower Ben Hannant has spearheaded the Brisbane Broncos to a 20-10 NRL trial win over the North Queensland Cowboys in Rockhampton tonight.

In a match where assistant coaches Ivan Henjak and Ian Millward took the reins of their respective clubs, the Broncos built on a 12-point halftime lead to work into some handy pre-season form.

Hannant played a busy prop's game, but also found time to kick goals and spirit a one-on-one strip of possession from Cowboy opposite Carl Webb.

On a soggy field, the Broncos secured the honours when Nat Bowman - one of four players on a one-night loan to Brisbane from affiliate club the Central Comets - went over in the corner just before three-quarter time.

With 15 minutes left the Cowboys showed spark by running on the last tackle, a clever chip from halfback Anthony Watts allowing Ray Thompson to score.

In the first half, the Cowboys had the best of territory for the opening exchanges but it was the Broncos who scored.

A long pass from Watts was plucked from the air by Broncos' captain Justin Hodges in the 17th minute, with the international centre jogging 60 metres downfield to score next to the posts.

Hannant was the surprise choice for the conversion and it was 6-0.

The Broncos went 12-0 ahead when Greg Eastwood stepped through the line in the 24th minute, dishing the ball for PJ Marsh to score his first try in Broncos' colours.

Four minutes late the Broncos were in again when a backline move created enough space for teenager Gerard Beale to slip down the blind and dive over for 16-0.

Local boy Guy Williams, another on loan to the Broncos, was sin binned for a professional foul after a Cowboys' break.

Almost immediately Jackson Nicolau put the Cowboys on the board by crashing over on the halftime siren, leaving it 16-4 at the break.

AAP