Rugby League News

Bears Season Ends

With high hopes of breaking the four-year finals drought, the Espresso Essential Burleigh Bears’ dream of making the semi-finals was ruthlessly crushed by a rampant Northern Pride yesterday.

One of the form sides in the competition, the Pride ran in 10 tries to one to record a 54-6 victory and in the process, ensured fellow north Queensland side the Mackay Cutters would keep the final spot in the top six.

Nothing went right for the Bears from the very beginning – they had three scratchings from their starting side that put them on the back foot before the game even kicked off.

However, the Bears started with the kind of spark required for a game of this importance, and had the first chance to get points on the board.

But when a wayward pass from Nick Parfitt went sailing over the head of the leaping Grant Purdon – it foretold the fortunes of the Bears.

Instead of Burleigh leading 6-0 – it was the Pride who were first to score, with Chey Bird gladly accepting a clever Chris Sheppard pass before running through the Bears’ defence close to the line.

Their second was one for the highlights reel, with Sheppard putting in a chip ahead, before gathering it in himself and then chipping the ball again, this time over the head of the fullback Parfitt for the supporting Jason Roos to collect and score.

While the first two tries were the result of some good work in attack from the Pride, from then on, many of their points were abetted by Burleigh – through their poor defence, simple bad errors and plain bad luck.

Pride winger Kaine Manihera had a good first half, adding impetus in their attack and he picked up a double to help the visitors on their way to a devastating 26-0 lead just before half-time.

Burleigh fans had thought their side was on the board just before the break, when some good passing between Brent McConnell and Parfitt found James Cameron who made his way over the line.

However, as if to provide further evidence that is was just not their day – the video referee found the Pride defence had been obstructed and the try was disallowed.

Despite a more committed display in Burleigh’s defence, it was much of the same story in the second half.

On a brighter note the Bears FOGS A Grade and Colts teams had wins on the weekend. The A Grade team having to win against equal second placed team Wests to avoid an elimination final and down on regular players dug deep to record a tough 18-10 victory over Wests. The A Grade will now play North’s at Davies Park this Sunday at 1.00pm.

The Fogs Colts finished the season with back to back victories defeating Wests Panthers 36-34 on the bell.

The Bycroft Cup U/19s also have had their season cut short with a 26-10 loss to Bilambil in Saturdays Minor Semi final.