Roosters Endure Rough Opening Round

“That was a game we should have won and threw it away with our handling letting us down badly,” said Burdekin Roosters A grade coach Steve Lansley after seeing his team go down by just 2 at 24 - 22 to Western Lions at the RLTD grounds in Townsville last Sunday.
“It was a game we should have won by at least four tries.”
While the coach was critical of the way his team respected the ball, he did say that he could not fault their effort.
Lansley thought the forwards were dominant but dropped ball cost them.
“I thought Rhett Williams had a good game controlling the rucks and giving his big forwards room to move while lock Kali Nauque played a good tough match,” the coach said.
Lansley also added Lachlan Shepherd was also dangerous in the forwards.
He added that Dylan Doak is a smart five eight while Jones Munro at fullback could not be faulted.
Luke Russell, Ethan Hagarty, Lachlan Shepherd and Jeremiah Matuata scored tries with Dyland Doak kicked 3 goals.
In other A grade games Souths def Herbert River in Ingham 22 - 12, Brothers beat Centrals 12 - 10 while Charters Towers were too good for Norths in the Towers by 44 – 12.
In a game they should have won, the reserves went down 30 - 22 after the Lions had lead at the break 26 – 6.
Had the reggies played the first half like they played the second the win would have gone to the Roosters.
It was as though two different teams were on the paddock with Roosters jerseys on.
The first half saw dropped ball and missed tackles the order of the day with the Lions allowed to dominate.
In the second session the defence became as it should have been with the attack also improved.
Coach Chris Perry said we were too generous with giving away possession first half and we were not sharp in defence.
Perry said the care factor was back second half and we were unlucky not to come away with a win.
The coach singled out Beady Horan and Brody Ferguson as two of his better players with Caleb Noah dangerous.
The two French players Wassine Mauhuli and Paul Meryl showed enough to look for better things in the future even though both boys were severely affected by the humidity.
Meryl did show plenty of speed in scoring a 70 metre try first half.
In other reserves matches Centrals beat Brothers 24 - 6, Bowen beat Charters Towers 44 - 4 and Souths beat Herbert River 40 - 18 with Norths on a bye.
Hens coach Anita Hagarty praised her girls for their efforts after going down to Western Lions 44 – 12.
Three-time premiers the Lions lead by only 16 - 8 at the break but size and experience told second half.
“We have not had many training runs and our young team acquitted themselves very well against a team of premiership players who have also picked up some players from the runners last year, Centrals,” the coach said.
Anita said she thought Abby King and Mckenzie Hatch with Alekah Heron, Kezzia Lammon and Talisha Bulgarelli stood out.
She also praised Tamara White who put her hand up to help out.
Kezzia Lammon, Martina Monday, Toni Daisy scored tries
In other matches Centrals beat Brothers 20 - 12 and Charters Towers beat Norths 24 - 4
This Sunday the Roosters are away again to Souths at the Old Bindall grounds in reserve and A grade with the Reserves at 1:30pm and the A grade at 3:00pm.
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Contributed by Brian Carnes

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