Roosters win thriller against Charters Towers in A Grade League

After leading at half time in the A Grade match at Bendigo Park last Sunday, the Roosters had to come from behind to take the match and keep their hopes alive for a finals spot.

Scoring two tries to one in the first half to lead 12-6 at the break, the Roosters then saw the Miners put on a good all-round display to lead 24-16 with time running out.

First, former Miner Jack McQueen took a timely intercept to race away and score, with the scoreline favouring the Towers with two minutes left.

From the restart, the Roosters moved upfield and on the last tackle a high kick went across the field. From the scramble, centre Jones Munro scored to give his side the lead by two and the match.

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Coach Steve Landsley said his team made a remarkable comeback to snatch a thrilling 26-24 victory over the Miners in a game that had everything.

The Roosters exploded out of the blocks with a fast and energetic start, putting the Miners under pressure and building an early advantage.

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However, a growing injury toll began to take its toll on the Roosters, allowing the Miners to fight their way back into the contest.

With the game seemingly slipping away, the Roosters dug deep when it mattered.

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Two late tries turned the match on its head and gave Burdekin a narrow two-point lead as the final siren approached.

It may not have been the prettiest victory, and there was certainly an amount of luck about the result, but the Roosters showed plenty of courage and determination to hang on.

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Nick Brown, Lachie Shephard and Nemia Nawave were outstanding for Burdekin.

For the Roosters, tries came from Nick Brown, Tama Rupena, Jake O'Brien, Jack McQueen and Jones Munro. Jake O'Brien kicked three goals.

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In other A Grade matches, Western Lions beat Herbert River 36-30, Souths beat Norths 46-18 and Centrals downed Brothers 26-20.

In a match that was entertaining to say the least, the Roosters won the Reserve Grade over the Miners 44-32.

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The visiting Charters Towers outfit took advantage of a clumsy Burdekin first half to lead 20-6 at the break.

In this period the Roosters fell off tackles and had little respect for the ball, dropping it plenty of times, which the visitors capitalised on to score three tries.

A stern talking-to by coach Peter Horan at half time saw the Roosters become a different team in the second session.

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In this period their defence improved one hundred percent while they backed up in attack, using the ball wisely.

So dominant were they that they scored seven tries to two to win the game 44-32, outscoring the western city side 38-12 in the second half.

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Goal kicker Braedyn Di Bella was on target, potting six from eight, with a couple of beauties from the sideline.

Horan said he liked the effort of his team in the second session, with Kurtis Cox outstanding in scoring three tries, while Adam Prior, Aiden Lampton, Pryce Gesah, Braedyn Di Bella and Lincoln Boccolatte also stood out.

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Kurtis Cox scored three tries, while John Zaro, Adam Prior, Pryce Gesah, Llama Ghee and Lincoln Boccolatte also crossed. Jaedyn Di Bella kicked six goals.

In other Reserve Grade matches, Western Lions beat Herbert River 56-6, Brothers and Centrals drew 22-all, with no result from Souths and Norths.

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In the one Under-19 match played, with Burdekin, Herbert River and Norths having byes, Brothers beat Centrals 26-16.

In the women's matches, Centrals beat Brothers 40-4 and Souths beat Norths 24-nil.

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No games will be played in the RLTD this weekend, with Burdekin to play Brothers in Townsville on August 15 in three grades.

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Supplied by Brian Carnes

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