View Full Version : Junior Development
Keebra Park SHS student VJ Leatalu who is part of the the Titans partnered schools Rugby League Academy Program and was part of the 2021 Gold Coast Invitational U13 King of Country Rugby side that won the Tournament last week with VJ Letalu starring from fullback.
Whilst he may not have scored himself, VJ Letalu was dominant through out, regularly breaking the line on both sides of the field. VJ Letalu in fact almost did score what would have been a much deserved try when on Day Two against Far North Coast he burst down the left touchline after breaking the line forty metres out, but unfortunately VJ Letalu was unable to control the ball as he was reaching out to put it down in the left corner.
Post the Tournament VJ Letalu was named on the wing in the All Tournament Team.
In 2020 VJ Letalu played for the Coomera Cutters in the GCRL U12 competition.
Keebra Park SHS play maker Tayshaarn Tonga student who is part of the Titans partnered schools Rugby League Academy Program and was part of the 2021 Gold Coast Invitational U13 King of Country Rugby side last week that won the Tournament with Tayshaarn Tonga operating at half.
Tayshaarn Tonga scored in each of the two matches that he played, being on Day One against the USQ Saints and Day Two against Far North Coast.
On Day One against USQ, late of the match, Tayshaarn Tonga ran to his right from the back of a ruck to crash over from three metres out. Tayshaarn Tonga’s Day Two try against Far North Coast was not dis-similar to his Day One try. On Day Two, once again Tayshaarn Tonga picked the ball up from the back of a ruck but in this occasion ran to his left to dive over from two metres out.
In 2020 Tayshaarn Tonga played for Keebra Park in the school boy Bronco’s Old Boys Cup Rugby League competition, starting in the final against Marsden State High School, with Keebra Park going down 26 – 6 to their fellow Titans partnered school.
Tayshaarn Tonga was Keebra Park’s sole try scorer in the Grand Final when he darted over from dummy half from close range in the second half, with Tayshaarn Tonga getting the ball down under the posts.
In addition to playing for the Coomera Cutters in the GCRL competition, in 2020 Tayshaarn Tonga played for the Coomera Crushers in the GCDRU U12 competition, including scoring a double in Round Four against Yatala and Round Two against the Bond Pirates.
In 2020 Tayshaarn Tonga also played touch and was part of the SQBD Sharks U12 side that took part in the 2020 NYC Boys Tournament and was part of the Sharks side that won the Final 4 – 3 against the BC Cobra’s.
Whilst he did not score in the final, Tayshaarn Tonga scored a hat trick in Round One against the CQ Bulls and doubles in Round Two and Four against the SWQ Swans and NQ Cyclones respectively.
In late 2020 Tayshaarn Tonga was named in the 2020 U12 Queensland Youth Academy Squad.
Tayshaarn Tonga also played Oztag in 2020, representing Coomera Oztag.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins is a Marsden SHS student who is part of the Titans partnered schools Rugby League Academy Program and last week was part of the 2021 Gold Coast Invitational U13 King of Country Rugby side that won the Tournament with Tawa-Dean Simpkins starring from outside centre.
Post the Tournament Tawa-Dean Simpkins was named on the wing in the All Tournament Team.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins had an impressive tournament and was for all intents and purposes unstoppable in the second half of the Invitational teams Day One match against the USQ Saints scoring a second half hat trick. To add to his match Tawa-Dean Simpkins converted his third try by way of a drop kick from directly in front of the posts.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins first try came ten minutes into the second half. Tawa-Dean Simpkins received the ball on the left after a USQ turnover, thirty five metres out from the line. Once he received the ball Tawa-Dean Simpkins stepped off his right foot to get on the outside of the defence and then he outpaced the cover defence to score mid-way between the goal posts and left corner post.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins second try was simply outstanding. From the kick-off after his first try Tawa-Dean Simpkins took the kick-off on the full twenty metres out from his own line near the left touchline, initially heading towards the centre of the field but quickly cut back to his left. As he neared the defensive line, Tawa-Dean Simpkins dummied to his left to get through the line and then stepped off his right foot to beat the fullback down the touchline and then he was able to easily outpace the cover defenders to score a spectacular eighty metre solo try in the left corner.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins completed his hat trick scoring the easiest of the three. Tawa-Dean Simpkins was on the end of a backline movement with the ball being spun to the right with Tawa-Dean Simpkins receiving the ball in acres of space and cruising ten metres to score next to the left uprights. Tawa-Dean then converted his own try by way way of a drop goal.
It was evident from just the second minute of the match on Day One that Tawa-Dean Simpkins was going to have a major impact on the tournament when he made a long line break down the right side of the field.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins also scored on Day Two against Far North Coast when in the second half he received the ball on the end of a backline movement to the the Invitational team’s right. When he received the ball Tawa-Dean Simpkins dummied to his right before stepping off his right foot and running twenty five metres untouched to score under the posts.
The Day Two match against Far North Coast also saw Tawa-Dean Simpkins make probably his best run of the competition when he broke seven tackles in a fifty metre run in the second half.
In 2020 Tawa-Dean Simpkins also played touch and was part of the SQBD Sharks U12 side that took part in the 2020 NYC Boys Tournament and was part of the Sharks side that won the Final 4 – 3 against the BC Cobra’s.
Whilst he did not score in the final, Tawa-Dean Simpkins scored in each of the five round robin rounds, including doubles in Rounds Two to Four which were against the SWQ Swans, SSC Pineapples and NQ Cyclones respectively. Tawa-Dean Simpkins also scored against the CQ Bulls in Round One and BC Cobra’s in Round Five.
In late 2020 Tawa-Dean Simpkins was named in the 2020 U12 Queensland Youth Academy Squad.
Former Auckland Vulcans Junior Representative Hikoirangi Paki will start at fullback for the Southport Tigers against Ormeau tomorrow in Round Two of the U18 Division One pre-season competition.
Former Titans Junior Jake Martin will line up this afternoon for the Grafton Ghosts in Round One of the Group Two First Grade competition this afternoon against Bellingen.
Former Gold Coast Cyclones U15 rugby representative Ethan Leypoldt will start at five eight tomorrow for the Helensvale U18 Division One side against Mudgeeraba in Round Two of the GCRL pre-season competition.
Two NZ siblings on the way over to the Gold Coast starting at Keebra Park tomorrow in former NZ Warriors Development squad members Dorian and Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki.
Dorian is an Auckland representative hooker and Taniela a representative centre, both are MM Cup eligible in 2022.
Titans contracted Larry Siala was named in the School Boy rugby Ballymore Cup Team of the Tournament at blindside flanker (No. 6) yesterday afternoon.
Jayden Campbell has made an impressive start to his Queensland Cup career, making 25 tackle breaks from just three match to lead that category in that criteria.
On Saturday, Jojo Fifita scored what will be no doubt the first of many rugby league tries when he scored in the 4th minute for Tweed Heads in Round Two of the Hastings Deering's Colts competition against Burleigh.
Jojo FIfita moved to start on the left wing after starting on the right wing in Round One and leapt high above is opposite number of take a Taine Udjur-Berghan bomb on the full and scramble over in the left corner.
Great to see Burleigh's Noah Gafa named in the Gold Coast Vikings U20 side for this seasons SEQ Chairman's Challenge. He has had a great start to the GCRL U20 season.
Exciting that the School Boy Titans Cup will kick-off on Wednesday with Keebra Park playing Marymount College in the boys Year Nine/Ten Division One and Years Eleven/Twelve Division One and Division Two competitions.
On Tuesday in the Girls competition, Keebra will take on Marsden across three divisions as well.
On Saturday Brenton Daley-Holten was named to start on the left wing for Tweed Heads in Round Two of the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears however he ended up starting the match at fullback in the Seagulls 32 – 24 victory.
Brenton Daley-Holten recorded a try assist which came in the 47th minute when he took the ball right to the line on the left side of the field ten metres out and put in a short right foot attacking kick that sat up for Caleb Hodges to scored four metres in from the left corner post.
The 71st minute saw Brenton Daley-Holten attack the ball with vigor when he came up quickly to pick up a grubber kick on the bounce on his own line and through his speed and elusiveness Brenton Daley-Holten was able to return the kick thirty three metres.
On Saturday in Round Two of the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition Titan Klese Haas was due to start at right centre for Tweed Heads in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears however he ended up starting the match at right second row with his first involvement preventing a Burleigh try when he intercepted a Burleigh pass literally right on his own line and was able to bring the ball back thirty metres. If Klese Hass had not intercepted the pass, Burleigh would have scored in the right corner.
Klese Haas added to his contribution to the Seagulls 32 – 24 victory in the 20th minute when he was able to force his way into the Burleigh twenty metre area with a hard fought ten metres of ground.
Klese Hass moved into dummy half in the 28th minute, making twelve metres after running the ball to the right and getting into the tweny metre attacking zone.
Klese Haas got within a metre of scoring his first Colts try in the 44th minute when he received the ball to the right of the play the ball, running in that direction before cutting back to the left and getting to within a metre of the line after breaking three tackles.
Klese Haas proved to be dangerous running with the ball once again in the 61st minute when he packed into a scrum at lock, After picking up the ball from the base of the scrum, Klese Hass ran to the right fending off two would be defenders with his left arm, making twelve metres to get to within two metres of the halfway mark.
In his first season with Tweed Heads in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition, Cooper Many started from the bench in Round Two on Saturday in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears coming onto the field late in the first half and it did not take long for him to make an impact when in the 36th minute he was able to make eighteen metres from his first hit-up after cutting back to his left one he received the ball.
Copper Many continued his hard working effort in the second half and in the 42nd minute got the ball outside his team’s thirty metre region with a twelve metre gain fro ma run of the left of the play the ball.
Cooper Many made another eighteen metres in the 67th minute when he received the ball to the right of the play the ball getting into the attacking twenty metre area before being brought to ground.
In the 70th minute Cooper Many shone in cover defence to save the Seagulls blushes when he raced back along with Troy Duckett to round up Burleigh’s Cole Geyer who had split the defence through centre field and beat the Tweed Heads fullback.
Titans train and trialist Joseph Vuna continued at right second row in Round Four of the Queensland Cup for Tweed Heads on the weekend against the Burleigh Bears, scoring his career first Queensland Cup try in the Seagulls 16 – 12 victory. Toby Sexton took the ball to the line and put in a right foot grubber towards the right. Joseph Vuna flashed through from right second row to retrieve the ball on the bounce and score wide on the right.
In addition to his try, Joseph Vuna in his eighty minutes on the field, ran for fifty eight metres (twenty three post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.31 seconds and made twenty one tackles at a tackling efficiency of 91.3%.
Penrith recruit and former PBC student Glenn McGradey was named to start for Tweed Heads at fullback in Round Two of the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears on Saturday however he started the match at right centre and finished the Seagulls 32 – 24 victory with an individual points haul of sixteen from two tries and four conversions with both tries coming in the second half.
Glenn McGradey’s first try came in the 52nd minute he received the ball eight metres out from a Jaylan To’O pass through traffic to score eight metres in from the right corner.
Glenn McGradey’s second try in the 71st minute was certainly a team affair which started on the opposite side of the field with Jojo Fifita who cut back towards centre field, breaking the line there before offloading to Ediq Ambrosyev who then got the ball away to his right to Jaylan To’O who then found Glenn McGradey to score on the right.
Whilst he may have had a quiet first half, Glenn McGradey burst into life in the second, starting in the 42nd minute with a strong tackle in the Burleigh left centre with Glenn McGradey’s initial contact forcing the ball loose, with Glenn McGradey subsequently picking the ball up and returning it ten metres from where he made the tackle.
Round Five saw Titans contracted Greg Marzhew named on the wing for the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Four of the Queensland Cup and was back to his block bursting self, playing all eighty minutes, running for a team leading 150 metres, a team leading sixty one of which were post contact.
Greg Marzhew also broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.92 seconds and made four tackles at an 80% tackling efficiency.
Cole Geyer started for Burleigh at hooker over the weekend in the Round Two of the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition in the local derby against the Tweed heads Seagulls, scoring his first Colts try of the season on Burleigh’s 32 – 24 loss. Interestingly when replacement hooker Vaka Sikahele came onto the field late in the first half, Cole Geyer moved to lock and played in a ball playing role on the opposite side of the field to half Cameron Brown.
Cole Geyer’s try in the 31st minute was certainly worth the wait. Cole Geyer moved into dummy half forty metres away from the line and darted out of dummy half to his left, running straight through the defensive line. As he approached the Tweed Heads fullback he held the ball out in front of his body in both hands, shaping to pass to his left to a looming Cameron Brown, but the fullback started to focus on Brown, Cole Geyer literally just raced past him to dive over under the posts.
As it was in Round One Cole Geyer’s kicking game was on song, including in the 17th minute when he stepped out of dummy half to his right, forty five metres out from his own line, putting in a raking right foot kick that went into touch one metre out from the right corner post.
Another Cole Geyer right foot kick out of dummy half in the 36th minute was just as good. Cole Geyer kicked out of dummy half from sixty five metres out after stepping to his right. After the ball was retrieved by the Seagulls fullback on his own goal line, when he looked up he would have seen Cole Geyer racing downfield to make the tackle, which he did.
Cole Geyer added a line break to his impressive match in the 70th minute when he was playing in the backrow. After taking the ball on the left side of the field pushed away from one defender on his own twenty metre mark and raced through the line and stepped the Seagulls fullback with an exquisite left foot step before eventually being rounded up by the cover defence after a sixty metre break downfield.
Former Marymount College student and Parramatta player Charlie Murray also started at lock in Round Two for Tweed Heads in Round Two of the Colts competition on Saturday in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears and recorded an impressive try assist.
Charlie Murray received the ball ten metres out and moved subtly to his left and popped a great short ball to put Carsil Vaikai into a gap and the front rower was able to get the ball down under the posts.
Intelligently in the 21st minute, Charlie Murray was able to get possession back for Burleigh after a one on one strip against Samuel Shannon who was looking to bring the ball out of Burleigh’s own territory.
Then in the 63rd minute, Charlie Murray along with Jed Edwards smashed Burleigh’s Ronin Rio front on with the ball coming loose less than ten metres from Burleigh’s own line.
Former Queensland U16 representative Jed Edwards started from the bench for the second week in a row for Tweed Heads in Round Two of the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition on Saturday in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears coming on late in the first half playing in the dummy half role and made a line break in the 35th minute when he backed up to receive an offload from Juwan Compain and race twenty five metres downfield.
In the 34th minute to was Jed Edwards defence that came to the fore when he made a great low tackle on Burleigh’s Samuel Shannon, cutting the big forward down on the spot.
In the 37th minute, Jed Edwards also scored when he darted out of dummy half to his right from ten metres out with the Burleigh defence back peddling but was held up over the line, directly under the posts.
Jed Edwards also showed that he can kick out of dummy half when in the 42nd minute he stepped out of dummy half to his right and put in a fifty five metre kick and then followed his own kick downfield to make the tackle on Lofi Khan-Pereira who was bring the ball back.
Jed Edwards kicked out of dummy half once again in the 43rd minute and like his first half kick, it was a quality one. Jed Edwards kicked out of dummy half from sixty metres out with Burleigh fullback Will Evans getting to the ball on his own try line in the corner. As soon as he picked up the ball, Jed Edwards along with Troy Duckett were able to force him over the touchline to put Tweed Heads immediately back on the attack.
Then in the 63rd minute, Jed Edwards along with Charlie Murray smashed Burleigh’s Ronin Rio front on with the ball coming loose less than ten metres from Burleigh’s own line. Just two minutes later in the 65th Jed Edwards made another big tackle, this time on Blake Campbell with the contact knocking the ball loose just fifteen metres out from the line.
Gold Coast local Juwan Compain on Saturday started at left second row for Tweed Heads in Round Two of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears and had a big game including a strong effort in the 7th minute that accounted for ten hard metres, seven of which were post contact to get the to thirty five metres out.
In the 13th minute, Juwan Compain continued his strong start to the match when he made a twelve metre surge on the left to get the ball to within one metre of the try line. Juwan Compain produced another strong run in the 34th minute when even though he was held by three defenders, after making eight metres, was able to get a right arm off-load away to his right to Jed Edwards who burst through the Burleigh line to make twenty five metres.
Juwan Compain strong match continued into the second half when in the 49th minute he was able to make twelve metres down the left channel, utilising a strong fend to beat two would be tacklers
Round Five of the Queensland Cup on the weekend saw Tannah Boyd initially named to move to the bench for Burleigh for the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls however he in fact started the match at hooker, playing the entire eighty minutes there as Burleigh went down 16 – 12.
Tannah Boyd ran for thirty eight metres (fifteen post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.69 seconds and made twenty eight tackles at an impressive tackling efficiency of 96.55%.
Titans contracted Troy Duckett on Saturday afternoon for Tweed Heads started on the right wing in the Round Two Hastings Deering’s Colts local derby against the Burleigh Bears with his first run coming in the 4th minute when he darted out of dummy half to his left to get the ball away from the sideline.
The ball did not get out to Troy Duckett’s that often in the match, but when it did, Troy Duckett attacked the ball, a prime example coming in the 15th minute when he charged forward to take a grubber kick directed towards him on the bounce just a one or two out from his own line with Troy Duckett able to get the ball back to the ten metre line. If he had not attacked the ball as he did, Troy Duckett may well have been trapped in his own in-goal.
Just two minute later, in the 17th minute, Troy Duckett once again went searching for the ball, coming off his wing to take a hit-up making twelve metres off the dummy half to give Burleigh some breathing room before playing the ball thirty metres out from his own line.
Troy Duckett was not going to die wondering again in the 26th minute when he leapt high to take a Burleigh bomb directed to his wing on the full and get to the ground quickly just two metres away from his own line.
It seemed clear that Burleigh were targeting his wing in the air but Troy Duckett kept them at bay including once again in the 42nd minute when he leapt high over Cameron Brown to defuse yet another bomb directed his way.
Trot Duckett was all effort in the match and it showed once again in the 43rd minute when Jed Edwards kicked out of dummy half from sixty metres out with Burleigh fullback Will Evans getting to the ball on his own try line in the corner. As soon as he picked up the ball, Troy Duckett along with Jed Edwards were able to force him over the touchline to put Tweed Heads immediately back on the attack.
In the 70th minute Troy Duckett shone in cover defence to save the Seagulls blushes when he raced back along with Cooper Many to round up Burleigh’s Cole Geyer who had split the defence through centre field and beat the Tweed Heads fullback.
Titans contracted Tristian Powell started Round Two of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition on Saturday for Burleigh in the front row in the local derby against the Tweed heads Seagulls, getting involved in the first tackle of the match on Tweed Heads front rower Ben Liyou alongside team mates, Jayden Sharp and Blake Campbell.
In the 54th minute Tristian Powell was involved in one of the stranger tries that you will see. After Burleigh had kicked off after a Tweed Heads try, the ball hit the right goal post on the full bouncing back into the field. Tristian Powell had run downfield from the kick-off and was able to retrieve the ball on the bounce and get to within eleven metres of the line. Replacement hooker Vaka Sikahele ran from dummy half after Tristian Powell had played the ball to score.
In the set of six after the try Tristian Powell was able to make an additional ten metres down a short left blindside on the second tackle and then made a further fifteen metres from a hit-up on the 4th tackle of the same set.
Titans contracted Iszac Fa’asuamaieaui was named on Burleigh’s extended bench for the Hastings Deering’s Colts Round Two local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls on Saturday however he came onto the bench late in the week, coming on in the 25th minute of the first half.
The 26th minute saw Iszac Fa’asuamaieaui make his first tackle of the match when he hit Seagulls fullback Brenton Daley-Holten and dorve him two metres backwards, then from marker Iszac Fa’asuamaieaui did the same thing to Jaylan To’O post the play the ball.
Iszac Fa’asuamaieaui took his first hit-up in the 30th minute making ten metres to get the ball thirty five metres away from his own try line. Iszac Fa’asuamaieaui made a further strong run on the 32nd minute from the kick-off after Cole Geyer’s try, throwing self-preservation out the window to get the ball twenty two metres out from his own line.
Titan contracted Ediq Ambrosyev on Saturday started at hooker for Tweed heads in Round Two of the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears. Ediq Ambrosyev initially played a conservative role from dummy half, that was until the 20th minute that is when Ediq Ambrosyev made twelve metres after darting out of dummy half to the left of the play the ball.
As he did in Round One Ediq Ambrosyev also spent time at halfback and it is from that position in the 67th minute that saw Ediq Ambrosyev get to within less than a metre fro the line after he had dummied his way through the first line of defence from twelve metres out.
Ediq Ambrosyev was then involved in Glenn McGradey’s 71st minute try that started on the left side of the field and finished on the right. After receiving the ball on the left touchline Jojo Fifita who cut back towards centre field, breaking the line there before offloading to Ediq Ambrosyev who then got the ball away to his right to Jaylan To’O who then found Glenn McGradey to score on the right.
In the 73rd metre Ediq Ambrosyev made a line break wichi for a moment I thought would lead to him scoring a long range try. Ediq Ambrosyev jumped high to take a short Burleigh kick-off on the full, running to his left around the right side of the Burleigh defensive lien and made a thirty metre line break before being bundled into touch.
Giant Titans contracted Isaac Matalavea-Booth continued on the interchange bench for the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side in the Round Two local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls coming into the match in the 19th minute and almost immediately along with Samuel Shannon was in on a big first tackle on Tweed Heads front rower Ben Liyou.
Isaac Matalavea-Booth proved how difficult he is to bring down in the 18th minute when he surged through the centre of the defence getting the ball to thirty three metres out from his own line before four defenders were eventually able to get him to the ground.
Isaac Matalavea-Booth was at his hard stopping best again in the 34th minute when it took three Tweed Heads forwards to stop his forward momentum and get him to the ground after a ten metre run by the big front rower.
Isaac Matalavea-Booth’s second half continued as strongly as his first half ended when he made twelve metres from the third hit-up after Tweed Heads kicked off, getting the ball over the forty metre line.
Isaac Matalavea-Booth also saved a try when late in the first half he along with Cameron Brown he held Seagulls replacement hooker Jed Edwards up over the line after he had run from dummy half from ten metres out looking to score under the posts.
The 44th minute saw Isaac Matalavea-Booth make another strong try saving tackle, when he along with Vaka Sikahele hit and stopped Seagulls front rower Ben Liyou just centre metres out. Isaac Matalavea-Booth recorded another good tackle in the 62nd minute when Tweed Heads half Taine Udjur-Berghan tried to dummy his way past him but Isaac Matalavea-Booth did not fall for it and monstered the half forcing him back four metres before driving him into the ground.
In the 65th minute Isaac Matalavea-Booth produced a smart piece of play when he was able to trap a Seagulls attempted grubber kick with his right foot two metres out from the try line and then he had the fore sight to dive on the ball before Tweed Heads. Then in the 66th minute Isaac Matalavea-Booth produced a try saving front one tackle when he stopped Ben Liyou in his tracks just short of the try line.
The derby saw Isaac Matalavea-Booth just work all day and in the 70th minute after Burleigh winger Lofi Khan-Pereira scored, Isaac Matalavea-Booth put his hand up to run the ball back from the subsequent kick-off to get the ball to his own twenty metre mark.
Titans contracted Ben Liyou only lasted 4 minutes of Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition for Tweed Heads but in Round Two on Saturday in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears he started in the front row and was one of the Seagulls try scorers in the 32 – 24 victory.
Ben Liyou’s try came in the 41st minute with the front rower rumbling twelve metres to score after receiving the ball from his left from Laz Sua. When he received the ball Ben Liyou initially dummied to his right before holding off the Burleigh left second rower with a strong straight left arm to get over to score. Ben Liyou then took the hit-up from Burleigh’s subsequent kick-off making another strong run.
Ben Liyou as has become his trademark, took the first hit-up of the match from the kick-off and then backed that up by taking the 4th hit-up in the same set of six. Ben Liyou then ran the ball from a kick-off once again in the 5th minute bringing the ball back over Jojo Fifita’s try. Ben Liyou made it three kick-offs in a row where he returned the kick-off when in the 9th minute he returned that ball back after Carsil Vaikai’s try.
Ben Liyou is certainly not the biggest front rower running around but he is certainly strong and in the 51st minute Burleigh right centre Tony Francis bore the brunt of that strength when Ben Liyou hit him with a strong crunching tackle that required play to be stopped for a couple of minutes.
For Tweed Heads on Saturday Titans contracted Caleb Hodges started at left centre in the Round Two Hastings Deering’s Colts local derby against Burleigh with Caleb Hodges scoring one of the Seagulls tries in their 32 – 24 victory.
Caleb Hodges try came in the 47th minute when he followed through a short grubber kick from Brenton Daley-Holton with the ball sitting up perfectly for Caleb Hodges to retrieve and get down four metres in from the left corner post.
Caleb Hodges wasted no time becoming involved in the match being involved with Taine Udjur-Berghan in Burleigh’s first tackle of the match when they tackled Bears five eight Byron Vaovosa who was returning the Seagulls first kick.
Caleb Hodges made the first of many runs down his left side in the 4th minute when he was able to make fifteen after cutting back behind the play the ball to get the ball out to thirty metres away from his own line.
Caleb Hodges made another strong run in the 20th minute when after pushing off two would be tackles, he made twenty metres down the left.
Caleb Hodges also produced a strong defensive effort in the 18th minute, when he flew off his line to confront Burleigh right centre Tony Francis front on before his powerful opponent could gain momentum. Another strong defensive effort from Caleb Hodges came in the 35th minute when he cut down Burleigh fullback Will Evans with a copy book low tackle as Evans was trying to run across field.
Caleb Hodges produced a great try saving tackle in the 58th minute when he moved to his left to bundle Burleigh right second rower Blake Campbell over the touchline less than two metres from the corner post after Campbell had made a line break twenty five metres back down field.
Caleb Hodges’s speed off the mark was highlighted in the 71st minute when after he received the ball whilst standing still, Caleb Hodges exploded off the mark before stepping to his left leaving two defenders in his wake and get the ball over the halfway mark after making fifteen metres.
After being injured in a pre-season training mishap, Titans contracted Vaka Sikahele was named on Burleigh’s extended bench for the Round Two Hastings Deering’s Colts local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls but moved onto the bench late in the week and celebrated by scoring in his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut.
Vaka Sikahele scored one of the stranger tries that you will see from a run out of dummy half in the 54th minute. After Burleigh had kicked off after a Tweed Heads try, the ball hit the right goal post on the full bouncing back into the field. Tristian Powell was able to retrieve the ball on the bounce and get to within eleven metres of the line. Vaka Sikahele got into dummy half and ran to his left with the Tweed Heads defence in disarray to dive over between two defenders mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Vaka Sikahele came onto the field late in the first half, with his first run out of dummy half coming just a few minutes later in the 34th minute when ran to his left, breaking the Seagulls line and making twenty metres, beating four defenders along the way to get the ball to within forty metres of the try line.
In addition to some impressive runs and distribution out of dummy half Vaka Sikahele was also good defensively including in the 44th when he along with Isaac Matalavea-Booth hit and stopped Seagulls front rower Ben Liyou just centre metres out.
Titans contracted Toby Sexton continued at halfback in Round Four of the Queensland Cup on the weekend for Tweed Heads against the Burleigh Bears, scoring once again as well as recording a try assist for Joseph Vuna and also being heavily involved in the Seagulls opening try of their 16 – 12 victory.
Toby Sexton’s try was not in any sense of the word a regulation one. Tweed Heads kicked into the Burleigh in goal with Bears half Guy Hamilton retrieving the ball and bringing it back into play. Toby Sexton engaged Hamilton a couple of metres out from the ball and did a great job of holding him off the ground and when help arrived they started to push Hamilton back towards the in-goal. In the course of being dragged towards the in-goal the ball came loose with Toby Sexton retrieving the ball above his head and putting it down under the posts.
Toby Sexton’s try assist came in the second half when he took the ball to the line on the right, putting in a grubber through the Bears line with the ball sitting up for Joseph Vuna to charge through to retrieve and get the ball down wide out on the right.
Playing the entire eighty minutes, Toby Sexton in addition to his try and try assist ran for thirty two metres (five post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed to 3.28 seconds and made twenty seven tackles at a tackling efficiency of 90%.
Toby Sexton also kicked on seven occasions making 145 metres in the process.
Titans NRL Development contracted holder Lofi Khan-Pereira on Saturday started on the left wing for Burleigh in the Round Two Hastings Deering’s Colts local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and scored his second try from as many rounds in the Bears tough 32 – 24 loss to their closest rivals.
Lofi Khan-Pereira scored in the 70th minute with his speed being a key factor in the long range solo try. With Tweed Heads on the attack just fifteen metres out, they put a cross field kick towards Lofi Khan-Pereira’s wing who jumped up to take the kick on the full and as soon as his feet hit the ground Lofi Khan-Pereira exploded infield before stepping off his right and then it was shut the game as no one got near him as he ran eighty five metres to score under the posts.
Lofi Khan-Pereira is best known as a real speedster but his first major impact against Tweed Heads when the Seagulls had engineered an overlap to Lofi Khan-Pereira’s side of the field, but he sensed the threat and came flying out of the line to tackle Seagulls fullback Brenton Daley-Holten just as the fullback received the ball to end the movement there and then.
Lofi Khan-Pereira went looking for the ball in the 12th minute of the match, coming off his left wing to make eight metres through the centre of the ruck and after being awarded a penalty for a strip with more than one person in the tackle, Lofi Khan-Pereira took a quick tap with Tweed Heads still back peddling and burst downfield making twenty five metres before finally being brought to the ground.
The quick tap that Lofi Khan-Pereira took in the 12th minute, showed his rugby league intelligence and Lofi Khan-Pereira proved that was no fluke in the 14th minute when the Seagulls sent a high bomb in his direction. Lofi Khan-Pereira did not panic, letting his opposite winger Troy Duckett take the ball on the full with Lofi Khan-Periera immediately wrapping up Troy Duckett ball and all and then dragging the Seagulls winger into touch in the left corner.
In the 27th minute Lofi khan-Pereira was well positioned to take a Seagulls clearing kick on the full just inside his own half and then he was able to get the ball back to thirty five metres out from the line.
Lofi Khan-Pereira took another catch on the full in the 36th minute, but the circumstances were very different. In this occasion Lofi Khan-Pereira jumped high to look to take a bomb to his wing on the full which was heavily contested by Tweed Heads. Lofi Khan-Pereira tapped the ball up in the air and after falling onto his back, had the composure to take the ball on the way down whilst still lying on his back.
Lofi Khan-Pereira showed that he is calm under pressure when Tweed Heads kicked short from the second half kick-off. Lofi Khan-Pereira stood under the ball knowing that the defence was charging through but he held in place taking the ball comfortably.
Lofi Khan-Pereira made another line break in the 76th minute when he flew down the left touchline after receiving a cut-out pass from his inside on the halfway but and it was only a desperate diving jersey tackle that prevented Lofi Khan-Pereira from scoring.
Titans Top 30 NRL contracted Jojo Fifita moved to the left wing on Saturday for Tweed Heads in the Round Two Hastings Deering’s Colts local derby against Burleigh with Jojo Fifita scoring his first ever rugby league try in the 3rd minute of the Seagulls 32 – 24 victory.
As noted Jojo Fifita’s try came in the 3rd minute and it was worth the wait. Taine Udjur-Berghan put up a bomb to his left wing and Jojo Fifita came through and jumped above Ronin Rio to take the ball on the full three metres out from the line and he was able to scramble over to get the ball down in the left corner from there.
Jojo Fifita went looking for the ball in the 16th minute when he came off his wing to take a hit-up off the dummy half through the centre of the field, making thirteen metres before he was dragged down on his own twenty metre mark.
Jojo Fifita showed that the skill of a quick (and accurate) catch and pass is transferrable between rugby and rugby league when in the 27th minute whilst under intense pressure caught and passed in the same motion, getting the ball away to his left to Caleb Hodges.
A sequence of efforts in the 37th minute highlighted that Jojo Fifita was taken to rugby league easily and quickly. First off, Jojo Fifita made a heavy well executed front on tackle on tackle on Blake Campbell that knocked the ball loose with Burleigh on the attack and then from the subsequent set of six, Jojo Fifita came off his left wing to take a hit-up and make fifteen metres, breaking five tackles along the way. The Jojo Fifita went all of the way over to the right side of the field to make fifteen metres more running with the ball.
It was interesting to see that early in the second half Jojo Fifita spent time at left centre, alternating with Caleb Hodges and it was from left centre in the 42nd minute where Jojo Fifita made a hard working seven metres to get the ball more than twenty metres away from his own try line.
Jojo Fifita’s plus speed was on display for all to see with the 50th minute when he turned and chased the Burleigh right winger forty metres before making a big tackle ten metres out from the line. Jojo Fifita gave him a fair start but caught him easily.
Once again in the 59th minute Jojo Fifita displayed that he is not afraid to get his hands dirty when he took the second hit-up from a changeover running through the centre of the field, making ten metres, six of which were post contact.
Jojo Fifita was also heavily involved in Glenn McGradey’s 71st minute try with Jojo Fifita starting the movement on the left which ended with Glenn McGradey scoring on the right. After receiving the ball Jojo Fifita who cut back towards centre field, breaking the line there before offloading to Ediq Ambrosyev who then got the ball away to his right to Jaylan To’O who then found Glenn McGradey to score on the right.
The 2021 MM Cup season of Christian Kiri.
In late October 2020, Christian Kiri was named in the 2021 Burleigh MM Cup squad and came off the bench in their first 2021 MM Cup trial against the Tweed heads Seagulls.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Christian Kiri was named 18th man against the Souths Logan Magpies before moving onto the interchange bench for Round Two against the Ipswich Jets.
Christian Kiri came into the match in the second half, playing in the front row and making a number of strong runs, the most impressive of which came in the 52nd minute with an incredible run from a penalty restart for Ipswich being off-side from a kick-off. Christian Kiri charged onto the ball initially engaging the defence eight metres into his run, but Christina Kiri continued to pump to breaking away from the three defenders who initially had confronted him. Christin Kiri was eventually brought to the ground after making twenty one metres on the best hit-up of the match.
Christian Kiri produced another strong run in the 55th minute with a run that got Burleigh into the Jets territory. After making twelve metres, Christian Kiri was brought down but was awarded a penalty when the Jets defenders tried to slow the play the ball down too much.
Christian Kiri once again started from the bench in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and also started from the bench in Round Four against the Souths Logan Magpies.
Christian Kiri was named to start from the bench in Round Five against the Ipswich Jets but ultimately was moved to the Bears extended bench late in the week and did not participate in the match.
The 2021 MM Cup season of Titans contracted Sione Fotuaika.
Sione Fotuaika started the Souths Logan Magpies final MM Cup trial in the front row against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
Sione Fotuaika had the privilege of taking the hit-up off the kick off producing a strong charge before being brought down Tweed Heads Seagulls and fellow Titans contracted forwards Ryan Foran and Jack Cullen.
Sione Fotuaika continued to make his presence felt just minutes later when he smashed Seagulls half Thomas Weaver who had looked to run the ball down a short blindside. Sione Fotuaika’s hit had his fellow Titans contracted player on his haunches for a few minutes.
Sione Fotuaika also produced another strong charge from the kick-off after Souths Logan’s one and only try of the match in the opening minutes and then produced another strong first quarter charge making twelve metres before being rested until coming back on in the final quarter.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Sione Fotuaika started in the front row against the Burleigh Bears making his presence felt in the match on just the second hit after Burleigh had kicked off with Sione Fotuaika charging ten metres downfield. Sione Fotuaika made a further ten metres in the 9th metre with another straight charge into the heart of the Burleigh forward pack.
In the 52nd minute, Sione Fotuaika once again gained an impressive amount of ground before off-loading to his left to fellow Titan EJ Finau to gain an additional twenty metres from inside their own territory.
Round Two against the Tweed Heads Seagulls saw Sione Fotuaika move to the bench and he also started from the bench in Round Three against the Ipswich Jets.
Round Four against the Burleigh Bears saw Sione Fotuaika move back to the Magpies extended bench for their match against the Burleigh Bears and for Round Five against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
The 2021 MM Cup season of Titan Ezra Ubaldino.
Ezra Ubaldino’s first hit-out with the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup side came when he started at left centre in the Bears second trial against the Easts Tigers with Burleigh prevailing 20 – 12 in a match where no conversions were taken.
Ezra Ubaldino was not given much room by the Easts Tigers defence in attack but he found some space in the 52nd minute, making a half break. Ezra Ubaldino immediately tried to get to his feet when the tackle as completed but won a penalty for Burleigh when he was not allowed to get to his feet. Burleigh scored from the resultant set of six tackles.
From a defensive standpoint in the 34th minute, Ezra Ubaldino was on hand accompanied by Delahia Wigmore to force the Easts Tigers fullback over the dead ball line as force a goal line drop out. Ezra Ubaldino produced another strong tackle in the 63rd minute of the match when he and Seth Nikotemo combined to smash the Easts second rower who had tried to run the ball off the back of an Easts Tigers scrum win. The contact forced the ball lose for a Titans scrum feed with Syris Schmidt scoring from the resultant set of six tackles.
After missing a number of weeks, Ezra Ubaldino was named on the Bears extended bench for Round Five against the Ipswich Jets however started the match at left second row.
In the 13th minute, Ezra Ubaldino showed what he can do when he receives the ball with room to move making thirteen metres, and then as he was trying to get to his feet quickly Ezra Ubaldino was held down for too long to receive a penalty. Ezra Ubaldino produced another strong run from the third hit-up from the tape restart from the penalty that he had previously been awarded.
Round Six being the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition saw Ezra Ubaldino once again line up at left second row in the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and was the Bears first try scorer in their last minute 34 – 30 victory.
Ezra Ubaldino’s try came in the 14th minute when he ran at a gap on the left side of the field from ten metres out and was presented with a perfectly timed pass from his right to put him through the gap by Syris Schmidt with Ezra Ubaldino then running to the line untouched to score ten metres in from the left corner post.
Ezra Ubaldino was his usual aggressive self in the match, including in defence in the 64th minute when Ezra Ubaldino raced up and smashed one of the Tweed Heads front rowers with Ezra Ubaldino’s initial contact jarring the ball loose.
The 2021 MM Cup season of Delahia Wigmore.
In late October 2020, Delahia Wigmore was named in the 2021 Burleigh MM Cup squad and came off the bench in their first 2021 MM Cup trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls. Delahia Wigmore moved in the starting side at left second row for Burleigh’s second trial against the Easts Tigers at Langland’s Park.
Delahia Wigmore had a very impressive trial against the Easts Tigers building into the match in the opening minutes with a great right arm offload to Caleb Gould-Waiariki. Delahia Wigmore made a strong fifteen metre run in the 40th minute when he ran off a Jye Gray pass on the left side of the field, breaking three tackles one of which was as a result of Delahia Wigmore spinning counter clockwise to break the tackle and gain more ground after his separation from the defender.
From a defensive standpoint in the 34th minute, Delahia Wigmore was on hand and accompanied by Ezra Ubaldino to force the Easts Tigers fullback over the dead ball line to force a goal line drop out to keep Burleigh on the attack.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Delahia Wigmore started at left centre against the Souths Logan Magpies after playing the 2021 trials at left second row. Delahia Wigmore was one of Burleigh’s try scorers in their 38 – 28 first up trial victory.
Delahia Wigmore’s try came in the 25th minute when he backed up on the inside of a long break down the left touchline by Jeremaiah Temapo which started on the halfway. Jeremaiah Temapo drew the fullback before passing to his right to Delahia Wigmore who ran twenty metres to score.
In the 6th minute of the first half, Delahia Wigmore was able to showcase his speed when he made a line break down the left touchline from inside his own territory before passing inside to his right to Jye Gray who then kicked ahead.
In the 22nd minute of the first half, Delahia Wigmore’s pace was once again to the fore when he received an off-load from front rower C****n Patu and burst down the left fourteen metres, dragging three defenders with him.
In the 55th minute, Delahia Wigmore showed that he is far more than just an attacking threat when he came out of the line to smash Souths Logan five eight Ezra Mam and as a result of Delahia Wigmore’s initial contact, the ball came loose.
Delahia Wigmore was named to start at left centre in Round Two against the Ipswich Jets but after a late team change in fact started the match at left second row.
The match get tense and physical in the middle of the first half and Delahia Wigmore is in the thick of it all, including a powerful tackle break down the left side of the left in the 10th minute, with Delahia Wigmore’s run accounting for fifteen metres to bring Burleigh into the Ipswich Jets twenty metre area.
In the 13th minute Delahia Wigmore made a line break after receiving an offload from Brody Smitka with Delahia Wigmore bursting down field before offloading to his left with the movement making forty five metres.
Delahia Wigmore’s match was not just all about his effectiveness running the ball, he was also impressive defensively including a heavy front on hit in the 58th minute on the Ipswich No. 16 around the halfway which rocked the head back of his much bigger opponent. Delahia Wigmore then rounded out his match with a winding run that accounted for fourteen metres to get the ball out to around the halfway mark.
Delahia Wigmore once again started at left second row in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with his first major contribution of the match coming in the 9th minute with a strong run of fourteen metres out of his own twenty metre area. As soon as he was taken to ground Delahia Wigmore fought to get to his feet quickly and was awarded a penalty when he was prevented from doing so.
Delahia Wigmore added a try assist to his solid first half when in the 33rd minute he ran to the left off the dummy half before bouncing out of a tackle to move to the left once again and throwing the final pass for Hunter Plogsma to score wide out.
The halftime break did not slow Delahia Wigmore down with the left second rower once again charging onto the ball in the 29th minute and he was able to get his arm free to offload to his left for Burleigh to continue to progress the ball upfield.
In total against the Tweed Heads Seagulls from left second row, Delahia Wigmore made an impressive 183 metres running with the ball.
Delahia Wigmore was also named to start at left second row for the pivotal Round Four match against the Souths Logan Magpies.
Delahia Wigmore was also named to start in the second row in Round Five against the Ipswich Jets however ended up starting the match at left centre.
It was a bit of a strange match for Delahia Wigmore as the ball just did not get out to his side of the field very often but he showed some touches of class when it did including in the 36th minute, when he engaged the defensive line and threw a good out of the back of his left arm off-load to Tuvalli Khan-Pereira who had loomed up in his left.
Then in the 43rd minute, Delahia Wigmore had the opportunity to run out of dummy half to his right, breaking three tackles and then producing a great off-load to his left once again to Tuvalli Khan-Pereira to get inside the Jets forty metre area.
The Ipswich defence could not stop Delahia Wigmore offloading in the second half and in the 50th once again he was able to off-load to his left, this time to Jeremaiah Tamepo.
Round Six being the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition saw Delahia Wigmore once again named to line up at left centre in the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls however he ultimately started at lock and took his first hit-up of the match in the 5th minute when he ran to the right of the play the ball to get within three metres of the try line before his forward progress was halted.
The 2021 MM Cup season of Titans contracted Immanuel Kalekale.
Immanuel Kalekale’s first hit-out with the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup side came when he started on the bench in the Bears second trial against the Easts Tigers. Immanuel Kalekale did not come into the match until the final twenty metres, playing in the front row but what a cameo appearance he made.
Immanuel Kalakale’s initial contribution was a strong twenty metre charge directly into the heart of the Tigers forward pack off a Titans penalty restart just inside Easts territory. Immanuel Kalekale contributed another strong charge in the 65th minute when he took the hit-up from the Easts Tigers kick-off from Syris Schmidt’s try. In the same set of six Immanuel Kalekale made fifteen more metres from another hit-up and was awarded a penalty when the Easts Tigers defence did not allow him to his feet quickly enough.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Immanuel Kalekale started from the bench against the Souths Logan Magpies and as him did in the trial against Easts, Immanuel Kalekale produced an impressive display starting with a moment in the 28th minute when a ball was kicked into his shins, Immanuel Kalakale retrieved the bouncing ball bursting twenty metres downfield from a standing start, breaking two tackles along the way. The second attempted tackle actually tripped Immanuel Kalekale who went to ground but was not held and whilst siting down he was able to off-load for Burleigh to make more metres.
In the final minute of the first half after Burleigh had absorbed a significant amount of pressure, Immanuel Kalekale was the release valve for the pressure with a strong ten metre run which commended from within his own twenty metre area, breaking four tackles to give Burleigh some breathing space.
After missing a number of weeks, Immanuel Kalekale was named on the Bears extended bench for Round Five against the Ipswich Jets however started the match from the bench and scoring as Burleigh overcame a 20 – 0 first half deficit to record a 44 – 26 win.
Immanuel Kalekale’s try in the 32nd minute was one of the more impressive front row tries that I have seen. Immanuel Kalekale received the ball twelve metres out from the try line to the left of the play the ball with a set defensive line in front of him. Immanuel Kalekale engaged the initial defender with a left arm fend ten metres out before engaging two additional defenders five metres out. Initially it looked like the three Jets defenders would be able to get Immanuel Kalekale to the ground but he kept fighting the defenders and was able to get the ball down under the posts.
The 2021 MM Cup season of Titans contracted Xavier Stowers.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Xavier Stowers was named to start on the bench for the Ipswich Jets against the Tweed Heads Seagulls but ended up starting the match in the front row and in fact was involved in the first tackle of the match after Ipswich kicked the ball off.
The 9th minute saw the damage that Xavier Stowers can do running with the ball when he charged onto the ball to the right of the dummy half bustling his way twelve metres before eventually being brought down just ten metres away from the try line.
Xavier Stowers was at it again just a minute later when he took the ball from a Tweed Heads drop out charging thirty five metres to get inside the Seagulls twenty before being forced to play the ball. The 23rd minute saw yet another strong run from Xavier Stowers shewing up a further twelve metres (eight post contact) to get within five metres of the Tweed Heads line.
Defensively over the course of the match, Xavier Stowers defence was just as strong as his ball running with probably his best moment from a defensive perspective coming in the 57th minute when he came out of the line and monstered Seagulls five eight Harrydon Wilson. Xavier Stowers had crunched Wilson before he even knew what was going on and with Tweed Heads just ten metres out from the line, Xavier Stowers tackle completely shut down all of the momentum.
Xavier Stowers was immediately back on his feet at marker and moved to his right to tackle Seagulls front rower Jack Cullen around the legs with a copy book low tackle.
Xavier Stowers also started in the front row in Round Two against the Burleigh Bears, scoring the Jets first try in their tough loss and had a huge opening few minutes including scoring a powerhouse try in just the 6th minute of the match.
Xavier Stowers try showcased everything that is good about his game, that being size, strength, speed and power. Ipswich restarted from a penalty ten metres out from the Bears line, just to the left of the uprights. Xavier Stowers received the ball ten metres out, running directly at the defensive line before cutting back towards the uprights, pushing off one Bears defender before spinning counter clockwise to beat two more defenders before carrying three more Burleigh defenders across the line to smash the ball down a metre to the left of the uprights.
Xavier Stowers first major contribution to the game came in just the 3rd minute with a strong ten metre charge to get Ipswich into the Burleigh forty metre area. Xavier Stowers then made significant ground in just the 5th minute. Xavier Stowers initially ran to the left of the play the ball before offloading to his left. Xavier Stowers then backed up and get the ball back from the Jets player that he had passed to, making fifteen more metres before offloading for the second time in the same movement this time to his hooker who was trailing the play through the centre of the field.
Xavier Stowers continued to make ground running the ball including in the 39th minute when he made eleven metres to get Ipswich inside the Burleigh twenty metre area.
It was not just running with the ball that made Xavier Stowers so impressive in the match, defensively he was also very strong, including a heavy tackle where he monstered Syris Schmidt who was taking a hit-up in his own territory. Xavier Stowers literally engulfed Syris Schmidt and forced the fullback backwards a number of metres.
The in the 64th minute Xavier Stowers put a massive hit on Burleigh second rower Delihia Wigmore twenty metres out from the line with the Burleigh player taking a bit of time to recover from the big hit. Then just two minutes later Xavier Stowers smashed Burleigh Jaxon Yow as he was running across field just outside the Burleigh forty metre area.
Xavier Stowers was named on the interchange bench in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies and in Round Four against the Tweed Heads Seagulls. Xavier Stowers came into the match at half time, wasting no time getting involved by taking the first hit-up of the second half after Tweed Heads kicked off the second half to get the ball out to near the twenty metre mark.
Only two minutes later in the 38th minute, Xavier Stowers one again broke tackles after making thirteen metres from a hit-up to the left of the dummy half to get two metres over the halfway mark.
Then in the 43rd minute Xavier Stowers once again ran to the left of the dummy half before cutting back towards the play the ball to make thirteen metres. Xavier Stowers bounced quickly to his feet but was dragged back down and subsequently was awarded a penalty. From the next set of six after the penalty restart, Xavier Stowers was back in the action, getting to within ten metres of the try line before twisting and offloading with his right arm to Josiah Pahulu who got within two metres of the line before finally being stopped.
Even though Ipswich were out of the match with ten minutes to go, that did not dissuade Xavier Stowers from his task and in the 62nd minute, Xavier Stowers made eleven metres from a hit-up to the right of the play the ball with more than 50% of the metres that he made from the run were post contact.
Round Five against the Burleigh Bears saw Xavier Stowers named on the Jets extended bench however he ended up starting the match from the bench and he also started from the bench in Round Six against the Souths Logan Magpies.
The 2021 MM Cup season of Tuvalli Khan-Pereira.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Tuvalli Khan-Pereira started at right centre against the Souths Logan Magpies. Tuvalli Khan-Pereira did not have too many opportunities in the match but in the 54th minute, he was able to get outside his direct opponent and throw a one armed (right arm) offload to winger Levi Jones after attracting the Souths Logan left winger but unfortunately the ball could not be taken with the line open.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira also started at right centre in Round Two against the Ipswich Jets and was one of the Bears try scorers in their impressive 44 – 16 victory.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira’s match started in interesting fashion when he took the Ipswich kick off on the full but had his legs taken out whilst he was still in the air, flipping onto his back. Fortunately Tuvalli Khan-Pereira was not injured and was awarded the penalty for being tackled in the air.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira’s try came in the 67th minute when a pass to the right cut-out Tuvalli Khan-Pereira to find Levi Jones on the right wing, near the right corner Levi Jones passed the ball inside to Tuvalli Khan-Pereira who dived over in the corner to score the final try of the match.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira shined defensively in the match including a great ball and all tackle in just the 3rd minute on the Ipswich right centre which stopped him in his tracks. Tuvalli Khan-Pereira added a further outstanding tackle to his resume when he cut down his opposing centre with an outstanding low tackle moving to his left.
In the 67th minute Tuvalli Khan-Pereira’s defence continued to be impregnable with a massive front on tackle on the Ipswich No. 20 which forced the ball loose and immediately put Burleigh back on the attack.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira once again started at right centre in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls. Whilst early in the match the ball did not find him in much space, Tuvalli Khan-Pereira was still able to contribute in attack including a strong ten metre run in the 10th minute to get the ball to the halfway mark.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira did however to produce a smart piece of play in the 65th minute that led to a line break for Levi Jones down the right wing when he caught a pass on his inside and then got a quick pass away to Jones.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira was originally named to start at right centre for Round Four match against the Souths Logan Magpies however in fact started the match at fullback. Tuvalli Khan-Pereira enjoyed the extra space afforded to him at fullback scoring one of the Bears four tries.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira also started at fullback in Round Five against the Ipswich Jets and was one of the Bears try scorers as they recorded an astonishing come from behind victory.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira scored in the 40th minute when Caleb Gould-Waiariki burst out of dummy half to his right, thirty five metres out from the line, beating two defenders before a step off his left got him through the line and then he was able to draw the fullback and offload to Tuvalli Khan-Pereira. When he received the ball it certainly was not simply a case of Tuvalli Khan-Pereira coasting to the line, he had to fight through three defenders before being able to get the ball down next to the left upright.
Burleigh were immediately under pressure in the opening moments of the match and but for Tuvalli Khan-Pereira and team mates, Arama Hau an Seth Nikotemo Ipswich would have opened the scoring in the 4th minute when the Ipswich No. 10 was held up over the line.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira’s defence was once again called upon in the 11th minute when he along with Syris Schmidt converged on the Ipswich right winger who had made a break down the touchline. The initial contact by the two Bears players kept the Jets winger off the ground and they then were able to force him into touch.
After being heavily involved defensively, Tuvalli Khan-Pereira was finally able to get some room to move with the ball in the 16th minute when he ran the ball from a Burleigh scrum win, making fifteen metres down the right to get within ten metres of the try line.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira showcased his innate ability to be at the right place at the right time in the 43rd minute, when Delahia Wigmore ran out of dummy half to his right, breaking three tackles and then producing a great off-load to his left to find Tuvalli Khan-Pereira who was able to get the ball inside the Jets forty metre area.
Round Six being the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition saw Tuvalli Khan-Pereira once again line up at fullback in the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira’s first significant impact on the match came in the 13th minute when he got into dummy half and was able to bring the ball upfield thirteen metres from inside his own territory.
The first of two line breaks that Tuvalli Khan-Pereira made in the match came in the 27th minute when he split the Seagulls line from a Bears scrum win. Tuvalli Khan-Pereira received the ball from the base of the scrum to the right and got on the outside out the Tweed Heads widest left side defender, making thirty metres down the right touchline and it looked as if Tuvalli Khan-Pereira would score in the right corner but he was bundled into touch less than a metre from the right corner post.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira’s second line break came in the 43rd minute and once again came when he made a break off a Bears scrum win. Once again Tuvalli Khan-Pereira received the ball from the base of the scrum but this time to the left of where the scrum was packed and once again was able to made nineteen metres down the left touchline only to be bundled into touch close to the left corner post.
The 2021 MM Cup season of Titans contract Joseph Shannon.
Joseph Shannon’s first hit-out with the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup side came when he started in the front row in the Bears second trial against the Easts Tigers.
After taking a head knock from the opening kick-off Joseph Shannon did not play too many minutes in the trial but still made his presence felt in the match including a huge front on tackle in just the third minute of the match to rattle the teeth of his opposite number.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Joseph Shannon started in the front row against the Souths Logan Magpies, scoring Burleigh’s try of the match and for the 2021 season for that matter.
In the 5th minute Joseph Shannon charged onto the ball from around six metres out from the line, cutting to his left immediately prior to receiving the ball from Caleb Gould-Waiariki to take advantage of a big gap. The only defender in the vicinity being the Souths Logan hooker could only hold on for the ride as Joseph Shannon carried him over the try line to get the ball down under the posts at the dressing room end of Pizzey Park.
Just after coming back onto the field early in the second half for his second stint of the match, Joseph Shannon took out his energy on the Souths Logan defensive line with a strong hit-up in the 53rd minute, when after making ten metres and attracting a multitude of Souths Logan Joseph Shannon was able to get an off-load away to Caleb Gould-Waiariki who darted another ten metres downfield.
After missing Rounds Two and Three, Joseph Shannon was named to start on the bench for Round Four match against the Souths Logan Magpies.
The 2021 MM Cup season of Titans contracted Brody Smitka.
Brody Smitka’s first hit-out with the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup side came when he started on the bench in the Bears second trial against the Easts Tigers.
Brody Smitka came onto the field mid-way through the first half and was able to score late in that half. Caleb Gould-Waiariki went into dummy half nine metres out from the Easts Tigers line directly in front of the goal posts putting in a grubber kick which pulled up nicely a metre or so from the dead ball line which was perfect for Brody Smitka to dive on in front of two Easts Tigers players much to his and his team mates delight.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Brody Smitka started at left second row against the Souths Logan Magpies and was immediately in the action making the first tackle of the match from the kick-off with Caleb Gould-Waiariki also in on the tackle.
Brody Smitka was named to start at left second row in Round Two against the Ipswich Jets but in fact actually started the match in the front row after a late week reshuffle.
Brody Smitka showed early in the match that he is more than capable of handling the rigors of playing in the centre of the field with a strong front on tackle on the Ipswich right second rower jolting the Jets players head back as a result of the initial contact.
Brody Smitka showcased his off-loading skills in the 13th minute of the match when he off-loaded a great right arm pass to his left to Delahia Wigmore who burst down field before offloading to his right with the movement making forty five metres.
Brody Smitka once again started in the front row in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls, producing a strong twenty metre run in the 9th minute that took Burleigh into Tweed Heads territory. Brody Smitka took the ball to the right of the play the ball and immediately stepped off his left foot to take him through the centre of the ruck in the area behind the play the ball.
After missing Round Four, Brody Smitka was back for Round Five against Ipswich starting the match from the bench and scoring as Burleigh came from behind to record an incredible came back victory 44 – 36.
Brody Smitka’s try in the 37th minute when Caleb Gould-Waiariki ran out of dummy half to his right before straightening up his run to freeze the defence in place before passing to his right for Brody Smitka to crash over from five metres out.
Brody Smitka then in the 45th minute charged into the Ipswich defensive line from a kick-off making twenty metres, more than a few of them post contact to get the Bears on the front foot once again.
Round Six being the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition saw Brody Smitka once again start from the bench in the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
Brody Smitka came into the match at halftime and took out his frustration of not coming on until then throughout the second half, starting by taking the second hit-up of the second half after Tweed Heads kicked-off. Brody Smitka then took the 4th hit-up of the same set of six. Then a minute later Brody Smitka made a further hit-up with the fourteen metres gained getting coming off a Burleigh penalty restart.
Brody Smitka produced yet another strong run in the 50th minute when he made a further fourteen metres from off his own goal line. Brody Smitka continued his fast start to his time on the field in the 53rd minute when he made twelve metres from a Burleigh penalty restart and once his momentum was stopped Brody Smitka got away a right arm off-load to Eren Eden who was backing up.
The 2021 MM Cup season of Titans contracted Syris Schmidt.
Syris Schmidt’s first hit-out with the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup side came when he started at fullback in the Bears second trial against the Easts Tigers scoring in the 64th minute of the match when Syris Schmidt had moved to the dummy half role for a short period of time.
Syris Schmidt showed his positioning skills early in the match when he moved quickly to his left to take an Easts attacking kick on the full and was then able to draw a penalty when he was not allowed to get to his feet to execute a quick play the ball.
Whilst Syris Schmidt had more opportunities to run the ball in the second half, it was his defensive from the fullback position early in the second half that stole the show. From Burleigh’s second half kick-off, Easts spun the ball to their left on the second tackle, splitting the Bears line and leaving Syris Schmidt confronted by two attackers. Syris Schmidt moved forward and hit the ball carrier with a solid right shoulder to the mid-rift whilst he was still trying to get his hands in the right position to pass to his left and as a result the ball went to ground and the try scoring opportunity with it.
As noted above Syris Schmidt spent some time in the dummy half role late in the match and it was whilst operating at dummy half that he scored in the 64th minute. Syris Schmidt darted to his left when he took possession a metre out dummying to his right before spinning clockwise to get the ball down under the posts.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Syris Schmidt started at fullback against the Souths Logan Magpies. Syris Schmidt’s first involvement in the match came when he chimed into the backline on Burleigh’s right side, making around ten metres before the Souths Logan left sided defence was able to halt his progress.
Only a few minutes later being in the 7th minute Syris Schmidt produced a smart piece of play to get Burleigh out of a potentially difficult situation. Syris Schmidt tracked back to retrieve a long Souths Logan kick which pulled up just two metres from the dead ball line with a plethora of Souths Logan Magpies chasers converging on him.
Syris Schmidt held his nerve, darting to his left just as the defence was about to converge on where he was. As a result of his rapid movement Syris Schmidt was able to get out of the in goal and promote the ball a few additional metres to give Burleigh some breathing space.
Syris Schmidt came to Burleigh rescue again late in the first half when he got low and stopped the Souths Logan No. 15 from sneaking over from dummy half from close range. By being low Syris Schmidt was able to put downward pressure on the shoulders of the much larger Souths Logan player thus forcing him to ground the ball short of the line.
Syris Schmidt put an exclamation mark on his solid performance with a try assist in the 64th minute of the match. Syris Schmidt came into the backline on the left, drawing two defenders before popping a short ball to his left to put replacement left centre Hunter Ploegsma over for his second try of the match.
Syris Schmidt also started at fullback in Round Two against the Ipswich Jets and had to be on the ball from a defensive perspective on a number of occasions in the opening minutes of the match.
In just the 4th minute of the match, the Ipswich left winger split the Burleigh defence through the centre of the ruck but Syris Schmidt was able to make a copy book low right shoulder tackle as the Jets winger tried to go around Syris Schmidt to his right whilst in open space, with only Syris Schmidt to beat.
Then in the 6th minute, Syris Schmidt had to rapidly more to his right and make a desperate diving low tackle with his right shoulder less than ten metres out from his own line to bring down the Ipswich five eight who had darted through the Bears defensive line and looked set to score.
It was a tough match for Syris Schmidt from an attacking perspective as the ball just did not came to him when he had room to move, either when returning kicks or when he looked to get involved up in the line. A positive point however was that Syris Schmidt really did go looking for the ball and more and more as the game went on acted as a second five eight up in the line, normally on the right, when Burleigh had the ball.
Also as he did in Round One against Souths Logan, Syris Schmidt more than held his own bringing the ball out of his own territory, normally from within his own twenty metre area, taking more than a few hit-ups one pass off the dummy half right into the heart of the massive Ipswich Jets defensive line.
Syris Schmidt once again started at fullback in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls, scoring the final try of the match as the Bears went down to their fierce rivals.
Syris Schmidt scored in the 66th minute after getting into dummy half close to the Tweed Heads line. Syris Schmidt darted to the right out of dummy half from three metres out and was able to force his way over ten metres inside the right corner post.
Syris Schmidt almost had an early try assist when in just the 5th minute of the match, he took the ball down a short right blindside putting in a deft left foot chip but Tweed Heads fullback Jaylan De Groot got across to take the ball dead fractionally in front of the Burleigh chasers.
In the 10th minute of the match it was Syris Schmidt’s turn to be on alert when he had to move quickly to his left to stop a 40/20 which was kicked out of dummy half by Tweed’s Oscar Bryant. Syris Schmidt was also on guard in the 64th minute of the match when he had to track to his right as Tweed Heads made a break from inside their own twenty metre area. Syris Schmidt was confronted by Campbell Watchairs who had made the make with support inside and out but Syris Schmidt was able to corralle the winger and prevent any further damage on the score board.
Early in the second half in the 38th minute of the match, Syris Schmidt moved into dummy half darting out of that position to the right and was able to make fifteen metres before being brought down in the tackle.
Syris Schmidt was originally named to start at fullback for Round Four match against the Souths Logan Magpies but in fact moved to start the match at halfback and also started at halfback in Round Five against the Ipswich Jets.
The match saw Syris Schmidt record a try assist in the 34th minute when he put up a left foot bomb from twenty five metres out which came down right on the touchline and was dropped by Ipswich with the Titans scooping up the miss to score next to the right upright.
Syris Schmidt’s first significant contribution to Burleigh’s come from behind win against the Jets came from the 5th tackle of the first set of the match when he put in a long raking left foot kick into the left corner with Syris Schmidt being the first Bears player down field to make the tackle.
Syris Schmidt’s defence was called upon in the 11th minute when he along with Tuvalli Khan-Pereira converged on the Ipswich right winger who had made a break down the touchline. The initial contact by the two Bears players kept the Jets winger off the ground and they then were able to force him into touch.
In the 27th minute, Syris Schmidt produced a good left foot step that resulted in a line break off a Burleigh scrum win with Syris Schmidt getting the ball to within twenty five metres of the try line.
Syris Schmidt’s all-out effort in the match was certainly to his sides benefit in the 44th minute he chased through a Burleigh bomb to the right corner. Syris Schmidt arrived just after the Jets winger feet touched the ground and with the momentum and initial contact, Syris Schmidt was able to force the winger back into his own in-goal.
Syris Schmidt produced an exceptional bomb of his own in the 67th minute when he pin point left foot bomb of his to the left corner could not be taken cleanly by the Jets winger. Burleigh scored from the subsequent scrum, which Burleigh took centre field.
Round Six being the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition saw Syris Schmidt line up at halfback in the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls recording two try assists as well as continually forcing Tweed heads back inside their own territory as a result of his judicious left foot kicking game.
Syris Schmidt’s first try assist came in the 14th minute when Ezra Ubaldino ran at a gap on the left side of the field from ten metres out and was presented with a perfectly timed pass from his right to put him through the gap by Syris Schmidt with Ezra Ubaldino then running to the line untouched to score ten metres in from the left corner post.
Syris Schmidt added his second try assist of the match in the 51st minute when he received the ball down a short left blindside, firing a cut out pass to his left from ten metres out to put Levi Jones over in the left corner.
It took only until the 6th minute for Syris Schmidt’s kicking game to come into prominence when he put in a short left foot grubber down the blindside to force a Tweed Heads line drop out.
The 2021 MM Cup season of Titans contracted Jeremaiah Temapo.
Jeremaiah Tamepo’s first hit-out with the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup side came when he started on the left wing in the Bears second trial against the Easts Tigers. In general play the ball did not get out to Jeremaiah Tamepo often but he made a lot of metres bringing the ball out of his own territory. This situation was evidenced in the 60th minute when Jeremaiah Temapo surged twelve metres out of dummy half from inside his own twenty metre line.
Jeremaiah Tamepo also made a great defensive read in the match. In the 45th minute of the match facing an overlap, Jeremaiah Tamepo came off his left wing and crunched the East Tigers right centre just as he received that ball ensuring that there was no opportunity for him to get the ball out to the unmarked Tigers right winger.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Jeremaiah Tamepo started on the left wing against the Souths Logan Magpies.
In the 25th minute Jeremaiah Tamepo was the catalyst for Delahia Wigmore to score. Jeremaiah Tamepo made a long break down the left touchline which started on the halfway. Jeremaiah Temapo drew the fullback before passing to his right to Delahia Wigmore who ran twenty metres to score.
Jeremaiah Tamepo’s effort in the 29th minute, highlighted his intelligence and positioning on the left wing. Souths Logan were attacking and with the Burleigh fullback on the other side of the field they put in a short grubber kick into the in-goal, Jeremaiah Tamepo identified the threat and positioned himself to be on hand to take possession to prevent the Souths Logan hooker from getting to the ball first.
In the second half the play seemed to be focussed on Burleigh’s right side but credit to Jeremaiah Tamepo for going to look for the ball including in the 56th minute when Jeremaiah Tamepo came off his left wing and took a hit-up from a scrum deep in Burleigh’s own territory. Jeremaiah Tamepo took the ball off the back of the scrum making twelve metres down a relatively short right blindside.
Jeremaiah Tamepo also started on the left wing in Round Two against the Ipswich Jets and was one of the Bears try scorers in their impressive 44 – 16 victory.
Jeremaiah Tamepo’s try came in the 53rd minute when he was on the end of a Burleigh backline movement to the left with Jeremaiah Tamepo receiving the ball unmarked five metres out from the line and was able to jog over untouched.
Jeremaiah Tamepo handled the early pressure easily when he leapt above everyone to take an Ipswich bomb to his left wing easily on the full ten metres out from his own try line.
Once again in the 5th minute, Jeremaiah Tamepo had to be on his game when his opposite winger temporarily got on his outside, down the left touchline but Jeremaiah Tamepo was able to track back and make a copy book low covering tackle to reign the jets winger in.
Jeremaiah Tamepo continued his strong defensive efforts in the 21st minute when he, with the assistance of Caleb Gould-Waiariki haltered the momentum of the Ipswich Jets right winger and then dragged him into touch forty metre out from the try line.
Jeremaiah Tamepo showed that he is not just all about strength when it comes to defence, when from the kick-off to the second half, he made a text book low tackle on the giant Ipswich No. 19 who was returning the kick-up, it would have been an ideal tackle to showcase in any rugby league coaching manual. Jeremaiah Tamepo followed that tackle up with a strong kick return after Ipswich kicked downfield from the final tackle in that same set of six.
Jeremaiah Tamepo just could not stay out of the match early in the second half and in the 43rd minute swooped on an Ipswich dropped ball, sprinting twenty eight metres down the left touch line before being rounded up.
Jeremaiah Tamepo once again started on the left wing in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls scoring in the second half and overall having a very very good game for the Bears including standing up well to a plethora of high kicks directed towards his wing by Thomas Weaver. Although Jeremaiah Tamepo started the match on the left wing, he in fact moved to left centre late in the first half.
Jeremaiah Tamepo’s try came in the 57th minute of the match when he dived over in the left corner after Burleigh lock Arama Hau threw a great right arm off-load to an unmarked Jeremaiah Tamepo to run fifteen metres to score in the left corner.
Jeremaiah Tamepo also worked hard bringing the ball out of his team’s territory including a twelve metre effort in the 19th minute which saw Jeremaiah Tamepo bring the ball out of Burleigh’s twenty metre area.
Once again in the 33rd minute Jeremaiah Tamepo took the responsibility of taking the ball up when he ran the ball back from a kick-off making a solid fourteen metres.
Late in the match Jeremaiah Tamepo had to contend with a Thomas Weaver bomb barrage to his left side of the field, the first coming in the 64th minute but Jeremaiah Tamepo was able to get above the Seagulls chasers to take the ball on the full just out from his own try line and them a couple of minutes later had to replicate the play as another huge bomb came in his direction.
Jeremaiah Tamepo was also named to start on the left wing for Round Four match against the Souths Logan Magpies and was one of the Bears try scorers in their tough loss to the Magpies.
Jeremaiah Tamepo also started on the left wing in Round Five against the Ipswich Jets and made his presence felt in the 3rd minute when Ipswich manufactured an overlap to their left side, but Jeremaiah Tamepo identified that the overlap was developing and came out of the line quickly to hit the Ipswich left centre just as he received the ball to shut down the movement on the spot.
With Burleigh under pressure early in the match, Jeremaiah Tamepo came off his wing in the 12th minute to take pressure off his forwards, taking a hit-up from a Burleigh play the ball restart with Jeremaiah Tamepo able to make twelve valuable metres.
Jeremaiah Tamepo came close to scoring in the 17th minute when he was able to get away near the left corner but only the intervention of three Ipswich defenders were able to stop him and bundle him into touch just a metre short of the line.
With Burleigh under pressure towards the end of the match, in the 66th minute to be precise, Jeremaiah Tamepo came all the way from his left wing to the right side of the field to help Burleigh bring the ball out of their own territory with the resultant hit-up making ten metres to get Burleigh out to near their own thirty metre line.
Round Six being the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition saw Jeremaiah Tamepo named once again line up on the left wing in the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls however he ended up starting the match at left centre.
From the left centre position Jeremaiah Tamepo took the first Burleigh run of the match when from a scrum win in his own territory Jeremaiah Tamepo was able to make ten metres. Jeremaiah Tamepo was involved again in the 13th minute with a strong twelve metre run out of dummy half and after not being allowed to his feet quickly Jeremaiah Tamepo was awarded a penalty.
From left centre once again in the 50th minute Jeremaiah Tamepo made a bumping run of fifteen metres to get the bell thirty five metres away from his own try line.
The 2021 MM Cup season of Titans contracted Seth Nikotemo.
Seth Nikotemo’s first hit-out with the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup side came when he started in the right second row position in the Bears second trial against the Easts Tigers.
Seth Nikotemo produced a strong tackle in the 63rd minute of the match when he and Ezra Ubaldino combined to smash the Easts second rower who had tried to run the ball off the back of an Easts Tigers scrum win. The contact forced the ball lose for a Titans scrum feed with yris Schmidt scoring from the resultant set of six tackles.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Seth Nikotemo started at right second row against the Souths Logan Magpies, putting in a solid performance in Burleigh’s impressive 38 – 28 victory.
In the 20th minute Seth Nikotemo showed just who hard he always tries when Burleigh dropped the ball whislt on the attack, the ball was scooped up by the Souths Logan left winger and it looked for all money that he was going to streak away to score, but Seth Nikotemo turned and chased and took the wingers legs from under him in a copy book cover defending tackle.
Seth Nikotemo was strong defensive once again in the 29th minute when he hit the Souths Logan No. 15 with a strong front on tackle as the Souths Logan player was returning a forced goal line drop out by Burleigh. Seth Nikotemo’s initial forced the ball loose to take all of the pressure off the Burleigh defence.
Just prior to half time Seth Nikotemo produced his third impressive defensive play of the half when he produced a great low tackle on Souths Logan’s Ezra Mam who looked like he was through the gap and set to score.
Seth Nikotemo also started at right second row in Round Two against the Ipswich Jets and had his first touch early when he took the hit-up from the penalty restart after Burleigh received a penalty from the kick-off. Seth Nikotemo was then on hand to take the 4th hit-up in the same set of six. Seth Nikotemo then backed up to take another hit-up in the 4th minute of the match.
Seth Nikotemo continued his strong efforts running the ball in the 18th minute when he produced a strong effort of thirteen metres down the left side of the field, winning a penalty as a result of not being allowed to get to his feet quickly to play the ball. Seth Nikotemo then backed up to take the hit-up from the resultant penalty restart.
In the 47th minute, Seth Nikotemo continued his strong match with a run that made thirteen metres for Burleigh to get the ball out to the forty metre mark and then Seth Nikotemo was awarded a penalty for the Jets defence not allowing him to get to his feet for a quick play the ball.
Seth Nikotemo showed his athleticism in the 54th minute when Ipswich restarted the match with a short high kick-off to their left after Jeremaiah Tamepo scored for Burleigh. Seth Nikotemo jumped high to take the kick on the full under heavy pressure above the Ipswich players chasing the ball through. Seth Nikotemo then did not rest on his laurels taking a hit-up later in the same set of six tackles.
Seth Nikotemo’s side of the field was targeted for another short high Jets kick-off in the 67th minute after Tuvalli Khan-Pereira’s try but once again Seth Nikotemo was up to the task, jumping high to take the ball on the full. When he hit the ground, Seth Nikotemo spun clockwise to break through the Jets defensive line and was able to get the ball twenty metres upfield into Jets territory and then provided a good offload to Kaden Sommerville to keep the movement going.
Seth Nikotemo added to his impressive performance in the 69th minute with a great low left shoulder tackle on rampaging Ipswich Jets lock Josiah Pahulu, with the tackle cutting the fellow Titans legs out from under him.
Seth Nikotemo once again started at right second row in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls. In the 9th minute of the match, Seth Nikotemo took the Tweed Heads defence by surprise when as he ran at the line from ten metres out on the right side of the field he put in a great chip kick. But for a diving Keano Kini the kick would have resulted in a Burleigh try.
Seth Nikotemo continued his strong contribution in the 11th minute with a bustling run of thirteen minutes which got Burleigh within three metres of Tweed Heads line.
Seth Nikotemo also had a strong match defensively in the local derby and produced an outstanding tackle in the last play of the first half with a great front on hit on Seagulls Keano Kini who close to the Burleigh line looped around behind Thomas Weaver, but Seth Nikotemo read the play and crunched Kini just after he received the ball.
Seth Nikotemo was also named to start at right second row for Round Four match against the Souths Logan Magpies
Seth Nikotemo also started at right second row in Round Five against the Ipswich Jets with Seth Nikotemo recording a second half try assist.
Seth Nikotemo’s try assist came in the 52nd minute when Seth Nikotemo received the ball from his left. As soon as he took possession was immediately under pressure from a Jets defender, but Seth Nikotemo maintained his composure and was able to get the ball over the top of the engaged defender to an unmarked Hunter Ploegsma who crossed after a ten metre run.
Seth Nikotemo continued his solid match with a 66th minute run that accounted for fifteen metres of ground to get Burleigh into Jets territory.
Burleigh were immediately under pressure in the opening moments of the match and but for Seth Nikotemo and team mates, Arama Hau and Tuvalli Khan-Pereira, Ipswich would have opened the scoring in the 4th minute when the Ipswich No. 10 was held up over the line.
With the Ipswich defensive line under all sorts of pressure in the early minutes of the match, it was with his defence that enabled Seth Nikotemo to make an impact. In the 13th minute Seth Nikotemo produced a driving tackle on Ipswich front rower Josiah Pahulu, stopping his momentum with his initial and then driving him back. Following that in the same set of six, Seth Nikotemo smashed the Ipswich left centre forcing the ball loose through the contact.
Early in the second half Seth Nikotemo was able to maintain Burleigh’s early momentum in the half with a strong ten metre run that finished twenty eight metres out and culminated with an exceptionally quick play the ball.
Round Six being the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition saw Seth Nikotemo once again line up at right second row in the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Seth Kikotemo scoring a double in the Bears last minute 34 – 30 victory.
Seth Nikotemo’s opening try came in the 18th minute when from dummy half, Bears hooker Caleb Gould-Waiariki put in a short right foot kick through the Seagulls line with right second rower Seth Nikotemo timing his run perfectly to get the ball down easily on the right side of the field.
Seth Nikotemo’s second try came in the 65th minute and got Burleigh within two points of the Seagulls. Seth Nikotemo ran a good line on the right, receiving a short pass from Caleb Gould-Waiariki from his left. As he hit the Seagulls defensive line, Seth Nikotemo twisted clockwise to gain separation actually being caught up and falling to the ground, but Seth Nikotemo quickly realised that he was not held and dived over ten metres to the right of the uprights.
Evan before he scored his first try of the match, Seth Nikotemo was having a strong match including a strong run in the 13th minute when he easily pushed off one defender and dragged another to make twelve metres and get within six metres of the tryline. After Seth Nikotemo’s quick play the ball Ezra Ubaldino was able to score for Burleigh on the opposite side of the field.
From the 4th hit-up from the kick-off restart for his first try, Seth Nikotemo made a strong fifteen metre run to within ten metres of the tryl line after Tweed Heads were penalised from the kick-off.
With Burleigh chasing the match in the 63rd minute, Seth Nikotemo made a hard twelve metres, pushing off one would be defender to get the ball thirty metres away from the try line.
The 2021 MM Cup season of Titans contract Caleb Gould-Waiariki.
Caleb Gould Waiariki’s first hit-out with the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup side came when he started at hooker in the Bears second trial against the Easts Tigers.
Caleb Gould-Waiakiri made his presence felt early in the match when in just the 6th minute he burst out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball splitting the Easts Tigers defensive line before finding right centre Tuvalli Khan-Pereira who in turn put winger Levi Jones over to score in the right corner.
Caleb Gould-Waiariki recorded a try assist of his own in the 34th minute with a deft right foot kick out of dummy half. Caleb Gould-Waiariki went into dummy half nine metres out from the Easts Tigers line directly in front of the goal posts. When the ball was played Caleb Gould-Waiariki took a step back and to the left before putting in the grubber kick which pulled up nicely a metre or so from the dead ball line which was perfect for Brody Smitka to dive on in front of two Easts Tigers players.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Caleb Gould-Waiariki started at hooker against the Souths Logan Magpies and was immediately in the action making the first tackle of the match from the kick-off with Brody Smitka also in on the tackle.
Caleb Gould Waiariki was heavily involved in Burleigh’s opening try of the match when in the 5th minute Joseph Shannon charged onto the ball from around six metres out from the line, cutting to his left immediately prior to receiving the ball from Caleb Gould-Waiariki to take advantage of a big gap. The only defender in the vicinity being the Souths Logan hooker could only hold on for the ride as Joseph Shannon carried him over the try line to get the ball down under the posts at the dressing room end of Pizzey Park.
In the 26th minute of the match Caleb Gould-Waiariki produced what must already be a contender for tackle of the year. Souths Logan Magpies lock Vincent Sefo fly into the ball from close range and looked as if he was going to score under the posts untouched. Caleb Gould-Waiariki however came from the clouds, moving to his right and got hold of Sefo, twisting him clockwise and then as the two players were falling to the ground in the in-goal, Caleb Gould-Waiariki was able to twist under Sefo’s body and keep the ball from getting to the ground. I could use a thousand words to try to describe the tackle but nothing but seeing the tackle can do justice to just how good the tackle was.
in the 53rd minute, Caleb Gould-Waiariki showed that he is always concentrating when after making ten metres and attracting a multitude of Souths Logan Burleigh front rower Joseph Shannon was able to get an off-load away to Caleb Gould-Waiariki who darted another ten metres downfield.
Caleb Gould-Waiariki also started at hooker in Round Two against the Ipswich Jets and scored a double for the Bears in their impressive 44 – 16 victory and making the first of many darts out of dummy half in the 4th minute of the match.
Caleb Gould-Waiariki scored his first try in the 29th minute when he dived out of dummy half from less than a metre away from the line to the right of the play the ball to get the ball down under the posts.
Caleb Gould-Waiariki’s second try of the match came in the 49th minute of the match with another darting run out of dummy half. Caleb Gould-Waiariki was at dummy half ten metres out from the Jets line directly in front of the goal posts. Caleb Gould-Waiariki darted out of dummy half to right before cutting back to his left two to find space before straightening up and diving over adjacent to the left goal post.
In the 9th minute Caleb Gould-Waiariki was part of a long Burleigh break down the left side of the field. Arama Hau took the ball off Caleb Gould-Waiariki who was the dummy half and after a bustling ten metre, run off-loaded to Caleb Gould Waiariki who darted thirty metres down field with Arama Hau scoring just two tackles later.
Caleb Gould-Waiariki produced a smart piece of play in the 13th minute of the first half, Caleb Gould-Waiariki went into dummy half around ten metres out from the line on the final tackle. Caleb Gould-Waiariki moved out of dummy half to his left, putting in a strong stab kick in the same direction, the kick bounced off a number of legs and had to be forced in-goal by the Ipswich fullback.
Caleb Gould-Waiariki produced a strong defensive effort in the 21st minute when he, with the assistance of Jeremaiah Tamepo halted the momentum of the Ipswich Jets right winger and then dragged him into touch forty metre out from the try line.
After missing Round Three Caleb Gould-Waiariki was named to start at hooker for Round Four match against the Souths Logan Magpies.
Caleb Gould-Waiariki also started at hooker in Round Five against the Ipswich Jets scoring the final try of the match in Burleigh’s remarkable victory.
Caleb Gould-Waiariki’s try came in the 68th minute to seal the Bears come from behind victory. Caleb Gould-Waiariki packed into a scrum at lock after Burleigh were awarded a scrum feed that they took in the middle of the field ten metres out after a Syris Schmidt bomb to the left wing was dropped by the Jets.
From the back of the scrum, Caleb Gould-Waiariki initially dummied to his left before running himself and ran ten metres untouched to score next to the left upright.
Caleb Gould-Waiariki also recorded a try assist in the match when in the 37thth minute he ran out of dummy half to his right before straightening up his run to freeze the defence in place before passing to his right for Brody Smitka to crash over from five metres out.
Just three minute Caleb Gould-Waiariki added a second try assist when in the 37thth minute he burst out of dummy half to his right, thirty five metres out from the line, beating two defenders before a step off his left got him through the line and then Caleb Gould-Waiariki was able to draw the fullback and offload to Tuvalli Khan-Pereira who was backing up to crash over.
Caleb Gould-Waiariki was in the match early making the first of his many forays out of dummy half on the third play the ball of the match when he darted to his right.
Caleb Gould-Waiariki produced an outstanding and smart piece of play in the 26th minute. With Ipswich playing the ball less than a metre out from the Bears line, Caleb Gould-Waiariki positioned himself to the right of the play the ball and as soon as the ball was played bolted forward, timing his run perfectly to intercept the pass from the dummy half and getting the ball twenty five metres out from his own line.
Round Six being the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition saw Caleb Gould-Waiariki once again line up at hooker in the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Caleb Gould-Waiariki scoring the match winning try in the 68th minute of Burleigh’s 34 – 20 come from behind victory.
With Burleigh down by two points with less than two minutes remaining Caleb Gould-Waiariki was the Bears hero. Still playing at halfback on the right side of the field, Caleb Gould-Waiariki received the ball from the dummy half twelve metres out from the line, and after extravagantly dummying to his left, cut back to his right and charged diagonally back towards the uprights diving over three metres from the right upright.
In addition to his last match heroics, Caleb Gould-Waiariki also recorded an 18th minute try assist when from dummy half two minutes out from the line, Caleb Gould-Waiariki put in a short right foot kick through the Seagulls line with right second rower Seth Nikotemo timing his run perfectly to get the ball down easily on the right side of the field.
Caleb Gould-Waiariki recorded a second try assist in the 65th minute when he took the ball to the line and proved a good short ball to his right to put Seth Nikotemo into a gap and after fighting hard, Seth Nikotemo was able to crash over ten metres to the right of the uprights.
In the second half Caleb Gould-Waiariki moved to halfback with Eren Eden coming off the bench to play in the dummy half role, but the position change in no way affected Caleb Gould-Waiariki’s significant contribution to Burleigh last gasp victory.
Caleb Gould-Waiariki made a line break from the halfback position in the 55th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball, Caleb Gould-Waiariki cut back to his left from fourteen metres from the line, breaking two tackles to get to within a metre of the line next to the left upright and was then awarded a penalty for interference in the play the ball.
Defensively Caleb Gould-Waiariki had some good moments in the match, including in the 49th minute when a driving tackle on the Tweed Heads right winger forced him back three metres.
The 2021 MM Cup season of Titans contracted EJ Finau.
In 2021 EJ Finau was part of the Souths Logan MM Cup squad, starting Round One against the Burleigh Bears in the left second row position. EJ Finau made his first telling contribution in the match with a strong twenty metre charge from a hit-up to the left of the play the ball with the hit-up being the second from a Burleigh goal line drop out to restart play. EJ Finau broke two tackles in the run with more than 50% of his metres being made post contact.
EJ Finau produced another powerful run in the 25th minute, when from a hit-up from a penalty restart, he charged straight at the set Burleigh defensive line and made thirteen metres to get within 30 centremetres of the line through sheer determination and leg drive.
EJ Finau was at his barnstorming best once again late in the first half when he cut in behind the play the ball from a hit-up surging fifteen metres to get Souths Logan to within ten metres of the Burleigh line.
Half time did not halt EJ Finau’s momentum as in the 42nd minute, he once again charged onto the ball bustling his way to a ten metre gain before offloading to his support to keep the ball moving for Souths Logan.
Just five minutes later in the 47th minute another EJ Finau charge resulted in sixteen more metre gained for South Logan down the left by EJ Finau.
In the 52nd minute, EJ Finau took advantage of a good off-load from Sione Fotuaika to gain an additional twenty metres from inside Souths Logan’s own territory.
EJ Finau also started at left second row in Round Two against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and was one of the Magpies best in their tough eight point loss. EJ FInau was in the match early, taking the second hit-up of the match, making twelve hard tough metres.
EJ FInau also produced a strong charge from the kick-off to Souths Logan’s first try scored by Princton Esera. From the kick-off EJ Finau, in the 15th minute, threw himself at the defensive line forcing his way forward.
Just a minute later, EJ Finau scored a strong try on the left side of the field. EJ Finau received the ball eleven metres out and ran straight over the top of Harrydon Wilson and dragged three Seagulls defenders over the line to put the ball down three metres in from the left corner post to put the Magpies in front in the match.
EJ FInau continued his strong match in the second half with a run that made ten hard fought metres to get Souths Logan with ten metres of the try line.
EJ Finau was named at left second row once again in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies and in Round Four against the Burleigh Bears as well as in Round Five against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
Round Six being the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition saw EJ Finau named to line up at left second row against the Ipswich Jets however he was a late scratching from the match.
The 2021 MM Cup season of Titans contracted Arama Hau.
Arama Hau’s first hit-out with the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup side came when he started at lock in the Bears second trial against the Easts Tigers.
Arama Hau had a very impressive trial building into the match in the opening minutes with a great charge in just the 2nd minute of the match, making eight metre post contact. Arama Hau was at it again in the 12th minute of the match when another powerful charge from inside his own territory netted sixteen hard fought metres. As he tried to get to his feet after the strong run Arama Hau was held down thus winning the Titans well deserved penalty.
Arama Hau continued his great running in the 33rd minute with another strong carry, making a further twelve metres, plenty of which was post contact. Arama Hau impressively in the final minute was still running as hard as he had in the opening minutes, making a further twelve metres in his last hit-out of the match.
Arama Hau was just as effective defensively in the match including a huge front on tackle on the Easts No. 20 in the 25th minute just saw the ball jolted lose such was the force of Arama Hau’s initial contact on the ball carrier.
Also in the 50th minute, Arama Hau came out of the line when defending on the right of the ruck to smash his opposite number dropping him on the spot as he was trying to bring the ball out of his own territory.
After missing Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition Arama Hau was named to start at lock for Round Two against the Ipswich Jets and was one of the Bears try scorers in their impressive 44 – 16 victory.
Arama Hau had a strong first half with his try coming in the 10th minute of the match. Arama Hau ran the ball to the right, starting his run from eleven metres out. Arama Hau cut back off his left foot on two occasions getting Arama Hau in the area behind the play the ball and once there Arama Hau straightened out to burst through and score three metres from the left upright.
A minute prior to scoring, Arama Hau was also part of a long Burleigh break down the left side of the field. Arama Hau took the ball off Caleb Gould-Waiariki who was the dummy half and after a bustling ten metre, run off-loaded to Caleb Gould Waiariki who darted thirty metres down field with Arama Hau scoring just two tackles later.
Arama Hau continued his powerful running post his try, including in the 13th minute when he charged to his right, making ten metres before offloading to his right to Tuvalli Khan-Pereira to keep the movement going in the Ipswich Jets twenty metre area.
In the 46th minute, Arama Hau continued to be almost unstoppable with a seventeen metre run from a play the ball restart with at least eleven of those metres post contact as he fought with the Jets defenders who found it difficult to get Arama Hau to the ground.
Arama Hau was at it again in the 63rd minute with a skilful display of his hand/eye co-ordination. With Ipswich on the attack close to the line, the Jets five eight put in a hard grubber kick, Arama Hau got low and scooped the ball up from around ankle height cleanly five metres out and immediately accelerated to get the ball to near the twenty metre mark and take all of the pressure of the Burleigh defence.
Arama Hau just could not be kept out of the match and in the 66th minute, produced a winding run that made ten metres, breaking two tackles along the way to get the ball to the Ipswich twenty metre mark.
Even with the match won, Arama Hau just kept going and in the 69th minute, Arama Hau made twelve more metres to add to his impressive match total, with the effort bringing the ball out to the twenty metre mark.
Arama Hau once again started at lock in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and for me was the best player on the field on the way to recording a try assist and at least two line break assists.
Arama Hau’s first contribution of the match came in the opening tackle of the match when he monstered Tweed Heads lock Jordan Lewis after Burleigh were penalised for being offside from the kick-off. Arama Hau backed that tackle up by then tackling Jack Cullen who took the next hit-up.
Over the course of the match against the Seagulls Arama Hau provided extremely difficult to get to the ground and that was the case in the 6th minute when Arama Hau was able to get a great one handed off-load for Brody Smitka to promote the ball forward.
Just three minutes later in the 9th minute Arama Hau produced a big run of eighteen metres. Arama Hau was initially hit by the defence after just eight metres but he just kept fighting forward to gain ten post contact metres.
Arama Hau’s huge match continued in the 12th minute with a ten metre charge before a right arm off-load by Arama Hau to Kaden Somerville enabled Burleigh to continue to make ground.
Just five minutes later in the 17th minute saw Arama Hau once again make significant metres, this time twenty metres, breaking three tackles along the journey to get Burleigh just over the halfway mark.
The halftime break did not slow Arama Hau down as in the 41st minute of the match he charged onto the ball to the left of the dummy half for all intents and purposes looking like he was going to take the ball into the defensive line but at the last moment before contact Arama Hau threw a great short ball to his left to C****n Patu in space to record a line break assist.
After Patu was brought down Arama Hau flew onto the ball from Patu’s play the ball engaging the Seagulls defensive line before throwing a great left arm offload to his left to put Travis May into a big gap (another line break assist for Arama Hau) with the Burleigh five eight getting to within ten metres of the try line.
Then in the 53rd minute Arama Hau produced another strong run to the left of the play the ball breaking four tackles on the way to making eighteen metres to get the ball close to the twenty metre mark.
After that exceptional sequence of events most players would have sat back for a couple of minutes but not Arama Hau as in the 57th minute he charged onto the ball on the left side of the field, surging twenty metres including a clockwise spin to break one tackle then Arama Hau threw a great right arm off-load to an unmarked Jeremaiah Temapo to run fifteen metres to score in the left corner.
Arama Hau followed his try assist up in the 63rd minute with yet another strong run on the left before cutting back to the right side of the field and offloading to Tuvalli Khan-Pereira who as able to get the ball to within fifteen metres of the try line. Arama Hau’s run gaining fifteen metres.
Arama Hau was also named to start at lock for Round Four match against the Souths Logan Magpies.
Arama Hau also started at lock in Round Five against the Ipswich Jets. Burleigh were immediately under pressure in the opening moments of the match and but for Arama Hau and team mates, Seth Nikotemo and Tuvalli Khan-Pereira, Ipswich would have opened the scoring in the 4th minute when the Ipswich No. 10 was held up over the line.
Arama then rocked the entire Cbus stadium with a huge hit on the Ipswich lock early in the first half who had run an underneath route running right into the shoulder of Arama Hau who certainly did not miss.
Arama Hau was involved in an even bigger earth trembling collision when in the 58th minute he smashed into Ipswich front rower and fellow Titan Josiah Pahulu after a Burleigh kick-off with the contact stopping both players in their tracks, it was great to see and let’s call the outcome a draw!
In the 51st Arama Hau contribution to the Bears comeback victory moved to his running game when he produced a strong run into the defensive before he spun around and got away a right arm offload to Delahia Wigmore who was able to get to within five metres of the try line.
Arama Hau then backed that effort up by taking the hit-up after Wigmore had played the ball, offloading once again, this time to his right, two further passes to the right later, Burleigh scored near the right corner.
Round Six being the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition saw Arama Hau once again named at lock in the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls however he was a late scratching from the match.
The 2021 MM Cup season of Titans contracted Josiah Pahulu.
Josiah Pahulu commenced his 2021 MM Cup campaign for the Ipswich Jets starting at lock against the Western Mustangs and also started at lock in the Jets second MM Cup trial against the Easts Tigers.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Josiah Pahulu was named to start in the front row against the Tweed Heads Seagulls but ended up starting the match at lock and was in the action almost immediately when he made solid contact on fellow Titans contracted forward Ryan Foran who has making just the third hit-up of the match.
One of the best of Joshia Pahulu’s carriers with the ball came in the 10th minute of the match when he took the ball to the right of the dummy half and dragged defenders around ten metres before being stopped less than ten metres away from the try line.
As he was in the first half it did not take long for Josiah Pahulu to get involved in the second with a strong second hit-up of the second half.
Round Two against the Burleigh Bears saw Josiah Puhulu started at lock and a strong charge which made eleven metres into the Bears ten metre zone was a sign of things to come. Josiah Pahulu produced a further strong run in the 26th minute with a charge into Burleigh’s territory that accounted for fifteen metres.
Early in the second half Josiah Pahulu was everywhere for the Jets looking to get them back into the match, starting with a strong charge from just the second hit-up of the second half. A minute later Josiah Pahulu once again took the ball into the Burleigh defensive line, making ten metres to get the ball of the Ipswich twenty metre zone and then from a penalty restart made a further ten metres, then from the third tackle in that same set of six was yet another run of around ten metres.
Josiah Pahulu continued his strong second half performance in the 53rd minute with a powerful run that netted eighteen metres to get the bell within twelve metres of the Bears try line. Even with the match out of Ipswich’s reach, Josiah Pahulu continued to keep trying as was evidenced by a fifteen metre rumble through centre field in the 68th minute of the match.
Josiah Pahulu was named in the front row in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies and was one of the Jets best on the way to making 128 metres, with a fair percentage of those metres being post contact metres.
Josiah Pahulu also started in the front row in Round Four against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and was one of the best players on the field. Josiah Pahulu made an immediate impact in the match with a strong twelve metre run over the halfway mark in Ipswich’s first set of six in the match and continued on from there.
In just the 3rd minute of the match, Josiah Pahulu produced another strong charge of the ball down a short blindside on the left to bring the ball over the halfway mark, making twelve metres and then Josiah Pahulu made a further fifteen metres later in the same set of six tackles that took the Jets into their attacking twenty metre zone.
Even the incredibly hot conditions that the match was played in could not stop Josiah Pahulu as in the 9th minute, Josiah Pahulu once again ran the ball into the Tweed Heads defensive line, making a strong run to the twenty metre mark and was then awarded a penalty after the Tweed Heads defensive line refused to allow him to his feet to get a quick play the ball.
Then in the 15th minute, Josiah Pahulu made an impressive eighteen metre charge from an Ipswich penalty restart to get Ipswich to near their attacking twenty metre zone. Josiah Pahulu once again proved difficult to handle in the 26th minute making thirteen metres over the halfway and once again was awarded a penalty after the Seagulls defence laid all over him to prevent the quick play the ball.
After playing the entire thirty five minutes of the first half Josiah Pahulu was back into the action when he took the second hit-up of the second half to get the bell to the Ipswich thirty metre line.
Josiah Pahulu then produced his best run of the match in the 38th minute when he charged onto the ball near the half way mark, tearing through the centre of the Seagulls ruck and running over the Tweed Heads fullback before being dragged down from behind around ten metres out.
After that long line break Josiah Pahulu did not rest on his laurels and was back in the action in the 59th minute with a fifteen metre run to get the ball to the forty metre mark.
Defensively Josiah Pahulu was also exceptional against Tweed Heads producing a number of crunching tackles including in the 42nd minute on Tweed Heads forward Bailey Martin but it was a tackle in the 40th minute that really stood out for me. Coming out from their own territory, Ipswich turned the ball over with it being picked up by Seagulls winger Kruz Remine who darted away, somehow Josiah Pahulu willed himself to chase back and drag the Seagulls winger down from behind less than ten metres away from the try line even though the winger had a head start on Josiah Pahulu.
The match also showed that Josiah Pahulu does not just put his head down and run at the line. In the 67th minute, Josiah Pahulu received the ball on the left side of the field and charged at the line, but just before he was set to contact the defence, Josiah Pahulu propped and send a well weighted pass to his left to put Xavier Stowers into a big gap making ten more metres.
Josiah Pahulu also started in the front row in Round Five against the Burleigh Bears wth for me Josiah Pahulu was one of the Jets best.
Josiah Pahulu got close to scoring a deserved try in the match but in the 9th minute, lost the ball over the line trying to get the ball to the ground and also in the 13th minute, Josiah Pahulu got within centremetres of the line after a twelve metre burst on the left side of the field.
In the 14th minute, Josiah Pahulu proved that he does not just run the ball in attacking situations when he made eleven metres from a hit-up getting the ball outside of his own twenty metre area.
Josiah Pahulu did not take much time at all to get involved in the match making thirteen metres from an Ipswich penalty restart to get within five metres of the try line. Josiah Pahulu made a further fourteen metres in the 5th minute when he took the second hit-up after Burleigh kicked off following Ipswich’s first try of the match.
Just two minutes later in the 7th minute, Josiah Pahulu once again ran at the Burleigh line from ten metres out from a Jets penalty restart and it took five Burleigh defenders to halt his progress perilously close to the try line.
In the 23rd minute, with Ipswich well on top, Josiah Pahulu ensured that the Jets started their set after a try on the front foot when he took the hit-up from the kick-off, making twelve metres to get the ball over his own twenty metre area.
Josiah Pahulu made his presence felt in defence when in the 23rd minute he smashed Burleigh left winger Shannon Donaldson with a big front on tackle knocking the winger who was making his MM Cup debut three metres backwards.
Josiah Pahulu was at it again in the 24th minute when he rocked Burleigh front rower VJ Semu who was returning a kick-off, knocking the ball loose in the process.
Josiah Pahulu was involved in an earth trembling collision when in the 58th minute he smashed into fellow Titan Arama Hau when he was returning a Burleigh kick-off with the contact stopping both players in their tracks, it was great to see and let’s call the outcome a draw.
Josiah Pahulu followed that heavy collision up in the 65th minute with a twelve metre charge that was the second run from a Burleigh kick-off with Josiah Pahulu once again getting the ball over his own thirty metre mark.
Round Six being the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition saw Josiah Pahulu named to start in the front row against the Souths Logan Magpies however he was a late scratching from the match.
Well done to Titans linked Brady Turner who has been named the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup Players Player Award winner.
Tough as nails Henry Lee from Marist Brothers Lismore has been been named the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup Coaches Award Winner.
Titans contracted front rower Khyan Weir has been named the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup Players Player Award winner.
Big strong Clarence Coast youngster Antwone Quinlin-Randall will start at lock for the Magpies against Ballina in Round One of the 2021 Group One U14 season on Saturday.
The Ballina Seagulls 2020 Group One U12 side were outstanding going all of the way through to a comprehensive 36 - 0 Grand Final victory and tomorrow they start their 2021 Group One U13 campaign in Round One against last years Grand Final opponents the Clarence Coast Magpies.
They are a talented group across the field, including their two starting second rowers for tomorrow's match being captain Jett Flatley and Harrison Clements. Young front rower Baxter Turner is also a very handy player.
The U15 Group One Marist Rams side will be seeing double tomorrow in Round One against the Grafton Ghosts when they run on to see Billy and Caleb Kilduff in the second row for the Ghosts.
The two will then back up and be on the bench for the following U16 match.
Former Keebra Park student Yorel Alapaki has named on the bench for the Southport Tigers GCRL First Grade side for this weekend’s Round Three of the GCRL Pre-season competition against Tugun.
Former South Grafton Rebel and Titans JTS program participant Keaton Stutt has crossed the Grafton Bridge this season and will start at half tomorrow for the Grafton Ghosts in Round One of the Group One U16 competition against Marist Brothers Rams.
Round One of the 2021 Group One U14 competition tomorrow sees talented Jasper Whalley start in the centre for the Clarence Coast Magpies against the Ballina Seagulls.
The young Magpies centre had a start to remember in the 2020 Group One U13 rugby league competition scoring often for the Magpies and maintained his form throughout the 2020 season as a whole.
Jasper Whalley scored doubles in the opening two rounds of the 2020 Group One U13 competition against the South Grafton Rebels and the Ballina Seagulls respectively and added a further try in Round Four against the Grafton Ghosts to record a 167% strike rate through the opening three rounds of the competition. For completeness the Round Three match between Clarence Coast and Grafton was a washout when heavy rain blanketed the area.
Jasper Whalley added a further try in Round Five against the Ballina Seagulls in a 34 – 22 Magpies victory, starting in the centres once again and also scored in Round Six in a 30 – 22 win over Casino RSM, starting the match as he has all season in the centres.
Jasper Whalley maintained his record of starting in the centres and also maintained his try scoring record with a double against Kyogle in Round Seven and also scoring in Round Nine against the Kyogle Turkeys. Jasper Whalley also started in the centres in Round Ten, being the final regular season round against Ballina with the match finishing in a 24 all draw.
Jasper Whalley had an outstanding 2020 Group One U13 regular season scoring ten tries in just eight matches to finish the season with a strike rate of 125%.
In November 2020 Lockie McLaughlin started once again training with the Titans development squad from the Group One region of northern New South Wales under the direction of former Titans NRL player Kane Elgey.
In Round One of the 2021 U16 Group One U15 Competition tomorrow, Lochie McLaughlin will start at lock for the Grafton Ghosts as they take on the Marist Brothers Ram.
The young Grafton Ghosts second rower was part of the Titans 2020 Group One Academy squad that was training on a weekly basis in Ballina in Northern New South Wales, Ghosts team mate Joshua Donovan-Skinner was also part of the Titans squad.
Lockie McLaughlin started Round One of the 2020 Group One U14 competition at lock and scored for the Grafton Ghosts as their season got off to a winning start on the back of a 46 – 0 victory over the Kyogle Turkeys. After a wash out in Round Two against Clarence Coast, Lockie McLaughlin also started at lock as Grafton maintained their unbeaten start to the season on the back of a 22 – 6 win against Casino RSM.
Lockie McLaughlin had a big Round Four against Clarence Coast scoring a double as the Ghosts defeated the Magpies 22 – 16 starting the match once again at lock. Lockie McLaughlin then backed up to make his Group One U15 debut from the bench.
Starting at lock once again in Round Five against cross city rivals the South Grafton Rebels, Lockie McLaughlin was one of the Ghosts try scorers in their 32 – 12 win and then backed up to be on the bench for the U15 side.
Lockie McLaughlin also started at lock in Round Six as Grafton went down 20 – 14 to the Ballina Seagulls and then Lockie McLaughlin was once again on the bench of the U15 contest between the same two sides.
Lockie McLaughlin had a try scoring double in Round Seven after once again starting at lock against the South Grafton Rebels in a Ghosts 22 – 0 victory and then backed up for the following U15 match, starting that match also against South Grafton from the bench.
In Round Eight with his U14 Grafton side winning by forfeit, Lockie McLaughlin made his U15 starting debut in the second row and also scored his first U15 try as Grafton went down 22 – 18 to the Kyogle Turkeys.
Lockie McLaughlin came off the bench in Round Nine of the Group One U14 competition scoring a double as the Ghosts defeated Casino RSM 38 – 8 and then came off the bench in the U15 match between the same two teams with Grafton going down in that fixture 26 – 14.
In total in the Group One U14 regular season competition Lockie McLaughlin scored eight tries from seven matches to finish with a 114% strike rate.
Lockie McLaughlin started at lock in the 2020 Group One U14 Grand Final against the Clarence Coast Magpies as the Ghosts went down 30 – 16.
The Grafton High School student played the 2019 Group One U13 season with the Grafton Ghosts and started in his sides 24 – 16 Grand Final victory over the Clarence Coast Magpies scoring in the Premiership victory when he burst down the left side of the field and outpaced the Magpies cover defence to score . As a result of his outstanding performance in the match Lockie McLaughlin was deservedly named Player of the Grand Final.
In the 2019 Group One U13 competition Lockie McLaughlin played in eleven matches including the finals series scoring twelve tries (109% strike rate) and kicked a conversion when he converted his own try against South Grafton in early June. His twelve tries meant that Lockie McLaughlin finished the 2019 Group One U13 season as the competitions fifth highest try scorer and second highest try scoring forward.
Lockie McLaughlin scored a Round One hat trick against Lismore Marist Brothers and added a further hat trick against Lismore Marist Brothers later in the season. Lockie McLaughlin also scored a double against South Grafton as well as scoring in matches against Ballina, Casino RSM and against South Grafton in the 2019 Preliminary Final.
In 2018 Lockie McLaughlin played in thirteen matches in the Group One U12 competition finishing the season with twenty four points comprising of four tries and the same number of goals with his four tries coming from doubles against Casino RSM and South Grafton.
In Round One of the 2021 Group One U14 competition tomorrow, Grant Brown is set to start at five eight for the Clarence Coast Magpies against the Ballina Seagulls.
The electric Titans linked Clarence Coast Magpies junior rugby league centre or fullback (and occasional five eight in 2020) had an outstanding start to the 2020 Group One U13 season and turned that start into a heck of a 2020 season overall with consistently high standard performances each and every round of the 2020 Group One U13 season.
As a result of his outstanding 2020 season in the Group One U13 competition, the McLean High School student was selected to be part of the Titans Elite Academy Squad and has been training under the watchful eye of former Titans NRL player Kane Elgey.
In Round One of the Group One U13 2020 season Grant Brown started at right centre and scored a hat trick as the Magpies defeated the South Grafton Rebels 46 – 16 to get their 2020 season off to an outstanding start.
Grant Brown then backed up to start on the bench for the Group One U14 Round One fixture and made it four tries on the day for the Clarence Coast Magpies as they defeated the Rebels 26 – 16 in that age group. Grant Brown was also on the bench for the Round Three Group One U14 fixture against the Ballina Seagulls that immediately followed the U13 match.
Grant Brown moved to fullback for Clarence Coast’s Round Three Group One U13 match against the Ballina Seagulls, scoring one try and kicking a conversion as the Magpies went down 32 – 22 to the Seagulls.
Grant Brown was back in the centres in Round Four against the Grafton Ghosts and kicked two conversions. Grant Brown then started from the bench for the Magpies U14 side also against Grafton in the following match of the day.
Round Five saw Grant Brown once again start in the centres and score a try and kick three goals for a ten point individual haul as Clarence Coast defeated Ballina 34 – 22. Grant Brown kicked a further five goals in Round Six as the Magpies defeated Casino RSM 30 – 22.
Grant Brown moved back to fullback for Round Seven against Kyogle and made the most of the switch scoring a double and kicking three conversions.
Grant Brown moved positions once again in Round Nine, moving to five eight for the Magpies as they went down 30 – 22 to the Kyogle Turkeys, but Grant Brown scored sixteen of the Magpies points (72.73%) from a hat trick and two goals.
In total in the 2020 Group One U13 season Grant Brown scored seventy six points from seven matches, including scoring twelve tries (171% strike rate) and kicked fourteen goals, to average just on eleven points per game.
Tomorrow’s Round One of the 2021 Group One U14 competition will see the exceptionally talented Dylan Watkins start at fullback for the Ballina Seagulls against the Clarence Coast Magpies.
In March 2021 Dylan Watkins was part of the Ballina Coast High School’s U15 touch side that went through the 2021 U15 Far North Coast Touch Trials that were held at Tweed Heads and as a consequence of his performances at the trials Dylan Watkins was selected in the Far North Coast U15 Touch representative side even though he is still U14 eligible in 2021.
The exceptionally classy Ballina Seagulls five eight/fullback could not have had a better start to the 2020 Group One U13 rugby league season, scoring five tries and kicking a conversion in Round One to finish Ballina’s 28 – 18 win over Casino RSM with an outstanding twenty two point individual haul being 78.57% of his team’s points in the match. In fact the five tries that Dylan Watkins scored in the match were the only five that Ballina scored highlighting just how dominant Dylan Watkins performance against Casino RSM was.
Dylan Watkins continued his outstanding form in Round Two of the 2020 Group One U13 competition scoring two tries and kicking a conversion for a ten point individual haul as Ballina defeated South Grafton 22 – 4, once against playing five eight in the match for the Seagulls.
Dylan Watkins outstanding 2020 continued in Round Three scoring a hat trick and kicking two goals, for an individual game tally of sixteen points as Ballina defeated Clarence Coast 32 – 22 to maintain their 2020 unbeaten record.
Dylan Watkins also started at five eight in Round Four against the Kyogle Turkeys scoring and kicking a goal but the Seagulls went down 22 - 18. Dylan Watkins added a further two tries after starting once again at five eight in Round Five in a 34 – 22 loss to Clarence Coast. Dylan Watkins added a further double in Round Six against Grafton in a 26 – 24 loss also from the five eight position.
Round Seven in a 34 – 20 win against Casino RSM saw the exciting five eight score a further four tries and also kick a conversion to finish the match with an individual points haul of eighteen.
In Round Eight in a Seagulls 24 – 12 win against Casino RSM, Dylan Watkins scored four tries for the second round in a row from the five eight.
Dylan Watkins 2020 try scoring feats (and points scoring) continued unabated in Round Nine when he scored twenty six of his team’s sixty points (43.33%) from five eight, from three tries and seven goals as Ballina defeated South Grafton 60 – 14.
Round Ten being the final Group One U13 regular season round did not see a slow down in Dylan Watkins try scoring and points scoring in a 24 all draw with the Clarence Coast Magpies. Dylan Watkins scored sixteen of his sides points (67%) from three tries and two goals.
In total in the 2020 Group One U13 regular season competition Dylan Watkins scored a staggering twenty nine tries (290% strike rate) and kicked fifteen goals to finish with 146 points to average just under three tries and 14.6 points per game.
Dylan Watkins started at five eight in the 2020 Group One U13 Grand Final against the Grafton Ghosts where he had an outstanding match scoring eighteen of Ballina’s twenty two points from three tries and three conversions as the Seagulls went down 32 - 22.
Dylan Watkins made his Group One U14 debut off the bench in Round Seven scoring as the Seagulls defeated Casino RSM 32 – 0. Dylan Watkins had scored four tries in the U13 match earlier in the same day.
In Round Eight of the 2020 Group One U14 competition, Dylan Watkins once again came off the bench for the Ballina side and scored a double as Ballina defeated Casino RSM 32 – 0. Like in Round Seven, Dylan Watkins had scored four tries in the U13 match earlier in the day between the same two teams.
Dylan Watkins made his Group One U14 starting debut in Round Nine, starting in the halves and scoring a try as Ballina defeated South Grafton 20 – 10 after Dylan Watkins scored a hat trick and kicked seven goals in the earlier U13 fixture between the same two sides.
In total in the Group One U14 competition Dylan Watkins played in three Group One U14 matches scoring four tries for a 133% strike rate.
Dylan Watkins is also an outstanding touch player, in late 2020 being named in the U14 Ballina Bull Sharks Touch Representative Team for the New South Wales State Junior Cup.
Titans contracted Josiah Pahulu has deservedly been named the 2021 Ipswich Jets MM Cup Most Valuable Player.
Impressively the young front rower/lock is also MM Cup eligible in 2022.
Well done for their MM Cup Grand Final win today 30-24 against the Townsville Blackhawks.
lonegull
01-05-21, 03:12 PM
Well done for their MM Cup Grand Final win today 30-24 against the Townsville Blackhawks.
Looked like it was a great game mdrew how many a titans contracted
Eight of the seventeen mate and another suspended who would have started.
Looked like it was a great game mdrew how many a titans contracted
Titans contracted Larry Siala started at No. 8 today for the St Edmunds College First XV in Round One of the AIC school boy competition however his school went down 17-8 to St Patrick's College.
Titans linked Lochie McLaughlin scored last weekend for Grafton in Round One of the Group One U15 competition as the Ghosts defeated Marist 38 - 12.
The Marist Brothers Rams U18 NRRRL side look like they have a talented fullback on their hands with rugby convert Kaleb Makings having an impressive Round One match on Sunday, starting at fullback and recording two first half try assists as the Rams accounted for Northern United 38 – 0.
In just the first minute of the match Kaleb Makings chimed into the backline on the right side of the field, taking the ball all the way to the line before passing to his right to put centre Harry Siveright into a gap with the right centre diving over five metres in from the right corner post.
In the 12th minute Kaleb Makings once again chimed into the Rams backline on the right side of the field and once again put Harry Siveright into a hole with the centre able to bring the ball around to near the right goal post with Kaleb Makings comfortably kicking the conversion.
The 2021 MM Cup season for Elijah Lui.
Elijah Lui started on the wing for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in their first 2021 trial which was against the Easts Tigers at Langland’s Park as Tweed Heads commenced their season with an impressive 28 – 12 victory.
In the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup sides second trial against Burleigh, Elijah Lui started the second half on the right wing. Elijah Lui produced some impressive runs off his wing when Tweed Heads were bringing the ball out of their own territory. In relation to those runs, Elijah Lui literally just ran flat out at the line. Elijah Lui also leapt high to take a huge spiralling mid-field bomb on the pull, highlighting both his leap and safe hands.
Elijah Lui had some other good moments in the match, one being when he chased through a long Seagulls kick to the left corner, Elijah Lui charged downfield and along with Reef Sommerville and Reico Ratana got to the Burleigh fullback and dragged him back into the in-goal area, forcing Burleigh to drop the ball out from their own line.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Elijah Lui was named as the Seagulls 18th man against the Ipswich Jets and was named on the Seagulls extended bench for Round two against the Souths Logan Magpies as well as for Round Three against the Burleigh Bears.
Elijah Lui was also named on the Seagulls extended bench for their Round Four match against the Ipswich Jets and for Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies.
Elijah Lui came into the Seagulls side, starting at fullback for the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears.
After initially being named on the Tweed Heads extended bench for the 2021 MM Cup semi-final against Wynnum Manly, Elijah Lui in fact started the match on the left wing, making the most of his promotion with an outstanding second half try.
Elijah Lui’s try came in the 56th minute of the match. When he backed up on the inside of a long Thomas Weaver break down the left touchline. As he approached the fullback, Thomas Weaver kicked the ball forward with Elijah Lui outpacing the Wynnum Manly defence. As he approached the ball and the try line, the ball sat up perfectly for Elijah Lui who took the ball and dived over.
Prior to his try, Elijah Lui made a strong run out of dummy half to the right, making fifteen metres after cutting back behind the play the ball making fifteen metres to get the ball outside his own thirty metre area.
Elijah Lui was also heavily involved in Jaylan De Groot’s 45th minute try when after being put away down the left touchline by a great Kaleb Ngamanu pass put in an inside kick which Ryan Foran retrieved and passed to his right to Jaylan De Groot who dived over under the posts.
Not long before his involved in the afore mentioned Jaylan De Groot try, Elijah Lui made another line break when he was put away down his wing by Kaleb Ngamanu only for Elijah Lui to be tackled less than ten metres from the try line.
In the 2021 MM Cup Queensland Grand Final against the Townsville Blackhawks, Elijah Lui once again started on the left wing as the Seagulls won the MM Cup Grand Final for the second (played) season in a row.
Cole Geyer started at hooker for Burleigh in Round Three of the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition last weekend against the Western Mustangs and as he did in Round Two moved to lock when replacement hooker Vaka Sikahele came onto the field. Whilst he did not score in the Seagulls thirty point victory, Cole Geyer recorded two first half try assists and was heavily involved in another Tweed Heads Try.
Cole Geyer’s first try assist came in the 30th minute, when after he received a pass from Vaka Sikahele who had run out of dummy half to his right, Cole Geyer quickly got the ball out to his right for Ronin Rio to dive over in the right corner.
Cole Geyer’s recorded his second try assist in the 23rd minute. The ball was played a metre out from the line and three metres from the left upright with Cole Geyer at dummy half. When the ball was played, Cole Geyer took a step back and put in a right foot chip kick that literally went over the cross bar. Blake Campbell followed the ball through a leapt above the Mustangs fullback to take the ball on the full and get it down under the posts.
Cole Geyer was heavily involved in Sam McIntyre’s try in the 10th minute. Cole Geyer broke through the Western mustangs defensive line after darting out of dummy half to his left, bumping off one Mustangs defender before breaking into the backfield before offloading to his left to half Cameron Brown who then offloaded to Same McIntyre who cut off his left foot immediately upon receipt of the ball to run over the Mustangs fullback to score midway between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
On Sunday in Round One of the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition, Reshawn Anderson started in the front row and scored for the Bilambil Jets as they defeated the Murwillumbah Mustangs 24 – 18. Starting in the U18 NRRRL competition is an impressive feat for the young front rower who was still U16 eligible with Reshawn Anderson announcing himself in the opening minute with a heavy tackle on one of his opposing front rowers.
Reshawn Anderson did not have to wait long to score in the match when in the 15th minute he charged onto the ball from just four metres out and to the left of the play the ball. Reshawn Anderson smashed into the Murwillumbah defence who were coming off the line. After bouncing off the first defender, Reshawn Anderson got down low to dive over five metres to the left of the uprights.
2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup player Harry Siveright had an impressive Round One on Sunday scoring a hat trick and kicking four goals as well as captaining the Marist Brothers Rams U18 side in their NRRRL Round One 38 – 0 victory over Northern United.
Harry Siveright’s opening try came in just the first minute of the match Kaleb Makings chimed into the backline on the right side of the field, taking the ball all the way to the line before passing to his right to put centre Harry Siveright into a gap with the right centre diving over five metres in from the right corner post.
In the 12th minute Kaleb Makings once again chimed into the Rams backline on the right side of the field and once again put Harry Siveright into a hole with the centre able to bring the ball around to near the right goal post with Kaleb Makings comfortably kicking the conversion.
Harry Siveright completed his hat trick in the 26th minute when he chased through a grubber kick from his dummy half to easily get the ball down.
In the 37th minute Harry Siveright could have had a fourth when he made a break down the right touchline but as the cover defence was coming across, his pass back inside went to ground.
The 2021 MM Cup season of Reico Ratana.
Reico Ratana started from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in their first 2021 trial in early February which was against the Easts Tigers at Langland’s Park as Tweed Heads commenced their season with an impressive 28 – 12 first up victory against a full strength Tigers side.
In the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup sides second trial against Burleigh, Reico Ratana started the second half at right second row and scoring an impressive try in the dying seconds of the Seagulls big win.
After working solidly in both attack and defence for the duration of the second half, Reico Ratana was rewarded with a well-deserved try in the dying seconds when he ran a good outside shoulder route from around thirty metres out to go straight through the Burleigh line. When he was confronted by the Bears fullback, Reico Ratana threw a dummy to his right, that the fullback fell for and Reico Ratana was able to run the remainder of the way to the line and score next to the righty upright.
Reico Ratana had some other good moments in the match, one being when he chased through a long Seagulls kick to the left corner, Reico Ratana charged downfield and along with Reef Sommerville and Elijah Lui got to the Burleigh fullback and dragged him back into the in-goal area, forcing Burleigh to drop the ball out from their own line.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Reico Ratana was named 18th man against the Ipswich Jets and was named on the Seagulls extended bench for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies before moving into the game day seventeen late in the match, starting from the bench.
Reico Ratana had some strong runs in the match, the first being from the kick-off to Jaylan De Groot’s try in the 47th minute when he was able to bring the ball out to the twenty metre mark. Reico Ratana made another strong run in the 52nd minute when he took a hit-up to the right of the play the ball, immediately cutting back to his left towards the undefended area behind the play the ball to make to make twelve valuable metres and then took another hit-up two tackles later.
Defensively Reico Ratana also had some good moments including a strong front on tackle in the 48th minute Souths Logan No. 16 and then a couple of tackles later in the same Souths Logan set, Reico Ratana crunched the five eight in a heavy tackle.
Reico Ratana showed his desperation in defence in the 52nd minute when he along with Jack Cullen both chased hard and made a last ditch tackle on the Souths Logan fullback who had burst through the centre of the field off an offload.
Round Three saw Reico Ratana initially named on the Seagulls extended bench for the derby against the Burleigh Bears however Reico Ratana ended up starting the match from the bench.
Reico Ratana was also named on the Seagulls extended bench for their Round Four match against the Ipswich Jets and for Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies.
Reico Ratana came into the bench for the Seagulls for the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears coming into the match late in the first half.
Harvey Moase started at halfback for the Cudgen Hornets in Round One of the NRRRL U18 competition on Sunday, kicking five conversions and recording two try assists as the Hornets defeated the Tweed Coast Raiders 38 – 6.
Harvey Moase’s opening try assist of the match came in the 33rd minute when he ran the ball down a short left blind side, taking the ball all of the way to the line before throwing a cut out pass to his left to his lefyt winger to dive over in the corner. Harvey Moase then produced to kick the conversion from right on the touchline.
Harvey Moase recorded his second try assist in the 51st minute when he put in a right foot stab kick to the right for Cudgen to score once again.
Harvey Moase was also heavily involved in a Cudgen try in the 15th minute when he put in a chip kick to the right wing which was retrieved by Cudgen with right centre Jett Forbes ultimately racing away to score.
On Sunday Damon Coldwell started Round One of the NRRRL U18 competition at left centre for Ballina as they defeated Kyogle 54 – 4 with Damon Coldwell scoring a long range try as well as recording a try assist in the Seagulls big win.
Damon Coldwell had to wait until the 40th minute to score his try, but it was certainly worth the wait. Damon Coldwell came from his left centre position to help bring the ball out of his own line, receiving the ball from the dummy half just five metres from his own line, as he approached the line, running diagonally running to his left, Damon Coldwell dummied in the same direction to slice through the line and once he was in open space non-one was going to catch him as he ran ninety five metres to score under the posts.
Damon Coldwell’s recorded his try assist in the 19th minute when he had to cut back off the left touchline about five metres from the try line, After being engaged by three defenders Damon Coldwell was spun around and in fact was facing his own try line when he was able to get the ball away for his left winger to dive over in the corner.
After playing at left centre for Ballina in Round One of the U18 NRRRL competition, later the same day, Damon Coldwell came off the bench for the Seagulls, to spend time at fullback for the Seagulls in the Reserve Grade match against Kyogle and for the second time that day was on the winning side.
To start 2021 Damon Coldwell moved up to Brisbane and was part of the Norths Devils MM Cup side starting Round One at right centre against Wynnum Manly. Damon Coldwell also started at right centre in Round Two against the Easts Tigers and scored a first half double (7th and 29th minutes) as the Devils defeated the Tigers 42 – 20.
Damon Coldwell continued his run of starts at right centre in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins putting in a more than solid performance including making 133 metres running with the ball.
Damon Coldwell also started at right centre in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Cameron Brown started at halfback for Burleigh in Round Three of the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition last weekend against the Western Mustangs, finishing the match with an individual points haul of twenty two from two tries and seven conversions from ten attempts.
Cameron Brown’s opening try came in the 7th minute, when he backed up a Lofi Khan-Pereira break of thirty metres down the left touchline and drew the Western Mustangs fullback and passed inside to his right to Cameron Brown who scored ten metres in from the left corner post, stumbling most of the way. It as in fact Cameron Brown that threw the cut-out pass that put Lofi Khan-Pereira away down the left touchline line to get the try scoring move under way.
Cameron Brown completed his double in the 27th minute when he backed up through the centre of the ruck and was on hand to retrieve a Will Evans inside kick on the bounce to run twenty metres untouched to score.
In addition to his two tries, Cameron Brown also recorded multiple try assists with the first coming in the 10th minute. Burleigh hooker Cole Geyer broke through the Western Mustangs defensive line near the halfway mark before offloading to his left to Cameron Brown who then offloaded also to his left to Same McIntyre who cut off his left foot immediately upon receipt of the ball to run over the Mustangs fullback to score.
Cameron Brown recorded a further try assist in the 13th minute when he put up a right foot bomb that came down five metres out and the same distance from the right goal post. The bomb was dropped by the Mustangs fullback with Blake Campbell on hand to collect the ball and dive over.
Cameron Brown recorded another try assist in the 19th minute, when he saw the Mustangs fullback was out of position and even though he was just five metres out from his own line, kicked long downfield aiming towards the left wing. After the ball had bounced three times, left winger Lofi khan-Pereira flew through the retrieve the ball at full speed just in front of the Western Mustangs fullback and race away to dive over under the posts.
Cameron Brown’s fourth and final try assist of the match came in the 60th minute when after receiving the ball three passes off the play the ball, Cameron Brown put in a right foot stab kick to the left corner and even though it took a wicked high bounce, Lofi Khan-Pereira was able to take the ball above his head and get it down in the left corner.
Lightning quick centre Jett Forbes had a big Round One match for the Cudgen Hornets in the NRRRL U18 competition on Sunday, scoring a double after starting the match at right centre as the Hornets defeated the Tweed Coast Raiders 38 – 6.
The PBC Rugby League excellence student scored his first try in the 15th minute when he received an inside pass from right winger Tobey Carpenter to run thirty metres and was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.
Jett Forbes completed his double in the 51st minute, this time whilst he was on left. Jett Forbes came out of the line to take an intercept and race twenty metres to get the ball down once again under the posts.
In 2020 Jett Forbes was the PBC fullback in their school boy Walters Cup campaign, scoring in both the semi-final and final. Jett Forbes semi-final try came when he was on hand to dive on a Bailey McConnell grubber kick that had bounced off a number of feet and Jett Forbes scored in PBC’s Grand Final loss to Marsden SHS when he received an off-load three metres out near the right corner and bumped off one defender before diving over.
The 2021 MM Cup season for Titans contracted Nicholas Hilton.
Nicholas Hilton started from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in their first 2021 trial which was against the Easts Tigers at Langland’s Park as Tweed Heads commenced their season with an impressive 28 – 12 victory against a full strength Tigers side.
In the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup sides second trial against Burleigh, Nicholas Hilton started the second half at lock and scored early in his stint in a big Seagulls win. Nicholas Hilton’s try was as a result of a hard charge that started around twelve metres to the right of the play the ball. Nicholas Hilton charged onto the ball, running slightly back towards the play the ball, when he hit the defensive line, Nicholas Hilton spun 360 degrees clockwise to break the initial defensive contact and then Nicholas Hilton surged back towards the region behind the play the ball beating three additional defenders on the way to getting the ball down.
Nicholas Hilton also showcased some impressive offloading skills over the course of the match, including an impressive one arm (right arm) offload ten minutes into the second half, when he hit the defensive line and was able to spin clockwise to get his right arm free and subsequently offload to Oskar Bryant.
Nicholas Hilton started Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition on the bench as Tweed Heads took on the Ipswich Jets at home. Nicholas Hilton came onto the play in the second row in the 25th minute and took the ball into the defensive line as soon as he had come onto the field making twelve metres against a set Ipswich defensive line.
It did not take long for Nicholas Hilton to take his second hit-up with that coming in the 33rd minute when he bumped away from two defenders to get within ten metres of the Ipswich line. Nicholas Hilton his hard work early in the second half (53rd minute) with a strong run and then a good two handed off-load to Blaze Mozer who made another ten valuable metres.
Nicholas Hilton also started from the bench in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies, providing a spark off the bench in both attack and defence when he came onto the field mid-way through the first half.
After missing Round Three against the Burleigh Bears, Nicholas Hilton was back in the Seagulls side for Round Four against the Ipswich Jets, a match that saw Nicholas Hilton named on the Seagulls extended bench however he actually started the match at lock.
One of a number of strong Nicholas Hilton charges came in the 14th minute when Nicholas Hilton made ten metres from a hit-up off the dummy half.
Nicholas Hilton’s intensity and effort was highlighted in the 27th minute when he dived full length to retrieve a Jets loose ball from an Ipswich penalty restart just twenty metres out from the Seagulls line.
Nicholas Hilton also started at lock in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies.
After being rested for Round Six in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears, Nicholas Hilton started at lock for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in their impressive semi-final victory against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Nicholas Hilton taking the 4th hit-up of the match.
In the 2021 MM Cup Queensland Grand Final against the Townsville Blackhawks, Nicholas Hilton was initially named to start the Grand Final from the bench however he came into the starting line-up late in the week, starting the Grand Final in the front row.
Nicholas Hilton was heavily involved in the Grand Final from the start, including a strong tackle coming over the top of one of the Townsville Blackhawks front rowers (No. 8) in the 5th minute, with the ball coming loose as a result of Nicholas Hilton’s contact.
On Sunday Rowan Mansfield suited up for the Ballina Seagulls once again starting Round One of the NRRRL U18 competition at fullback as they defeated Kyogle 54 – 4 with Rowan Mansfield scoring a double and adding two try assists.
Rowan Mansfield’s opening try came in the 16th minute and was an impressive solo effort. Positioned two passes to the right from a Ballina scrum, Rowan Mansfield received the ball twenty metres out immediately stepping off his left to beat the initial defender before a stutter step beat a second. Closing in on the try line, Rowan Mansfield spun clockwise to break away from two defenders before immediately spinning counter clockwise to beat the Kyogle fullback right on the try line. Rowan Mansfield then had the time and space bring the ball around and place it down between the posts.
Rowan Mansfield second try in the 26th minute was no less impressive then his first. Rowan Mansfield tracked back to retrieve a Turkeys clearing kick just five metres away from his own line. Rowan Mansfield immediately attacked the oncoming defensive line literally running straight through the defence to run ninety five metres to put the ball down under the posts,
It took less than a minute for Rowan Mansfield to record his first try assist in the match when from a Ballina scrum win ran into the line to the right of where the scrum was packed and just prior to contact threw a cut out pass to his right to put his right winger over in the corner.
Rowan Mansfield’s second try assist of the match came in the 8th minute after he darted out of dummy half to his right as he was bringing the ball out of his own territory. After running fifteen metres to get out to the forty metre mark, Rowan Mansfield was able to offload to his right winger for them to run sixty metres to score under the posts.
The 2021 MM Cup season for Titans contracted Riley Lack.
Riley Lack started from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in their first 2021 trial which was against the Easts Tigers at Langland’s Park and was one of the Seagulls best in their 28 – 12 first up victory.
In Tweed Heads second 2021 MM Cup trial against Burleigh that Tweed Heads comprehensively one, Riley Lack played the first half at five eight, operating on the left side of the field, putting in a noteworthy performance, including an outstanding solo try, a try assist, a big hand in another Seagulls try and well as producing an astute kicking display.
Riley Lack’s outstanding solo try was certainly worth the wait, operating on the right, Riley Lack received a low pass from his right as Tweed Heads were set up to the left. To catch the ball, Riley Lack had to dive forward to take the low pass. As soon as he had hit the ground, Riley lack was back on his feet and cut back to his right in the direction of where the pass had come from. Riley lack was confronted with a line of Burleigh defenders but expertly grubbered through the line and get the perfect bounce to retrieve the ball with no loss of momentum and go through and put the ball down untouched just to the right of the uprights.
Riley Lack’s try assist came late in the first half when he put in a pin point kick to the left wing which hit left winger Kruze Rimene on the chest and Rimene was able to fall over the line from two metres out and a metre in from the left corner post.
Riley Lack was also heavily involved in left winger Kruze Rimene’s first try of the match. Tweed Heads spun the ball to the left side of the field, when Riley Lack received the ball he threw a long twenty metre cut-out pass to his left that found left centre Campbell Watchairs in space, who then put Kruze Rimene over in the left corner.
As noted above, Riley Lack produced an assured kicking display in the first half, including an impressive early match kick that forced Burleigh to restart through a goal line drop out. Riley Lack took the ball on the sixth tackle off the dummy half and ran to the line before grubbing through the Bears line. The ball hit the left goal post and by the time the Bears fullback gained possession in his own in-goal there was nowhere for him to go and thus he was pinned there.
Riley Lack also started at five eight in Tweed Heads final 2021 MM Cup final against the Souths Logan Magpies at Logan scoring the Seagulls final try in a 32 – 8 (no conversions) victory.
Late in the fourth quarter Jaylan De Groot burst down the right touchline after good work on his inside. As he was being hemmed in by the Souths Logan fullback and cover defence Jaylan De Groot grubbered kicked with his right foot inside with the kick perfectly weighted for Riley Lack who was tracking the play on the inside to get downward pressure on the ball to be awarded a try, the final one of the eight that Tweed Heads scored in the match.
Unfortunately was hit in the head a fraction after he got the ball down, forcing him off the field. The Souths Logan player responsible was put on report for the high hit. Unfortunately the head knock that he suffered in scoring the try meant that Riley Lack missed Round’s One and two of the 2021 MM Cup competition.
Riley Lack was back in the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side, starting at five eight in their Round Three local derby against Burleigh and did not miss a beat alongside Thomas Weaver, scoring one try and assisting in another in the Seagulls comprehensive victory.
Riley Lack scored in the 26th minute of the match when he chased through a kick out of dummy half midfield by Blake Mozer, Riley Lack got the ball just before the Burleigh fullback toeing the ball forward before retrieving the ball down low three metres from the line diving over to score fifteen metres in from the right corner post.
Riley Lack’s try assist came in just the 14th minute of the match when he ran the ball down a right blindside around twenty metres out from the line and as the defence converged on him, Riley Lack produced a great right arm out of the back of his hand flick pass to put Jayden Wright into a gap to cross for his second try of the match.
Riley Lack was also named to start at five eight for Round Four match against the Ipswich Jets and saved a try in just the 7th minute of the match when he chased down the Ipswich left winger bringing him down with a great diving low tackle along the touchline.
Riley Lack was named to start at five eight in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies however was a late scratching.
Riley Lack then started at five eight for the Seagulls for the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears and converted the Seagulls first two tries of the match.
Riley Lack worked hard in both attack and defence in the match and in the 56th minute made a good defensive play when he raced off his own try line to get up into the face of Burleigh’s Seth Nikotemo with the pressure meaning the Bears second rower could not maintain possession.
After missing Tweed Head’s semi-final victory over Wynnum Manly, Riley Lack was the 18th man for the 2021 MM Cup Grand Final against the Townsville Blackhawks.
Titans contracted Michael Roberts could not have been more impressive on Sunday in Round One of the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition.
Michael Roberts started at fullback for the Bilambil Jets as they took on the Murwillumbah Mustangs and had an outstanding match that saw him score an outstanding individual try and well as kicking three conversions from four attempts, including a last minute conversion from the right touchline as well as a late second half penalty goal in the 50th minute to lock the scores up at 18 all.
Michael Roberts try came in the 28th minute and was an outstanding individual effort. Michael Roberts received the ball seventy metres out from the line, chipping over the line perfectly and comfortably regathering before rounding the Murwillumbah fullback and to put the ball down near the posts before converting his own try.
Michael Roberts came very close to scoring a double in the match but in the 14th minute was held up over the line after stepping off his right ten metres out only to be held up.
Michael Roberts also recorded a line break assist in the match when in the 38th minute he ran the ball down a left sided blind side and throwing a cut out pass to his left that hit his winger on the chest, with the winger getting to less than a metre from the corner post before being stopped.
It was not all about his attacking play in the match with Michael Roberts positional play also being first class in the match including in the opening minute when he tracked across to his left to retrieve an attacking grubber kick under heavy pressure but Michael Roberts kept his cool and in fact won a penalty after he was held down in the subsequent tackle.
The in the 36th minute Michael Roberts took a mid-field bomb under intense pressure, including from a team mate thirty five metres out from his own line and then was able to get the ball into Murwillumbah territory fighting defenders the entire trip.
Titans contracted Lofi Khan-Pereira started on the left wing for Burleigh in Round Three of the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition last weekend against the Western Mustangs scoring a double in the Seagulls thirty point victory.
Lofi Khan-Pereira’s first try came in the 9th minute, when Cameron Brown saw the Mustangs fullback was out of position and even though he was just five metres out from his own line, kicked long downfield aiming towards the left wing. After the ball had bounced three times, left winger Lofi khan-Pereira flew through the retrieve the ball at full speed just in front of the Western Mustangs fullback and race away to dive over under the posts.
Lofi Khan-Pereira completed his double in the 60th minute when he was on hand to retrieve a grubber kick to his left wing from Cameron Brown. Just as the ball was coming towards him it bounced high above his head, but Lofi Khan-Pereira had the hand eye co-ordination to adjust his hands, taking the ball cleanly and getting the ball down quickly as Western Mustangs defenders looked to prevent him from doing so.
Lofi Khan-Pereira also recorded a try assist when in the 7th minute, he made a break of thirty metres down the left touchline and drew the Western Mustangs fullback and passed inside to his right to Cameron Brown who scored ten metres in from the left corner post. It as in fact Cameron Brown that threw the cut-out pass that put Lofi Khan-Pereira away down the left touchline line to get the try scoring move under way.
Some great performances this afternoon by the Titans partnered PBC were away to Wavell SHS.
The PBC Year 7 and 8 sides both drew their matches (to be fair both sides were very unlucky not to win) and the Year 9 side had a great 18-0 win.
Titans fans should be thankful about having such a great school as PBC involved with the Titans.
The 2021 MM Cup season for Titans contracted Brock Priestley.
Brock Priestley started at right second row in Tweed Heads final 2021 MM Cup final against the Souths Logan Magpies at Logan but was forced off the field with a knee injury in the final quarter.
After missing the opening three rounds of the 2021 MM Cup competition due to the injury suffered in the Seagulls final trial against Souths Logan, Brock Priestley was named on the Seagulls extended bench for their Round Four match against the Ipswich Jets.
Brock Priestley was also originally named on the Seagulls extended bench in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies however Brock Priestley came onto the bench late in the week and was one of the Seagulls try scorers in their big victory.
Brock Priestley moved into the Seagulls starting side at left second row and captain for the Seagulls for the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears.
Brock Priestley led from the front over the course of the match with Brock Priestley getting involved early by taking the 3rd hit-up of the match, making ten metres downfield. Brock Priestley wasted little time getting involved again when in the 7th minute Brock Priestley made twelve metres starting from inside his own twenty metres and then was not allowed to his feet and received a penalty as a result.
Brock Priestley made another strong run in the 38th minute when he received the ball on the left side of the field in space and was able to make twenty metres down the left touchline to get the ball out to thirty three metres from his own line.
Brock Priestley was then named on the bench for the Seagulls Semi-final against Wynnum Manly, playing right second row when he came onto the field and scoring a first half try. Brock Priestley’s try came in the 27th minute when he ran into a gap from five metres out to score.
Brock Priestley continued his strong match in the 37th minute with a fifteen metre effort and offload to back to within five metres of the Wynnum Manly line. Brock Priestley produced another strong run in the 65th minute when he made twenty metres down the right side of the field to get the ball within thirty metres of the try line after beating three defenders.
In the 2021 MM Cup Queensland Grand Final against the Townsville Blackhawks, Brock Priestley moved into the Seagulls starting line-up, starting the Grand Final at right second row scoring one of the Seagulls first half tries in their 30 – 24 Grand Final success.
Brock Priestley scored in the 21st minute when he ran a straight crash line from five metres out off a Harrydon Wilson pass to score ten metres in from the right corner.
Brock Priestley did not take long to make his mark on the Grand Final when in the 9th minute he chased through a Harrydon Wilson grubber kick and trapped the Blackhawks fullback in the in-goal to force a goal line drop out.
With just two minutes to go, being in the 68th minute, Brock Priestley produced a telling run off a Harrydon Wilson pass to get within three metres of the line and then was on his feet quickly to effect a blindingly quick play the ball which allowed replacement hooker Blake Mozer to dart over from dummy half to get Tweed Heads back into the match.
Titans partnered Marsden SHS had a great day this afternoon against Redcliffe SHS with Marsden's Year 7, 8 and 9 teams performing exceptionally well with more than a few of the young men destined to wear the Titans jersey.
The 2021 MM Cup season for Titans contracted Bailey Martin.
In November 2020 Bailey Martin was named in the powerful Tweed Heads Seagulls 2021 MM Cup squad.
Bailey Martin was named to start from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in their first 2021 trial which was against the Easts Tigers at Langland’s Park in Brisbane however he was a late scratching from the match due to injury.
In Tweed Heads second 2021 MM Cup trial against Burleigh that Tweed Heads comprehensively won 40 – 0 with no conversions taken, Bailey Martin started from the bench in both halves to play at lock when he came onto the field.
Bailey Martin’s first minute or so when he came off the bench against Burleigh was certainly a busy one. Bailey Martin came on after Tweed Heads received a penalty and he took the hit-up off the tap restart. Two tackles later Bailey Martin took another hit-up when he came underneath half Connor Te Kani and then after playing the ball, Bailey martin stayed alert and after Blake Mozer ran out of dummy half, he was able to off-load to Bailey Martin who made more metres through the centre of the ruck.
Bailey Martin had two further impressive carries in the first half, the first being a fifteen metre run. Bailey Martin took a hit-up on around the halfway mark to the left of the play the ball and immediately cut back towards the area behind the play the ball, throwing a subtle dummy back inside to his left on his way to a fifteen metre run. Later in the first half, Bailey Martin this time took a hit-up to the left of the play the ball making another thirteen metres.
Unfortunately Bailey Martin took a head knock towards the end of the first half, necessitating his having to come from the field, but impressively Bailey Martin was back on the field early in the second half working as hard as he always does in both attack and defence after passing his concussion test on the sideline.
Bailey Martin also started from the bench in Tweed Heads final 2021 MM Cup final against the Souths Logan Magpies at Logan, playing lock in the second and fourth quarters of the match even though he was wearing jersey No. 4.
Bailey Martin was immediately in the action upon his injection into the match at quarter time, taking a hit-up to the right of the play the ball. Bailey Martin made around ten metres or so before he was taken down but as he was trying to get to his feet for his usual quick play the ball, the Souths Logan defence held on too long with Bailey Martin being awarded the resultant penalty.
Bailey Martin’s third run just minutes later garnered the same result as his first run of the match. Once again Bailey Martin’s ability to get to his feet quickly was too much for the Souths Logan Magpies defence to deal with and as a result they gave away another penalty.
To round out an outstanding quarter Bailey Martin’s fifth hit-up in just fifteen minutes, he gained thirteen more metres when he cut off his right foot to beat the first defender and then continue his surge through the centre of the ruck.
Bailey Martin made a final mark on an impressive second quarter when he produced a heavy defensive hit on the Souths Logan Magpies lock, stopping him in his tracks just five metres out from the line.
After being on the bench for the entire third quarter Bailey Martin was back on the field for the fourth quarter playing the entirety of that quarter at lock. Like in his second quarter stint, Bailey Martin was in the action immediately in the fourth quarter when the Souths Logan left winger took a hit-up centre field, beating two tackles and breaking into space, Bailey Martin cut him down from behind forcing the ball loose, with the ball being picked up and run back by Thomas Weaver.
Bailey Martin got to his feet and took the next hit-up to the right of the play the ball. Bailey Martin ran through two defenders, but was tripped up, going to ground after making ten metres, Bailey Martin bounced to his feet as he was not held and made another ten metres before being brought down a second time. After a lightning quick play the ball by Bailey Martin, Tweed Heads scored on the play in the left corner.
Even after that hectic start to the fourth quarter Bailey Martin did not rest on his laurels, producing a strong tackle minute later on the Souths Logan front rower (No. 10) who had charged at him from a penalty restart with Bailey Martin’s strong initial contact forcing the ball loose.
Two sets of six tackles later, Souths Logan had a twenty metres restart and in the resultant set of six, Bailey Martin was involved in three of the five tackles, with the third being on the Souths Logan No. 10 once again and once again Bailey Martin’s contact forced the ball loose.
In a fitting end to the match for him, due to his high work rate, Baley Martin ran the ball into the Souths Logan defence once again as the final siren sounded.
In an impressive forty minutes on the field, Bailey Martin made eleven hit-ups, with two resulting in penalties won when he was held down by the Magpies defenders. Bailey Martin also made multiple tackles in his two stints on the field and on three of those occasions, Bailey Martin’s contact forced the ball loose.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Bailey Martin started on the bench against the Ipswich Jets coming onto the play lock in the 25th minute and took the ball into the defensive line as soon as he had come onto the field. As usual, Bailey Martin was defensively strong defending in the centre of the field as Tweed Heads came from behind to win 22 – 20.
Bailey Martin also started from the bench in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies coming on to play lock towards the end of the first half. Bailey Martin made a key run out of his own twenty metre mark in the 34th minute and as a result of Bailey Martin’s quick play the ball, Kaleb Ngamanu made a further fifteen metres downfield from the next hit-up.
Bailey Martin was in the action at the start of the second half taking the hit-up off the kick-off and ‘bringing the out to the ten metre line, which was impressive considering the ball was dropped backwards off the kick-up and Bailey Martin literally got the pass after the ball bounced around and literally on the dead ball line. But for Bailey Martin’s speed, Tweed Heads may well have been trapped in the in-goal from the kick-off. Impressively Bailey Martin then backed up to take the 4th hit-up in the same set of six.
Bailey Martin showed some outstanding hands in the 49th minute when he received a pass from his right and got hit from his blindside as soon as he took the ball, but Bailey Martin was able to hold onto the ball and in fact maintain his balance and body control and even make a couple of metres with a giant Souths Logan forward trying to wrestle him to the ground.
A desperate tackle by Bailey Martin in the 53rd minute on Souths Logan front rower Sione Fotuaika was an impressive hit as it took all of the momentum out of the Souths Logan attack just metres out from the try line.
Bailey Martin once again started from the bench in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Burleigh Bears coming on to play lock in the 19th minute and immediately was working defensively with a strong tackle on Bears left winger Jeremaiah Tamepo. Bailey Martin then followed that tackle up two tackles later with a heavy hit on Bears replacement front rower C****n Patu.
Bailey Martin continued his strong defensive match with two strong tackles in a row in the 40th minute, the first when he took on Titan Vaikai from a kick-off then then came over the top to put Delahia Wigmore on the ground on the next hit-up.
Bailey Martin took his first hit-up of the match in the 23rd minute and what a hit-up it was. Bailey Martin received the ball thirty eight metres out from his own line to the right of the play the ball and immediately stepped off his left foot, breaking through two Burleigh defenders in the area behind the play the ball. Once into space Bailey Martin used a left foot step to beat the Bears fullback and then position Keano Kini perfectly, passing to the winger with a long spiral right sided pass to put the winger over.
Bailey Martin was also named to start at from the bench for Round Four match against the Ipswich Jets coming on in the 26th minute of the match with his first hit-upcoming in the first six of six after his introduction with the run making ten metres.
Bailey Martin’s fearless approach was showcased in the 34th minute of the match when he flew onto the ball from the Ipswich Jets kick-off after Kruz Remine’s third try of the first half.
Bailey Martin continued to take the ball up with speed in the second half, including in the 54th minute when he received the ball three passes off the ruck to the right of the field ten metres out from the line. Immediately upon receiving the ball, Bailey Martin cut back towards the left, beating two tackles, only to be dragged down less than a metre out from the line. Bailey Martin fought to get to his feet, playing the ball quickly to allow Oskar Bryant to pass to Riley Gladsby who crashed over from close range.
Bailey Martin also started from the bench in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies.
After being rested in Round Six, Bailey Martin was named on the bench for the Seagulls Semi-final against Wynnum Manly and had an impressive match including an outstanding first half line break.
Bailey Martin’s line break came in the 30th minute and came when Bailey Martin was returning the ball from the kick-off after Brock Priestley’s try. When he received the ball on the goal line, Bailey Martin ran to his left. As he approached the Wynnum Manly defensive line, Bailey Martin stepped off his right foot to beat two defenders and break through the initial defensive line. Just after he went over the halfway mark, Bailey Martin was able to get the ball away to his right to JT Manefotoa.
Bailey Martin then took the third hit-up of the same set and then also returned the kick-off from the next Tweed Heads try, making twenty more metres.
In the 2021 MM Cup Queensland Grand Final against the Townsville Blackhawks, Bailey Martin once again started from the bench however he came into the match in just the 9th minute after a HIA in the Seagulls 30 – 24 victory..
Bailey Martin’s fist run came in the 21st minute when he got within five metres of the try line directly in front of the posts and starting his run twenty metres out. As usual Bailey Martin was able to get a quick play the ball even though he had multiple defenders on him with Brock Priestley scoring from the next play.
Defensively Bailey Martin has his usual strong self in the Grand Final and was involved in two try saving tackles early in the second half, on the first occasion in the 42nd holding up the Townsville replacement dummy half over the line and just a minute later Bailey Martin produced a great low tackle with his left shoulder to stop another.
To round up a great day yesterday for Titans partnered schools Keebra Park's Year 7, 8 and 9 teams all had wins as well.
Year 7 defeated tretton 52-4
Year 8 defeated Coombabah 40-18
Year 9 defeated Coombabah 32-10
Kobi Walpole started Round One of the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition for the Cugen Hornets on the left wing scoring a double in their impressive 38 – 6 first up victory against the Tweed Coast Raiders.
Kobi Walpole’s first try came in the 33rd minute when he dived over in the left corner after receiving a cut out pass from Harvey Moase. Kobi Walpole took the ball ten metres out and actually did well as the pass was a fration behind him and he got the ball down under immense pressure from the cover defence.
Kobi Walpole scored his second try only seven minutes later in the 40th minute when he received an inside pass from left centre Cooper Camby and once again scored near the left corner.
In early October 2020 Kobi Walpole was part of a Titans Group 18 U16 Invitational side that played a trial match against a Titans squad with the match being played at Cbus Stadium, giving the young players a great experience with an added bonus that the two team’s wore Titans jerseys.
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Titans JTS member Levi Bannon excelled yesterday afternoon for Marsden State High School as they defeated Redcliffe State High School with Levi Bannon scoring two tries and came desperately close to completing a hat trick.
Levi Bannon scored a trademark long range try in the first half when from a Marsden scrum win Levi Bannon received the ball from the base of the scrum to the left immediately running at the line with the ball out in front of his body in two hands, slicing through and then Levi Bannon easily outpaced the cover defence to score.
Levi Bannon scored his second try in the second half after Marsden attacked from their own line. The ball was spun to the left by Marsden literally on their own line with the left centre finding space. Levi Bannon loomed up on the right to take the pass and run fifty metres to score under the posts.
As noted, Levi Bannon almost had a hat trick when he grubbered from ten metres out with the ball bouncing off the right goal post, unfortunately Levi Bannon just could not control it when he raced through.
Two other pieces of play in the match also deserve mention as they both highlight some of the exceptional skills that Levi Bannon possesses.
Early in the match Levi Bannon kicked from forty metres out with the ball pulling up perfectly in the in-goal and also in the first half Levi Bannon ran the ball down a wide left blindside, committing the defence before throwing a twenty metre cut out pass to his left that hit his winger on the chest with the winger being about to run thirty metres downfield.
The 2021 MM Cup season for Titans contracted Ryan Foran.
Ryan Foran started from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in their first 2021 trial which was against the Easts Tigers at Langland’s Park and was one of the Seagulls best in their 28 – 12 first up victory.
In the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup sides second trial against Burleigh, Ryan Foran started the second half at left second row recording an impressive late match line break and a subsequent try assist.
Mid-way through the second half Ryan Foran steamed onto the ball forty eight metres out from the line, utilising a slight step off his left foot to break through the Burleigh defensive line and then Ryan Foran positioned his support in Keano Kini perfectly to draw the fullback and pass to his left for Kini to sprint twenty five metres to put the ball down under the posts.
Ryan Foran was involved early in the set of six from the kick restart of the second half, taking two hit-ups including a twenty five metre burst down the left side of the field that included breaking two tackles. Later in the second half, Ryan Foran once again proved difficult to stop for the Burleigh right sided defence when he charged eighteen metres before three defenders eventually brought him to ground.
Ryan Foran also started at left second row in Tweed Heads final 2021 MM Cup final against the Souths Logan Magpies at Civic Park in Logan.
Ran Foran was immediately in the match, taking part in the first tackle of the match along with Jack Cullen when the two Titans contracted forwards brought down Souths Logan front rower and fellow Titans contracted player Sione Fotuaika who had taken the hit-up from the kick-off.
Ryan Foran was also part of an impressive Tweed Heads Seagulls attacking sequence in the second minute of the third quarter. Keano Kini produced a great right arm around the corner off-load to Ryan Foran who charged fifteen metres downfield before drawing a defender and passing to his left to Kaleb Ngamanu who raced thirty metres downfield before being bundled into touch just metres short of the left corner post.
Late in the third quarter, Ryan Foran charged into the Souths Logan Magpies defence from a penalty restart making an impressive twenty metres, at least half of which post contact, with the run finishing inside the Souths Logan Magpies twenty metre area.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Ryan Foran started at left second row against the Ipswich Jets and was in the action on just the third hit-up of the match when he came back underneath Thomas Weaver, pushing the Ipswich defensive line back a couple of metres.
Ryan Foran highlighted how difficult he is to get to the ground in the 13th minute when he burst twelve metres down the left side of the field with the majority of those metres post contact and made his way to within eight metres of the line being stopped.
Ryan Foran is also a strong defender and the Ipswich Jets halfback found that out in the 31st minute of the match when Ryan Foran flew out of the line to monster him just as he was trying to pass to his right. After the tackle Ryan Foran certainly let him know about it.
Ryan Foran also started at left second row in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies scoring late in the first half (31st minute) when he received the ball in the left thirteen metres out, bumping off one defender to cross the line out wide and then Ryan Foran was able to bring the ball around closer to the posts.
Ryan Foran made another strong surge in the 41st minute, making thirteen metres down the left side of the field dragging a Souths Logan defender along for the ride.
Ryan Foran showed his desperation in defence in the 55th minute when he along with Oskar Bryant both got underneath the Souths Logan hooker to hold him up over the line after he had tried to sneak over from dummy half to the right of the play the ball.
Ryan Foran once again started at left second row in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Burleigh Bears making an early contribution with a run that made twelve metres in the 12th minute of the match from a penalty restart.
Ryan Foran added to his strong match in the 23rd minute with a run that accounted for twenty valuable metres from the kick-off after Blake Mozer had scored. After receiving the ball on the ten metre mark, Ryan Foran was able to get the ball thirty seven metres away from his own line before eventually being wrestled to the ground by multiple Bears defenders.
Late in the first half Ryan Foran was on hand to continue to put pressure on Burleigh when he along with Kaleb Ngamanu was on hand to drag the Burleigh right winger into touch just out from his own line after he took a bomb on the field in the left corner.
In the 57th minute Ryan Foran produced probably his best run of the match with a twenty metre hit-up which including a left foot step to get out of the Seagulls won twenty metre area.
Ryan Foran was also named to start at left second row for Round Four match against the Ipswich Jets and produced a strong performance on the left side of the field, with the first of his multiple contributions coming in just the 5th minute with a run down a short left blindside of twelve metres that to take Tweed Heads across the halfway mark. Later in the same set of six, Ryan Foran made a further fifteen metres to get the Seagulls into their attacking twenty metre zone.
Ryan Foran recorded a try assist in the 19th minute, when he received a pass from Thomas Weaver down a short left blindside and ran downfield before passing to his left to Kruz Remine who once again crossed in the left corner.
Ryan Foran’s slick hands were on display in the 29th minute when he reacted quickly to get his hands down low and to his right to cleanly take an Ipswich grubber kick and then Ryan Foran was able to bring the ball back towards the twenty metre mark.
Ryan Foran also started at left second row in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies and was one of the Seagulls try scorers in the 38 – 14 victory.
After being rested in Round Six, Ryan Foran was named at left second row for the Seagulls Semi-final against Wynnum Manly and was in the match early, being involved in the Seagulls first tackle of the match when he chased through a Thomas Weaver kick into the left corner.
Ryan Foran made a strong run in the 31st minute, making twelve metres and getting to within twenty five metres of the Wynnum Manly line.
Ryan Foran recorded a try assist in the 45th minute when backed up a Seagulls break down the left touchline and was on hand to retrieve an inside kick from left winger Elijah Lui and passed to his right to Jaylan De Groot who dived over under the posts.
In the 2021 MM Cup Queensland Grand Final against the Townsville Blackhawks, Ryan Foran once again started at left second row as the Seagulls defeated Townsville 30 – 24 to claim back to back MM Cup Championships.
Ryan Foran was in the match early, making a strong run that accounted for twelve metres in the 7th minute to get Tweed Heads inside the attacking twenty metre area. Ryan Foran then made a start play in the 8th minute when he chased through a Thomas Weaver grubber kick and got to the Townsville fullback who had made it out of the in-goal. Ryan Foran however was able to hold the fullback off the ground and then force him back into the in-goal.
The 2021 MM Cup season for Titans contracted Jack Cullen.
In the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup sides second trial against Burleigh, Jack Cullen started the second half in the front row even though he wore the No. 13 jersey.
Jack Cullen also started in the front row in Tweed Heads final 2021 MM Cup final against the Souths Logan Magpies at Logan producing a player of the match performance including scoring two third quarter tries in a 32 – 8 Seagulls victory.
Jack Cullen’s first of his two second half tries came in the 5th minute of the third quarter. Standing two passes off the ball the ball on the right side of the ruck, Jack Cullen came back underneath Riley Lack who had run to his right. Jack Cullen beat two defenders in the ten metres to the line before spinning clockwise with two defenders holding onto him to score ten metres to the left of the uprights.
Jack Cullen’s second try of the match and of the third quarter came from a relatively simple hit-up, he ran to the left of the play the bell three metres out, receiving the ball from Blake Mozer before veering a fraction to his left to score mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the left side of the field.
The sequence of events involving Jack Cullen after his first try deserves to be written in detail as it perfectly encompasses all that is Jack Cullen. From the kick-off after his third quarter try, Jack Cullen took the ball up once again and was hit with a heavy shoulder charge which saw the Souths Logan player on report. After Tweed Heads kicked for touch from the penalty, Jack Cullen was on hand once again to charge into the defensive line and made twelve more metres.
At the end of that set of six, Tweed Heads kicked to their right corner to try to pin Souths Logan there. On the third tackle of that Souths Logan set, their lock took a hit up to the left of the play the ball. Jack Cullen flew out of the line from the Souths Logan locks right hitting with around the chest with significant power. As a result the ball came lose and Tweed Heads regained possession from the subsequent scrum.
Jack Cullen was immediately in the match, taking part in the first tackle of the match along with Ryan Foran when the two Titans contracted forwards brought down Souths Logan front rower and fellow Titans contracted player Sione Fotuaika.
One of Jack Cullen’s many stand out moments in the match came from the kick off after Tweed Heads first try. From the kick off Jack Cullen burst through the Souths Logan defensive line, keeping his balance once through the line even though his weight was well forward. Jack Cullen then as the Souths Logan defence converged sent a great off-load whilst running at full speed to his left to Campbell Watchairs who sprinted seventy metres only to be brought down metres from the Souths Logan try line. Two tackles later Tweed Heads scored in the opposite corner, but the try as Jack Cullen’s. There is no doubt about that.
Jack Cullen then took the hit-up from the kick off after that Campbell Watchairs try, with Souths Logan defenders coming from everywhere to try to put a big hit on him. Jack Cullen was hit high in the tackle and was awarded a penalty as a result. In typical Jack Cullen style he got up totally unfazed by what had happened and just got on with the game.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Jack Cullen started in the front row against the Ipswich Jets and charged into the Ipswich defensive line for the first of many occasions including taking the 4th hit-up of the match.
Jack Cullen also started in the front row in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies and made his presence felt in just Tweed Head’s second set of the match, charging fourteen metres to take the ball into Souths Logan territory.
Jack Cullen was on the charge once again just minutes later taking the hit-up from the kick-off to Keano Kini’s try to get the ball back to the Tweed Heads twenty metre line after taking on an onrushing Souths Logan defensive line.
A strong run in the 63rd minute almost produced a try when he flew onto the ball in the twenty metre area, getting partially through the Souths Logan line before throwing a right arm off-load to Jaylan De Groot who was backing up on his left with Jaylan De Groot getting within metres of the line. Jaylan De Groot in fact was held down and awarded a penalty which Thomas Weaver then kicked to put Tweed Heads eight points in front with six minutes to go.
Jack Cullen almost scored a deserved try in the 67th minute when he received that ball twelve metres out from the Souths Logan line to the left of the play the ball. Jack Cullen dummied to his left and burst through the line but in the end was held up by three Magpies defenders, preventing Jack Cullen from getting the ball down.
Jack Cullen showed his desperation in defence in the 52nd minute when he along with Reico Ratana both chased hard and made a last ditch tackle on the Souths Logan fullback who had burst through the centre of the field off an offload. In the 57th minute Jack Cullen produced another piece of outstanding defence when he hit the Souths Logan No. 11 front on dislodging the ball with Souths Logan on the attack.
Jack Cullen once again started in the front row in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Burleigh Bears and as usual made his presence felt in the match early with a big run to the right of the dummy half on just the second hit up of the match, making thirteen metres. Jack Cullen then backed up to take the 4th hit-up in the same set of six to get Tweed Heads within five metres of the Burleigh line directly in front of the posts.
Jack Cullen continued to make ground throughout the match including a strong 18th minute hit-up when he cut back off his left foot making fifteen metres before the Burleigh defence dragged him down on the halfway line.
Jack Cullen added to his impressive statistics in the match with the hit-up in the 25th minute from the kick off to Keano Kini’s ty making thirteen post contact metres to get the Seagulls immediate solid field position.
In the 62nd minute, Jack Cullen made twelve more metres to get Tweed Heads on the attack inside Burleigh’s twenty metre mark and then in the 65th minute and another charge that made ten metres got the Seagulls out of their twenty metre area as the match went from end to end.
Jack Cullen was also named to start in the front row for Round Four match against the Ipswich Jets scoring and generally dominating against a giant Ipswich Jets forward pack.
Jack Cullen scored his try in the last minute of the first half when he ran a 45 degree angled run to the right of the dummy half to barge over midway between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
Even prior to scoring Jack Cullen proved to be more than a handful for the Jets defence including a strong twelve metre effort at the 14 minute mark when he burst onto the ball to the left of the play the ball in the set of set from the kick-off after Kruz Remine’s first of four tries.
Once again in the 23rd minute Jack Cullen charged into the Jets defensive line, on that occasion making fourteen metres into the Ipswich twenty metre zone.
Jack Cullen also started in the front row in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies as Tweed Heads won again.
After being rested in Round Six, Jack Cullen was named in the front row for the Seagulls Semi-final against Wynnum Manly and was in the match early, being involved in the Seagulls first tackle of the match when he chased through a Thomas Weaver kick into the left corner.
Jack Cullen produced a series of strong runs, including in the 54th minute, making fifteen metres out of his own twenty metre area.
In the 2021 MM Cup Queensland Grand Final against the Townsville Blackhawks, Jack Cullen was named to start in the front row however he was ruled out late in the week due to a suspension from the semi-final against Wynnum Manly.
The 2021 MM Cup season for Titans contracted Oskar Bryant.
In the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup sides second trial against Burleigh, Oskar Bryant started the second half at hooker and was his usual dynamic self when running out of dummy half.
One of Oskar Bryant’s darts out of dummy half directly led to a Josh Lynn try. Oskar Bryant ran out of dummy half to the right around eleven metres out from the line, drawing the Burleigh B defender before offloading to fullback Jaylan De Groot who then threw a quick short pass to his right to put Josh Lynn over.
Oskar Bryant also started at hooker in Tweed Heads final 2021 MM Cup final against the Souths Logan Magpies at Logan.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Oskar Bryant started at hooker against the Ipswich Jets and scored a key try in the 61st minute of the match that put Tweed Heads back in front by two points, a lead that they kept for the remainder of the match.
Oskar Bryant moved into dummy half with the play the ball twenty metres out from the Ipswich line. As soon as the ball was played Oskar Bryant shot out of dummy half to the right down a short blind side before cutting back behind the play the ball to find open space. Oskar Bryant then used his speed to veer to the right and dive over to score mid-way between the goal post and corner post on the left side of the field.
In the 68th minute of the match with the clock ticking down Oskar Bryant showed what a talented game manager he is when he kicked out of dummy half forty metres out from his own line. Oskar Bryant took one step out of dummy half to the right of the play the bell with his right foot kick travelling in excess of fifty metres into the right corner, Oskar Bryant was then the first Seagulls defender down field to make the tackle on the Jets fullback.
Oskar Bryant also started at hooker in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies, making the first tackle of the match when he confronted Souths Logan front rower Herman Tofaeono who charged into the Tweed Heads defensive line.
Oskar Bryant showed his desperation in defence in the 55th minute when he along with Ryan Foran both got underneath the Souths Logan hooker to hold him up over the line after he had tried to sneak over from dummy half to the right of the play the ball.
Oskar Bryant once again started at hooker in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Burleigh Bears making his presence felt in just the 4th minute of the match with a strong front on tackle directly in front of his own goal posts on Burleigh front rower Brody Smitka.
Oskar Bryant started his match with a strong tackle and finished it the same way in the 65th minute with a driving tackle on Burleigh five eight Travis May which forced him back four metres.
Oscar Bryant showcased his kicking skills out of dummy half in the 10th minute of the match when he stepped to the right of the play the ball kicking downfield from inside the forty and it was almost a perfect 40/20 with the Burleigh fullback just preventing the ball from going into touch.
Oskar Bryant was also named to start at hooker for Round Four match against the Ipswich Jets and in Round Five against the Ipswich Jets.
After being rested for Round Six against Burleigh Oskar Bryant was back for the 2021 MM Cup semi-final against Wynnum Manly and made his first telling run out of dummy half in the 21st minute when he darted out of dummy half to his right to make fifteen metres and get to within twenty metres of the try line.’
Oskar Bryant produced a smart piece of play in the 65th minute when he was defending at marker. Wynnum Manly tried a play to the right of the play the ball with the halfback running onto the ball before passing back inside to the dummy half, Oskar Bryant was having none of it however and stepped forward to take the intercept.
Oskar Bryant also started at hooker in the 2021 MM Cup Grand Final as the Seagulls won back to back MM Cup Championships by defeating the Townsville Blackhawks in Townsville 30 – 24 with Oskar Bryant contributing a first half try assist to the victory.
In the 17th minute, Oskar Bryant took off out of dummy half to his right on the halfway mark, slicing through the middle of the Blackhawks defence after veering back towards the area behind the play the ball. After he was through the line, Oskar Bryant drew the fullback before passing to his right to Jaylan De Groot who raced away to score under the posts.
Tweed Heads were under pressure early and in the 6th minute, Oskar Bryant along with Jaylan De Groot and Thomas Weaver were able to stem the flow by holding of a rampaging Townsville front rower (No. 8) to stop the Blackhawks from scoring twice in the opening minutes.
Oskar Bryant pulled off another try saving tackle in the 59th minute when he was able to hold up the Townsville replacement dummy half next to the right uprights.
Oskar Bryant’s first run out of dummy half with the Grand Final came in the 8th minute when he ran out of dummy half to his left making thirteen metres to get within thirteen metres of the try line.
The 2021 MM Cup season for Titans contracted Kaleb Ngamanu.
In November 2020 Kaleb Ngamanu was named in the powerful Tweed Heads Seagulls 2021 MM Cup squad and in Round One Kaleb Ngamanu started at left centre against the Ipswich Jets.
It was an interesting game for Kaleb Ngamanu, for the first sixty five minutes the ball and play always seemed to be on the opposite side of the field, but with the game on the line in the final five minutes with Tweed Heads holding onto a two point lead, all of a sudden the ball and play was everywhere where Kaleb Ngamanu was.
In the 65th minute with the Seagulls defending their won line, Kaleb Ngamanu produced an outstanding tackle on the Jets tearaway left second rower. The Jets second rower had space to build his momentum and charged at the line but Kaleb Ngamanu put him on the ground with a superb low tackle.
The Jets No. 11 second rower felt the power of Kaleb Ngamanu once again just three minutes later in the 68th minute. The Jets had an overlap but Kaleb Ngamanu came out of the line to hit the second rower around the chest just as he was looking up after taking possession of the ball.
Interspersed between those two outstanding tackles was a strong hard run brining the ball out of his own twenty metre area by Kaleb Ngamanu who received the ball off Oskar Bryant to the left of the play the ball making ten valuable metres. The last five metres of the run were on his hands and knees after Kaleb Ngamanu was tripped up not long into his run but Kaleb Ngamanu just kept forcing his way forward.
Such was Kaleb Ngamanu’s performance that he was named as the Seagulls best in the Round One match.
Kaleb Ngamanu also started at left centre in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies and was outstanding once again in both attack and defence.
Kaleb Ngamanu’s impressive match started to just the 7th minute with a line break of twenty five metres down the left touch line after he was put away by great work on his inside by Keano Kini. Kaleb Ngamanu made another strong run down the left touchline in the 31st minute, making twelve metres before eventually being stopped just centremetres short of the line in the left corner.
Kaleb Ngamanu also had some strong runs through the centre of the field, as good as any of those was in the 19th minute when from his own territory, Kaleb Ngamanu made eleven metres through the centre of the ruck to give the Seagulls some room to move. Kaleb Ngamanu made a further fifteen metres in the 34th minute of the first half when once again brining the ball out of his own territory.
The half time break did not slow Kaleb Ngamanu down as in the 36th minute he took the second hit up of the second half after the kick-off. The play the ball was only ten metres out from the line but Kaleb Ngamanu was able to bring the ball out to the Twenty metre line after taking on the centre of the Souths Logan defensive line.
With the game in the balance, Kaleb Ngamanu continued to press Tweed Heads case with a strong effort from a tap restart from a penalty, making thirteen metres to get the Seagulls into the Magpies twenty metre area and then in the 67th minute, Kaleb Ngamanu darted out of dummy half to his right making twelve hard fought metres to get Tweed Heads within ten metres of the Souths Logan line.
Defensively Kaleb Ngamanu was also very strong with a number of tackles standing out including a front on tackle in the 37th minute on his opposite number with Kaleb Ngamanu’s strong initial contact forcing the ball out and putting Tweed Heads back on the attack.
Kaleb Ngamanu almost got himself on the scoreboard in the 51st minute when he took a Souths Logan cross kick on the bounce and looked set to streak away on an eighty metre runaway try but the play was called back for interference on the Souths Logan kicker.
Kaleb Ngamanu once again started at left centre in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Burleigh Bears and once again was one of the Seagulls best in their strong derby victory.
Kaleb Ngamanu’s impressive afternoon got underway in just the 6th minute with a perfectly timed and executed driving low tackle after coming out of the line on Burleigh second rower Seth Nikotemo which forced the much bigger player back three metres.
Kaleb Ngamanu added a further great low tackle to his highlight reel in the match with a beautifully executed tackle in the 56th minute of the match when he moved up from a Burleigh scrum win to take down the Burleigh centre less than ten metres out from the Burleigh line and then backed up to make the next tackle.
Kaleb Ngamanu was outstanding defensively against Burleigh but also had some strong runs with the ball with the first of many coming in the 9th minute of the match when he took the ball from the dummy half just a metre out from his own line. Kaleb Ngamanu was able to get the ball out to the ten metre mark with the Burleigh defence rushing at him. Then just four minutes later Kaleb Ngamanu produced another ten metre effort to get the ball away from the try line.
Kaleb Ngamanu continued to show up when his team needed him including in the 34th minute when with Tweed Heads under pressure in their own territory Kaleb Ngamanu surged sixteen metres through the centre of the ruck to get the ball just into Burleigh’s territory.
Late in the first half Kaleb Ngamanu was on hand to continue to put pressure on Burleigh when he along with Ryan Foran was on hand to drag the Burleigh right winger into touch just out from his own line after he took a bomb on the field in the left corner.
Kaleb Ngamanu was also named to start at left centre for Round Four match against the Ipswich Jets and was close to if not the Seagulls best in their big 28 – 24 victory.
Kaleb Ngamanu was into the action early in the match in just the second minute with a strong run to the right of the dummy half before cutting back into the area behind the play the ball to make eleven metres to bring the ball out of the Seagulls twenty metre area.
Kaleb Ngamanu continued his strong start to the match in the 3rd minute with a run that made ten metres to get Tweed Heads within twenty metres of the try line. Just two minutes later, in the 5th minute, Kaleb Ngamanu charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball before cutting off his right foot to gain sixteen metres.
Late in the first half in the 27th minute Kaleb Ngamanu once again was key in getting Tweed Heads out of their own territory, on that occasion Kaleb Ngamanu made eighteen metres to get the ball across the halfway mark.
Even with the game well and truly won, Kaleb Ngamanu’s effort did not drop off as was evidenced in the 67th minute, when he took a hit-up to the right of the dummy half with the run starting one metre out from his own line and Kaleb Ngamanu bringing the ball out to seventeen metres out from his own line.
It was not just off the play the ball that Kaleb Ngamanu was able to make ground as in the 23rd minute, Kaleb Ngamanu made fifteen metres down a wide left blindside off a Tweed Heads scrum win, with Kaleb Ngamanu then making a further ten metres more to get to the Ipswich forty metre mark later in the same set of six.
Kaleb Ngamanu was also heavily involved in a Tweed Heads try in the 12th minute when Thomas Weaver threw a long pass to his left to find Kaleb Ngamanu who went into the line before passing to his left also to Kuuz Remine who dived over in the left corner. It was the exact same combination of players and the exact same play in the 32nd minute that led to another Kruz Remine try.
Kaleb Ngamanu was also strong defensively in the match including a sithing low tackle on the Ipswich right second rower (No. 11), cutting him down expertly.
Kaleb Ngamanu’s calmness under pressure was also on display in the match in the 7th minute when he left high to take a cross field bomb on the full under heavy pressure.
Late in the match in the 61st minute Kaleb Ngamanu almost produced a try out of nothing. Ipswich were attacking the Tweed Heads line down their right side but the ball went to ground, Kaleb Ngamanu got to the ball first and toe’d it through and then around the halfway mark kicked the ball off the ground for the second time, unfortunately in the subsequent foot race the ball was knocked forward just ten metres out from the try line.
Kaleb Ngamanu also started at left centre in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies.
After being rested in Round Six, Kaleb Ngamanu was named at left centre for the Seagulls Semi-final against Wynnum Manly and was in the match early, being involved in the Seagulls first tackle of the match when he chased through a Thomas Weaver kick into the left corner.
The ball did not get out to Kaleb Ngamanu’s side of the field through ball movement but Kaleb Ngamanu was still very effective in the match, especially in terms of running out of dummy half. in the 15th minute, Kaleb Ngamanu ran out of dummy half to his right making twenty metres before once again running out of dummy half to his right once again in the 21st minute, on that occasion making fourteen metres to get into Wynnum Manly territory.
Kaleb Ngamanu ran to his right out of dummy half once again in the 25th minute, making a further twelve metres with approximately 60% of those metres made post contact.
Kaleb Ngamanu made a further run out of dummy half in the 33rd minute making thirteen metres to near halfway after going to his right.
Kaleb Ngamanu also recorded two line break assists in the match with the first coming in the 49th minute when after receiving the ball from the base of a scrum ran to his right, putting on a stutter step to get outside one defender and draw the Wynnum Manly right winger to put Elijah Lui away down the left touchline, with the Seagulls left winger eventually being tackled less than ten metres out.
Kaleb Ngamanu’s second line break assist came in the 45th minute when a great short quick pass to his left put Elijah Lui away down the left touchline who then kicked inside for Ryan Foran to retrieve the ball and pass to his right to Jaylan De Groot who dived over under the posts.
Kaleb Ngamanu then produced another strong run of sixteen metres in the 58th minute, which was the third hit-up from the kick off after Elijah Lui’s long range try.
In the 2021 MM Cup Queensland Grand Final against the Townsville Blackhawks, Kaleb Ngamanu once again started at left centre as the Seagulls made in back to back MM Cup successes by beating Townsville 30 – 24 with Kaleb Ngamanu scoring in the final minute of the match to ensure victory.
With just seconds to go in the match and ten metres out from their own line, Townsville tried to run back a Thomas Weaver grubber but Kaleb Ngamanu got hold of his opponent and stripped the ball in a one on one tackle and ran ten metres to dive over near the left corner to get the Seagulls celebrations under way.
In addition to his try Kaleb Ngamanu also recorded a line break when in the 13th minute from a hit-up from his own twenty he bumped off two would be defenders to get to near the halfway mark before he was brought down.
In the 30th minute Kaleb Ngamanu pulled off a smart piece of play when he charged down a Blackhawks clearing kick to get the ball back for Tweed Heads.
The 2021 MM Cup season for Titans contracted Keano Kini.
Keano Kini started from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in their first 2021 trial which was against the Easts Tigers at Langland’s Park and was one of the Seagulls best in their 28 – 12 first up victory.
In Tweed Heads second 2021 MM Cup trial against Burleigh that Tweed Heads comprehensively won, Keano Kini played the first half at fullback and then came back on late in the match to line up at fullback once again and scoring late in the match.
Keano Kini’s late second half try was a typical fullbacks opportunist try when after loitering behind the play the ball Keano Kini loomed up on the left of Ryan Foran. Ryan Foran steamed onto the ball forty eight metres out from the line, utilising a slight step off his left foot to break through the Burleigh defensive line and then Ryan Foran positioned his support in Keano Kini perfectly to draw the fullback and pass to his left for Kini to sprint twenty five metres to put the ball down under the posts.
Keano Kini was in the action early in the match setting up a try down the left side of the field for Tweed Heads left second rower Jayden Wright, Keano Kini took the pass from the dummy half twenty metres out down a wide blind side. Keano Kini ran at the line with the ball in both hands before subtling adjusting his running line to his left and producing a good short ball to the left of his body to put Jayden Wright into a gap and from there the second rower was able to power over and score five metres in from the left corner post.
Keano Kini also produced an outstanding run in the first half, when from a Seagulls scrum win, Keano Kini ran to the left of the field, rounding three defenders and making twenty metres downfield but just as he was about to breakaway, Keano Kini was dragged down from behind. Keano Kini however won a penalty for his team after the run when the Burleigh defence would not allow him to get to his feet and execute a quick play the ball.
Keano Kini also started from the bench in Tweed Heads final 2021 MM Cup final against the Souths Logan Magpies at Logan, scoring early in the second quarter. Keano Kini came onto the left wing in the second quarter before playing fullback in the second half.
Keano Kini’s try came in the 25th minute of the match, he had stayed on the left touchline as the ball was being thrown out in his direction. Keano Kini received the ball from Kaleb Ngamanu who threw a long pass to his left to Keano Kini. Three Souths Logan defenders were coming across in cover defence, but at the last moment Keano Kini who had presented that he was going for the left corner, stepped back inside off his left, resulting in all three defenders sailing past. Keano Kini was then able to dive over to score five metres in from the left corner post.
Keano Kini’s first run of the match came off a Tweed Heads scrum win. Keano Kini had moved in from his left wing to be the first receiver to the left of the scrum, darting past two defenders whilst making fifteen valuable metres from deep in his own half.
Keano Kini produced another superb second quarter run and once again it was as first receiver from a scrum with a Tweed Heads feed ten metres from their own line. Keano Kini received the ball just five metres out from his own line and literally ran around the three Souths Logan right side defenders before beating one when he stepped back inside off his left. Keano Kini burst through four arm tackles on defenders who were trying to keep up with his directional changes before he was hit high from behind with the Souths Logan defender being sin binned and put on report for the high hit. Keano Kini’s exceptional run had brought the ball an additional thirty metres away from the Tweed heads Seagulls line.
Keano Kini continued his dominant performance in the second minute of the third quarter with an outstanding offload and line break assist. After moving to fullback, Keano Kini chimed into the Tweed Heads backline on the left side of the field, going deep into the line before producing an outstanding right arm around the corner pass to put Ryan Foran into space.
Keano Kini continued his exceptional match later in the third quarter with yet another impressive run. Souths Logan received a penalty and kicked for touch but the Tweed Heads left winger was able to bat the ball back into the field of play. Keano Kini retrieved the ball inside his own twenty, immediately racing to his right at a 60 degree angle. As he approached the Souths Logan defensive line, Keano Kini stepped subtly off his left twice but bumping off one defender who tried to take him chest high before cutting back to his left to make an additional ten metres post contact. In total from when he retrieved the ball, Keano Kini make forty metres.
Keano Kini produced a further outstanding run a couple of minutes later from the second hit-up after Billy Mozer’s try. Taking a hit-up to the left of the play the ball, Keano Kini was initially hit behind the advantage line, but after breaking that tackle, he exploded down field to make ten metres.
A third impressive run in the third quarter came in the 8th minute of the quarter when Keano Kini looped around to a short left blind side from a Titans scrum win. Thomas Weaver received the ball from Blake Mozer who had packed in at lock and held the ball up as Riley Lack ran a decoy line, giving the ball to Keano Kini who made twenty metres downfield utilising his exceptional footwork to beat multiple tackles.
Just two minutes later, Keano Kini again broke through the Souths Logan defensive line after being the first receiver of a Titans scrum win. Keano Kini ran to the right after receiving the ball from the back of the scrum, stepping off his left to beat one defender, making fifteen metres downfield before eventually being brought down.
Keano Kini also showcased his outstanding top end speed in the second quarter. Souths Logan Magpies captain and five eight Ezra Mam broke through the Tweed Heads right sided defence and chipped over the fullback with a foot race ensuing. Keano Kini started ten metres behind Mam and on the opposite side of the field but within twenty five metres Keano Kini had caught and passed Mam in the race to the ball that had pulled up in the in-goal, ultimately knocking the ball dead.
Keano Kini started Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition on the left wing before spending a significant portion of the second half at fullback as Tweed Heads took on the Ipswich Jets at home and set up the Seagulls first try of the match.
Thomas Weaver took the ball down a shortish left blindside and throwing a long cut out pass when he was forty eight metres out to his left to put Keano Kini away down the left touch line. Keano Kini flew down the left touchline, drawing the fullback and passing back to his left looking for Jaylan De Groot who was backing up on the inside. The Ipswich Jets right winger got his hand in the way to knock the ball towards the Seagulls try line with Jaylan De Groot retrieving the ball to run ten metres to score nine metres from the left corner post to cross for the Seagulls first try of the match.
One of the things that has stood out in his time in Australia has been Keano Kini’s willingness to bring the ball out of his own territory and against Ipswich that was highlighted in the 16th minute when he made elven metres from a hit-up bringing the ball out of his own twenty metre area.
In the second half with more room to move, Keano Kini had some good moments including in the 54th minute when he tracked back to retrieve the ball essentially on his own line, utilising his outstanding right foot step, Keano Kini easily beat the first defender down the field.
Keano Kini also started on the left wing in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies and like he did in Round One Keano Kini moved to fullback in the second half with Keano Kini scoring in just the second minute of the match in their 32 – 24 victory.
Keano Kini scored when he flew down the left touch line to dive over in the left corner, putting the ball down with his outstretched right arm after getting a gem of a pass from Jaylan De Groot.
Keano Kini also had a line break assist in just the 7th minute of the match. As he has all season, Keano Kini was the Seagulls first receiver from scrums, normally on the left side of the field. After receiving the ball, Keano Kini cut to his outside forcing the defender on his left to commit to the tackle and after driving into the line and drawing two defenders, Keano Kini threw a great ball to his left to put Kaleb Ngamanu into space down the left touchline.
Keano Kini’s speed and willingness to take the ball through the centre of the ruck was showcased once again in the 45th minute when he charged onto the ball just inside Souths Logan’s territory to the right of the play the ball. Keano Kini broke two tackles, making twelve metres before bouncing to his feet to generate a quick play the ball with Jaylan De Groot scoring due to the Souths Logan defence still back peddling from Keano Kini’s effort.
Once again in the 48th minute, Keano Kini took pressure off his forward pack when he took the second hit from the kick-off from Jaylan De Groot’s try, with Keano Kini breaking two tackles to get the ball out past the thirty metre line and then was awarded a penalty when the Souths Logan defence would not allow him to get to his feet for a quick play the ball.
Keano Kini continued his exceptional display in the 49th minute when he produced another line break when they got on the outside of his direct opponent on the left, breaking through the defensive line but unfortunately his pass back on the inside went to ground with a try potentially in the offing.
Keano Kini was literally everywhere and bobbed up once again in the 57th minute with yet another hit-up to the left of the play the ball, once again bring the ball out of his own territory, getting the ball up to the forty metre area.
Even with the game winding down and the Seagulls guaranteed the win, Keano Kini could not be kept out of the match. From a Tweed Heads scrum win on their own twenty, Keano Kini received the ball to the left of the scrum and literally ran around the Souths Logan right side defence to run twenty five metres downfield before cutting inside near the halfway mark to put a stamp on yet another impressive dare I say it, dominate performance.
Keano Kini once again started on the left wing in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Burleigh Bears scoring once again in the Seagulls victory.
As has become the norm, Keano Kini and Jaylen De Groot swapped positions on a number of occasions over the course of the match.
Keano Kini’s try came towards the end of the first half when he followed through a great break by Bailey Martin who off-loaded to his right to find Keano Kini in open space to run twenty metres untouched to score to the left of the uprights after bring the ball around from the left corner under no pressure.
Keano Kini had to be on his game in just the 9th minute of the match when Burleigh right second rower Seth Nikotemo put in a surprise chip ten metres out from the line. Keano Kini had to come off his left wing and dive forward to take the ball on the full less than a minute away from the try line. Keano Kini was then able to stay low to prevent being forced back into the in-goal.
The second half saw Keano Kini break through the Burleigh defensive line seemingly at will with the first of those occasions coming in the 46th minute when Keano Kini darted out of dummy half to his left. As soon as he was clear of the ruck, Keano Kini stepped off his right to get through the line and get Tweed Heads into Burleigh’s territory with Keano Kini making eighteen metres from the run.
Keano Kini broke the Burleigh line once again in the 50th minute. After Burleigh kicked to their right, Jaylan De Groot received the ball on the left and threw a long pass to his right that found Keano Kini in acres of space. Keano Kini stepped off his right to easily break through a fractured Burleigh defensive line, making thirty five metres downfield before finally being held.
Then in the 55th minute Keano Kini made his third line break in just ten minutes when he ran out of dummy half to his left, breaking two tackles before being tackled on the Burleigh forty metre mark after a twenty one metre run.
Unfortunately Keano Kini was unable to finish the match due to a lower leg injury with that injury forcing Keano Kini to miss the remainder of the 2021 MM Cup season.
Hail Sezer
05-05-21, 08:32 PM
Keano Kini has a huge future. Freak.
The 2021 MM Cup season for Titans contracted Jaylan De Groot.
In the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup sides second trial against Burleigh, Jaylan De Groot started the second half at fullback, even though he was wearing the No. 11 jersey. As usual Jaylan De Groot was heavily involved in his stint on the field including two try assists.
Jaylan De Groot’s first try assist came when Seagulls hooker Oskar Bryant ran out of dummy half to the right around eleven metres out from the line, drawing the Burleigh B defender before offloading to Jaylan De Groot who then threw a quick short pass to his right to put Josh Lynn over.
Jaylan De Groot’s second try assist of the match, was a piece of subtle magic. Jaylen De Groot received an inside ball after the ball was thrown to the left of the play the ball. Immediately upon receipt of the ball, Jaylen De Groot dropped the ball onto his right foot from around twenty metres out from the line. The Burleigh fullback attempted to shield the ball over the dead ball line but Jaylan De Groot refused to give up and dived full length around the right side of the fullback to knock the ball back into the in-goal for Kruze Rimene to put both hands on it. (Think Kevin Proctor in the NRL at Cbus last season).
Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback in Tweed Heads final 2021 MM Cup trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at Logan. After starting the first two quarters at fullback, Jaylan De Groot moved to the right wing in the final quarter.
Overall in the match Jaylan De Groot made a line break and also recorded a smart try assist in the final quarter whilst playing on the right wing. Jaylan De Groot’s line break came in the second quarter when he was operating just behind the play the ball. Thomas Weaver took the ball to the left before passing back to his right to Jaylan De Groot who burst through the centre of the ruck only to be dragged down just as he was accelerating away.
Late in the fourth quarter Jaylan De Groot burst down the right touchline after good work on his inside. As he was being hemmed in by the Souths Logan fullback and cover defence Jaylan De Groot grubbered kicked with his right foot inside with the kick perfectly weighted for Riley Lack who was tracking the play on the inside to get downward pressure on the ball to be awarded a try, the final one of the eight that Tweed Heads scored in the match.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Jaylen De Groot started at fullback against the Ipswich Jets. Early in the second half Jaylan De Groot moved to left centre before moving back to fullback late in the match.
Jaylan De Groot second a try in each half of the Seagulls 22 – 20 first up victory the first of which came in just the 5th minute of the match. Thomas Weaver took the ball down a shortish left blindside throwing a long cut out pass when he was forty eight metres out to his left to put Keano Kini away down the left touch line. Keano Kini flew down the left touchline, drawing the fullback and passing back to his left looking for Jaylan De Groot who was backing up on the inside.
The Ipswich Jets right winger got his hand in the way to knock the ball towards the Seagulls try line with Jaylan De Groot retrieving the ball to run ten metres to score nine metres in from the left corner post to cross for the Seagulls first try of the match.
Jaylan De Groot’s second try came early in the second half in the 40th minute of the match. Thomas Weaver put up a bomb to the Seagulls left corner and it was perfectly weighted for Jaylan De Groot to come through with the momentum to take the ball on the full in the in goal to get the ball down a metre from the dead ball line.
Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies but moved to the left wing in the second half. In Tweed Heads 32 – 24 victory, Jaylan De Groot scored in the second half and also recorded a try assist in the opening minutes of the match.
Jaylan De Groot scored in the 45th minute when after Thomas Weaver backed up a break out of dummy half by Blake Mozer, drawing the Souths Logan fullback before passing to the left to Jaylan De Groot who was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.
Jaylan De Groot’s try assist came in just the second minute of the match when he received the ball off Thomas Weaver on the left side of the field fifteen metres out from the line, taking the ball towards the defensive line before throwing a great cut-out pass to his left to put Keano Kini away down the left touchline and dive over to score in the left corner.
Jaylan De Groot also had a line break early in the match, when he was part of a set play down the left blind side from a Tweed Heads scrum feed forty metres out from the line. Thomas Weaver received the ball from the back of the scrum with Jaylan De Groot sprinting from the opposite side of the scrum to take Thomas Weaver’s held up pass before dummying to his left and sprinting thirty metres downfield only to be brought down ten metres out.
Jaylan De Groot’s safe hands came to the fore in the 48th minute of the match when Souths Logan kicked to his wing, Jaylan De Groot jumped high to take the ball above his head two metres out from his own line and as soon as his feet touched the ground he took off and was able to get the ball back to the twenty metre mark before finally being tackled.
A strong run in the 63rd minute by Jack Cullen almost produced a second try for Jaylan De Groot when he flew onto the ball in the twenty metre area, getting partially through the Souths Logan line before throwing a right arm off-load to Jaylan De Groot who was backing up on his left with Jaylan De Groot getting within metres of the line. Jaylan De Groot in fact was held down and awarded a penalty which Thomas Weaver then kicked to put Tweed Heads eight points in front with six minutes to go.
Jaylan De Groot once again started at fullback in Round Three in the Gold Coast local derby against the Burleigh Bears and once again was one of the Seagulls try scorers in their impressive victory.
As has become the norm, Jaylen De Groot and Keano Kini swapped positions on a number of occasions over the course of the match.
Jaylan De Groot’s try came in the 44th minute when Thomas Weaver ran down a short left blind side ten metres out from the line and passed back to his right to put Jaylen De Groot into a yawning gap who was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.
In the 5th minute of the match Jaylen De Groot was well positioned to prevent a Burleigh try when he covered to his left to be on hand to take a short blindside grubber dead in the right corner under heavy pressure from Burleigh chasers.
Jaylan De Groot showed once again in the match that he is always prepared to do the hard work when he got into dummy half and darted to his right, making eighteen metres to get the ball to the halfway mark, breaking two tackles along the way.
Jaylan De Groot was also named to start at fullback for Round Four match against the Ipswich Jets and whilst he did not score, still had a strong contribution to the Seagulls victory.
As usual Jaylan De Groot hunted just behind the play the ball and in the 17th minute he got into dummy half, darting out of that position to his left to make twenty metres through the centre of the ruck to get the ball to within twenty metres of the try line.
Jaylan De Groot also produced a strong defensive play in the 22nd minute when after chasing back to corral an Ipswich line break, Jaylan De Groot picked up the Ipswich right second rower (No. 12) and putting him on his back and taking all of the momentum out of the Jets sails.
Fullbacks need to continuously focus in their positioning and it was that attention to detail that meant Jaylan De Groot was positioned correctly in the 67th minute to field a hard grubber on his own line directly adjacent to the right upright. By being in the right position Jaylan De Groot ensured that he was not trapped in the in-goal.
Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies, scoring once again in the Seagulls 38 – 14 victory.
After being rested in Round Six, Jaylan De Groot was named at fullback for the Seagulls Semi-final against Wynnum Manly and had an outstanding match, including scoring in the second half as the Seagulls qualified for the 2021 MM Cup Grand Final.
Jaylan De Groot’s try came in the 45th minute when he backed up on the inside of Ryan Foran after the Seagulls left second rower had taken an inside kick from left winger Elijah Lui and passed to Jaylan De Groot who dived over under the posts.
Jaylan De Groot was heavily involved throughout the match with his initial major contribution coming in the 15th minute when he took the ball from the dummy half down a short left blind side making eighteen metres, breaking three tackles, getting the ball forty two metres out.
Then in the 21st minute, Jaylan De Groot received the ball once again down the left this time off the back of a Tweed Heads scrum win, making a further twelve metres.
In the 23rd minute Jaylan De Groot was on hand to scoop up a Wynnum Manly dropped ball and return it fifteen metres before being tackled but Jaylan De Groot was held down too long and was awarded a penalty.
Jaylan De Groot showcased his positioning when he whilst tracking backwards in the 25th minute he took a towering Wynnum Manly bomb near the posts to gain a twenty metre restart for the Seagulls.
In the 26th minute, Jaylan De Groot once again proved he was safe at fullback when he retrieved a Wynnum Manly grubber kick safely down low and was able to bring the ball back fifteen metres.
Jaylan De Groot produced a key try saving tackle on the final play of the first half when he got low and stopped the Wynnum Manly hooker just short of the line when he tried to sneak over from dummy half.
In the 2021 MM Cup Queensland Grand Final against the Townsville Blackhawks, Jaylan De Groot once again started at fullback and scored in the first half as the Seagulls won back to back MM Cup Championships by defeating Townsville 30 – 24.
Jaylan De Groot’s try came in the 17th minute when Seagulls hooker Oskar Bryant took off out of dummy half to his right on the halfway mark, slicing through the middle of the Blackhawks defence after veering back towards the area behind the play the ball. After he was through the line, Oskar Bryant drew the fullback before passing to his right to Jaylan De Groot who raced away to score under the posts.
Whilst his try was a key moment in the Seagulls Grand Final victory, in the 67th minute Jaylan De Groot produced the play of the Grand Final with the play not just saving the match for the Seagulls but enabling them to claim victory.
With just three minute s to go in the 67th minute with Tweed Heads staring down the barrel of a tough Grand Final loss, being six points down, Jaylan De Groot took a high spiralling bomb just two metres out from his own line and took the Townsville line on by stepping to his right before veering left before spinning counter clockwise breaking two tackles to get the ball to forty metres out from his own line and then Jaylan De Groot whilst finally being tackled was able to get a right arm off-load away to Oskar Bryant.
Tweed Heads were under pressure early and in the 6th minute, Jaylan De Groot along with Thomas Weaver and Oskar Bryant were able to stem the flow by holding of a rampaging Townsville front rower (No. 8) to stop the Blackhawks from scoring twice in the opening minutes.
Jaylan De Groot’s innate positioning sense was highlighted in the 42nd minute when he raced across to his field to get to a Townsville grubber kick well inside his own in-goal. Jaylan De Groot however was able to beat two players and somehow was able to get the ball out of the in-goal and maintain possession for Tweed Heads.
The 2021 MM Cup season for Titans contracted Thomas Weaver.
Thomas Weaver started at halfback in Tweed Heads final 2021 MM Cup final against the Souths Logan Magpies at Logan and found himself on the end of a heavy hit early in the match from Sione Fotuaika, who is also Titans contracted when Thomas Weaver looked to take the ball down a short left blind side.
After being on his haunches for a couple of minutes sucking in some deep breaths, Thomas Weaver bounced back quickly to be heavily involved in the Seagulls opening try of the match in their 32 – 4 (no conversions were attempted) victory.
Thomas Weaver received the ball on the left side and put in a high well weighted kick to the left corner. The Souths Logan Magpies right winger could not handle the ball and it fell to Campbell Watchairs who spun away from one defender superbly to dive over in the left corner.
Thomas Weaver also recorded a line break assist in the match in the second quarter when he took the ball to the left before passing back to his right to Jaylan De Groot who burst through the centre of the ruck only to be dragged down just as he was accelerating away.
Thomas Weaver recorded a further line break assist in the 8th minute of the third quarter when he received the ball from Blake Mozer who had packed in at lock and held the ball up as Riley Lack ran a straight decoy line, giving the ball to Keano Kini “out the back” who then made twenty metres downfield utilising his exceptional footwork to beat multiple tackles as a result of being put into the gap by Thomas Weaver.
Thomas Weaver also showcased his outstanding top end speed in the second quarter. Souths Logan Magpies captain and five eight Ezra Mam broke through the Tweed Heads right sided defence and chipped over the fullback with a foot race ensuing. Thomas Weaver started ten metres behind Mam and on the opposite side of the field but within twenty five metres Thomas Weaver had caught and in fact passed Mam in the race to the ball that was pulling up in the in-goal. Ultimately it was Keano Kini who got to the ball first from the left wing but Thomas Weaver’s effortless speed was a sight to behold.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Thomas Weaver started at half back and captained the Tweed Heads Seagulls side against the Ipswich Jets as Tweed Heads scored late to record a 22 – 20 first up victory.
Thomas Weaver was heavily involved in two of the Seagulls tries, the first being in just the 5th minute when he took the ball down a shortish left blindside and throwing a long cut out pass when he was forty eight metres out to his left to put Keano Kini away down the left touch line. Keano Kini got the ball back inside to Jaylan De Groot to score the Seagulls first try of the match.
Thomas Weaver was the catalyst for the Titans first try of the second half which came in the 40th minute of the match. Thomas Weaver, operating on his usual left side of the field, put up a bomb to the Seagulls left corner and it was perfectly weighted for Jaylan De Groot to come through with the momentum to take the ball on the full in the in goal to get the ball down a metre from the dead ball line.
Thomas Weaver was heavily involved in the Titans two point victory from a defensive aspect as well including a key tackle with a minute to go and the Titans under pressure on their own line. Thomas Weaver produced a big front on one on one tackle on the Ipswich left second rower (No. 11) who had caused the Seagulls defence all lots of problems the entire match. If Thomas Weaver’s tackle was not as good as it was, the Seagulls ultimate two point victory may well have not eventuated.
Thomas Weaver also started at halfback and captain in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies and was perfect with the boot kicking six from six including a key penalty goal in the 63rd minute of the match to push the Seagulls lead out to eight points. Thomas Weaver’s first conversion was an outstanding kick from the left touchline as he converted Keano Kini’s try in just the second minute of the match.
Thomas Weaver also had a big hand in a couple of Tweed Heads tries in the second half. In the 41st Thomas Weaver put up a huge bomb from around forty metres out that spiralled to the Souths Logan left corner and was dropped by the left winger with Tweed Heads scoring through Campbell Watchairs from the play the ball.
Thomas Weaver then threw the last pass for Jaylan De Groot’s 45th minute try. Thomas Weaver backed up a break out of dummy half by Blake Mozer and then drew the Souths Logan fullback before passing to the left to Jaylan De Groot who was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.
Thomas Weaver also had a line break assist early in the match, when he was part of a set play down the left blind side from a Tweed Heads scrum feed forty metres out from the line. Thomas Weaver received the ball from the back of the scrum with fullback Jaylan De Groot sprinting from the opposite side of the scrum to take Thomas Weaver’s held up pass before dummying to his left and sprinting thirty metres downfield only to be brought down ten metres out.
As it has all this season, Thomas Weaver’s defence was outstanding once gain including a strong front-on tackle in the 6th minute when he took on Souths Logan second rower Vincent Sefo, with the second rower losing the ball in Thomas Weaver’s tackle.
Thomas Weaver also showed his exceptional intelligence in the 30th minute of the match. After Ezra Mam had converted EJ Finau’s try, Thomas Weaver raced to the halfway mark, kicking off as soon as possible, kicking the ball to where Ezra Mam usually stands. Ezra Mam was still trying to get back into position when Thomas Weaver kicked off with the ball going dead in the in-goal to get the ball back for Tweed Heads.
Thomas Weaver once again started at halfback and captain in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Burleigh Bears. In addition to kicking five conversions from six attempts, Thomas Weaver also had two try assist in the match, one from a kick and a second from a deft inside pass. In addition Thomas Weaver’s kicking game regularly kept Burleigh on the back foot.
Thomas Weaver’s first try assist of the match came in just the second minute when moving to his right he put in a deft grubber kick from ten metres out and even though it appeared that Burleigh fullback Syris Schmidt had grounded the ball, after Seagulls second rower Jayden Wright dived on the ball the referee awarded the try.
Thomas Weaver’s second try assist came in the 44th minute when he ran down a short left blind side ten metres out from the line and passed back to his right to put Jaylen De Groot into a yawning gap who was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.
As has become the norm when discussing a Thomas Weaver performance his kicking game cannot go unmentioned, including a great chip kick in the 34th minute to the left wing. The kick forced the Burleigh fullback to reach out when he was trying to take the ball on the full with the ball hitting the fullbacks finger tips and going into touch less than a metre out from the try line.
Early in the second half, in the 42nd minute, Thomas Weaver once again put in a great short chip kick directed to the left corner with the kick precisely placed which forced the defenders to knock the ball dead.
Thomas Weaver was also named captain and to start at halfback for Round Four match against the Ipswich Jets, kicking six goals from nine attempts (his three misses were all from the touchline) with a number of his goals coming from right on the touchline including to convert Kruz Remine’s first and fourth tries. Thomas Weaver also recorded two try assist in the Seagulls 48 – 24 victory.
Thomas Weaver’s first ty assist came in the 23rd minute of the first half when he kicked across field to the right corner with Thomas Weaver putting the ball right onto the chest of Campbell Watchairs as he crossed the try line
Thomas Weaver added a second try assist in the second half in the 63rd minute and on that occasion Thomas Weaver produced a perfect kick to the left wing and put it on the chest of Kruz Remine to score his fourth try of the match. The kick was a lot more difficult than it sounded as the ball only got to Thomas Weaver after bouncing twice and then with limited time, very limited, Thomas Weaver kicked the ball off just one step.
The impressive thing about the two kicks was that they were to both wings and both were inch perfect.
In addition to his two try assists, Thomas Weaver was also heavily involved in a number of other Tweed Heads tries including in the 12th minute when Thomas Weaver threw a long pass to his left to find Kaleb Ngamanu who went into the line before passing to his left also to Kruz Remine who dived over in the left corner. It was the exact same combination of players and the exact same play in the 32nd minute that led to another Kruz Remine try.
Thomas Weaver produced a similar pass in the 19th minute, this time to Ryan Foran who ran downfield before passing to his left to Kruz Remine who once again crossed in the left corner.
Thomas Weaver’s kicking game, in addition to his two try assist (noted above) was exceptional all match and was only added to in the 11th minute, when Thomas Weaver’s hard, low kick-off could not be taken by the Jets, going dead with Tweed Heads getting the ball back from an Ipswich goal line drop out.
Thomas Weaver was not just involved in scoring points in the match, he was also involved in saving points when in the 29th minute Thomas Weaver produced a great low one on one tackle on the rampaging Ipswich Jets right second rower (No. 11) just five metres out from his own line.
Thomas Weaver also started at halfback in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies, kicking five conversions from seven attempts in the Seagulls 38 – 14 victory.
After being rested in Round Six, Thomas Weaver was named at halfback for the Seagulls Semi-final against Wynnum Manly and recorded a try assist and made a line break in relation to the same play.
Thomas Weaver moved into dummy half in the 56th minute, with the play the ball just ten metres out from his own line. Thomas Weaver darted down a short left blindside into a big gap. As he approached the Wynnum Manly fullback and halfway mark, Thomas Weaver kicked the ball back inside and it sat up perfectly for Elijah Lui to retrieve the ball and dive over.
Thomas Weaver’s kicking game was on song through the match, including in the 31st minute when he put in a right foot stab kick which was so well weighted and placed that the Wynnum Manly fullback had no choice but to knock the ball dead.
Thomas Weaver kicked well once again in the 39th minute, on that occasions the ball got to Thomas Weaver on the bounce with Wynnum defenders closing in. Thomas Weaver, even though he was being tackled was still able to get a right foot kick away towards the left corner which was knocked on by Wynnum Manly just five metres out from their own line.
In the 2021 MM Cup Queensland Grand Final against the Townsville Blackhawks, Thomas Weaver once again captained the Seagulls side and also started at halfback as the Seagulls won back to back MM Cup Championships after beating the Blackhawks 30 – 24 with Thomas Weaver contributing four conversions from five attempts and a late first half penalty gaol from almost in front.
One of Thomas Weaver’s conversions was a critical one coming with less than two minute on the clock in the 68th minute to tie the match put Tweed Heads in front 26 – 24. Thomas Weaver took the conversion thirteen metres in from the right touchline and it never liked missing as it sailed through the centre of the goal posts.
Tweed Heads were under pressure early and in the 6th minute, Thomas Weaver along with Jaylan De Groot and Oskar Bryant were able to stem the flow by holding of a rampaging Townsville front rower (No. 8) to stop the Blackhawks from scoring twice in the opening minutes.
Thomas Weaver’s kicking game was on song in the 8th minute of the Grand Final when he put in a right foot grubber kick to the left with the Townsville fullback being force in-goal by left second rower Ryan Foran.
Defensively Thomas Weaver was also very good in the Grand Final pulling off a try saving tackle in the 40th minute when he got hold of the jersey of the Townsville fullback five metres out and was able to affect the tackle to stop what looked a certain Blackhawks try.
Keebra Park State High School student Alyssus Wills who is part of the the Titans partnered schools Rugby League Academy Program and was part of the 2021 Gold Coast Invitational U13 King of Country Rugby side that won the Tournament.
In 2020 Alyssus Wills played for Keebra Park in the school boy Bronco’s Old Boys Cup Rugby League competition, playing in the final against Marsden State High School, with Keebra Park going down 26 – 6 to their fellow Titans partnered school.
In addition to playing for the Coomera Cutters in the GCRL competition, in 2020 Alyssus Wills played for the Coomera Crushers in the GCDRU U12 competition, including scoring in Round Three against the Helensvale Hogs and in Round Four against the Yatala Rams. Alyssus Wills also kicked a conversion in Round Three against the Helensvale Hogs.
For the Coomera Chushers in rugby, Alyssus Wills split his time between inside and outside centre.
One young player to keep an eye on is VJ Letalu.
The Keebra Park State High School student who is part of the Titans partnered schools Rugby League Academy Program, was part of the 2021 Gold Coast Invitational U13 King of Country Rugby side that won the Tournament with VJ Letalu starring from fullback.
Whilst he may not have scored himself, VJ Letalu was dominant through out, regularly breaking the line on both sides of the field. VJ Letalu in fact almost did score what would have been a much deserved try when on Day Two against Far North Coast he burst down the left touchline after breaking the line forty metres out, but unfortunately VJ Letalu was unable to control the ball as he was reaching out to put it down in the left corner.
Post the Tournament VJ Letalu was named on the wing in the King of the Country All Tournament Team.
In 2020 VJ Letalu played for Keebra Park in the school boy Bronco’s Old Boys Cup Rugby League competition, playing in the final against Marsden State High School, with Keebra Park going down 26 – 6 to their fellow Titans partnered school.
In 2020 VJ Letalu played for the Coomera Cutters in the Gold Coast Rugby League U12 competition.
In Round One of the NRRRL U18 competition last weekend Byron Jones started in the second row for the Murwillumbah Mustangs as they took on the Bilambil Jets.
The young forward started from the bench for the Titans U15 side as they defeated a U15 Balmain Tigers touring side 16 – 10 in 2018.
Byron Jones came onto the field for the Titans around 20 minutes into the match and immediately stood out as a result of his outstanding work rate both in attack and defence including a great front on hit against one of the Balmain front rowers shortly after coming onto the field.
In Round One of the 2019 U18 Andrew Johns Cup competition this season, Byron Jones was named on the interchange bench for the Northern Rivers Titans in their match against the Newcastle Knights Development Squad.
Round Two of the 2019 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Byron Jones once again named on the interchange bench in their match against Parramatta. When he came on Byron Jones certainly made an impact, including setting up a second half try for the Northern Rivers Titans.
After a solid Round Two match it was no surprise to see Byron Jones in the side for the Northern Rivers Titans Round Three match against the North Coast Bulldogs when he started from the bench. Byron Jones came into the match in just the second minute after an injury to Ryan Foran and was very impressive playing in the left second row position.
Byron Jones ran a great line receiving a great pre-contact pass from front rower Jack Cullen to charge down the field and even though it looked like he may score himself, Byron Jones popped a pass to half back Thomas Weaver for a great Titans try. Even though he took a knock in the tackle, Byron Jones kept going in what certainly was a more than encouraging display.
After being rested in Round Four, Byron Jones was on the bench for Round Five against the Greater Northern Tigers and also came off the bench in the Northern Rivers Titans 26 -14 semi-final victory over Penrith.
In the 2019 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final against the Western Rams Byron Jones started from the inter change bench in the Northern Rivers Titans 18 – 6 victory with Byron Jones being the first player off the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans.
At the 2018 New South Wales Country U15 Championships Byron Jones was named on the bench for the Group 18 U15 side. In the Championships Byron Jones played in three matches with those matches coming against Group 21 Group Two and Group Four.
Byron Jones has also been selected to travel to France to compete in the U15 Battlefield Challenge to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the end of World War 1. A number of other Titans players will also be involved in the tour including Tom Weaver, Ryan Foran and Bailey Cox.
The Group 18 U15 side won the tournament including victories against Emory Moor 12 – 6 and Leigh East 18 – 12. In a warm up match in England prior to the Tournament they defeated a Hemel Stags U16 side and post the Tournament defeated French side Aude Cathare.
The St Joseph’s College Tweed Heads student earlier this season was selected in the front row for the Northern Country New South Wales Combined Catholic College’s U15 team and in 2017 represented the Group 18 U14 side.
A local young player to keep an eye on is Storm Enoka.
The powerhouse rugby flanker or No. 8 was part of the 2021 Gold Coast Invitational U13 King of Country Rugby side that won the Tournament with Storm Enoka scoring a strong try on Day One against the USQ Saints.
Storm Enoka scored in the first half against USQ when he received the ball on the left side of the field twenty eight metres out from the line, immediately getting to the outside of the defensive line and then using a strong left arm fend to keep the defence off him as he charged down the left touchline to score in the left corner.
Storm Enoka recorded a try assist on Day Two against Far North Coast when he ran into space on the right and could have scored himself but five metres from the line passed to his right winger to score in the corner.
In 2020 Storm Enoka played for the Coomera Crushers in the GCDRU U12 competition, having a dominant season across the board including from a try scoring perspective.
Storm Enoka scored a hat trick in Round Four against the Yatala Rams and also scored doubles in three matches, being in Rounds One, Two and Three against the Helensvale Hogs (Rounds One and Three) and Bond Pirates (Round Two). Storm Enoka also scored in Round Five against Surfers Paradise.
Matthew Ballard started Round One of the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition last Sunday at fullback for the Murwillumbah Mustangs as they took on the Bilambil Jets. Matthew Ballard is also U18 eligible in 2022.
In early October 2020 Matthew Ballard was part of a Titans Group 18 U16 Invitational side that played a trial match against a Titans U15/16 squad with the match being played at Cbus Stadium, giving the young players a great experience with an added bonus that the players wore Titans jerseys.
In the 2020 season Matthew Ballard played for the Murwillumbah Colts in the Group 18 U16 competition and was named their Best Back from the 2020 season.
In 2016 Matthew Ballard was selected in the New South Wales Invitational U12 side for the U12 National Rugby League Championships, scoring on Day Four as his side defeated Victoria 18 – 6.
Keebra Park State High School student Tayshaarn Tonga who is part of the Titans partnered schools Rugby League Academy Program and was part of the 2021 Gold Coast Invitational U13 King of Country Rugby side that won the Tournament with Tayshaarn Tonga operating at half in the Invitational side’s two matches on Days One and Two.
Tayshaarn Tonga scored in each of the two matches that he played, being on Day One against the USQ Saints and Day Two against Far North Coast.
On Day One against USQ, late of the match, Tayshaarn Tonga ran to his right from the back of a ruck to crash over from three metres out. Tayshaarn Tonga’s Day Two try against Far North Coast was not dis-similar to his Day One try. On Day Two, once again Tayshaarn Tonga picked the ball up from the back of a ruck but in this occasion ran to his left to dive over from two metres out.
In 2020 Tayshaarn Tonga played for Keebra Park in the school boy Bronco’s Old Boys Cup Rugby League competition, starting in the final against Marsden State High School, with Keebra Park going down 26 – 6 to their fellow Titans partnered school.
Tayshaarn Tonga was Keebra Park’s sole try scorer in the Grand Final when he darted over from dummy half from close range in the second half, with Tayshaarn Tonga getting the ball down under the posts in the second half.
In addition to playing for the Coomera Cutters in the GCRL competition, in 2020 Tayshaarn Tonga played for the Coomera Crushers in the GCDRU U12 competition, including scoring a double in Round Four against the Yatala Rams and Round Two against the Bond Pirates.
In 2020 Tayshaarn Tonga also played touch and was part of the SQBD Sharks U12 side that took part in the 2020 NYC Boys Tournament and was part of the Sharks side that won the Final 4 – 3 against the BC Cobra’s.
Whilst he did not score in the final, Tayshaarn Tonga scored a hat trick in Round One against the CQ Bulls and doubles in Round Two and Four against the SWQ Swans and NQ Cyclones respectively.
In late 2020 Tayshaarn Tonga was named in the 2020 U12 Queensland Youth Academy Squad.
Tayshaarn Tonga also played Oztag in 2020, representing Coomera Oztag.
In Round One of the NRRRL U18 competition last Sunday Jett Stocker started on the right wing for the Tweed Coast Raiders U18 NRRRL side in Round One against the Cudgen Hornets.
In early October 2020 Jett Stocker was part of a Titans Group 18 U16 Invitational side that played a trial match against a Titans squad with the match being played at Cbus Stadium, giving the young players a great experience with an added bonus that the players from both side’s wore Titans jerseys.
In 2019 Jett Stocker played for the Group 18 U15 representative side at the New South Wales Country Age Championships, playing primarily coming off the bench and also represented Group 18 in 2018 in the U14 age group when he was playing for the Tweed Coast Raiders.
Jett Stocker is also U 18 eligible in 2022.
Keebra Park State High School student Gazniah To’omaaga who is part of the the Titans partnered schools Rugby League Academy Program and was part of the 2021 Gold Coast Invitational U13 King of Country Rugby side that won the Tournament with Gazniah To’omaaga captaining the Invitational side from flyhalf.
Post the Tournament Gazniah To’omaaga was named on the interchange bench in the All Tournament Team.
In 2020 Gazniah To’omaaga played for Keebra Park in the school boy Bronco’s Old Boys Cup Rugby League competition, starting in the final against Marsden State High School, with Keebra Park going down 26 – 6 to their fellow Titans partnered school.
In addition to playing for the Coomera Cutters in the GCRL competition, in 2020 Gazniah To’omaaga played for the Coomera Crushers in the GCDRU U12 competition, including scoring a double in Round Four against the Yatala Rams and also scoring in Round One against the Helensvale Hogs, Round Two against the Bond Pirates and Round Five against Surfers Paradise. Gazniah To’omaaga also kicked a conversion in Round Three against the Helensvale Hogs.
Gazniah To’omaaga also played Oztag in 2020, representing Coomera Oztag.
In Round One of the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition last Sunday, Kovi Ngan-Woo was initially named to start from the interchange bench for the Bilambil Jets as they took on the Murwillumbah Mustangs but in fact started the match in the front row and was one of the Jets best in their last minute 24 – 18 victory.
In early October 2020 Kovi Ngan-Woo was part of a Titans Group 18 U16 Invitational side that played a trial match against a Titans squad with the match being played at Cbus Stadium, giving the young players a great experience with an added bonus that the players wore Titans jerseys.
In the 2020 Group 18 U16 competition Kovi Ngan-Woo played for the Bilambil Jets who finished the regular season winning five matches, scoring 152 points and conceding 118 to finish with a +34 points differential.
In addition to playing in the Group 18 U16 competition for Bilambil, Kovi Ngan- Woo played one match for the Jets in the 2020 NRRRL U18 competition with the match coming in early September 2020 against the Cudgen Hornets. Kovi Ngan-Woo had a dominating debut game being named Player of the Match against the Jets local rivals.
Well done to Byron Bay Devil Ben Moyle who made his NRRRL First Grade debut in Round One last weekend starting at fullback for the Devils against Mullumbimby.
Keebra Park State High School student Mateo Faleono who is part of the the Titans partnered schools Rugby League Academy Program and has been an impressive performer in both rugby and rugby league over the last couple of seasons.
In 2020 Mateo Faleono played for the Colleges Knights in the GCRU U13 competition taking the competition by storm, including scoring four doubles.
Mateo Faleono scored doubles in Rounds Two, Three, Four and Eight against the Bond Pirates Red, Bond Pirates Blue, the Helensvale Hogs and Bond Pirates White respectively. Mateo Faleono also scored in Round Seven against Bond Pirates Red.
Mateo Faleono’s first exposure to representative rugby league came in 2019 when he was selected in the Queensland U12 side for the Australian Schools Championships with Queensland subsequently being named 2019 U12 National Champions.
In Round One of the NRRRL U18 competition last Sunday Chad Jones started in the front row for the Murwillumbah Mustangs as they took on the Bilambil Jets with Chad Jones taking the first hit-up of the match from the kick-up and subsequently won a penalty.
In early October 2020 the front rower was part of a Titans Group 18 U16 Invitational side that played a trial match against a Titans squad with the match being played at Cbus Stadium, giving the young players a great experience with an added bonus that the players from both side wore Titans jerseys.
In the 2020 Group 18 U16 competition Chad Jones played for the Cudgen Hornets. In the regular season in the 2020 Group 18 U16 season, Cudgen won two games and lost eight, along the way scoring 138 points and conceding 244 to finish with a -106 points differential.
Post the competition of the 2020 Group 18 season, Chad Jones was named as the joint Cudgen Hornets Junior Representative Player of the 2020 season.
Chad Jones started the 2020 season as part of the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad starting in the front row in three of the four matches that the Titans played in the front row and was also named to start Round One in the front row against the Parramatta Eels but that match was washed out.
Chad Jones started in the front row against the Central Coast Roosters (Round Three), the Greater Northern Tigers (Round Four) and the North Coast Bulldogs in Round Five. In Round Two against the Newcastle Knights, Chad Jones came off the bench for the Titans.
2020 also saw Chad Jones play one match for the Cudgen Hornets U18 NRRRL side being the final regular season round when he came off the bench against the Tweed Coast Raiders.
In 2019 Chad Jones played for the Group 18 U15 representative side at the New South Wales Country Age Championships, playing primarily in the front row.
In Round One of the NRRRL U18 competition last Sunday Ethan Hickey started at lock for the Tweed Coast Raiders U18 NRRRL side in Round One against the Cudgen Hornets.
In early October 2020 Ethan Hickey was part of a Titans Group 18 U16 Invitational side that played a trial match against a Titans squad with the match being played at Cbus Stadium, giving the young players a great experience with an added bonus that the players from both team’s wore Titans jerseys.
In the 2020 season Ethan Hickey played for the Tweed Coast Raiders and in late 2020 Ethan Hickey was named in the 2021 Tweed Coast Giants U16/17 Boys Oztag squad.
Impressively Ethan Hickey is also U18 eligible in 2022.
In Round One of the NRRRL U18 competition last Sunday Cooper Wolfe started in the front row for the Murwillumbah Mustangs as they took on the Bilambil Jets
In early October 2020 Cooper Wolfe was part of a Titans Group 18 U16 Invitational side that played a trial match against a Titans squad with the match being played at Cbus Stadium, giving the young players a great experience with an added bonus that the players wore Titans jerseys in the match.
Round Three saw Cooper Wolfe make his first appearance for the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad when he started from the bench against the Greater Northern Tigers.
Cooper Wolfe came on for his first stint in the 20th minute of the match, operating in the front row. In his time on the field Cooper Wolfe played well including a strong run from the kick up to the second half.
After missing Round Four, Cooper Wolfe started from the bench in Round Five of the Laurie Daley Cup against the Newcastle Knights.
The young front rower played the 2020 season for the Murwillumbah Colts in the Group 18 U16 competition, including starting the 2020 Grand Final in the front row with the Colts going down in the Grand Final 20 – 16 to South Tweed.
In the 2020 Group 18 U16 regular season Murwillumbah won five matches and lost four, along the journey scoring 154 points and conceding 112 to finish with a +42 points differential. After the completion of the 2020 Group 18 U16 season, Cooper Wolfe was named the Murwillumbah U16 Most Valuable Player.
In 2019 Cooper Wolfe was a stand by player for the Group 18 U15 representative side for the New South Wales Country Age Championships and in 2018 Cooper Wolfe was part of the Group 18 U14 representative side for the New South Wales Country Age Championships, starting the majority of Group 18’s matches in the front row.
Young northern New South Wales half back Tyler Harper is enrolled at PBC State High School as part of their Titans Partnered Rugby League Excellence Program.
In mid-February 2021 Tyler Harper played in a Titans U15 Invitational Trial at Burleigh, a trial which included only the best of the 2021 Titans U15 squad members. Tyler Harper started the match at halfback for the Titans Blue side operating on his usual right side of the field.
Tyler Harper also started his 2021 school boy season off well on Tuesday afternoon kicking three conversions from as many attempts against Wavell State High School as PBC dominated in the Year Nine match to win 18 – 0 with Tyler Harper starting the match at halfback.
Tyler Harper also had a try assist in the match when a cross field bomb that he put up fell perfectly for the PBC five eight who took the ball on the full as it came down right on the goal line to score easily next to the right upright.
In 2020 Tyler Harper played half back for the Tweed Heads Seagulls U14 side in the Group 18 junior rugby league competition with the Seagulls going through the ten regular season rounds undefeated, scoring 316 points and conceding just 64 to finish the regular season with +252 points differential from their ten matches to record an average winning margin of a fraction above twenty five points per match.
As a result of their outstanding season the Tweed Heads Seagulls Group 18 U14 side qualified for the Grand Final against the Tugun Seahawks. Tweed Heads prevailed in the 2020 Group 18 U16 decider 30 – 4 with Tyler Harper starting the Grand Final at half back.
In the 2020 Group 18 U14 Grand Final Tyler Harper operated primarily on the right side of the field and had a try assist in the Grand Final as well as converting the Seagulls third try from close to the right upright in the first half. Tyler Harper’s try assist came in the second half when he took the ball to the line before putting in a short stab kick which he weighted correctly for his right winger to dive on the ball in the in goal.
Tyler Harper was also heavily involved in another Tweed Heads try in the second half when a long cut out pass to his right put his right centre into space who was then able to set up his support runner to score.
Tyler Harper also attends PBC as part of their Elite Rugby League Program and in 2020 started at half back for the PBC Renouf Cup School Boy Grand Final side that went down in heart breaking fashion 10 – 8 to Marsden State High School.
In the 2020 Renouf Cup Grand Final, Tyler Harper had a big game kicking two from two and also recording a try assist for PBC’s sole try of the match. In the second half with Marsden leading 6 – 0, Tyler Harper who was operating on the left, put in a deft grubber kick in to his left with the kick sitting up perfectly for PBC left centre and fellow Titans linked Tyler Small to fly through to take the ball and score next to the posts.
Tyler Harper converted the try that he set up for Tyler Small and then kicked a late second half penalty goal to put PBC in front 8 – 6 before the heart break of seeing Marsden score in the last seconds of the match to snatch victory.
Tyler Harper also had a number of outstanding Renouf Cup regular season matches for PBC in 2020 including a stand out Round Five against Wavell State High School, recording two try assists and being involved in another two.
Tyler Harper’s first try assist of the match, in fact also resulted in the opening try of the match. Operating on the left, Tyler Harper received the ball two passes off the ruck before sending a pass to his left for left second rower Sam Stephenson to charge over from forty metres out. The key from the perspective of Tyler Harper’s contribution to the try was that Tyler Harper did not just catch and pass. Tyler Harper received the ball and moved towards the defensive line before taking a step to his left before off-loading
If Tyler Harper had not run towards the defensive line before passing, the defence would have been able to slide to their right and have additional numbers in front of Sam Stephenson, but by running at the line Tyler Harper forced the defenders to hold their spacing and keep a defender tasked with honouring the threat of Tyler Harper running the ball.
Tyler Harper’s second try assist come in the second half when he put in a right foot chip kick from thirty five metres out towards the left corner. The kick sat up perfectly for PBC left centre Tyler Small to run through and take the ball with no momentum loss to score on the left side of the field.
As noted Tyler Harper was also involved in two additional tries in the match, one on each half with Tyler Small scoring on both occasions. On both occasions, Tyler Harper did not throw the final pass for the try, but if he was not involved earlier in either play then it is unlikely Tyler Small scores either try.
On both occasions Tyler Harper received the ball on the left, sized up the situation perfectly (and quickly) and threw long cut out passes to runners in space who then could draw a defender and pass to Tyler Small. If on either occasion, Tyler Harper had either not thrown the pass as quickly (and accurately) or had gone through the hands then his outside support would not have had the time to take Tyler Harper’s pass in space and having the time to make the correct decision to draw and pass to set up a PBC try.
Tyler Harper was also more than solid In Round Three as PBC defeated Coombabah State High School 40 – 12. The match saw Tyler Harper record a try assist, two line break assists, both leading to Tyler Small tries and kicking three conversions, one in the first half and two in the second. Tyler Harper’s conversion in the first half was from just to the right of the uprights and in relation to his two second half conversions, one from just from the left of the uprights and the other, just to the right.
Tyler Harper’s try assist came in the second half, when under extreme pressure, after receiving the ball on the left, threw a perfect pass to Sam Stephenson who charged ten metres to score. Tyler Harper also had a line break assist in each half. In the first half Tyler Harper took the ball towards the line on the left side of the field, putting Sam Stepehenson into a big gap fifty metres out, Sam Stephenson was then able to off load to Tyler Small. In the second half, Tyler Harper called the ball off the dummy half down a fifteen metre left blind side on around the half way mark. Tyler Harper held the ball up nicely before throwing the pass out the back to his fullback who had looped around to the left and was able to take the pass in a big gap and then offload to Tyler Small.
In Round Four against Forest Lake State High School Tyler Harper continued his solid impressive Renouf Cup season on the way to recording three more try assists and also converted PBC’s final try of the match from directly in front in a 26 – 4 victory.
Tyler Harper’s first try assist of the Round Four match came early in the first half, when, as usual Tyler Harper was operating on the left side of the field. Tyler Harper received the ball down a short blind side and at the line put in a short right foot stab kick which sat up ideally for Tyler Small who flew through to score.
Tyler Harper’s second try assist of the match was an impressive effort by the young half. As soon as he received the ball on the left side of the field, Tyler Harper stepped off his right foot to get on the outside shoulder of the immediate Forest Lake defender and then popped an exquisite short pass to his left to a straight running Sam Stephenson who charged through the gap that Tyler Harper had established to score.
Tyler Harper’s third and final try assist of the match was a heads up play from around forty five metres out. After a long PBC break down the right touch line the ball came back to the left to Tyler Harper who kept his eyes down field and as soon as he say a lot of space down field put in a kick down field angled to the left corner post. PBC left centre Tyler Small raced through to take the ball on the bounce and was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts. Tyler Harper then stepped up to kick the conversion.
Post the completion of the Renouf Cup school boy competition Tyler Harper was awarded a Future Reds Award at the 2020 PBC Sports Awards night.
Tyler Harper also played Oztag in 2020 making the U14 Boys Queensland Fury side for the Queensland Oztag Super Series after representing the Tweed Coast Giants. In late 2020 Tyler Harper was named in the 2021 Tweed Coast Giants U14/15 Boys Oztag squad.
In 2019 Tyler Harper was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Black side that took on Tweed Heads Seagulls White in the Group 18 U13 Grand Final, starting the match at halfback. In the tough Grand Final loss Tyler Harper was the Seagulls Black goal kicker and in the first half, kicked a good goal from the left side of the field to convert Riley Buchanan’s long range try.
In the 2019 Group 18 U13 Preliminary Final, Tyler Harper started at halfback, kicking three conversions and recording two try assists as the Seagulls qualified for the Grand Final.
Tyler Harper’s first try assist came in the 6th minute of the match when he ran the ball to the line on the right side of the field and threw a long cut-out pass to his right to put his winger into acres of space and get him a saloon passage to get the ball down in the right corner.
Tyler Harper’s second try assist came in the 25th minute of the second half when he put in a right foot grubber from ten metres out with the kick sitting up perfectly for Zane Harrison to run through and retrieve the ball and put it down under the posts.
Late in the 2019 Group 18 U13 regular season, Tyler Harper recorded another try assist against the Bilambil Jets.
Tyler Harper received the ball from the dummy half fifteen metres out in front of the posts and kicked with his right foot to the right corner. The ball was dropped b Bilambil with the Tweed Heads right centre on the spot to score out wide.
Tyler Harper also played for Tweed Heads in the 2018 U12 Group 18 Grand Final.
Even though he was still U16 eligible, Stevie O’Connor started on the bench for the Tweed Coast Raiders U18 NRRRL side in Round One against the Cudgen Hornets. When he came on in the second half Stevie O’Connor played at fullback for the Raiders.
In early October 2020 the young centre/fullback was part of the Titans Group 18 Invitational U14/15 side that played a trial match against a Titans Gold Coast U14 squad with the match being played at Cbus Stadium, giving the young players a great experience with an added bonus that both sides wore Titans jerseys.
Stevie O’Connor was named at fullback for the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side for their Round One match against the Wests Tigers however he was a late scratching for the match. Stevie O’Connor was then named as the 18th man for the Northern Rivers Titans for their Round Four match against the Central Coast Roosters.
Stevie O’Connor started Round Five against the Newcastle Knights at fullback with his first touch coming in just the 3rd minute of the match when he took a Newcastle clearing kick on the full and returned it with vigour.
In the 7th minute of the match Stevie O’Connor chimed into the backline off a pass from Lachlan Offley to make ten metres after getting on the outside of his direct opponent and then a minute later he was in the backline once again and passed to his right to put Robert Simon over to score.
Stevie O’Connor produced a great grassing tackle in the 50th minute of the match on the Newcastle runaway front rower who had burst through the line.
In the 2020 Group 18 U15 competition Stevie O’Connor played for the Tweed Coast Raiders. In the 2020 Group 18 U15 regular season Tweed Coast finished with five wins and five losses, scoring 186 points and conceding 136 to finish with a +50 points differential.
In 2019 Stevie O’Connor played for the Group 18 U14 representative side at the New South Wales Country Age Championships, playing primarily in the centres.
Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition this weekend sees NZ youngster K-CI Newton-Whare named to start in the second row for Runaway Bay as they take on the Mudgeeraba Redbacks.
Not long after arriving in Australia, K-CI Newton-Whare took part in the South Coast Open school boy trials and post the completion of those trials he was named in the South Coast B Open school boys side.
To cap off a great start to his time in Australia, K-CI Newton-Whare was brought into the Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad in the week prior to Round One where Burleigh took on the Souths Logan Magpies. Round Two against the Ipswich Jets saw K-CI Newton-Whare named on Burleigh’s extended bench.
K-CI Newton-Whare was initially named on the Bears extended bench once again in Round Three against the Tweed Heads Seagulls however started the match from the bench, playing in the second row and producing some very strong hit-ups in his time on the field in the second half.
After his solid MM Cup debut in Round Three K-CI Newton-Whare moved back to the Bears extended bench for Round Four against the Souths Logan Magpies and was also named on the Bears extended bench for Round Five against the Ipswich Jets.
Upon completion of Burleigh’s 2021 MM Cup season, K-CI Newtown-Whare played for Runaway Bay in Round Three of the 2021 GCRL U18 Division One Pre-season competition, starting in the second row for the Seagulls.
The Titans partnership with Marsden State High School will no doubt provide a great pathway to the NRL for many students, with one potentially being Tawa-Dean Simpkins.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins was part of the 2021 Gold Coast Invitational U13 King of Country Rugby side that won the Tournament with Tawa-Dean Simpkins starring from outside centre.
Post the Tournament Tawa-Dean Simpkins was named on the wing in the 2021 Kings of Country All Tournament Team.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins had an impressive tournament and was for all intents and purposes unstoppable in the second half of the Invitational teams Day One match against the USQ Saints scoring a second half hat trick. To add to his match Tawa-Dean Simpkins converted his third try by way of a drop kick from directly in front of the posts.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins first try came ten minutes into the second half. Tawa-Dean Simpkins received the ball on the left after a USQ turnover, thirty five metres out from the line. Once he received the ball Tawa-Dean Simpkins stepped off his right foot to get on the outside of the defence and then he outpaced the cover defence to score mid-way between the goal posts and left corner post.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins second try was simply outstanding. From the kick-off after his first try Tawa-Dean Simpkins took the kick-off on the full twenty metres out from his own line near the left touchline, initially heading towards the centre of the field but quickly cut back to his left. As he neared the defensive line, Tawa-Dean Simpkins dummied to his left to get through the line and then stepped off his right foot to beat the fullback down the touchline and then he was able to easily outpace the cover defenders to score a spectacular eighty metre solo try in the left corner.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins completed his hat trick scoring the easiest of the three. Tawa-Dean Simpkins was on the end of a backline movement with the ball being spun to the right with Tawa-Dean Simpkins receiving the ball in acres of space and cruising ten metres to score next to the left uprights. Tawa-Dean then converted his own try by way way of a drop goal.
It was evident from just the second minute of the match on Day One that Tawa-Dean Simpkins was going to have a major impact on the tournament when he made a long line break down the right side of the field.
Tawa-Dean Simpkins also scored on Day Two against Far North Coast when in the second half he received the ball on the end of a backline movement to the the Invitational team’s right. When he received the ball Tawa-Dean Simpkins dummied to his right before stepping off his right foot and running twenty five metres untouched to score under the posts.
The Day Two match against Far North Coast also saw Tawa-Dean Simpkins make probably his best run of the competition when he broke seven tackles in a fifty metre run in the second half.
In 2020 Tawa-Dean Simpkins also played touch and was part of the SQBD Sharks U12 side that took part in the 2020 NYC Boys Tournament and was part of the Sharks side that won the Final 4 – 3 against the BC Cobra’s.
Whilst he did not score in the final, Tawa-Dean Simpkins scored in each of the five round robin rounds, including doubles in Rounds Two to Four which were against the SWQ Swans, SSC Pineapples and NQ Cyclones respectively. Tawa-Dean Simpkins also scored against the CQ Bulls in Round One and BC Cobra’s in Round Five.
In late 2020 Tawa-Dean Simpkins was named in the 2020 U12 Queensland Youth Academy Squad.
Thomas Neale will start at halfback for Burleigh in round One of the 2021 Gold Coast Rugby League U20 competition against the Currumbin Eagles this weekend.
Thomas Neal has previously worn a Titans jersey on a number of occasions in his career including for the Titans early in 2019 against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour.
Thomas Neale played the 2020 season as part of the Burleigh Gold Coast Rugby League U20 side, spending time both at dummy half and half back and was particularly impressive in Round Seven scoring a try and making multiple other sniping runs as the Bears defeated the Seagulls 36 – 18.
Thomas Neale also had an outstanding Round Nine match against Currumbin scoring an early first half try when he followed through a kick to score fifteen metres in from the left touch line. It was in fact Thomas Neale started the movement that led to the try when he threw a cut out pass to the Burleigh left centre who ultimately kicked back inside for Thomas Neale.
Thomas Neale also played well for Burleigh in their last minute 26 – 24 2020 U20 GCRL Preliminary Final loss to Helensvale. Thomas Neale was one of Burleigh’s try scorers in the match, when in the first half, he darted out of dummy half to score down a short blind side.
Thomas Neale also had a try assist in the Preliminary Final when he put in a well weighted right foot kick to the left conrer for his left winger to take the ball on the full and get the ball down in the left corner.
Tom Neale started the 2019 season as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad, coming into the side in Round Four when he started from the bench against Central Queensland, Tom Neale also started from the bench in Rounds Five and Six against Wynnum Manly and the Mackay Cutters respectively.
From a club perspective, Tom Neale played for Burleigh in the 2019 GCLR U18 Division One competition including starting the Grand Final at half and scoring as the Bears defeated Southport 28 – 12 in a tough encounter.
Tom Neale’s try in the 2019 GCRL U18 Division One Grand Final was an impressive individual effort. From a Burleigh scrum win twenty five metres out from the Southport line, Tom Neale received the ball to the left of the scrum from the Burleigh lock and immediately ran across field perpendicular to the defensive line and dummied inside to the Burleigh fullback who had come back underneath. Tom Neale immediately after the dummy brought the ball back into his body before beating the Southport Tigers half back by slipping under his outstretched left arm to sprint the remaining twenty metres to score on the left side of the field mid-way between the corner post and goal post on the left side of the field.
In total in the 2019 GCRL U18 Division One competition in 2019 Tom Neale played in eleven matches scoring eighteen points from four tries and a late season conversion against Mudgeeraba. In addition to his Grand Final try Tom Neale also scored against Ormeau, Runaway Bay and the Helensvale Hornets.
In 2018 Tom Neale played in twelve matches for Burleigh in the GCRL U17 Division One competition scoring three tries across the journey with those tries coming against Helensvale, Bilambil and Ormeau.
Casino RSM five eight Toby Hannah is not just a game manager but a talented ball runner and goal kicker as well and that was on show on multiple occasions over the course of the 2020 Group One U13 and 2021 U14 seasons.
After Casino RSM had a Round One bye, Toby Hannah started at five eight in Round Two of the 2021 Group One U14 season against the Kyogle Turkeys.
In Round One of the 2020 Group One U13 competition, Toby Hannah started at five eight and scored a try and kicked three from three conversions against Ballina. Toby Hannah also started at five eight in Round Two against the Kyogle Turkeys scoring eight of Casino RSM’s twelve points in their 12 – 4 win from a try and two conversions from as many attempts.
Toby Hannah added a conversion in Round Three as Casino RSM went down 26 – 14 to the Grafton Ghosts. In Round Four in a 42 – 4 win over South Grafton Toby Hannah who started at five eight once again scored fourteen points from a try and five conversions.
Round five saw the young five eight score a try and kick two goals against the Kyogle Turkeys and in Round Six Toby Hannah kicked three goals as Casino RSM went down 30 – 22 to the Clarence Coast Magpies.
In a high quality Round Seven match against Ballina, the exciting five eight scored a try and kicked two goals as Casino RSM went down 34 – 20 and also kicked two goals in Round Eight in a 24 – 12 loss to the Ballina Seagulls. Toby Hannah also started at five eight in Round Nine against the Grafton Ghosts.
In the final regular season round of the 2020 Group One U13 competition being Round Ten, Toby Hannah started at five eight and scored sixteen points from a try and six goals as Casino RSM defeated South Grafton 40 – 4.
In total in the 2020 Group One U13 regular season competition Toby Hannah scored seventy six points from ten matches, made up of six tries and twenty six goals.
Former Titans linked local Kyah Watts will start in the centres for Burleigh in round One of the 2021 Gold Coast Rugby League U20 competition against the Currumbin Eagles this weekend.
Kyah Watts played the 2018 season at the U17 Division One level as well as being involved in PBC’s GIO Cup campaign.
For Burleigh in the 2018 U17 Division One season Kyah Watts played in ten matches including the finals series, scoring three tries. Kyah Watts scored early in the season against Runaway Bay and then scored in consecutive rounds mid-season against Currumbin and Tweed Heads.
Kyah Watts played the 2017 season at the U16 Division One level for Burleigh, including starting in the second row in the Grand Final which Burleigh lost 34 – 4 against the talented Currumbin Eagles. For Burleigh in the U16 competition, Kyah Watts crossed for a single try which came against Helensvale in Burleigh’s first final in 2017.
Kyah Watts this season was part of the PBC open squad playing a number of matches in the centres for the Queensland and National GIO Cup Champions and has previously played for the U13 and U14 Titans Development squads against Samoan opposition.
2017 also saw Kyah Watts play for the U16 Gold Coast Vikings side in the U16 South East Queensland pre-season competition. In 2016 Kyah Watts was also part of the South Coast U15 side that competed in the U15 QSSRL competition where he was selected on the bench scoring three tries across four games. From there Kyah Watts was selected in the U15 Queensland White side for the U15 ASSRL national Championships playing in all of Queensland White’s matches.
In previous season Kyah Watts also made a number of representative sides including the U14 Vikings and the South East Queensland U14 squad, where he started on the bench for SEQ. For SEQ he scored three tries across the Queensland age championships, including a double against the Capricorn Capra’s and also a try against the North Queensland Marlins.
Local junior Qwayde Whakatihi plays for the Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League competition and also attends Titans partnered Keebra Park State High School as part of the Elite Rugby League Academy program.
In 2020 Qwayde Whakatihi played for Keebra Park State High School in the school boy Bronco’s Old Boys Cup Rugby League competition, starting in the final against Marsden State High School, with Keebra Park going down 26 – 6 to their fellow Titans partnered school.
In 2020 Qwayde Whakatihi also played touch and was part of the SQBD Sharks U12 side that took part in the 2020 NYC Boys Tournament and was part of the Sharks side that won the Final 4 – 3 against the BC Cobra’s, scoring one of the Sharks tries in the match.
In addition to his try in the Grand Final, Qwayde Whakatihi scored in Round One against the CQ Bulls, Round Two against the SWQ Swans and Round Four against the NQ Cyclones.
Talented Ballina Seagulls second rower Harrison Clements was a key member of the Seagulls 2020 U12 side that won the Group One U12 Grand Final 36 – 0 against the Kyogle Turkeys with Harrison Clements scoring in the decider.
Round One of the 2021 Group One U13 competition saw Harrison Clements start in the second row for Ballina against the Clarence Coast Magpies.
Round Two against the Marist Brothers Rams Lismore saw Harrison Clements started once again in the second row.
Harrison Clements started from the bench in all eleven of Ballina’s 2020 matches, scoring eleven tries to average a try a match and obviously a 100% strike rate.
Harrison Clements started the 2020 Group One U12 season off in fine style scoring a hat trick against Casino RSM and added a double in Round Nine against the South Grafton Rebels.
Harrison Clements remaining 2020 Group One U12 tries came in Rounds Five and Ten (Clarence Coast), Six (Grafton Ghosts) and Seven and Eight (Casino RSM).
In 2020 in the Group One U12 competition, Harrison Clements made a habit of scoring long range solo tries with a Round Five try against the Clarence Coast Magpies, perfectly highlighting my contention.
Harrison Clements received the ball from his halfback whilst stationary and eighty metres away from the try line. As soon as he received the ball Harrison Clements exploded off the mark cutting back to the soft spot behind the play the ball, bursting easily through the Magpies defence and from there Harrison Clements extended the gap between him and the Clarence Coast chasers to be able to slow down and gently place the ball under the posts.
Another example of a Harrison Clements special, came against South Grafton in Round Nine but in that occasion Harrison Clements “only” ran seventy five metres to score. Harrison Clements received the ball four passes off the play the ball as Ballina spun the ball to their right, as soon as he received the ball, Harrison Clements used his speed to get on the outside of the last Rebels left side defender and from there it was shut the gate as Harrison Clements ran down the right touchline and such was the buffer that he had, Harrison Clements was able to comfortably bring the ball around and place it down under the goal posts.
Young second rower Jose Ito currently plays for the Greenbank Raiders in the Greater Brisbane Junior Rugby League competition and attends Marsden State High School which recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Titans for a formal partnership between the two bodies.
In 2020 Jose Ito was part of the Greenbank Raiders side that went down in their U13 GBJRL Grand Final that was played at Rochedale in September 2020.
In 2019 Jose Ito represented the Samoan U12 side at the QPICC Cultural Carnival that was held at Beenleigh having a particularly strong match at the Carnival against Tonga.
One player that I am looking to seeing in person in 2021 is Che Garred.
The talented young Kyogle Turkeys junior and Kyogle High School student started at fullback in Round One of the 2021 Group One U13 competition for Kyogle against the South Grafton Rebels.
Che Garred also started at fullback in Round Two against the Kyogle Turkeys.
Che Garred had a very good 2020 Group One U12 season for the Kyogle Turkeys including coming off the bench in the Grand Final against the Ballina Seagulls.
Whilst he may have started the 2020 U12 Group One Grand Final from the bench, Che Garred started at fullback in all of the Kyogle Group One 2020 U12 regular season matches that he played in and scored an impressive thirteen tries from just eight matches to finish the regular season with a strike rate of 163%.
Che Garred also kicked three conversions to finish the 2020 season with an individual points haul of fifty eight points. Che Garred’s three conversions came in Round Four, Five and Seven against Ballina, Casino RSM and Clarence Coast respectively, on each occasion Che Garred converted his own try. Understandably Che Garred finished as one of the Group One U12 competition’s leading try scorers and points scorers.
Che Garred started the 2020 Group One U12 season off with a bang scored four tries against the Grafton Ghosts in Round One and added a hat trick against the Ghosts in Round Eight. Che Garred added a double in Round Two against Casino RSM and also scored in matches against South Grafton (Round Three), Ballina (Round Four), Casino RSM (Round Five) and the Clarence Coast Magpies in Round Seven.
In February 2021 Keebra Park State High School’s Joseph Tupuse was named in the U15 South Coast school boy rugby league squad for the 2021 U15 QSSRL School Boy Championships.
Joseph Tupuse’s first exposure to representative rugby league came in 2019 when he was selected in the Queensland U12 side for the Australian Schools Championships with Queensland subsequently being named 2019 U12 National Champions. Joseph Tupuse was one of Queensland’s try scorers in their 62 – 0 Quarter Final victory over the Northern Territory.
Prior to the National U12 Championships, Joseph Tupuse stood out for South Coast at the Queensland U12 Championships.
Former Casey Warriors (Victoria) junior Tylah Akai has moved up from Victoria to attend Keebra Park State High School and be part of their Rugby League Excellence Program in partnership with the Titans.
In 2018 Tylah Akai was selected on the bench for the Victorian U12 side from Mernda Primary School for the ASSRL U12 Championships.
After spending his earlier junior rugby league career with the Grafton Ghosts, Wayne-Chase Whitney has moved across the bridge to play the 2021 Group One U13 season with the South Grafton Rebels.
Wayne-Chase Whitney started Round One of the 2021 Group One U13 competition at fullback for the Rebels as they took on the Kyogle Turkeys.
Wayne-Chase Whitney also started at fullback in Round Two against the Clarence Coast Magpies.
Wayne-Chase Whitney, after playing in the earlier U13 match, as on the bench for the South Grafton U14 side in Round One against Kyogle and it was the same in Round Two against the Clarence Coast Magpies.
In 2020 for the Grafton Ghosts in the Group One U12 competition, Wayne-Chase Whitney had an impressive season finishing with twelve tries and two conversions for an individual points tally of fifty two. Both of Wayne-Chase Whitney’s conversions came in separate matches against the Kyogle Turkeys, the first coming in Round Eight and the second in Round Ten.
Wayne-Chase Whitney scored a hat trick in Round Seven against his 2021 team being the South Grafton Rebels and also scored a double against the Rebels in Round Five. Wayne-Chase Whitney’s other two doubles came against Ballina in Round Six and Casino RSM in Round Nine.
Wayne-Chase Whitney also scored in Round Three against Casino RSM, Round Four against the Clarence Coast Magpies and Round Eight against the Kyogle Turkeys.
Round One of the GCRL U20 season proper this weekend, sees Jake Kearton started in the front row for the Burleigh Bears as they took on the Currumbin Eagles.
When the Gold Coast Rugby League competition commenced, Jake Kearton started in the front row for the Burleigh Bears U20 GCRL side as they played a Pre-season Round One round robin against Helensvale and Runaway Bay.
In Round Three of the GCRL U20 Pre-season competition, Jake Kearton started from the bench as Burleigh played the Currumbin Eagles.
In April 2021, Jake Kearton was named in the U20 Gold Coast Vikings First Grade South East Queensland Chairman’s Challenge initial squad.
Jake Kearton started the 2020 season in the Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad starting Round One of the competition in the front row against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Also in 2020 Jake Kearton was part of the PBC Langer Cup Open A school boy rugby league squad, including starting Round One of the competition on the bench as PBC took on Ipswich State High School. Jake Kearton was having a strong match for PBC until he broke his ribs in a tackle, impacting the rest of his 2020 season.
When Community Rugby League re-commenced on the Gold Coast Jake Kearton played for Burleigh in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition for the second season in a row, including starting in the second row in the 2020 GCRL U18 Division One Grand Final against the Currumbin Eagles.
Jack Kearton moved down from Mackay State High School to attend PBC at the start of 2018 and was part of the Titans U16 squad played against PNG and New South Wales Country U16 sides in September 2018. The match against PNG was held at Pizzey Park Burleigh and the New South Wales Country match at Cudgen.
Jack Kearton played one match for Burleigh in the MM Cup competition in 2019 with that match being in Round Five when he came off the bench in Round Five against Souths Logan.
In 2019 Jake Kearton played his club rugby league on the Gold Coast for Burleigh in the GCRL U18 Division One competition playing ten regular season matches, primarily starting at lock and scored four tries including a Round Nine double against Currumbin just days after the PBC/Keebra Langer Cup match. Jack Kearton also scored against Ormeau earlier in the season and against Mudgeeraba in Round Fourteen.
In Week Two of the 2019 GCRL U18 Division One Finals series, Jake Kearton started at lock as Burleigh defeated Southport 34 – 4 to progress directly to the Grand Final.
Jack Kearton started at lock in Burleigh’s 28 -12 U18 Division One Grand Final win over Southport 28 -12 and had strong stints in each half.
Jake Kearton in 2019 was also part of the PBC Open A rugby league side including starting from the bench (he had been named to start) in the Langer Cup derby against Keebra Park in June and was heavily involved when he came on.
Jake Kearton was also part of the PBC side for their Queensland GIO Cup quarter final win over St Mary’s High School Toowoomba 50 – 6 coming off the bench in that match and also came off the bench in PBC’s semi-final loss to Marsden State High School.
Jack Kearton, even though he was eligible for the U16 age group played for the Mudgeeraba Redbacks U17 Division One side in 2018, starting in the second row in their Round One match against Currumbin.
In 2017 Jake Kearton was part of the Capricornia U15 side that took part in the QSSRL U15 championships. In those Championships he played primarily in the second row but has played in the front row for PBC this season in their Year Ten side although he did miss the recent Walter Cup match won by PBC against Keebra Park by two points through illness.
Keebra Park State High School student Chance De Thierry is part of the Titans partnered schools Rugby League Academy Program and was part of the 2021 Gold Coast Invitational U13 King of Country Rugby side that won the Tournament.
Chance De Thierry played in the second row for the Gold Coast Invitational side but seems to be more of a front rower in rugby league.
In 2020 Chance De Thierry played for Keebra Park in the school boy Bronco’s Old Boys Cup Rugby League competition with Keebra Park going down 26 – 6 to their fellow Titans partnered school.
In 2020 Chance De Thierry played for the Coomera Crushers in the GCDRU U12 competition, including scoring a double in Round Three against the Helensvale Hogs and also scored in Round Four against Yatala and Round Six against PBC. Chance De Thierry also kicked a conversion against the Yatala Rams in Round Four when he converted his own try.
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One player that I would anticipate who will push for a spot in the Keebra Park higher level sides in 2021 is second rower Lama Afu who in his first year at Keebra Park in 2020 turned heads (well mine at least) in the Keebra Park Year 10 school boy side.
Lama Afu obviously also turned heads at the Broncos with the young man trialling for a spot in their elite Junior Development Program in 2020 but in mid-February 2021 Cooper Nelson played in the Titans U15 Invitational Trial at Burleigh, a trial which included only the best of the 2021 Titans U15 squad members.
Early February 2021 saw Lama Afu make it through the first stage of the South Coast U15 QSSRL trials when he was named in the U15 Broadwater school boy U15 squad. Following the final round of trials, Lama Afu was named in the 2021 South Coast U15 school boy QSSRL squad.
Prior to moving to the Gold Coast to attend Keebra Park State High School on a full rugby league scholarship, Lama Afu played for the Melton Broncos rugby league club in Melbourne and also represented the Victorian U12 side in the second row at the 2018 Australian Primary Schools U12 National Championships.
Lama Afu also represented Victoria in rugby in the U13 age group before his move north to the Gold Coast. For the Melton Rugby Club, Lama Afu primarily player at outside centre (No. 13) but also played a number of matches at inside centre (No. 12).
Titans contracted Brock Lennox moved to the Southport School (TSS) in 2020 and in late July started at inside centre (No. 12) in the TSS U15A side in their first school boy rugby trial against another GPS school, being Nudgee College, with the trial being held in Brisbane with Brock Lennox converting TSS’s sole try of the match.
Brock Lennox moved to outside centre (No. 13) for the TSS U15A’s final trial against Churchie and kicked a conversion in the dying minutes to seal a 12 – 5 TSS victory.
Round One of the GPS school boy rugby U15A competition proper saw Brock Lennox start at outside centre (No. 13) for TSS against Brisbane State High School.
In Round Two Brock Lennox started at fullback and kicked four conversions as TSS outlasted Toowoomba Grammar School in a high scoring affair. Brock Lennox also started at fullback in Round Two against Brisbane Grammar School and Round Three against Brisbane Boys College where he converted TSS’s only try of the match.
Brock Lennox maintained his run of starts at fullback in Round Four against Gregory Terrace converting TSS’s sole try of the match and also started at fullback in Round Five against Ipswich Grammar School.
Post the TSS GPS rugby season Brock Lennox was named as the TSS U15 goal kicking champion for his efforts in the TSS U15A side.
Even though he will be still eligible in play in the TSS U16A side when the 2021 GPS competition starts in Term Three, Brock Lennox will be pushing to get an opportunity in the TSS First XV.
Brock Lennox started in the centres in the Bears first 2021 U16 Cyril Connell Cup trail in early February against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and also started at halfback in Burleigh’s second trial against the Easts Tigers however did not play in any of the Bears matches in the CC Cup competition proper.
After Casino RSM had a Round One bye, Jykoven Torrens started at hooker in Round Two of the 2021 Group One U14 season against the Kyogle Turkeys.
The talented young right second rower, hooker or centre had a great start to the Group One U13 rugby league competition for Casino RSM scoring three tries in the opening two rounds. Jkyoven Torrens turned his impressive start into a heck of a 2020 Group One season as a whole.
In Round One against the Ballina Seagulls Jykoven Torrens scored a double starting the match in the centres and he added a further try against the Kyogle Turkeys in Round Two after moving into the second row.
Jykoven Torrens moved to hooker in Round Three against Grafton but that did not stop his try scoring feats as he scored a double but Casino RSM went down 26 – 14 to the Ghosts.
Jykoven Torrens stayed at hooker for Round Four against South Grafton and dominated scoring four tries as Casino RSM defeated the Rebels 42 – 4. Also starting at hooker in Round Five against Kyogle Jykoven Torrens scored once again in a 30 – 16 loss.
In Round Six against Clarence Coast Jykoven Torrens once again started at hooker and scored a hat trick however Casino RSM went down 30 – 22 to the Magpies. Jykoven Torrens added a further two tries to his tally as Casino RSM went down 34 – 20 to Ballina in Round Seven.
Jykoven Torrens’s exceptional 2020 season continued in Round Eight when he added a further double in a 24 – 12 loss to the Ballina Seagulls. Jykoven Torrens also started at hooker in Round Nine against the Grafton Ghosts.
In the final regular season round of the 2020 Group One U13 competition being Round Ten, Jykoven Torrens started at hooker once again and scored four tries as Casino RSM defeated South Grafton 40 – 4.
In total in the 2020 Group One U13 regular season competition Jykoven Torrens scored twenty one tries from just ten games to finish the regular season with a 210% strike rate.
Jykoven Torrens was also outstanding for Casino RSM in the 2019 Group One U12 competition playing in eleven matches and was a multiple try scorer as well.
Jykoven Torrens played the 2019 U13 Group One rugby league competition for Casino RSM and in 2021 Jykoven Torrens will play in the Group One U14 competition.
Jykoven Torrens also had a great 2019 year from an athletics perspective at Casino Public School including making the schools athletics team for the North Coast Regional Athletics Championships.
At the Championships Jykoven Torrens was named the Senior Boys Champion after winning the 200m and 800m events and he was also a member of the Casino Public School 4 x 100m relay time that took all before them winning each of their races, including the final. Also in the 2km race, Jykoven Torrens ran a solid time of just on ten minutes.
Post the North Coast Regional Athletic Championships, Jykoven Torrens was selected in the North Coast Team for the New South Wales PSSA State Athletics Carnival in both the North Coast 4 x 100m relay team for the 100m sprint individual event.
In the 100m event, Jykoven Torrens made the sem-finals, before running 12.77 seconds in the race to quality for the U12 100 metre NSW State Final. Jykoven Torrens ran 12.99 seconds in the final to finish a very credible seventh.
As part of the North Coast 4 x 100m relay team, Jykoven Torrens and his team ran 52.58 seconds to quality of the U12 NSW State Final, running 54.09 seconds in the Final.
Early February 2021 saw Titans contracted Sam Stephenson make it through the first stage of the South Coast U15 QSSRL trials when he was named in the U15 Oceania school boy U15 squad. Following the final round of trials, Sam Stepehnson was named in the 2021 South Coast U15 school boy QSSRL squad.
The powerful Titans contracted left second rower was a constant handful for opposing sides in the 2020 Renouf Cup school boy side and Sam Stephenson was one of the reasons that PBC made it all the way to the Renouf Cup Grand Final. Unfortunately PBC went down in heart breaking fashion 10 – 8 to Marsden State High School with the Brisbane based school scoring a late try in the left corner saw PBC lose in heart breaking fashion.
As noted above 2020 saw Sam Stephenson play for PBC in the 2020 Renouf Cup school boy competition, including starting at left second row in the Grand Final against fellow Titans partnered school, Marsden State High School.
Sam Stephenson was prominent for PBC throughout the regular season rounds of the 2020 Renouf School Boy Cup scoring or recording a try assist (on three occasions both) in each of the five 2020 Renouf Cup regular season rounds.
In Round One as PBC went down to eventual their Grand Final opponents Marsden State High School, Sam Stephenson showed the rest of the competition what they would be up against when in the first half he broke the Marsden Right side defensive line with a powerful run that started in his own territory and was able, under heavy pressure get a great pass away to his left on the halfway mark to centre Tyler Small who ran fifty metres to score in a tough 44 – 20 loss.
Round Two as PBC defeated Keebra Park State High Schol 22 – 20 saw Sam Stephenson score a try as well as recording another try assist. The try assist resulted from powerful surge to break through the Keebra Park right side defense around seventy metres out with Sam Stephenson charging forty metres down field before drawing the fullback and passing to his left to send Tyler Small away down the left touch line.
Sam Stephenson’s Round Two try came in the second half. PBC threw the ball from one side of the field to the other, Sam Stephenson received the ball as PBC started to through the ball back to the right, shaking off one attempted tackle before veering to his right and charging fifteen metres to score five metres to the left of the uprights.
Sam Stephenson added two tries and two try assists to his outstanding 2020 Renouf Cup season in Round Three as PBC defeated Coombabah State High School 40 – 12.
Sam Stephenson’s first try assist of the match came after he broke through the Coombabah defese around seventy metres out before drawing the fullback and passing to his right to his half back who was able to score under the posts. Sam Stephenson’s second try assist came after another long break, this time starting sixty metres out with Sam Stephenson charging down field and then drawing the fullback and passing to his left to send Tyler Small away to score.
Sam Stephenson’s first try of the match came thrugh sheer brute strength and power. Sam Stephenson took the ball from a PBC penalty tap ten metres out from the Coombabah line and charged straight and hard to crash over five metres to the left of the uprights.
Sam Stephenson’s second try of the match was scored near where he put the ball down for his fist one. After sending the ball to the right, the ball came back to the ball, finding Sam Stephenson in space and he ran twelve metres to dive over.
PBC defeated Forest Lake State High School 22 – 4 with Sam Stephenson scoring and adding another try assist in Round Four. Sam Stephenson’s try assist was as a result of a one armed offload to his left winger to score after Same Stephenson broke through the line.
Sam Stephenson scored in the match when he broke through the line on the left side of the field, before veering to his left away from the cover defence to score ten metres in from the left corner post.
Sam Stephenson finished off the 2020 Renuf Cup regular season in Round Five against Wavell, PBC won the match 28 – 12 with his fifth try of the season when he did what he had done all season and that was to break through the oppositions right side defence. Agaisnt Wavell, Sam Stephenson broke the line from around thirty metres and was unstoppable on his way to score PBC’s first try of the match.
In early October 2020 Sam Stephenson was part of the Titans Gold Coast based U14 side that played a trial match against a Titans NRRRL U14/U15 squad with the match being played at Cbus Stadium, giving the young players a great experience in Titans colours with the added bonus that they played in Titans jerseys.
In 2019 Sam Stephenson played for Burleigh in the Gold Coast Rugby League U13 Division One competition starting the Grand Final against Helensvale at left centre. Unfortunately Burleigh went down in the Grand Final 26 – 22.
In taking into account his Grand Final loss Sam Stephenson had an outstanding 2019 Gold Coast U13 Division One season which saw him finish with 100 points from fifteen matches and finish second on the competitions try scoring list in the regular season.
In only one game in the regular season being against Ormeau did Sam Stephenson not score in 2019, scoring twenty four tries in his other fourteen games for a strike rate of 160%. Sam Stephenson also kicked two goals in Round One against Coomera to hit the 100 point on the season mark.
Sam Stephenson recorded four tries in consecutive rounds against Ormeau and Southport as well as scoring a hat trick against Coomera mid-season.
Sam Stephenson also scored three doubles coming against Coomera in two matches and Ormeau with tries against Currumbin twice, Nerang, Runaway Bay twice and Ormeau accounting for the remainder of his 2019 tries.
Also in 2019 Sam Stephenson represented the Gold Coast Vikings U13 representative side at the Hill Stumer Championships which were held in Ipswich with Sam Stephenson named on the bench for the Vikings.
In 2018 in the GCRL U12 Division One competition Sam Stephenson recorded a 100% strike rate from fourteen matches.
Impressively Kye Cooper started Round One of the 2021 NRRRL U18 season last weekend at right centre for the Ballina Seagulls as they defeated the Kyogle Turkeys 54 – 4 even though he was still U16 eligible.
The match saw Kye Cooper record a try assist when in the 22nd minute he took the ball down a short right blindside and held the ball up perfectly to put right winger Lachlan Offley away down the touchline to score in the corner.
Round One of the 2021 Group One U13 competition saw Jett Flatley start in the second row for Ballina against in the Clarence Coast Magpies, Jett Flatley also captained the Ballina Seagulls side.
Round Two against the Marist Brothers Rams Lismore saw Jett Flatley start once again in the second row as he will again in Round Three tomorrow against Kyogle.
The talented Ballina Seagulls second rower was a key member of the Seagulls 2020 U12 side that won the Group One U12 Grand Final 36 – 0 against the Kyogle Turkeys with Jett Flatley scoring a try and kicking a conversion in the match.
Jett Flatley started in all eleven of Ballina’s 2020 matches, including in the Grand Final and in those eleven matches, scored forty eight points from nine tries and six conversions, with all six conversions coming in separate matches and in the main were situations when Jett Flatley converted a try of his own.
Jett Flatley finished the 2020 Group One U12 abridged regular season on a high, scoring a hat trick against the Clarence Coast Magpies in Round Ten and also scored a double in Round Six against the Grafton Ghosts. Jett Flatley also scored against South Grafton in Round Two and Clarence Coast once again in Round Five.
In Round Two against the South Grafton Rebels, Jett Flatley was barely touched by the Rebels defence, scoring from forty metres out after receiving the ball from the dummy half from his left. After receiving the ball Jett Flatley ran through a South Grafton defence that had barely moved off their line and then beat the cover defence with sheer pace to dive over three metres in from the right corner post.
One of Jett Flatley’s Round Ten three tries was as good of a long range solo try that I have seen in any junior age group ever. Jett Flatley received the ball four passes from the play the ball as Ballina spun the ball to their left. When Jett Flatley received the ball he was only fifteen metres out from his own line and just five metres in from the left touchline. Jett Flatley stepped off his left foot to beat one defender before veering back towards the left touchline, breaking five tackles as he broke into space still sixty metres from the try line. Even though three Magpies defenders gave chase they could not take any ground at all off Jett Flatley and he was able to dive over in the left corner to score an outstanding try.
I have noted two outstanding solo tries to look to highlight the skill set that Jett Flatley possesses, but I could also note multiple instances of outstanding defence over the course of 2020 which would also go a long way to describing just how good Jett Flatley is. Some of the tackles against Kyogle, Casino RSM and the Clarence Coast Magpies were simply outstanding with Jett Flatley hitting hard and often with both his left and right shoulders.
PBC has produced more than a few NRL players for the Titans with a lot more on the horizon with one being Titans contracted Jac Finnigan.
In early January 2021 Jac Finnigan was part of a small but impressive group of Titans linked 2021 U15 players who after attending a Titans camp and spent time training with the Titans NRL squad. Post that camp Jac Finnigan signed a contract that will keep him with the Titans and on the Gold Coast for the next couple of seasons at the very least.
Jac Finnigan also attends Palm Beach Currumbin State High School on the Gold Coast as part of their Rugby League Excellence Program which has a close formal partnership with the Titans.
Early February 2021 saw Jac Finnigan make it through the first stage of the South Coast U15 QSSRL trials when he was named in the U15 Oceania school boy U15 squad. Following the final round of trials, Jac Finnigan was named in the 2021 South Coast U15 school boy QSSRL squad.
In 2020 Jac Finnigan also played OzTag, playing for the Nerang Tigers in the 2020 U15 Boys Super Series and post that particular OzTag competition was named in the Queensland U15 Boys OzTag Development squad, in impressive achievement to say the least for a 14 year old up against players a year older.
In 2019 and 2020 Jac Finnigan played for the Nerang Roosters Junior Rugby League Club, in 2019 in the U13 age group and in 2020 the U14 age group, being one of a number of talented players for the Roosters in both of those years.
In 2019 Jac Finnigan was part of the Gold Coast Vikings U13 side that played in the Hill Stumer Championships in Ipswich with Jac Finnigan starting at lock for the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League Representative Side at North Ipswich Reserve.
Jac Finnigan’s first taste of representative rugby league came in 2018 when he was selected in the South Coast U12 school boy representative side from PBC for the Queensland Primary Schools Rugby League Championships.
The path to school boy rugby league success in the 2021 Langer Cup competition was always going to be tough for the three Titans partnered school’s being PBC, Keebra Park and Marsden in 2021 but the addition to Marsden SHS of Titans contracted Xavier Stowers certainly helps their cause.
The powerful former school boy rugby No. 8 from the 2019 and 2020 Ipswich Grammar School GPS Rugby First XV side and the 2020 Ipswich Jets MM Cup side is a recent Titans signing coup and has the potential to fly through the junior rugby league ranks to the NRL with the Titans in a short space of time. It was great to hear that Xavier Stowers had chosen to sign with the Titans over interest from multiple other NRL clubs and Super Rugby outfits including the Queensland Reds for whom Xavier Stowers was an Acadmey product.
In January 2021 Xavier Stowers played his first match in a Titans jersey when he started from the bench for the Titans U19 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights 40 - 6. When he was in the field, Xavier Stowers played in the centre of the ruck and had some good moments including a late second half offload to his right.
Xavier Stowers also recorded two huge tackles in a row including one when he caught the Newcastle player from behind, stopping him in his tracks when the Knights player looked odds on to score. It was an impressive effort by Xavier Stowers who refused to give up and through sheer force of will got himself to the right spot to make an outstanding tackle.
Xavier Stower’s endurance and determination came to the fore in the 25th minute of the second half. Newcastle were on the attack ten metres from the line and sent the ball to the right with the Knights playmaker putting in an attacking kick back behind the play the ball. Xavier Stowers who was initially defending on the opposite side of the ruck, tracked the play across field, was perfectly placed to eliminate the threat. Xavier Stowers however did not just take the tackle, after breaking two tackles, Xavier Stowers off-loaded with his right arm to his right to Thomas Weaver who made an additional twenty metres down field.
Xavier Stowers desperation was also highlighted earlier in the second half when he held on to the Burleigh hooker with only his right arm, eventually dragging him to the ground. If Xavier Stowers had not held on to the hooker, he would have had a free run to the Titans fullback with plenty of support as well.
Of all the good moments that I have noted in relation to Xavier Stowers first match in a Titans jersey, another one for me at least optimises who Xavier Stowers is as a player. In the 31st minute of the second half Xavier Stowers took a regulation hit-up mid-field. The Knights defensive line got up quickly, making initial contact with Xavier Stowers just two metres into his run, but through strength and determination, Xavier Stowers was able to make an additional seven metres post contact. Not many players would have been able to maintain their balance and body control after the type of initial contact that he was subject to and still make additional ground, Xavier Stowers however is definitely one of the few that can.
A week after the match against the Newcastle Knights Xavier Stowers once again lined up for the Titans U19’s as they took on a Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad at Burleigh Juniors, coming off the bench with the Titans winning once again, this time 32 – 20 in a match that saw no conversions attempted.
Xavier Stowers had a huge match when he was on the field producing a number of damaging charges including a great run off the Bears kick off from Reef Sommerville’s second try of the match with the run a great twenty metre surge, with the majority of the metres made post contact.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Xavier Stowers was named to start on the bench for the Ipswich Jets against the Tweed Heads Seagulls but ended up starting the match in the front row and in fact was involved in the first tackle of the match after Ipswich kicked the ball off.
The 9th minute saw the damage that Xavier Stowers can do running with the ball when he charged onto the ball to the right of the dummy half bustling his way twelve metres before eventually being brought down just ten metres away from the try line.
Xavier Stowers was at it again just a minute later when he took the ball from a Tweed Heads drop out charging thirty five metres to get inside the Seagulls twenty before being forced to play the ball. The 23rd minute saw yet another strong run from Xavier Stowers shewing up a further twelve metres (eight post contact) to get within five metres of the Tweed Heads line.
Defensively over the course of the match, Xavier Stowers defence was just as strong as his ball running with probably his best moment from a defensive perspective coming in the 57th minute when he came out of the line and monstered Seagulls five eight Harrydon Wilson. Xavier Stowers had crunched Wilson before he even knew what was going on and with Tweed Heads just ten metres out from the line, Xavier Stowers tackle completely shut down all of the momentum.
Xavier Stowers was immediately back on his feet at marker and moved to his right to tackle Seagulls front rower Jack Cullen around the legs with a copy book low tackle.
Xavier Stowers also started in the front row in Round Two against the Burleigh Bears, scoring the Jets first try in their tough loss and had a huge opening few minutes including scoring a powerhouse try in just the 6th minute of the match.
Xavier Stowers try showcased everything that is good about his game, that being size, strength, speed and power. Ipswich restarted from a penalty ten metres out from the Bears line, just to the left of the uprights. Xavier Stowers received the ball ten metres out, running directly at the defensive line before cutting back towards the uprights, pushing off one Bears defender before spinning counter clockwise to beat two more defenders before carrying three more Burleigh defenders across the line to smash the ball down a metre to the left of the uprights.
Xavier Stowers first major contribution to the game came in just the 3rd minute with a strong ten metre charge to get Ipswich into the Burleigh forty metre area. Xavier Stowers then made significant ground in just the 5th minute. Xavier Stowers initially ran to the left of the play the ball before offloading to his left. Xavier Stowers then backed up and get the ball back from the Jets player that he had passed to, making fifteen more metres before offloading for the second time in the same movement this time to his hooker who was trailing the play through the centre of the field.
Xavier Stowers continued to make ground running the ball including in the 39th minute when he made eleven metres to get Ipswich inside the Burleigh twenty metre area.
It was not just running with the ball that made Xavier Stowers so impressive in the match, defensively he was also very strong, including a heavy tackle where he monstered Syris Schmidt who was taking a hit-up in his own territory. Xavier Stowers literally engulfed Syris Schmidt and forced the fullback backwards a number of metres.
The in the 64th minute Xavier Stowers put a massive hit on Burleigh second rower Delihia Wigmore twenty metres out from the line with the Burleigh player taking a bit of time to recover from the big hit. Then just two minutes later Xavier Stowers smashed Burleigh Jaxon Yow as he was running across field just outside the Burleigh forty metre area.
Xavier Stowers was named on the interchange bench in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies and in Round Four against the Tweed Heads Seagulls. Xavier Stowers came into the match at half time, wasting no time getting involved by taking the first hit-up of the second half after Tweed Heads kicked off the second half to get the ball out to near the twenty metre mark.
Only two minutes later in the 38th minute, Xavier Stowers one again broke tackles after making thirteen metres from a hit-up to the left of the dummy half to get two metres over the halfway mark.
Then in the 43rd minute Xavier Stowers once again ran to the left of the dummy half before cutting back towards the play the ball to make thirteen metres. Xavier Stowers bounced quickly to his feet but was dragged back down and subsequently was awarded a penalty. From the next set of six after the penalty restart, Xavier Stowers was back in the action, getting to within ten metres of the try line before twisting and offloading with his right arm to Josiah Pahulu who got within two metres of the line before finally being stopped.
Even though Ipswich were out of the match with ten minutes to go, that did not dissuade Xavier Stowers from his task and in the 62nd minute, Xavier Stowers made eleven metres from a hit-up to the right of the play the ball with more than 50% of the metres that he made from the run were post contact.
Round Five against the Burleigh Bears saw Xavier Stowers named on the Jets extended bench however he ended up starting the match from the bench and he also started from the bench in Round Six against the Souths Logan Magpies.
Xavier Stowers started Round One of the 2020 MM Cup competition in the front row for the Ipswich Jets against the Townsville Blackhawks. Unfortunately that Round One match was the only MM Cup match of the 2020 season due to the Civid 19 pandemic.
Xavier Stowers started the 2020 GPS school boy rugby season in the Ipswich Grammar School’s First XV squad after making his GPS First XV debut as a 16 year old in 2019.
When I am noting below the rounds of the 2020 GPS school boy rugby First XV competition, I am more referring to the order of games, as due to Covid 19 issues, what were going to be the opening two rounds of the competition ended up being “official trials”.
Round One of the 2020 GPS school boy rugby First XV competition saw Xavier Stowers line up at No. 8 against Toowoomba Grammar School and Xavier Stowers continued his run of starts at No. 8 in Round Two against Nudgee College. Xavier Stowers also started at No. 8 in Ipswich Grammar School’s remaining 2020 First XV fixtures, which were against Brisbane Boys College (Round Three), Anglican Church Grammar School (Round Four), Brisbane State High School (Round Five), The Southport School (Round Six) and Gregory Terrace in Round Seven.
Whilst Xavier Stowers did not score any tries in 2020 he was heavily involved in two tries over the course of the abridged 2020 GPS school boy First XV season. In Round Four against Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie), Xavier Stowers picked the ball up from the back of a scrum three metres out from the Churchie line and ran to his left, throwing a great one armed (right arm) off-load just as he was being tackled (in fact he threw the pass under the body of the defender who had engaged him) to his half who was brought down centremetres short but Ipswich Grammar School scored from the subsequent ruck.
Xavier Stowers was heavily involved later in the season in Round Six against The Southport School, when once again he picked the ball up from an Ipswich Grammar School scrum win five metres out from the TSS line. Xavier Stowers ran to his right, putting his No. 10 into a gap and he was able to twist over next to the left upright. The speed at which Xavier Stowers had picked up the ball and charged to his right, parallel to the TSS defensive line froze the defenders and enabled Xavier Stowers to put his runner into the gap with a good short pass.
In the 2020 Courier Mail South East Queensland school boy rugby/rugby Top 30 players of 2020 Xavier Stowers was named at Number 21 where the Courier Mail writers noted his exceptional combination of size, strength, speed and power at such a young age. Xavier Stowers made the same list in 2019 as well when once again his size/speed combination was noted by the articles authors.
Xavier Stowers made his GPS school boy rugby First XV debut for Ipswich Grammar School in Round One of the 2019 GPS school boy rugby First XV competition against Brisbane State High school when he started at No. 8.
Xavier Stowers went on to start at No. 8 in all of Ipswich Grammar Schools seven other First XV matches, being against Brisbane Grammar School (Round Two), Toowoomba Grammar School (Round Three), Nudgee College (Round Four), Brisbane Boys College (Round Five), Anglican Church Grammar School (Round Six), The Southport School (Round Eight) and Gregory Terrace in Round Nine.
Xavier Stowers first GPS school boy First XV rugby try came in Round Eight on the Gold Coast at the Shark Tank against TSS when Xavier Stowers charged at the line from close range after receiving a pass off the back of a ruck that had formed two metres out from the TSS line. Xavier Stowers received the ball to the right of the ruck and under heavy pressure from multiple TSS defenders was able to keep his feet under him and continue to pump his legs to get the ball down right on the goal line midway between the corner post and goal post on the left side of the field.
In 2019 in addition to playing for the Ipswich Grammar School Boy Rugby First XV, Xavier Stowers represented the Queensland Maroon U16 representative side at the National U16 Rugby Championships, starting for the Maroon side at No. 8 in their series of Championship matches.
To cap off an exceptional 2019, Xavier Stowers, at just 16 years of age, played one match in the Brisbane Premier Colts III competition, starting at outside centre for Logan City and scoring in Round Fifteen against Southern Suburbs.
Xavier Stowers already has some representative rugby league experience under his belt, representing his heritage when he represented the Cook Islands U14 side at the 2017 QPIIC Tournament including scoring in an 18 – 4 Cook Island victory over Papua New Guinea.
When the 2021 GPS school boy rugby competition starts in July I will certainly be looking to attend as many Ipswich Grammar School matches as possible to catch a glimpse of Titans contracted Isaac Togia who will be lining up in the U15A side, likely at outside centre.
The powerhouse second row or lock (and rugby centre) who hails from the Ipswich region signed a multi-year contract with the Titans in early 2021 and let there be no doubt, the Titans have snared a seriously talented young player in Isaac Togia.
In 2020 Isaac Togia played for Goonda Black in the Ipswich Rugby League U14 competition with Goonda Black winning all ten of their 2020 matches, scoring a staggering 506 points and conceding just 32 to finish with a positive points differential of an incredible +474.
Isaac Togia had some big match in 2020 for Goonda Black including scoring five tries in Round Eight as Goodna Black defeated Redback Red 58 – 10. Isaac Togia also scored four tries in Rounds Four and Six against Goodna Blue (62 – 0) and Swifts Blue (68 – 0) respectively.
Isaac Togia previously played for the Springfield Panthers Junior Rugby League Club who also play in the Ipswich Rugby League competition.
In 2019 Isaac Togia represented the Ipswich Diggers U13’s in the second row at the Hill Stumer South East Queensland Junior Rugby League Championships, and post those Championships was selected in the South East Queensland Training Squad.
Isaac Togia is also a more than impressive rugby player and currently attends Ipswich Grammar School and plays rugby in the GPS school boy rugby competition. In 2020 in the GPS U14A competition and in 2019 in the U13A competition, Isaac Togia was a stand out for the Ipswich based school, playing at outside centre (No. 13).
Isaac Togia has also represented Ipswich Grammar School in the GPS Athletics Championships in 2019 and 2020.
2019 also saw Isaac Togia play for the Ipswich Rangers rugby club who played in the Brisbane U13A Brisbane Junior Rugby competition, once again playing outside centre.
For the Ipswich Rangers, Isaac Togia played at outside centre (No. 13) and finished the 2019 season on fire. In the BJR U13A 2019 regular season Isaac Togia had a huge Round Ten match, scoring five tries against Sunnybank Green and also scored a double in Round Eight against Souths Black.
Isaac Togia also scored in each of his three finals matches in 2019, being in Week One of the Finals against Souths Black, Week Two against Easts Blue and Week Three against Norths Blue in the Rangers two point loss.
Also in 2019 Isaac Togia was selected in the Brisbane Red side for the Queensland XV’s State Rugby Championships.
Another player who will make his school boy debut for Marsden SHS in 2021 is Titans contracted Dominique Sandow.
The exciting youngster originally from the Nanango Staggs Junior Rugby League Club in country Queensland has signed a two year deal with the Titans JTS program after also being on the radar of the Brisbane Bronco’s, in fact Dominique Sandow was part of their Elite Development Program prior to signing with the Titans.
Dominique Sandow was part of the South Logan Magpies U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad in 2021, starting their trial agaisnt Wynnum Manly at Capalaba on the wing before moving to fullback in the second half in a match that the Magpies won six tries to one.
After missing Round One of the 2021 Cyril Connell Cup competition, Dominic Sandow was named to start from the bench in Round Two against the Ipswich Jets however was a late scrathing from the final Magpies seventeen.
Dominique Sandow was named to start Round Five against the Tweed Heads Seagulls on the wing.
The 2020 even though he was still U15 eligible, Dominique Sandow played in the Sunshine Coast U16 competition for Gympie, starting Round One against Coolum on the bench before moving into the starting side at fullback in Round Two against The Bay where he stayed for the remainder of the 2020 season.
Early in 2020 Dominique Sandow, from Murgon State High School, was selected in the Wide Bay U15 school boy representative side. Dominique Sandow also represented Wide Bay in 2017 at the 11/12 Queensland Boys State Championships, starting in the centres for Wide Bay.
In 2019 Dominique Sandow played for the Nanango Staggs in the U14 South Burnett rugby league competition leading the Staggs to a 14 – 10 Grand Final victory over Murgon.
In addition to being named player of the 2019 U14 South Burnett Grand Final, Dominuque Sandow was named the South Burnett U14 competitions Player of the Year and was named the South Burnett Rugby League Junior Eagle.
2019 also saw Dominuque Sandow represent the Central U14 side at the Queensland Junior State Championships scoring on Day Two against South East Queensland White.
Young Ormeau Shearers fullback or halfback Nayte Saaga has been a stand out player for his age group in the Gold Coast rugby league competition for the last couple of seasons and in early 2021 signed a multi-year contract with the Titans.
Nayte Saaga has moved to attend The Southport School (TSS) after previously attending Keebra Park State High School as part of their Titans partnered Elite Rugby League Program.
I anticipate that Nayte Saage will line-up either at fly half (No. 10) or fullback in the TSS U15A side when the GPS school boy rugby competition starts in Term Three of the school year.
In 2020 Nayte Saaga played for the Ormeau Shearers in the Gold Coast Rugby League U14A Division One competition with the Shearers winning two of their eight matches to finish 5th. Ormeau scored 134 points and conceded 190 to have a -56 points differential.
In 2019 Nayte Saaga played for the Coomera Cutters in the GCRL U13 Division One competition.
For the Cutters in the 2019 GCRL U13 Division One competition, Nayte Saaga scored an impressive 11 tries from 15 appearances, being a strike rate of 73.33%. Nayte Saaga also kicked six goals to finish the season with 56 points.
Nayte Saaga scored doubles against Runaway Bay and Burleigh with his remaining seven tries coming in individual matches against Nerang, Southport, Currumbin twice, Runaway Bay and Burleigh.
With the boot Nayte Saaga’s best performance was against Burleigh in the Preliminary Final when he kicked three goals.
In addition to being a talented rugby league player Nayte Saaga is also an outstanding Oztag player, including in 2019 being named in the U13 Australian Oztag High Performance Squad.
In 2020 Nayte Saaga played for the Queensland Rebels in the Queensland U14 Oztag Super Series after being selected for the Rebels after starring for the Miami Raptors.
In 2019 Nayte Saaga played in the Queensland U13 Oztag Super Series with the Queensland Force after being selected from the City Centurions. Nayte Saaga was in fact named in the Super Series All Star Team and was also named as the U13 Most Valuable Player.
Impressively Titans contracted Lachlan Offley started Round One of the 2021 NRRRL U18 season on the right wing for the Ballina Seagulls as they defeated the Kyogle Turkeys 54 – 4 even though he was still U16 eligible.
The match saw Lachlan Offley score a hat trick inside the opening 22 minutes of the match and showed that even though he was two years younger than the majority of his team mates and opposition he comfortably handled the step up in competition.
Lachlan Offley scored his first try inside the 1st minute of the match when he flashed down the right touchline after receiving a cut-out pass from Rowan Mansfield ten metres out. Lachlan Offley did well to get the ball down in the right corner under heavy pressure from the Kyogle five eight who came across in cover defence to try to prevent Lachlan Offley from scoring in the corner.
Lachlan Offley’s second try came just seven minutes later in the 8th minute with a long range sixty metres effort that saw Lachlan Offley put the ball down under the posts after Lachlan Offley backed up a run out of dummy half by Rowan Mansfield. When Lachlan Offley received the off-load from Mansfield he was stationary but immediately exploded off the mark running between two Kyogle forwards before a left arm fend beat the fullback and then Lachlan Offley kept pumping his legs to break free from another Turkey’s defender who was desperately holding onto the back of his jersey.
The 22nd minute saw Lachlan Offley complete his hat trick when he was put away down the right touchline by a short pass from Kye Copper near the halfway mark. As he approached the Kyogle fullback, Lachlan Offley shaped to pass back inside to Kye Cooper but the fullback hesitated and Lachlan Offley was able to run past him down the sideline to score ten metres in from the right corner post.
A week after starting in the front row for the Tweed Heads Queensland MM Cup Grand Final winning side, Titans contracted Nicholas Hilton has been named to start at five eight for Nerang this afternoon in their GCRL U18 Division One Round One match against the Burleigh Bears.
Hail Sezer
08-05-21, 08:55 AM
Good luck to the Titans 19s who play the Cowboys 19s tonight.
Another Titans contracted player who will be lining up for Nerang this afternoon in Round One of the GCRL U18 Division One competition is Jeremaiah Temapo will will start in the centres against Burleigh this afternoon.
NZ youngster Taniela Mapusua Lotaki who has recently moved over from Auckland to attend Keebra Park will start this afternoon at right centre for the Nerang Roosters as they take on Burleigh.
Titans contracted Larry Siala is set to line-up once again at No. 8 for St Edmunds College this afternoon in Round Two of the AIC school boy rugby competition against Marist College Ashgrove.
Great to see Lochlyn Sheldon set for his Queensland Cup debut off the bench this afternoon for Burleigh as they take on Norths in Round Six.
Titans contracted Caleb Gould-Waiariki has been named to make his Hastings Deering's Colts debut tomorrow from the bench tomorrow for Burleigh as they take on Norths in Round Four.
Earlier in the 2021 Caleb Gould-Waiariki was a stand out at hooker for the Burleigh MM Cup side.
Titans contracted Zyroam Herlihy scored a superb individual try during the week for Alexandra Hills State High School in their Langer Cup play off match when he scored over after chasing a grubber kick from a set play following a scrum win.
Unfortunately Alexandra Hills which also contained fellow Titans contracted Gary Where-Herlihy went down 24- 10 to Redcliffe SHS.
A big win this afternoon for the Nerang Roosters side in Round One of the GCRL U18 Division One competition as they defeated Burleigh 42-18 with Titans contracted Nicholas Hilton and Jeremaiah Tamepo among the Nerang try scorers.
Roosters left winger Haizyn Mellars also scored in his first match on the Gold Coast.
Larry Siala had a big game for St Edmunds College, including being held up over the line in the first half, unfortunately his side well well beaten.
Titans contracted Larry Siala is set to line-up once again at No. 8 for St Edmunds College this afternoon in Round Two of the AIC school boy rugby competition against Marist College Ashgrove.
Great effort by Titans contracted Brock Priestley to back up to play for the Ormeau Shearers in Round One of the GCRL U18 Division One competition with Brock Priestley one of the Shearers try scorers in their 20-14 loss to Helensvale.
lonegull
09-05-21, 01:45 PM
Good luck to the Titans 19s who play the Cowboys 19s tonight.
Has anyone got any updates on score and players
Titans contracted Riley Lack kicked eight goals this afternoon for the Murwillumbah Mustangs U18 NRRRL side in their big Round Two win over Northern United.
Riley Lack then came on in the First Grade match, kicking a conversion before going down with cramp in the dying minutes.
Titans contracted Riley Lack kicked eight goals this afternoon for the Murwillumbah Mustangs U18 NRRRL side in their big Round Two win over Northern United.
Former Titans junior Jake Martin had a huge match this afternoon for the Grafton Ghosts in Round Four of the Group Two First Grade competition, scoring all four of the Ghosts tries as they defeated Woolgoolga 22-16.
Owen Liyou, the younger brother of Titan and Tweed Heads Seagulls Colts captain Ben Liyou made his Group Two U18 debut this afternoon in Round Four against Sawtell.
Thomas Neale had an interesting weekend. Initially he was named to start at halfback for Burleigh in round One of the 2021 Gold Coast Rugby League U20 competition against the Currumbin Eagles however he started at halfback for the Bears Doug Lipp Cup side against the Tugun Seahawks and then started in the centres for the Burleigh GCRL First Grade side against the same opponents in the flowing match.
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Impressively Titans contracted Ezra Ubaldino started on the Burleigh interchange bench for the Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts Round Four match against the Norths Devils yesterday afternoon.
Ezra Ubaldino played for the Burleigh MM side earlier this year so it was great to see him promoted to the Burleigh Colts side.
Impressively Titans contracted Caleb Gould-Waiariki, who was a standout earlier in the season for the Bears MM Cup side, was named on the Burleigh interchange bench for the Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts Round Four match against the Norths Devils yesterday afternoon and even more impressively actually started the match at five eight.
After the Mullumbimby Giants had an NRRRL Round One bye, Noah Gafa started Round Two at left centre against the Cudgen Hornets yesterday afternoon.
Noah Gafa in fact started the 2021 season in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition starting at left second row for the Burleigh Bears U20 GCRL side as they played a Pre-season Round One round robin against Helensvale and Runaway Bay.
Across all matches of the round robin and all teams, Noah Gafa was easily the best player on display and dominated in his second match against Helensvale scoring a hat trick which showcased his size, strength, speed and power.
Noah Gafa’s first try came in the 6th minute of the match when he showcased impressive footwork to beat one Hornets defender before crashing over adjacent to the posts.
Noah Gafa scored his second with the 23rd minute when he surged onto an offload from teammate and lock Max Brady to crash over.
Noah Gafa’s hat trick was completed in the 29th minute when he was just too big and strong close to the try line, crashing over two passes off the ruck to score in what was the final play of the match.
In Round Three of the GCRL U20 Pre-season competition, Noah Gafa started from the bench as Burleigh played the Currumbin Eagles.
In April 2021, Noah Gafa was named in the U20 Gold Coast Vikings First Grade South East Queensland Chairman’s Challenge initial squad.
After the Mullumbimby Giants had an NRRRL Round One bye, Noah Gafa started Round Two at left centre against the Cudgen Hornets yesterday afternoon.
Noah Gafa in fact started the 2021 season in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition starting at left second row for the Burleigh Bears U20 GCRL side as they played a Pre-season Round One round robin against Helensvale and Runaway Bay.
Across all matches of the round robin and all teams, Noah Gafa was easily the best player on display and dominated in his second match against Helensvale scoring a hat trick which showcased his size, strength, speed and power.
Noah Gafa’s first try came in the 6th minute of the match when he showcased impressive footwork to beat one Hornets defender before crashing over adjacent to the posts.
Noah Gafa scored his second with the 23rd minute when he surged onto an offload from teammate and lock Max Brady to crash over.
Noah Gafa’s hat trick was completed in the 29th minute when he was just too big and strong close to the try line, crashing over two passes off the ruck to score in what was the final play of the match.
In Round Three of the GCRL U20 Pre-season competition, Noah Gafa started from the bench as Burleigh played the Currumbin Eagles.
In April 2021, Noah Gafa was named in the U20 Gold Coast Vikings First Grade South East Queensland Chairman’s Challenge initial squad.
It was good to see Seagulls half Taine Ujdur-Berghan one of the Seagulls try scorers on Saturday in Round Four of the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition as an under strength Tweed Heads side defeated the Ipswich Jets 24 – 12.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan started from the bench in the No. 1 jersey in the Seagulls final 2021 Colts trial against the Burleigh Bears. When Taine Ujdur-Berghan came into the match late in the first half he moved into the dummy half role.
Round Two of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Taine Ujdur-Berghan start at half for the Seagulls as they defeated Burleigh in the local derby 32 – 24.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan wasted no time becoming involved in the match being involved with Caleb Hodges in Burleigh’s first tackle of the match when they tackled Bears five eight Byron Vaovosa who was returning the Seagulls first kick.
Taine Udjur-Berghan’s next involvement was even more telling when in the 5th minute in put up a high bomb from thirty metres out which Jojo Fifita took on the full to scramble over to score in the left corner.
Taine Udjur-Berghan also started at halfback in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan started Round One of the 2020 MM Cup competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls at half back against the Northern Pride and scored in the Seagulls big first up victory, which unfortunately ended up being the only round of the 2020 season after the MM Cup competition was cancelled due to Covid 19.
Also in 2020 Taine Ujdur-Berghan was part of the PBC Langer Cup Open A squad, where he operated in the starting side, primarily in the dummy half role. In PBC’s first trial after the Covid 19 pandemic, Taine Ujdur-Berghan started at five eight for the PBC A side that played against the PBC B side.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan started Round One of the Langer Cup at hooker as PBC took on Ipswich State High School but is his second stint on the field in the second half spent time playing as a running forward on the right side of the field.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan also started at hooker in Round Two against Wavell State High School and in Round Three against St Mary’s Toowoomba, in the Round Four local derby against Keebra Park and in Round Five against Marsden State High School.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan also started at hooker for PBC as they qualified for the 2020 Langer Cup final on the back of an impressive 34 – 6 victory over Ipswich State High School scoring late in the second half.
With PBC on the attack on the left side of the field, Taine Ujdur-Berghan got into dummy half twelve metres out from the line, darting out of dummy half to his right catching the defence back peddling. Taine Ujdur-Berghan got down low when he was close to the line burrowing down low to get the ball down under pressure from two defenders.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan started the 2020 Langer Cup Grand Final at hooker for PBC as they defeated Keebra Park 16 – 8 in a high quality match.
In the Queensland School Boys Final against Kirwan State High School Taine Ujdur-Berghan started at hooker as PBC travelled to take on their North Queensland based opponents only to go down 24 – 20 in a tough match.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan started Round One of the 2019 GCRL U18 Division One competition for Nerang but with their demise moved to Burleigh, starting with their U18 Division Two side, spending time at fullback, hooker and half over the course of the 2019 season.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan made his first start for the Burleigh U18 Division Two side in Round Two against Tugun, scoring in their draw. In total Taine Ujdur-Berghan played in eight 2019 U18 Division Two regular season matches and three Division One matches.
In addition to his debut try in Round Two, Taine Ujdur-Berghan also scored in Rounds Three and Eight against the Runaway Bay Seagulls and Currumbin Eagles respectively in the 2019 U18 Division Two competition.
In Week Two of the 2019 GCRL U18 Division Two Finals Taine Ujdur-Berghan started at hooker against Currumbin and then was on the bench for the Burleigh U18 Division One side in their Week Two Final win against Southport and also started at hooker in the Grand Final as Burleigh defeated Robina.
For the 2019 Burleigh U18 Division One side Taine Ujdur-Berghan primarily came off the bench playing in a variety of roles including in the halves (half and five eight) and hooker, in total playing three matches in that competition for the Bears with those matches coming against Helensvale, Runaway Bay and Bilambil.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan was also a more than solid performer for the PBC Open rugby league side in 2019 including starting at five eight in the Langer Cup local derby against Keebra Park and also starting at five eight in PBC’s heart breaking Gold Point GIO Cup Queensland semi-final 23 – 22 loss to Marsden State High School.
Late in 2018 Taine Ujdur-Berghan was part of the Titans U16 squad that played matches in September against PNG and New South Wales Country U16 sides in northern New South Wales, finishing with one win and one loss.
Taine Ujdur-Berghan started Round One of the 2018 GCRL U16 Division One competition at five eight for Nerang as they defeated Runaway Bay 60 – 0 with centre Trey Peni scoring four tries in that match. Fellow PBC Year Ten student Jaiden West also scored for Nerang in the Round One match.
Post that Round One match, Taine Ujder-Berghan played in an additional eight matches for Nerang scoring two regular season tries, with the first coming in Round Six in a 32 – 8 win over Helensvale. Taine Ujdur-Berghan’s other try came two rounds later against Runaway Bay.
Taine Ujder-Berghan missed a portion of the GCRL U16 Division One Finals series but did start at five eight for the Roosters in the Grand Final as they defeated Currumbin 24 – 8.
In 2017 Taine Ujdur-Berghan played in thirteen matches in the GCRL U15 Division One competition for the Nerang Roosters scoring a solitary try which came around mid-season against the Currumbin Eagles.
Talented youngster Jackson Le Pou moved over from the Upper Central Zone of New Zealand’s North Island for the 2021 season and started at five eight for the Currumbin Eagles in their GCRL U18 Division One Round One match against the Southport Tigers.
Even though he started the match at five eight, Jackson Le Pou played in the dummy half role for the Eagles in their 28 – 10 first up victory.
Jackson Le Pou could not have gotten an earlier touch when he took the kick-off to start the match on the full above his head AFL style.
Jackson Le Pou had a very solid pre-season with the Eagles including a great Pre-season Round One match against Ormeau scoring in the 55th minutes as well as recording a 7th minute try assist.
Jackson Le Pou’s 55th minute try was a strong individual effort when he received the ball ten metres out from the line and ran to his right. As he approached the defensive line Jackson Le Pou stepped off his right foot to beat one defender before a second right foot step to get around the Ormeau fullback and get the ball down in a tackle five metres to the right of the uprights.
Jackson Le Pou’s try assist came in just the 7th minute of the match when he took the ball down the right side of the field, taking the ball to the line before throwing a great cut-out pass to put his right centre into a huge gap thirty metres out and from there the centre was able to dive over in the right corner untouched.
In the Upper Central Region of New Zealand, Jackson Le Pou had a solid junior rugby league career, including being invited to attend a number of Brisbane Bronco’s Junior Development camps.
Haizyn Mellars started on the left wing for the Nerang Roosters in Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition on Saturday as they take on the Burleigh Bears and was one of the Roosters try scorers in their impressive first up victory.
Prior to the start of the GCRL U18 Division One competition, Haizyn Mellars started on the left wing for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the 2021 MM Cup competition. Haizyn Mellars started all seven of the Seagulls matches, including their 40 – 18 semi-final loss to Queensland Champions, the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
Easing the hurt of the loss a touch was the fact that Haizyn Mellars scored the opening try of the match, in the 7th minute when he was on the end of a Wynnum Manly backline movement that saw him dive over in the left corner.
In total from his seven 2021 MM Cup matches, Haizyn Mellars scored on six occasions to finish with a strike rate of 85.71%. In addition to his semi-final try, Haizyn Mellars scored a double in Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins and also scored against Redcliffe in Round Five.
In the 2021 MM Cup season Haizyn Mellars also scored twice against the Easts Tigers with those matches being in Rounds Three and Six.
Exceptionally talented young centre Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr moved over from Auckland and started at right centre for the Southport Tigers in their GCRL U18 Division One Round One match against the Currumbin Eagles.
Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr had a solid first match on the Gold Coast, including recording a try assist when as soon as he received a pass from his left he popped a short ball to his right to put Elikena Finau into a gap with the lock subsequently running twenty metres to score.
Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr also made a number of strong charges in the match including two that stood out, with both coming from kick-off returns, the first of which came off the second half kick-up when the ran to his left, breaking three tackles and then from the kick-off after the Elikena Finau try, Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr broke a further two tackles on his kick-off return.
Prior to his arrival on the Gold Coast in 2021, Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr was part of the Auckland Vulcan’s Blues U20 side for the inaugural New Zealand U20 Championships.
In 2020 Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr was a stand out for both Kelston Boys High and the Marist Saints.
In 2018 Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr was a member of the Akarana Falcons side at the U15 National Youth Championships, scoring a double on Day One against the Wellington Orca’s. Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr also scored on Day Three against Counties Manukau and kicked a conversion on Day Two against the Central Vipers.
Great to see that Titans contracted Bailey Martin has been moved up to the South Coast Open A school boy representative side.
Round One of the 2021 Group One U13 competition a fortnight ago saw Zayne Jonsson start at five eight for Ballina against the Clarence Coast Magpies and the young man finished Ballina’s 58 – 0 win with an individual points haul of 26 from nine goals from ten attempts and two tries.
Not a bad afternoon’s work.
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On Sunday in Round Two of the NRRRL U18 competition Jett Stocker started on the right wing for the Tweed Coast Raiders against the Bilambil Jets and produced two smart pieces of play in his side’s six point loss.
In the 43rd minute, with Bilambil attacking the Raiders line, Jett Stocker turned and chased an attacking Jets chip kick, taking the ball on the full running backwards. Jett Stockers momentum took him into the in-goal area, but he immediate spun around and got down low to get back into the field of play just in front of the onrushing chase. If Jett Stocker had not gotten down low there is no doubt he would have been trapped in goal forcing a Raiders line drop out.
Then in the 45th minute with the Tweed Coast attack stalled near the halfway mark, Jett Stocker pushed his way into dummy half, racing to his left at the still back peddling Jets defensive line. Such was the speed of Jett Stocker, the Bilambil defenders had no choice but to make the tackle even though they had not gone back the ten metres, thus giving away the penalty.
South Grafton U15 Group One five eight Samuel Petch had a huge Round One a fortnight ago scoring four tries and kicking four conversions as his Rebels side defeated Casino RSM.
An individual points tally of 32 is not a bad afternoon’s work.
For the Bilambil Jets on Sunday in Round Two of the NRRRL U18 competition Kai Smallwood started at halfback against the Tweed Coast Raiders recording another try assist in the Jets 22 – 16 victory.
In the 32nd minute, Kai Smallwood took the ball down a wide right blindside dummying to both sides of his body before looking once again to his outside and held the ball up nicely before putting his right centre into a gaping hole and from there the centre raced thirty metres to score in the right corner.
Kai Smallwood added a darting run down a left blindside in the 25th minute to his match highlight reel, making eighteen metres in the process.
On Sunday for the Tweed Coast Raiders in Round Two of the NRRRL U18 competition Stevie O’Connor started from the bench against the Bilambil Jets coming on towards the end of the first half and scored his first try of the season when in the 39th minute he received the ball on the left ten metres out from the line. Stevie O’Connor ran at the line dummying to his left before getting low and forcing his way over ten metres in from the left corner.
Stevie O’Connor added to his strong match in the 46th minute when a pass from his inside went behind him. After turning back to retrieve the ball Stevie O’Connor was still able to make fifteen metres.
In Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition over the weekend Esmonde Parangi started at halfback for Runaway Bay as they took on the Mudgeeraba Redbacks, kicking four conversions and recording a try assist in the Seagulls 42 – 6 opening round victory.
Esmonde Parangi’s try assist did not come until the 66th minute but certainly as worth the wait. Esmonde Parangi initially broke the Redbacks line forty metres out by utilising a right foot step and then as the cover defence converged on him Esmonde Parangi threw an exquisite right arm flock pass around the back of a defender to put his right centre over in the corner.
In addition to his solid goal kicking, Esmonde Parangi’s tactical kicking was showcased during the match including a great 40/20 in the 13th minute of the match when he kicked down a short right blind side to put Runaway Bay back onto the attack.
Even though Runaway Bay ended up winning the match well they were under pressure early in the match with Esmonde Parangi being on hand twice to defuse a threat.
On the first occasion in the 22nd minute, Esmonde Parangi tracked back well to defuse a Mudgeeraba attacking kick in front of his own posts and then in the 23rd minute Esmonde Parangi produced a great covering tackle on the Mudgeeraba right centre who looked as if he would score comfortably.
Round One of the 2021 Gold Coast Rugby League pre-season competiton saw Esmonde Parangi start at halfback for the Runaway Bay U20 side that played round robin matches againt Burleigh and Helensvale.
In early 2020 Esmonde Parangi went back to New Zealand for the Covid 19 lock down period but returned to Australia in early June to continuing his schooling at Keebra Park.
When school boy rugby league recommenced in July 2020 Esmonde Parangi was part of the Keebra Park Titans Cup Open Division Two side including starting at five eight and kicking a conversion in Round Three as Keebra Park defeated Beenleigh 46 – 0.
Esmonde Parangi also started at five eight and scored in the second half in the Titans Cup Division Two Boys 36 – 10 Grand Final victory against Chisholm Catholic College. Esmonde Parangi was operating on the left and passed to his lock forward who broke the defensive line down the left touch line before passing back inside to Esmonde Parangi who stepped off his left foot to beat the Chisholm fullback before running diagonally across field to score mid-way between the up rights and corner post on the right side of the field after the move had started on the left.
In 2019 Esmonde Parangi was a trialist for the New Zealand U16 side playing for Team Fisher-Harris in the trial on the last day of the National U16 camp and kicking a conversion as his side defeated Team Papali’I 24 – 16.
Esmonde Parangi played for the Northern Swords U17 representative side in 2019 at the New Zealand U17 National Youth Tournament, starting all four of their matches at fullback. Esmonde Parangi’s sole points of the Tournament came in Match Four when he kicked two goals against the Wellington Orca’s. Esmonde Parangi’s other matches at the U17 New Zealand National Youth Tournament were against the South Island Scorpions, Counties Manukau Stingrays and the Auckland Vulcans.
Esmonde Parangi played in two competitions in the Northlands Region in 2019 being the U17 Sam McKendry Cup and the Adam Blair School Boy Cup.
In the 2019 Sam McKendry U17 competition Esmonde Parangi played eight matches for Tautoro scoring two tries and kicking ten goals for a twenty eight point season haul. Esmonde Parangi scored against the Hikurangi Stags and Takahiwai Warriors and in the match against the Stags also kicked three goals. Esmonde Parangi also kicked four goals against the Hikurangi Stags in a late season match.
Esmonde Parangi played three matches for Kaitaia College in the Adam Blair School Boy competition in 2019 finishing with twenty points from a try and eight goals. Esmonde Parangi’s try came against Okaihau College and he also kicked five goals in that match for a fourteen point haul. Esmonde Parangi also kicked three goals against Whangarei Boys High.
In late 2019 Esmonde Parangi was named as a Finalist Far North District Council ABS Junior Sports Person of the Year Far North Sport Award for his performances in rugby league of the over of the 2019 season.
In 2018 Esmonde Parangi was part of the Northern Swords side that played in the 2018 U15 National Youth Tournament playing in matches against Wai-Coa Bay twice, the Auckland Vulcans and the South Island Scorpions.
Also in 2018 Esmonde Parangi, even though he was still U15 eligible played in five matches in the U17 Sam McKendry Cup scoring twenty points from two tries and six goals. Esmonde Parangi scored against the Takahiwai Warriors and Nga Puhi Toa.
Esmonde Parangi was also the top points scorer and goal kicker in the 2018 U15 Elijah Taylor Cup competition finishing with eighty nine points from his ten matches, scoring in nine of those matches and averaging just under nine points per match.
Esmonde Parangi scored five tries which came in separate matches against the Tautoro Titans, the Portland Panthers, the Hikurangi Stags and in two separate matches against the Takahiwai Warriors across the 2018 Elijah Taylor Cup season.
With the boot Esmonde Parangi kicked eight goals in a June 2018 match against the Portland Warriors (also scoring in that match with finish with a twenty point haul) and seven goals in early July 2018 against the Takahiwai Warriors. In the match against the Takahiwai Warriors Esmonde Parangi finished with nineteen points with his sole field goal of the season coming in that match as well.
In 2018 Esmonde Parangi also played two matches for Kaitaia College in the Adam Blair School Boy rugby league competition finishing with sixteen points from three tries and two goals with all of his points coming in a match against Northland College in what was his first match for Kaitaia College that season.
Damon Coldwell for Ballina started at left centre on Sunday in Round Two of the U18 NRRRL competition against the Byron Bay Devils and scored in each half of Ballina’s 24 – 18 loss.
Damon Coldwell’s first half try came in the 20th minute when he scored easily in the left corner after some good work in his inside. Damon Coldwell completed his double in the 46th minute when he barged his way over from dummy half from three metres out down a short left blindside to get the ball down three metres in from the corner post.
Damon Coldwell also produced a smart piece of play in the 15th minute when he executed a one on one strip on the twenty metre mark as Byron Bay were returning the ball from a kick-off. Initially Damon Coldwell was involved in the tackle with another Seagulls player but called them off the tackle before executing the strip.
Damon Coldwell then came on in Round Two of the NRRRL Reserve Grade competition against Byron Bay later in the afternoon.
On Sunday Matthew Bollard started Round two of the NRRRL U18 competition at fullback for the Murwillumbah Mustangs against Northern United and was one of the Mustangs try scorers in the second half when he ran into a big gap fifteen metres out to score twelve metres in from the right corner post untouched.
In the first half, Matthew Bollard threw the last pass for two of Murwillumbah’s tries, impressively one on both sides of the field to highlight that his passing skills to both sides are solid.
In Round Two of the U18 NRRRL competition on Sunday Rowan Mansfield started at fullback for Ballina against the Byron Bay Devils and scored in the first half of Ballina’s 24 – 18 loss.
Rowan Mansfield scored in the 24th minute of the match when he was stationed on the right, receiving the ball five metres out from the line. Immediately upon receiving the ball Rowan Mansfield skipped to his right and shrugged off four defenders to get across the line and was able to bring the ball around closer to the goal posts.
Rowan Mansfield’s first touch of the ball came in the opening minute of the match when he positioned himself well to take Byron Bay’s first kick on the full and return the kick eighteen metres.
Rowan Mansfield positioned himself well once again in the 7th minute when he fielded a kick on his own line and was able to bring the ball to ten metres away from the line. Rowan Mansfield then fought to get to his feet quickly and was awarded a penalty for being held down too long.
From the subsequent set of set from the penalty Rowan Mansfield won he was on hand to track back to recover a lose pass and was able to break two tackles as he ran sixteen metres down the right touchline.
In the 46th minute made a further good run when he made fourteen metres from a scrum win and was then able to position Key Cooper well to get an off-load away to him.
Later in the day Rowan Mansfield came off the bench in First Grade also against Byron Bay.
Round One of the 2021 Group One U13 competition a fortnight ago saw Jett Flatley start in the second row for Ballina against in the Clarence Coast Magpies, scoring a hat trick in the Seagulls 58 – 0 win. Jett Flatley also captained the Ballina Seagulls side.
Bilambil Jets Reshawn Anderson was named to start in the front row in Round Two of the U18 NRRRL competition on Sunday against the Tweed Coast Raiders but ended up coming off the bench but scored for the second week in a row.
Reshawn Anderson’s try came in the 35th minute when he charged onto the from sixteen metres out, stepping off his left to beat the initial defender before a Reshawn Anderson right foot step easily defeated the fullback to dive over adjacent to the left upright.
In addition to his try, Reshawn Anderson pulled up some other skilful plays that you would not except from a front rower including in the 24th minute. The Tweed Coast halfback had put in a chip kick and looked certain to regain possession but Reshawn Anderson willed himself to race back to get to the ball just in front of the Raiders halfback.
Then in the 58th minute Reshawn Anderson put in a great grubber kick from twenty metres out on the 5th tackle. Reshawn Anderson chased the kick through, regaining possession with only a desperate tackle by the Raiders fullback brought Reshawn Anderson down two metres short of the try line.
On Sunday Kye Cooper started at right centre in Round Two of the U18 NRRRL competition against the Byron Bay Devils making the opening tackle of the match after Ballina had kicked off and the Byron Bay No. 10 was returning the ball. Kye Cooper then was involved in the next tackle on the Devils left second rower and then to round out a great defensive first set, Kye Cooper made the 4th tackle of the match on the No. 10 once again.
Kye Cooper’s tackle in the 9th minute was even better as it was a ty saving one when he rag dolled the Byron Bay left winger over the touchline when he looked a certainly to score in the corner. The in the 25th minute Kye Cooper made an aggressive ball and all tackle on from the marker position.
The match was not all defence for Kye Cooper as in just the 2nd minute of the match he made his first run when he ran out of dummy half making ten metres from inside his own territory. Kye Cooper also made a solid twelve metres in the 25th minute as he brought the ball out of his own twenty metre area.
Great to see Titans contracted Lofi Khan-Pereira named to make his Queensland Cup debut for Burleigh this weekend against the Ipswich Jets.
Hail Sezer
11-05-21, 06:50 PM
Great to see Titans contracted Lofi Khan-Pereira named to make his Queensland Cup debut for Burleigh this weekend against the Ipswich Jets.
Awesome. Deserves it.
Game will be on Kayo too.
Deservedly however Taine Tuaupiki made his Queensland Cup debut for Burleigh off the bench in Round Six as the Bears defeated Norths 36 – 0 on Sunday afternoon.
Taine Tuaupiki came off the bench to play twenty one minutes and in that time ran for forty two metres (eight post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.37 seconds and also made a tackle.
Taine Tuaupiki was named to make his Queensland Cup debut off the bench for the Burleigh Bears in Round Two of the 2021 competition against the Mackay Cutters. Unfortunately Taine Tuaupiki was a late scratching from the match.
Taine Tuaupiki started from the bench for the Burleigh Queensland Cup sides first 2021 trial when he started on the wing against the Titans at Burleigh in mid-February.
A week later Taine Tuaupiki started at fullback for Burleigh in their Queensland Cup trial against the Easts Tigers, scoring one of the Bears tries in their two point victory, when he backed up on the inside of a Shallin Fuller break to receive the pass from Fuller from his right to dive over midway between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
In Mid-March 2021 Taine Tuaupiki was part of the Burleigh Bears Nine’s squad that won the Gold Coast Nine’s Annual Competition with a 22 – 20 Final victory.
Earlier in 2021 Taine Tuaupiki was part of the Burleigh Bears GCRL First Grade side for the pre-season competition, playing at fullback in those rounds, including in Round Two against Runaway Bay.
In Round Two of the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade Pre-season competition Taine Tuaupiki started at fullback as Burleigh defeated Runaway Bay with Taine Tuaupiki one of the Bears try scorers.
Taine Tuaupiki’s try was a long range effort in the second half when he backed up a ling Burleigh break that was made down the left side with Taine Tuaupiki being positioned nicely back through the centre of the ruck to receive that ball and running forty metres to score under the posts untouched.
Taine Tuaupiki added a second half try assist when he chimed into the Burleigh backline to the right, skipping to his outside to draw in two defenders and throw a good short pass to his right to Lochlyn Sheldon who ran straight through the resultant gap to score after a twenty metre run.
Taine Tuaupiki continued at fullback in Round Three of the GCRL First Grade Pre-season competition as Burleigh took on the Currumbin Eagles and recorded two try assists as Burleigh completed their GCRL First Grade pre-season campaign with a 26 – 6 victory.
Taine Tuaupiki’s first try assist came when he took the ball to the line on the left and thre a cut out pass in the same direction to put his left winger over in the corner. Taine Tuaupiki’s second try assist came on that occasion on the right when he took the ball to the line down a short right blind side, throwing a good short ball to his right twenty metre out to put his right winger over.
In April 2021, Taine Tuaupiki was named in the Gold Coast Vikings First Grade South East Queensland Chairman’s Challenge initial squad.
In Round One of the NRRRL First Grade competition on Sunday, Layne Hardy made his First Grade debut at right centre for the Kyogle Turkeys as they took on the Lower Clarence Magpies.
Layne Hardy’s NRRRL First Grade debut could not have gone any better as he scored a second half try and also recorded a try assist as the Turkey’s accounted for Lower Clarence.
Layne hardy scored in the 75th minute when he supported his five eight who had cut back down a short right blindside. The five eight drew the fullback to put Layne Hardy into space twenty five metres out from the line and Layne Hardy was able to bring the ball around to put it donw close to the goal posts.
Layne Hardy recorded his try assist in the 36th minute of the match when Kyogle spun the ball wide to the right. When Layne Hardy received the ball he ran diagonally to draw in the magpies left winger and put the ball on the chest of his right winger who crossed in the corner.
In 2020 Layne Hardy was once again played in the NRRRL U18 competition but moved to the Ballina Seagulls from the Kyogle Turkeys including starting at fullback and scoring in Round Five as the Seagulls went down 18 – 14 to the Marist Brothers Lismore Rams. Layne Hardy moved to right centre for Round Four as the Seagulls went down 26 – 12 to Casino RSM.
Layne Hardy also started in the centres in Round Seven as the Seagulls defeated Casino RSM 32 – 16. After missing Round Eight, Layne Hardy started Round Nine against Byron Bay from the bench as Ballina recorded a 24- 12 victory.
In Ballina’s 52 – 18 2020 NRRRL U18 Gold Preliminary Final victory over Casino RSM, Layne Hardy was on the bench.
In the 2020 NRRRL U18 Gold Grand Final Layne Hardy started on the right wing for Ballina as they took on the Marist Brothers Rams. Interestingly across the sixty minutes of the match, Layne Hardy alternated on a number of occasions with Liam Green, moving to the right centre position.
It was from the right centre position that Layne Hardy scored from when he received the ball in space to rumble fifteen metres to score ten metres in from the right corner post. In the Grand Final Layne Hardy also threw the final pass to Liam Green for Ballina’s third try in their 30 – 18 Grand Final win over the Rams.
The outstanding fullback started the 2019 season off with a bang scoring often in the 2019 NRRRL U18 competition with the Kyogle Turkeys and finished the season with a strike rate of 60% through his fifteen matches.
Layne Hardy scored a Round One doubles against Ballina, also scored against the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Three and followed that up with a double in Round Five against Evans Head as well as scoring in Round Eleven against Ballina, Round Sixteen against Lower Clarence and Round Seventeen against Lismore Marist Brothers.
2019 is the second season that Layne Hardy has played in the U18 NRRRL competition after playing two matches in 2018, including scoring a double on debut against Casino RSM.
In 2018 Layne Hardy played in eleven matches for Kyogle in the Group One U16.5 competition scoring eight tries and kicking four goals for a total point’s haul of forty.
The talented young Kyogle Turkeys fullback was outstanding when he starred for 2018 Northern Rivers against Newcastle in Round One in the U16 Andrew Johns Cup including scoring a great second half try from a Tyrelle Roberts chip in their 22 – 12 victory.
In total in the Andrew Johns Cup in 2018, Layne Hardy played in all five of the Northern Rivers matches and in addition to the Round One ty against Newcastle, Layne Hardy also scored against the Central Coast Roosters.
Layne Hardy’s selection in the Northern Rivers side in 2018 was the second season in a row that he achieved representative selection as in 2017, he was selected at fullback for the Group One representative side for the New South Wales Age Championships.
In those championships, Layne hardy started all three of Group One’s matches at fullback scoring three tries in the process with all three tries coming in Group One’s Round One match against Group 19.
In relation to his club rugby league in 2017, Layne Hardy represented the Kyogle Turkey’s in the Group One U15 competition, contributing 36 points from seven tries and four goals. Layne Hardy had an outstanding start to the 2017 season, scoring in his first three matches, which were against Clarence Coast and against Casino RSM in two separate matches.
In late June 2017, Layne Hardy scored a double against Clarence Coast and followed that up a week later when he scored once again against Casino RSM. Layne Hardy final try came late in the season against Ballina. From a goal kicking perspective all of Layne Hardy’s goals came in different matches towards the conclusion of the season.
In 2014 Layne Hardy attended school in Kyogle and starred for Kyogle Primary School as part of their Matt King Shield side who finished as runners up with Layne Hardy being named the competitions Best and Fairest.
In Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition on the weekend Kobie Mackay-Taylor started at left centre for Runaway Bay as they took on the Mudgeeraba Redbacks.
Kobie Mackay-Taylor literally could not have gotten into the match any earlier making the first tackle of the match after Runaway Bay had kicked off and then when Runaway Bay received the ball for the first time, Kobie Mackay-Taylor took the first hit-up after the Seagulls fullback had fallen on the ball from a Mudgeeraba kick and then took the 4th hit-up in the same set of six.
In the 31st minute Kobie Mackay-Talyor set up a try for his left winger when after he had made a thirty metre break down the left touchline, Kobie Mackay-Taylor threw a great one armed pass (left arm) back inside to his winger who raced fifty metres to score.
The 53rd minute of the match showed that Kobie Mackay-Taylor will also do the hard work in the centre of the field when he took the tap restart after Runaway Bay were awarded a penalty. Kobie Mackay-Taylor was able to progress the ball seventeen metres downfield.
In early November 2020 Kobie Mackay-Taylor trialled for a position in the 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad, starting the trial on the left wing.
In 2021 Kobie Macakay-Taylor was part of the Easts Tigers U18 Mal Meninga squad and started on the bench in their 26 – 12 trial victory over the Ipswich Jets. Kobie Mackey-Taylor was also involved in the Tigers Round Six MM Cup match.
In February 2021 the Coombabah SHS student took part in the South Coast Open school boy trials and was named in the centres in the South Coast Open B school boy side as a result of his trial performances.
Titans contracted Greg Marzhew started on the left wing in Round Six of the Queensland Cup on Sunday against the Norths Devils adding a double to his already formidable 2021 try scoring resume.
Greg Marzhew’s first try of his double was as a result of quick hands on his inside with Greg Marzhew receiving the ball three metres out and easily putting it down in the left corner.
Greg Marzhew added his second try in the second half when he received the ball in space down the left touchline approximately thirty metres out. Greg Marzhew beat the Norths fullback with a subtle in and away to score near the left corner post.
In total Greg Marzhew played seventy six minutes of the match, running for a team leading 237 metres (sixty three post contact). Greg Marzhew also made two line breaks, broke a team leading five tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.6 seconds, defused two kicks and made a tackle.
Has anyone got any updates on score and players
Lost by 6 apparently.
In Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition K-CI Newton-Whare started at right second row for Runaway Bay as they took on the Mudgeeraba Redbacks. K-CI Newton-Whare had a huge match including scoring the Seagulls final try of their 42 – 6 victory.
K-Ci Newton-Whare’s try came in the 68th minute with K-Ci Newton-Whare receiving the ball eighty metres away from the line after Runaway Bay had spun the ball wide to their right. When he took possession of the ball, K-Ci Newton-Whare immediately got on the outside of his direct opponent before stepping off his left foot to beat one defender before he punched through the attempted tackle of two more (one from each side) and then stepping off his right to round the fullback. From that point K-Ci Newton-Whare had an uninterrupted fifty five metre run to the line to score under the posts,
K-Ci Newton-Whare’s first significant run came in the 22nd minute when he charged onto the ball making twenty three metres to get the ball to within twelve metres of the try line before offloading to Kobie Mackay-Taylor who was then able to get the ball even closer to the try line.
K-Ci Newton-Whare made another strong run in the 63rd minute when he was able to make sixteen metres through traffic before once again being able to off-load the ball, on that occasion being to one of his front rowers.
In addition to his strong running over the course of the match K-Ci Newton-Whare also made some telling contributions in the match including in the 21st minute when he drove his left shoulder into the exposed ribs of one of the Mudgeeraba forwards, forcing him back five metres before driving him into the ground.
Not long after arriving in Australia from Canterbury New Zealand, K-CI Newton-Whare took part in the South Coast Open school boy trials and post the completion of those trials he was named in the South Coast B Open school boys side.
To cap off a great start to his time in Australia, K-CI Newton-Whare was brought into the Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad in the week prior to Round One where Burleigh took on the Souths Logan Magpies. Round Two against the Ipswich Jets saw K-CI Newton-Whare named on Burleigh’s extended bench.
K-CI Newton-Whare was initially named on the Bears extended bench once again in Round Three against the Tweed Heads Seagulls however started the match from the bench, playing in the centre of the field and producing some very strong hit-ups in his time on the field in the second half.
After his solid MM Cup debut in Round Three K-CI Newton-Whare moved back to the Bears extended bench for Round Four against the Souths Logan Magpies and was also named on the Bears extended bench for Round Five against the Ipswich Jets.
Upon completion of Burleigh’s 2021 MM Cup season, K-CI Newtown-Whare played for Runaway Bay in Round Three of the 2021 GCRL U18 Division One Pre-season competition, starting at right second row for the Seagulls, scoring a eighty metre solo try late in the match.
On Sunday Titans contracted Lachlan Offley also started on the right wing for Ballina in Round Two of the U18 NRRRL competition against the Byron Bay Devils and whilst the ball did not get to his wing that often Lachlan Offley still had a solid match especially from a defensive perspective.
Most of Lachlan Offley’s runs were out of dummy half and that was the case for his first run of the match inside the first minute when he darted out of dummy half to his left making twenty metres through the centre of the ruck to get to forty two metres from the try line.
Lachlan Offley’s impressive defensive afternoon commenced in the 9th minute when he produced a try saving ball and all tackle, bring the Byron Bay attacker down less than a metres short of the line and the ball had been flung back inside.
Then in the 12th minute Lachlan Offley flew out of the line to smash the Byron Bay fullback just as he was receiving the ball. At the time Lachlan Offley as facing a two man overlap so Lachlan Offley’s defensive decision was perfectly and also perfectly executed.
Impressive Titans linked PBC student Jonah Beaven started Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition from the bench for the Mudgeeraba Redbacks as they took on Runaway Bay at home over the weekend.
When he came into the match mid-way through the first half Jonah Beaven lined up at right centre for the Redbacks and could not have been more impressive against players who in the main were two years older than him.
Jonah Beaven came onto the match at a time when his side was under pressure but he made an immediate impact with his defence when in the 26th minute he made a strong tackle on the Runaway Bay left winger from a Seagulls twenty metre restart and then made another strong tackle being he 4th in the same set of six with the same Runaway Bay winger bearing the brunt of that tackle as well.
The 28th minute saw Jonah Beaven continued his strong defensive match when from a Runaway Bay scrum win he produced a strong one on one tackle on the Seagulls left centre and then from marker crunched the Runaway Bay left winger who had attempted to run out of dummy half.
Then in the 46th minute from a kick-up Jonah Beaven crunched the Runaway Bay forward (No. 16) who was bringing the ball back with an impressive front on tackle.
Running with the ball Jonah Beaven also did some good work including in the 25th minute when he was able to make ten metres when bringing the ball out of his won twenty metre area. In the 50th minute, Jonah Beaven was able to make eight metres out of dummy half after running to his left to get Mudgeeraba to near twenty metres out from the try line.
To cap off a very impressive outing, in the 59th minute, Jonah Beaven ran the ball after a Redbacks penalty restart, making ten metres to be tackled ten metres out and directly in front of the posts. Jonah Beaven got to his feet for a exceptionally quick play the ball with the Redbacks scoring as a result from the subsequent play the ball.
I not sure of who the Casino RSM half back was in their Round Two NRRRL U18 match on Saturday against Lismore is, but I will be definitely be finding out.
The young man was brilliant as he led Casino RSM to an impressive 24 - 18 including from an exquisite left foot chip and regather.
He also kicked some great left foot conversions including a beauty from the right touchline.
This young man, sorry again that I do not know is name is one player that I will be keeping a very close one on.
Hail Sezer
12-05-21, 01:20 PM
Lost by 6 apparently.
Bit disappointed they didn't do a feature piece on the website about this game to be be honest
Titans contracted Michael Roberts, on Sunday started at fullback for the Bilambil Jets in Round Two of the NRRRL U18 competition against the Tweed Coast Raiders kicking three conversions including a great conversion from the right touchline in the 32nd minute in the Jets 22 – 16 victory.
Michael Roberts was also credited with a try assist in the win when in the 27th minute he received the ball from a penalty restart just ten metres from the try line, easing to his left to put his left second rower over the line.
Michael Roberts first impact in the match came inside the first minute when he ran the ball down a short left blindside beating three tackles after dummying to his outside before a right arm flick pass found his hooker who continued to make ground.
In the 7th Michael Roberts positioned himself nicely to retrieve a Tweed Coast kick on his own twenty metre mark, after two left foot steps, Michael Roberts was eventually brought down after making twenty metres.
Michael Roberts continued his dominant start to the match in the 16th minute with a sixteen metre effort out of dummy half to his right before in the 17th minute Michael Roberts chimed into the Bilambil backline on the left, dummying to his outside and slicing through the defensive line from twenty five metres out, only to be brought down a metre short of the try line.
Michael Roberts positioning was also key late in the match with Bilambil leading by just six points when in the 46th minute Michael Roberts moved to his right to field a Tweed Coast attacking in-goal, as soon as he took possession Michael Roberts continued to his right and was able to get the ball back into the field of play.
Michael Roberts followed that good work with another smart piece of play just a minute later after Bilambil had turned the ball over from a charge down by executing a one on one strip to maintain the Jets six point margin.
Clarence Coast Magpies Group One U16 second rower Joshua Hippi had a big Round Two match scoring a hat trick as the Magpies defeated Marist Brothers 38-6.
Casino RSM lock Isaiah Roberts had a big Round Two match in the Group One U13 competition scoring four tries for Casino RSM as they defeated Kyogle 50-4.
It was the Kilduff show in Round Two of the Group One U15 competition with Billy and Kaleb Kilduff the starting second rowers for the Grafton Ghosts. Both scored doubles as Grafton defeated Casino RSM 42-0.
This season 2021 Reece Warburton is part of the Group One Clarence Coast Magpies U16 squad and after a Round One bye, Reece Warburton started at fullback for the Magpies as they kicked off their 2021 season in Round Two against the Marist Brothers Rams with Reece Warburton kicking three conversions in the Magpies 38 – 6 victory over the Rams.
Noah Waldock started at fullback in Round Two of the Group One U15 competition against Marist Brothers, scoring a double in the Seagulls 38 – 0 victory.
For the 2021 season, Titans linked Harrison Doherty moved to the Ballina Seagulls, starting Round One of the Group One U14 competition against the Clarence Coast Magpies at five eight and was one of the Seagulls try scorers.
Harrison Doherty also started at five eight in Round Two against Marist Brothers, scoring once again and also kicking two conversions as the Seagulls defeated the Rams 18 – 8.
Interesting to see that Dorian Lotaki seems set to start at lock for the Nerang Roosters in Round Two of the GCRK U18 Division One competition this weekend against Currumbin.
The young man who is still U16 eligible has spent a fair bit of the last couple of seasons at hooker, including at the representative level in New Zealand.
In Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition Titans contracted Brock Priestley was named to start from the bench for Ormeau as they took on the Helensvale Hornets.
However he in fact started the match at left second row and was one of the Shearers try scorers in their 20 – 14 loss to the Hornets.
Brock Priestley scored in the 48th minute of the match when he received the ball as Ormeau spun the ball to the left, sixteen metres out from the line. As soon as he received the ball, Brock Priestley cut factionally inside, before stepping off his right foot to burst through two defenders and then Brock Priestley carried three more Helensvale defenders across the line to get the ball down twelve metres in from the left corner post.
Brock Priestley’s first hit-up of the match came when he took the hit-up from a penalty restart in the 4th minute when he was able to make twelve metres against a set defensive line. The in the 6th minute, Brock Priestley made at least eight post contact metres with a strong run that got Ormeau to near forty metres from the try line.
Brock Priestley made a further strong run in the 23rd minute that resulted in Brock Priestley offloading the ball to his left with his left winger subsequently crossing in the corner.
Brock Priestley also got across the line a second time in the 37th minute when from twenty metres out he broke a number of tackles before eventually being dragged down a couple of metres sort of the line.
I have had absolutely no luck determining who the young Casino RSM halfback is, if anyone knows who he is I would really appreciate a heads up.
I not sure of who the Casino RSM half back was in their Round Two NRRRL U18 match on Saturday against Lismore is, but I will be definitely be finding out.
The young man was brilliant as he led Casino RSM to an impressive 24 - 18 including from an exquisite left foot chip and regather.
He also kicked some great left foot conversions including a beauty from the right touchline.
This young man, sorry again that I do not know is name is one player that I will be keeping a very close one on.
Titans contracted Josiah Pahulu will start in the second row tonight for the Springfield Panthers in the Ipswich U17 Division One competition against Goodna Black.
A Panthers team mate is 2021 Keebra Park NZ recruit Andreas Mariner who will start in the front row.
Great to see that AJ Brimson was at Keebra Park this morning working with the school's Open Rugby League Academy boys.
It is interesting to see former TSS stand-out Reno Gerrard playing club rugby of the Gold Coast this season.
The Gold Coast local was part of the 2019 Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad starting in the front row in Round One against the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
Reno Gerrard played for the Burleigh Bears junior rugby league club in 2016 and also attended The Southport School (TSS) where he was part of their First XV squad in 2016 and 2017 where he played No. 8. Previously Reno Gerrard was linked with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
For TSS in 2017 Reno Gerrard started every First XV GPS match at No. 8 and was outstanding in a number of matches none more so than in Round Six against Brisbane Grammar School (BGS) when Reno Gerrard scored a hat trick and was named TSS player of the match in their 55 -12 demolition of the Brisbane inner city school.
In the Round Six clash Reno Gerrard’s first try came just after he made a barnstorming 50 metre kick-off return, scoring in the right corner from a pick and drive. His second try came as a result of a TSS line out move when Reno Gerrard got low and barged over from short range and his third came from backing up a break by front rower Zane Nonggorr (now part of the Queensland Reds Super Rugby squad) and then out pacing the BGS cover defence.
Reno Gerrard also scored against Brisbane Boys College in Round Four when he ran an outstanding outside shoulder line off five eight Campbell Perata to crash over half way between the goal posts and the touch line. Earlier in 2017 Reno Gerrard started at No. 8 for the GPS Three representative side at the Queensland Rugby Schools Championships held at Ballymore in July 2017.
In 2016 Reno Gerrard was an ever present for the TSS U16A side and made his First XV debut in a match against Downlands College. In the U16 GPS rugby competition, Reno Gerrard score two tries with the first one coming against Toowoomba Grammar School in a 28 – 5 win for TSS and he scored again in Round Eight in a 17 – 11 victory Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie).
The former PBC student represented South Coast in the QSSRL U15 State Championships in 2015, he started in the second row and scored a try against Peninsula in South Coast’s first pool match. South Coast went on to win the championships with Reno Gerrard subsequently being named in the front row for Queensland White for the Australian U15 school boy championships. Reno Gerrard played a number of CC matches in 2016 in the front row including scoring in week one of the CC semi-finals in a tough loss for the Gold Coast side.
For Burleigh, Reno Gerrard played for the U15 Division One side in 2015, alternating between the front row and second row and scored ten tries in the ten matches he played, including scoring a hat trick against the Mudgeeraba Redbacks in a match in July. He has named in the 2016 Gold Coast Green side for the CC competition. Reno Gerrard was also named alongside a couple of other Gold Coast youngsters, including centre Ronan Kapi in the Queensland Reds U15 rugby side that played NSW in July 2015.
LT Anae has moved into the Ormeau Shearers starting side in the second row for Round Two of the GCRL U18 Division One competition against the Mudgeeraba Redbacks this weekend after starting Round One against Helensvale on the bench.
Lt Anae started off his 2020 sporting campaign starting in the forward pack for Gold Coast based Somerset College in their First XV 32 – 15 trial win over Brisbane based Ambrose Treacy College in very wet conditions with LT Anae providing a strong physical prescence in the match in both attack and defence.
LT Anae played the 2020 Gold Coast Rugby League with the Ormeau Shearers in the U18 Division One competition and was dominant in a number of matches including Round Seven against Mudgeeraba when he scored a strong try when he ran onto a pass around ten metres out from the line and dragged a number of Redbacks defenders over the line with him to score next to the right uprights.
LT Anae’s outstanding 2019 rugby league season included a great performance in Ormeau’s 22 - 20 U16 Division One Grand Final victory over Coomera in golden point as a result of a penalty goal from right next to the goal posts.
LT Anae who started the 2019 season in the Gold Coast Vikings U16 set up played in fifteen GCRL U16 Division One matches this season scoring six tries with those tries coming individually in matches against Southport, Mudgeeraba, Helensvale (two matches), Burleigh and Coomera.
In 2018 LT Anae also played for Ormeau playing in the GCRL U15 Division One competition and finishing his eleven matches with four tries including a mid-season double against Southport and also tries against Runaway Bay and the Robina Raptors.
It should also be noted that LT Anae is also a very good basketballer who plays for the Coomera City Warriors in the North Coast Basketball Association and has done so for a number of seasons including in the 2019/20 U20 A and Men’s A Grade competitions before their premature closure.
In Round One of the 2019/20 Summer Season LT Anae had a particularly impressive game in the Boys U20 A competition scoring nineteen points from nine two points shots and a free throw as Coomera held on to defeat SSC 52 – 51 after LT Anae put the Warriors ahead 51 – 41 late in the match with a two point conversion. Round Two saw LT Anae score five points from a two point and three point shot in a one point Warriors loss to CAC.
In total in the 2019/20 U20 A summer competition, prior to its shut down for Coomera City LT Anae played in eleven matches, averaging 6.27 points per game (ppg) including scoring nineteen against SSC and thirteen against CAC
Lt Anae also played in the 2019/20 Open A Men’s Gold Coast Basketball competition in that competition LT Anae averaged 2.8 ppg including a season high eight points against St Stephens Chargers.
In 2020 LT Anae also played for the North Gold Coast Seahawks Navy side in two competitions being the U18 Boys Development Cup and the U18 Boys Division three/four State Championships.
In the U18 Boys Division three/four State Championships LT Anae played in seven matches averaging 6.14 ppg including scoring eleven against Ipswich and eight against Caboolture in the last match that he played.
In the U18 Boys Development Cup LT Anae played in six matches scoring an average of 9 ppg. LT Anae’s first six matches of the Cup were outstanding including a sixteen point effort against the SWM Pirates, fourteen against SC Phoenix and ten against Toowoomba.
- - - Updated - - -
Round Two of the Gold Coast Rugby League U20 competition this weekend sees Taanei Heu named to start in the front row for the Currumbin Eagles against Runaway Bay.
In Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League competition, Taanei Hau started on the bench for the Currumbin Eagles Doug Lipp Cup side as they took on the Southport Tigers and also will start from the bench in Round Two against Runaway Bay.
In April 2021, Taanei Heu was named in the U20 Gold Coast Vikings First Grade South East Queensland Chairman’s Challenge initial squad.
The powerful front rower or second rower started Round One of the 2020 MM Cup competition for the Burleigh Bears from the bench against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls which unfortunately ended up being the only round of the competition that was played in 2020.
After the Community Rugby League restart in July 2020 Taanei Heu played for the Currumbin Eagles in the GCRL U18 competition, starting the Grand Final in that competition in the front row against the Burleigh Bears, with the Currumbin Eagles becoming Premiers on the back of an 18 – 0 shut out victory.
After starting Round One of the 2019 GCRL U18 Division One competition with Nerang Taanei Heu moved to the Currumbin Eagles with his first match for his new club coming in Round Three against Bilambil when he started from the bench.
In total for Currumbin in the 2019 GCRL U18 Division One regular season competition, Taanei Heu played in eight matches starting the vast majority in the front row and scoring his first and only try of the season in Round Thirteen against the Tugun Seahawks.
In early June of 2019 Taanei Heu went over to New Zealand to play in the New Zealand Maori Rangatahi Tournament for Te Arawa and in fact was named in the All Tournament U17 team in the second row in an impressive effort.
In early November 2019 Taanei Heu started in the second row for the New Zealand Maori U17 side as they defeated Tonga U17’s in New Zealand.
In late 2018 Taanei Heu was named in the initial Burleigh MM Cup squad but did not make the final squad for the 2019 version of the competition.
The tall strong young front rower played the 2018 season for the Nerang Roosters in the GCRL U16 Division One competition playing in nine matches including the finals series.
In Week Two of the U16 Division One Finals, Taanei Heu started in the front row and scored as Nerang progressed with a 32 – 22 win over Currumbin.
Taanei Heu also started in the front row in the U16 Division One 2018 Grand Final once again against Currumbin and once again Nerang prevailed winning 24 – 8.
In the 2018 U16 Division One regular season, Taanei Heu scored an additional two tries the first of which came in Round One against Runaway Bay and Taanei Heu scored again against Runaway Bay late in the regular season.
Taanei Heu was also part of the Gold Coast Vikings White side that took part in the South East Queensland U16 Challenge and from there was selected in the South East Queensland White side for the Queensland Age Championships, playing all four of those matches including the Championship Final against South East Queensland Green.
Taanei Heu’s other matches for South East Queensland Green at the Queensland Age Championships were against SEQ White in the qualifying rounds, Central and Northern.
For the Nerang Roosters U15 Division One side in 2017 Taanei Heu played in eleven matches including their Grand Final victory over Helensvale and scored against Southport early in the season for his sole try of the season. Taanei Heu also played one match up in the U16 Division Two competition which came against the Ormeau Shearers in early July.
The former PBC student was part of the South Coast Maori representative side as well in 2017.
From a club perspective in 2021 Jordan Lewis is part of the Ormeau Shearers U18 Division One squad, starting Round One of the pre-season at hooker and kicked four conversions from as many attempts as the Shearers got their 2021 season underway with a 24 – 16 win over the Currumbin Eagles.
For Round Two of the 2021 GCRL U18 Division One pre-season competition, Jordan Lewis moved to five eight against the Southport Tigers.
In Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition Jordan Lewis started at five eight for Ormeau as they took on the Helensvale Hornets and kicked a conversion in the Shearers 20 – 14 loss. Jordan Lewis kicked the conversion in the 23rd minute and it was a great kick from right on the left touchline.
Jordan Lewis has moved to hooker for Round Two against the Mudgeeraba Redbacks.
Jordan Lewis started at lock for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in their first 2021 trial which was against the Easts Tigers at Langland’s Park as Tweed Heads commenced their season with an impressive first up 28 – 12 victory.
In Tweed Heads second 2021 MM Cup trial against Burleigh that Tweed Heads comprehensively one, Jordan Lewis played the first half at lock, using his strong left foot to kick the ball off to get the match under way and came back on late in the second half also operating at lock in his second spell of the match.
Jordan Lewis was initially named to start from the bench in Tweed Heads final 2021 MM Cup final against the Souths Logan Magpies at Logan however he actually started the match at lock and scored in just the second minute of the match. In addition to his try, Jordan Lewis also kicked a conversion and recorded a try asssit in the Seagulls last minute loss
As noted Jordan Lewis scored in the 2nd minute when he moved into dummy half with the play the ball a metre out from the line to the left of the goal posts. After picking up the ball, Jordan Lewis took a step to the left throwing a dummy in the same direction before barging over to get the ball down over the line.
Jordan Lewis’s try assist came in the 11th minute when he threw a great shortball to his left to put Jesse Jackson into a gap from close to the Burleigh line.
Jordan Lewis was in the match early taking the second hit-up of the match after Burleigh kicked off.
Jordan Lewis started Round One of the 2020 MM Cup competition on the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Northern Pride and scoring in the Seagulls big first up victory.
Also in 2020 Jordan Lewis was part of the Coombabah State High School Langer Cup Open A school boy rugby league squad for the Term Three school boy rugby league competition playing against fellow Gold Coast schools PBC and Keebra Park.
In July 2020 Jordan Lewis started at right second row for the Coombabah Open A Langer Cup side in their Langer Cup qualifying match against St Mary’s in Toowoomba and kicked three goals from four attempts in their loss.
After being knocked out of the Langer Cup, Jordan Lewis and his Coombabah State High School team mates took part of the Gee Cup school boy competition, going through the competition as the undefeated Southern Division Champions and taking on Mabel Park State High School in the 2020 Gee Cup Grand Final that was held at Langland’s Park.
In the 2020 Gee Cup Grand Final that Coombabah SHS won 50 – 8 Jordan Lewis started at lock, scoring a try, setting up another and kicking seven goals in a player of the match performance.
Jordan Lewis’s try came late in the match when he split the Mabel Park SHS line on the left side of the field and spun clockwise to beat the fullback and bring the ball around closer to the goal posts to make it easier to convert his own try.
Jordan Lewis’s try assist resulted from a pass to his right drawing the fullback after he broke the defensive line through the centre of the ruck.
Jordan Lewis played the 2019 season for Ormeau Shearers in the GCRL U16 Division One competition playing in fifteen matches including starting the Grand Final at five eight and kicking the winning penalty goal in Golden Point as Ormeau defeated Coomera 22 – 20.
In total in his fifteen matches, including finals, Jordan Lewis scored 98 points from five tries and 39 goals. His five tries came in separate matches against Currumbin and Coomera, twice and also against Helensvale.
With the boot this season Jordan Lewis kicked eight goals in Round Three against Southport and five on two occasions being against Currumbin and Burleigh.
In the 2018 Gold Coast Rugby League U15 Division One competition for Ormeau, Jordan Lewis finished as both the competitions leading goal kicker with 40 goals and point’s scorer with 116 points.
Over the course of the 2018 Jordan Lewis scored nine tries including doubles against Mudgeeraba and Runaway Bay and also scored in matches against Helensvale, Southport, Coomera and Runaway Bay twice.
With the boot Jordan Lewis kicked six goals in a match on three occasions being against Mudgeeraba (he also scored two tries to finish the match with twenty points), Southport and Coomera.
Jordan Lewis started at five eight in Week One of the U15 Division One Finals series scoring a try and kicking two goals and Ormeau defeated Runaway Bay 28 – 12.
In Week Two of the Finals Jordan Lewis also started at five eight as Ormeau qualified for the Grand Final with a 44 – 6 victory over Coomera with Jordan Lewis contributing a try and six goals.
In the U15 Division One Grand Final Jordan Lewis, once again started at five eight as Ormeau finished a great season by defeating Runaway Bay 38 – 20 in the decider with Jordan Lewis once again at the forefront contributing a try and five goals.
In 2017 the young man had an outstanding season finishing with 117 points from ten tries, thirty eight goals and a field goal in the GCJRL U14 Division One competition including starting at half back, scoring a try, kicking three conversions and a field goal in the U14 Division One Grand Final against victory over Burleigh.
From a try scoring perspective, Jordan Lewis scored four tries in a match in early June kicking five goals in that match to finish with 26 points as well and in May against Runaway Bay in May he scored a hat trick and kicked seven goals for 26 points as well. Jordan Lewis also kicked seven conversions in a victory over Nerang in Round One of the competition and five goals against Runaway Bay in the Preliminary Final.
In 2017 Jordan Lewis represented the U14 Gold Coast Vikings side where he was selected at hooker and from there he was selected in the South East Queensland U14 White side for the Queensland Age Championships which were held in Toowoomba in July 2017.
In 2016 Jordan Lewis primarily came off the interchange bench for the U13 Vikings side including scoring on Day Two in a 58 – 6 victory over the Ipswich Diggers a match in which Titans linked front rower Brody Smitka was outstanding. After those Championships which were held at Carina Jordan Lewis was selected to represent South East Queensland Green at the Queensland Age Championships.
In Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition last weekend, Yorel Alapaki started from the bench for the Southport Tigers as they took on the Currumbin Eagles and he will also started from the bench in Round Two on the weekend against Runaway Bay.
After spending a portion of the 2020/21 offseason trialling for the Wests Tigers, when the 2021 Gold Coast Rugby League competition commenced, Yorel Alapaki started on the bench for the Southport Tigers Doug Lipp Cup Reserve Grade side in Round One of the pre-season against Runaway Bay and also started from the bench in Round Two against Ormeau.
Yorel Alapaki was then named on the interchange bench for the Southport Tigers GCRL First Grade side for Round Three of the pre-season competition against the Tugun Seahawks.
The young hooker, lock or second rower (let’s call him a utility forward) moved over from Auckland at the start of 2019 to play with the Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition and in the 2020 season was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.
The young man is an inspirational story, as he moved over from South Auckland as a 16 year old and since his move has lived by himself as he attended school and chased his NRL dream.
Yorel Alapaki’s first match of the 2020 season was when he was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad that defeated the Souths Logan Magpies MM Cup squad in a trial at Tugun in February.
Yorel Alapaki started Round One of the 2020 MM Cup competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls from the bench in their winning start to the season against the Northern Pride. Unfortunately that Round One match was the only MM Cup round played to the Covid 19 outbreak which caused so many issues for society in general.
In 2020 Yorel Alapaki was part of their Langer Cup Open A school boy rugby league squad including playing in Keebra Park’s Open A school boy’s first 2020 trial against Ipswich State High School in mid-July that Keebra Park won.
Yorel Alapaki started from the bench in Round One of the Langer Cup against Wavell State High School and also started from the bench in Round Two against Marsden State High School and recording a try assist.
Towards the end of the second half, Yorel Alapaki was operating on the left of the play the ball. After receiving the ball Yorel Alapaki took the ball to the line, and after subtling cutting to his left, threw a good pass to big front rower Isaac Matavelea-Booth who had run an outside shoulder route into a gap to rumble twenty metres to score.
Yorel Alapaki also was named to start from the bench in the Round Four local derby against PBC but ended up starting the match at left second row and produced an outstanding piece of paly early in the match to send Jaiden West over. Yorel Alapaki burst through the line on the left side of the field, surging away from the PBC cover defence, before drawing the fullback and passing to his left to put fullback Jaiden West over.
Yorel Alapaki also came off the bench in Round Five against St Mary’s Toowoomba, scoring his first Langer Cup try in the first half.
With Keebra Park on the attack a metre out from the St Mary’s line, Yorel Alapaki charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball and went straight through the two immediate St Mary’s defenders to score five metres to the left of the goal posts.
Yorel Alapaki also started on the bench as Keebra Park qualified for the 2020 Langer Cup Grand Final on the back of a big win over Wavell State High School.
Yorel Alapaki started the 2020 Langer Cup Grand Final from the bench for Keebra Park as they went down 16 – 8 to PBC in a high quality match.
When rugby league restarted in July 2020, Yorel Alapaki was back in the orange and black of the Southport Tigers lining up for the second season in the GCRL U18 Division One competition. In 2020 for Southport, Yorel Alapaki played primarily at hooker, also he did spend some time at lock as well.
Yorel Alapaki proved to be a bit of a try scorer for Southport in the U18 Division One competition in 2020, especially out of dummy half. Against Ormeau, Yorel Alapaki, who had started the match from the bench, was at dummy half ten metres out from the line. Yorel Alapaki took a quick step out of dummy half to his right, throwing a dummy to the same side of the field. The dummy to his right opened up a seam in the Shearers defence which Yorel Alapaki exploited to spring the ten metres to score next to the left upright.
Over the course of the season, Yorel Alapaki also scored a good try out of dummy half against Helensvale. Yorel Alapaki got into dummy half two metres out from the Hornets line, running out of dummy half to his right, Yorel Alapaki ran about ten metres parallel to the defensive line before taking the first defender to confront him head on, Yorel Alapaki pushed him off front on before diving to his left to get the ball down with two further Helensvale defenders trying in vain to hold him up.
In 2019 Yorel Alapaki started Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League competition at hooker. Yorel Alapaki then moved to lock for Round Two against Currumbin. Yorel Alapaki scored his first try on the Gold Coast in Round Three against Runaway Bay as Southport prevailed 26 – 14 and kicked his first goal in Round Five.
Yorel Alapaki was back in Auckland playing for Marist Saints against Manurewa All-stars in mid-June 2019 and I had thought that Yorel Alapaki was back in New Zealand for good but he was back starting at hooker for Southport in Round twelve against Tugun and also started at hooker in Round Thirteen against Mudgeeraba.
In total for Southport in the 2019 GCRL U18 Division One regular season competition Yorel Alapaki played in eight matches alternating between lock and hooker (as well as a match or two off the bench), scoring six points as noted above.
Yorel Alapaki also started at lock for Southport in their 28 – 20 U18 Division One Preliminary Final win over Ormeau to progress to the Grand Final against Burleigh and also started at lock in Southport’s 28 -12 Grand Final loss to Burleigh. When the match got ‘physical’ in the second half Yorel Alapaki was certainly in the thick of the action, charging around and making his presence felt both in attack and defence for Southport.
In 2018 Yorel Alapaki played in the Auckland Junior Rugby League U16 competition for Marist Saints. 2018 also saw Yorel Alapaki, who is also an accomplished softball player, represent Howick College in the 2018 New Zealand National Secondary Schools Development Tournament.
In that competition, Yorel Alapaki played in five matches with those matches being against Sir Edmund Hillary College, Onehunga High School twice, Naenae College and Whangaparaoe College. Yorel Alapaki started all five matches at lock for Howick College and scored in both final’s matches being against Onehunga High School and Whangaparaoe College.
Yorel Alapaki’s try against Onehunga High School was a case where he just wanted to score more than the defence wanted to stop him. The Howick College centre on the right, Francis Morrison, cut back inside and ran across field, Yorel Alapaki ran straight at a hole in the defensive line and upon receiving the pass barged his way over adjacent to the right upright dragging a couple of defenders with him.
Yorel Alapaki’s try against Whangaparaoe College could not have been more different to the one discussed above. Yorel Alapaki took a hit-up on the left side of the field about sixty five metres out from the try line and after breaking through the defensive line by running over a defender outpaced the Whangaparaoe College cover defence to score an impressive try.
Late in 2018 Yorel Alapaki was the co-captain of the Auckland Niue U16 side that played an Auckland U16 side, starting that match in the second row. In 2018 Yorel Alapaki was also captain of the Northern side in the New Zealand Development Rugby League Finals held in March.
Yorel Alapaki also represented the Cook Islands in the 2018 U18 Rugby League Oceania Sevens tournament scoring against the Solomon Islands in Round Four.
In 2017 Yorel Alapaki represented the Akarana Falcons U15’s at the New Zealand National Age Championships playing in matches against local rivals the Auckland Vulcans as well as the Northern Swords.
Jayden Campbell continued to make his case for an NRL debut sooner rather than later with a hat trick this afternoon for Tweed Heads in their 18 all draw with the Northern Pride.
Titans contracted Larry Siala started at No. 8 once again this afternoon for St Edmunds College and for the second week in a row was held up after he cut back towards the goal posts, beating two defenders on the way.
Larry Siala was on the winning side this afteroon as St Edmunds defeated St Peters 14 - 7 in a tight match.
Lofi Khan-Pereira's Queensland Cup debut.
Playing the entire 80 minutes, Lofi Pereira ran for fifty five metres (five post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 2.44 seconds and did not missing a tackle whilst making six.
Well Done Lofi.
Burleigh half Cameron Brown finished with an individual points haul of 22 from two tries and seven goals from ten attempts as the Bears thumped Ipswich 54-12 in Round Five of the Hastings Deering's Colts competition this evening.
NZTITAN
15-05-21, 09:07 PM
In Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition last weekend, Yorel Alapaki started from the bench for the Southport Tigers as they took on the Currumbin Eagles and he will also started from the bench in Round Two on the weekend against Runaway Bay.
After spending a portion of the 2020/21 offseason trialling for the Wests Tigers, when the 2021 Gold Coast Rugby League competition commenced, Yorel Alapaki started on the bench for the Southport Tigers Doug Lipp Cup Reserve Grade side in Round One of the pre-season against Runaway Bay and also started from the bench in Round Two against Ormeau.
Yorel Alapaki was then named on the interchange bench for the Southport Tigers GCRL First Grade side for Round Three of the pre-season competition against the Tugun Seahawks.
The young hooker, lock or second rower (let’s call him a utility forward) moved over from Auckland at the start of 2019 to play with the Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition and in the 2020 season was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.
The young man is an inspirational story, as he moved over from South Auckland as a 16 year old and since his move has lived by himself as he attended school and chased his NRL dream.
Yorel Alapaki’s first match of the 2020 season was when he was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad that defeated the Souths Logan Magpies MM Cup squad in a trial at Tugun in February.
Yorel Alapaki started Round One of the 2020 MM Cup competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls from the bench in their winning start to the season against the Northern Pride. Unfortunately that Round One match was the only MM Cup round played to the Covid 19 outbreak which caused so many issues for society in general.
In 2020 Yorel Alapaki was part of their Langer Cup Open A school boy rugby league squad including playing in Keebra Park’s Open A school boy’s first 2020 trial against Ipswich State High School in mid-July that Keebra Park won.
Yorel Alapaki started from the bench in Round One of the Langer Cup against Wavell State High School and also started from the bench in Round Two against Marsden State High School and recording a try assist.
Towards the end of the second half, Yorel Alapaki was operating on the left of the play the ball. After receiving the ball Yorel Alapaki took the ball to the line, and after subtling cutting to his left, threw a good pass to big front rower Isaac Matavelea-Booth who had run an outside shoulder route into a gap to rumble twenty metres to score.
Yorel Alapaki also was named to start from the bench in the Round Four local derby against PBC but ended up starting the match at left second row and produced an outstanding piece of paly early in the match to send Jaiden West over. Yorel Alapaki burst through the line on the left side of the field, surging away from the PBC cover defence, before drawing the fullback and passing to his left to put fullback Jaiden West over.
Yorel Alapaki also came off the bench in Round Five against St Mary’s Toowoomba, scoring his first Langer Cup try in the first half.
With Keebra Park on the attack a metre out from the St Mary’s line, Yorel Alapaki charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball and went straight through the two immediate St Mary’s defenders to score five metres to the left of the goal posts.
Yorel Alapaki also started on the bench as Keebra Park qualified for the 2020 Langer Cup Grand Final on the back of a big win over Wavell State High School.
Yorel Alapaki started the 2020 Langer Cup Grand Final from the bench for Keebra Park as they went down 16 – 8 to PBC in a high quality match.
When rugby league restarted in July 2020, Yorel Alapaki was back in the orange and black of the Southport Tigers lining up for the second season in the GCRL U18 Division One competition. In 2020 for Southport, Yorel Alapaki played primarily at hooker, also he did spend some time at lock as well.
Yorel Alapaki proved to be a bit of a try scorer for Southport in the U18 Division One competition in 2020, especially out of dummy half. Against Ormeau, Yorel Alapaki, who had started the match from the bench, was at dummy half ten metres out from the line. Yorel Alapaki took a quick step out of dummy half to his right, throwing a dummy to the same side of the field. The dummy to his right opened up a seam in the Shearers defence which Yorel Alapaki exploited to spring the ten metres to score next to the left upright.
Over the course of the season, Yorel Alapaki also scored a good try out of dummy half against Helensvale. Yorel Alapaki got into dummy half two metres out from the Hornets line, running out of dummy half to his right, Yorel Alapaki ran about ten metres parallel to the defensive line before taking the first defender to confront him head on, Yorel Alapaki pushed him off front on before diving to his left to get the ball down with two further Helensvale defenders trying in vain to hold him up.
In 2019 Yorel Alapaki started Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League competition at hooker. Yorel Alapaki then moved to lock for Round Two against Currumbin. Yorel Alapaki scored his first try on the Gold Coast in Round Three against Runaway Bay as Southport prevailed 26 – 14 and kicked his first goal in Round Five.
Yorel Alapaki was back in Auckland playing for Marist Saints against Manurewa All-stars in mid-June 2019 and I had thought that Yorel Alapaki was back in New Zealand for good but he was back starting at hooker for Southport in Round twelve against Tugun and also started at hooker in Round Thirteen against Mudgeeraba.
In total for Southport in the 2019 GCRL U18 Division One regular season competition Yorel Alapaki played in eight matches alternating between lock and hooker (as well as a match or two off the bench), scoring six points as noted above.
Yorel Alapaki also started at lock for Southport in their 28 – 20 U18 Division One Preliminary Final win over Ormeau to progress to the Grand Final against Burleigh and also started at lock in Southport’s 28 -12 Grand Final loss to Burleigh. When the match got ‘physical’ in the second half Yorel Alapaki was certainly in the thick of the action, charging around and making his presence felt both in attack and defence for Southport.
In 2018 Yorel Alapaki played in the Auckland Junior Rugby League U16 competition for Marist Saints. 2018 also saw Yorel Alapaki, who is also an accomplished softball player, represent Howick College in the 2018 New Zealand National Secondary Schools Development Tournament.
In that competition, Yorel Alapaki played in five matches with those matches being against Sir Edmund Hillary College, Onehunga High School twice, Naenae College and Whangaparaoe College. Yorel Alapaki started all five matches at lock for Howick College and scored in both final’s matches being against Onehunga High School and Whangaparaoe College.
Yorel Alapaki’s try against Onehunga High School was a case where he just wanted to score more than the defence wanted to stop him. The Howick College centre on the right, Francis Morrison, cut back inside and ran across field, Yorel Alapaki ran straight at a hole in the defensive line and upon receiving the pass barged his way over adjacent to the right upright dragging a couple of defenders with him.
Yorel Alapaki’s try against Whangaparaoe College could not have been more different to the one discussed above. Yorel Alapaki took a hit-up on the left side of the field about sixty five metres out from the try line and after breaking through the defensive line by running over a defender outpaced the Whangaparaoe College cover defence to score an impressive try.
Late in 2018 Yorel Alapaki was the co-captain of the Auckland Niue U16 side that played an Auckland U16 side, starting that match in the second row. In 2018 Yorel Alapaki was also captain of the Northern side in the New Zealand Development Rugby League Finals held in March.
Yorel Alapaki also represented the Cook Islands in the 2018 U18 Rugby League Oceania Sevens tournament scoring against the Solomon Islands in Round Four.
In 2017 Yorel Alapaki represented the Akarana Falcons U15’s at the New Zealand National Age Championships playing in matches against local rivals the Auckland Vulcans as well as the Northern Swords.
Howick boys checking in :salute:. I was actually just watching the 2018 team's tournament games a couple days ago and thought he was definitely our best player there, very keen to hear how he progresses on the GC.
With the demise of the Ormeau Shearers GCRL First Grade side for this season, I as wondering where talented Coen Rankmore would play but that has been addressed and the talented young man will start in the second row today for the Helensvale Hornets U20 side in their Round Two match against the Burleigh Bears.
Former Titans junior development squad member and Queensland U16 representative Vito Siaosi will start in the second row today for the Helensvale Hornets Doug Lipp Cuo side in Round Two against Burleigh.
The Helensvale Hornets make their Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade debut today against Burleigh and one interesting player who will start from the bench today is former TSS stand out Declan Day.
Declan Day was a stand out school boy rugby front rower who after his school boy career came to an end played in the NYC and it will be great to see him line up today in the green and yellow of the Hornets.
Great to see the the 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls Victorious MM Cup side presented yesterday at the Tweed Heads Queensland Cup match yesterday.
Well done to all.
At the recent 2021 U14 Buckley Shield rugby league competition, Ballina Coast High School, which has strong links to the Titans, had a great day winning the Final 46-0 against Tweed River High School.
The Ballina side were led by stand out half Dylan Watkins. The Ballina Coast side also contained a few U13 players including Harrison Clements who played on the wing and forward Baxter Turner.
Jayden Campbell had a staggering match last night in the Queensland Cup for Tweed Heads.
In addition to his hat trick, Jayden Campbell, whilst playing the entire match ran for a team leading 298 metres (fifty three post contact), had a line break, played the ball at an average speed of 2.39 seconds, made five tackles and defused two bombs.
The most staggering stat however was the fact that he broke SEVENTEEN tackles, yes 17.
He now has broken 53 tackles in just six Queensland Cup match this season.
Titans contracted Riley Lack started at halfback for the Murwillumbah Mustangs NRRRL First Grade side this afternoon in Round Three of the NRRRL competition, putting in an assured performance as the Mustangs defeated Lower Clarence 64-6.
It was good to see Noah Croudace score for the Burleigh GCRL U20 side in Round Two yesterday against Helensvale.
Noah Croudace started at fullback with his try coming in the 55th minute when Noah Croudace burst over the line from a Burleigh scrum win with Noah Croudace receiving the ball to the right of the scrum eighteen metres. Unfortunately took a knock to the head as he was putting the ball down.
Yesterday Jay Blazek also started at lock for Helensvale in Round Two of the GCRL U18 Division One competition against Burleigh, scoring a double in the Hornets impressive victory.
Jay Blazek scored his first try in the 43rd minute from a Helensvale scrum win ten metres in front of the left upright. Jay Blazek picked the ball up from the back of the scrum immediately running to his right, beating the initial tackle before moving parallel to the defensive line. Jay Blazek dummied to his right before straightening up to cross fifteen metres from the right upright.
Jay Blazek added his second try in the 54th minute when he scooped up a Burleigh loose pass forty two metres from the try line and running away to put the ball down under the posts.
After his two try performance Jay Blazek came off the bench for Helensvale in the following match being Round Two of the GCRL U20 competition against Burleigh.
Big and strong Christian Kiri started at left second row yesterday for Burleigh in Round Two of the GCRL U18 Division One competition as the Bears took on the Helensvale Hornets scoring a strong try in just the third minute of the match.
Christian Kiri received the ball seventeen metres out from the line on the left side of the field, running with the ball in his right hand only. After receiving the ball Christian Kiri cut back to his right then produced a left foot step and then ran through three attempted tackles to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Just a minute earlier than when he scored in the 2nd minute, Christian Kiri made a strong ten metre run starting twenty metres out and when he got to ten metres out he was able to offload the ball to his inside.
The 41st minute of the match saw Christian Kiri once again make good metres, on that occasion fourteen, nine of which were post contact, when he took a hit-up to the right of dummy half.
Christian Kiri also made two strong defensive plays in the match including a try saving tackle in the 24th minute when he dived to his left to cut down the Hornets right centre with a copy book low tackle less than two metres out from the try line.
The other defensive effort of Christian Kiri’s that was worth noting came in the 9th minute when he produced a strong front on tackle on the Helnsvale No. 10 with the hit jarring the ball loose.
Hail Sezer
17-05-21, 03:10 PM
Jayden Campbell had a staggering match last night in the Queensland Cup for Tweed Heads.
In addition to his hat trick, Jayden Campbell, whilst playing the entire match ran for a team leading 298 metres (fifty three post contact), had a line break, played the ball at an average speed of 2.39 seconds, made five tackles and defused two bombs.
The most staggering stat however was the fact that he broke SEVENTEEN tackles, yes 17.
He now has broken 53 tackles in just six Queensland Cup match this season.
17? Is that a record?
Tweed Coast Raider Stevie O’Connor was named to come off the bench yesterday in Round Three of the NRRRL U18 competition against the Ballina Seagulls however he started that match at left centre before playing the second half at fullback.
Stevie O’Connor recorded a try assist in the 56th minute when he looped around behind a set play down a short left blind side receiving the ball thirty metres out and running straight through a gap. Stevie O’Connor drew the Ballina fullback sending a pass to his left to put Fletcher Purcell over in the left corner.
Stevie O’Connor almost had another try assist in the 17th minute when he threw a cut-out pass to his left but he support runner was tackled into touch just short of the line.
Stevie O’Connor showed all of his skills over the course of the match including in the 54th minute when he kicked to the left wing forcing the Ballina fullback to take the ball dead just in front of the Raiders chasers.
In the 23rd minute Stevie O’Connor showed his desperation when he raced back to dive on a Ballina short grubber kick just out from his own line when it looked like the Seagulls chasers would get to the ball first.
Cudgen Hornet Kobi Walpole started on the left wing in Round Two of the NRRRL U18 competition yesterday against Casino RSM and was prominent early on in the match with his first contribution coming in the opening minute when he took a Casino RSM tactical kick on the full fifteen metres out from his own line. As soon as he took possession, Kobi Walpole ran towards his left, beating two defenders in a twenty metre run down the left touchline.
Kobi Walpole made a further break down the left touchline in the 9th minute when he was able to carry the ball twelve metres.
Kobi Walpole made it three line breaks down the left touchline in the first half when in the 20th minute he broke away down the touchline before offloading on his inside to one of his giant front rowers (No. 20). Kobi Walpole stayed alive, getting the ball back from the front rower and got to within six metres of the line before he was finally stopped.
It was not just with the ball that Kobi Walpole made an impact in the opening minutes, including stopping a Casino RSM try in the 5th minute when he stopped his opposite number just short of the line on the 5th tackle and in the second minute, Kobi Walpole got out of marker quickly to get into the ribs of the RSM fullback and drive him back eight metres and also forcing the ball loose in the tackle.
Unfortunately Kobi Walpole took a head knock early in the second half and was unable to see the match out.
Even though he is still U16 eligible, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki started at lock in Round Two of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition for Nerang on the weekend as the Roosters as they took on the Currumbin Eagles.
Whilst he started the match at lock Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also played a fair bit of dummy half in both halves of the match.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki did well in the 10th minute when he backed up through the centre of the ruck to get the off-load and get to twenty metres out from the line before being brought down from behind.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki backed up once again in the 13th minute when after taking the off-load forty metres out, he got to just eighteen metres through sheer effort before finally being put on the ground by the Currumbin defence.
Even though he as playing against players in the main two years older than him, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki was certainly not out of place and he proved that in the 34th minute with a strong front on tackle on the Currumbin lock, stopping him in his tracks just five metres away from the try line.
Harvey Moase also started at halfback in Round Two of the U18 NRRRL competition yesterday for the Cudgen Hornets against Casino RSM kicking four conversions, including one from five metres in from the left touchline in the 11th minute and recording two try assists in the Hornets solid victory.
Harvey Moase’s first try assist was recorded in the 21st minute when he ran the ball down a short left blindside ten metres out and throwing a cut out pass to put his support runner over in the left corner.
Harvey Moase added his second try assist of the match in the 28th minute when he took the ball to the line and threw a short ball to his inside to put Darcy Townsend through the line and subsequently score.
Harvey Moase made a strong run of his own in the 58th minute when he received the ball on the right but ran a winding route back to the left, breaking five tackles before off-loading the ball.
Haizyn Mellars started on the left wing for Nerang on the weekend in Round Two of the GCRL U18 Division One competition against the Currumbin Eagles and scored for the second match in a row when in the 49th minute when he ran over the top of the Currumbin fullback to get the ball down in the left corner after initially receiving the ball ten metres out down a short left blindside.
Haizyn Mellars could have scored a second try just minutes later when good work from Jeremaiah Tamepo saw Haizyn Mellars set to race away down the left touchline but unfortunately he could not reign the ball in.
Haizyn Mellars also made a 6th minute line break when he burst twenty five metres down the left touchline after being put away by Jeremaiah Tamepo. Haizyn Mellars made another line break in the 30th minute when he burst fifteen metres down the left touchline before being tackled ten metres out and was awarded a penalty for being subject to a lifting tackle.
Haizyn Mellars produced a smart piece of play in the 20th minute when he took an attacking kick on the full on the last tackle near the left touchline and immediately was able to pass the ball on the inside before he was taken into touch.
It was not just in an attacking sense that Haizyn Mellars was good in the air as was evidenced in the 22nd minute when he leapt high in his in-goal in defuse a bomb under pressure and then Haizyn Mellars wasted no time in racing the ball back to the twenty metre mark for the restart and was able to make eight metres as a result.
Haizyn Mellars took the ball on the full once again from a defensive perspective again in the 42nd minute, on that occasion however just out from his own line and then Haizyn Mellars fought his way eighteen metres downfield to get in the ball to near the hallway and was subsequently awarded a penalty when he was not afforded the opportunity to get to his feet quickly.
Haizyn Mellars was also strong defensively in the match including in the 18th minute when he came off his left wing to hit the Currumbin right centre just ten metres out when he was facing a two man overlap. Impressively Haizyn Mellars then raced back from marker to help hold up the Currumbin right second rower over the line.
Haizyn Mellars added a strong ball and all tackle in the 21st minute on his opposite number of Currumbin threatening ten metres out from the line.
Great to see Titans contracted Thomas Weaver representing PBC at the launch of the 2021 Langer Cup school boy competition this afternoon.
Titanic
17-05-21, 08:25 PM
Great to see Titans contracted Thomas Weaver representing PBC at the launch of the 2021 Langer Cup school boy competition this afternoon.A happy face doesn't do it justice :D
Mr Bods
17-05-21, 08:38 PM
Great to see Titans contracted Thomas Weaver representing PBC at the launch of the 2021 Langer Cup school boy competition this afternoon.
This is year one of a five year journey contemplating in the great TWeaver taking us to GF Glory
The electric Jett Forbes started at right centre yesterday for the Cudgen Hornets in Round Three of the NRRRL U18 competition against Casino RSM and once again showcased his elite speed scoring an outstanding solo try and also recording a try assist, line break other than in relation to his try and line break assist.
Jett Forbes scored in the 23rd minute, a what a try it was. Jett Forbes received the ball from his inside seventy metres away from the line and immediately got on the outside of the Casino RSM left sided defence and flew down the right touchline, with his feet admittedly going very close to the touchline on a couple of occasions. Jett Forbes however was able to step in the field of play and bring the ball around to score under the posts.
Jett Forbes other line break and try assist came on the same play in the 55th minute when from a Cudgen scrum win on the halfway mark Jett Forbes had to retrieve the ball on the bounce, dummying to his left and producing a left foot step to get through the line beating two defenders in the process. Jett Forbes slipped out of another tackle before offloading to five eight Max Liles to run away to score.
The 27th minute saw Jett Forbes record a line break assist when from another Cudgen scrum win he beat one defender with a left arm palm before drawing the Casino RSM winger and sending a pass to his right to send Toby Carpenter away down the sideline.
Titans contracted Kyhan Weir continued in the front row in Round Three of the NRRRL U18 competition on Sunday for the Ballina Seagulls against the Tweed Coast Raiders scoring his first try of the season all be it only playing the first half. Kyhan Weir was rested for the second half with Ballina leading 22 – 0.
Kyhan Weir scored in the 6th minute of the match when he charged onto the ball from four metres out and to the left of the dummy half. Kyhan Weir was just too big and strong for the defence easily bursting through the line to put the ball down under the posts.
Kyhan Weir’s first contribution in the match came in just the 2nd minute when he charged eighteen metres through the centre of the Tweed Coast forward pack. Then in the 9th minute Kyhan Weir, after a strong run produced a great right armed off-load then just a minute after that produced a left arm flick off-load highlighting his skill set to both sides of his body.
Later on Sunday afternoon In Round Three of the NRRRL First Grade competition, Kyhan Weir made his NRRRL First Grade debut when he came off the bench against the same opponents as in his U18 match.
Round Two of the GCRL U18 Division One competition on the weekend against the Currumbin Eagles saw Nerang’s Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki move to right centre after starting Round One at lock.
Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki had an outstanding match against the Eagles, including scoring in the 42nd minute of the match. Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki received a pass from Arama Hau who had drifted across to his right, with Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki hitting a hole sixteen metres out. Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki easily pushed off the first Eagles defender before initiating contact with another defender and spinning clockwise to break the contact before beating the fullback and then Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki was able to bring the ball around closer to the posts.
Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki recorded a line break assist when in the 38th minute, after beating one defender Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki produced a right arm flock pass to his winger to race down the right touchline only for the winger to bundled into touch just short of the try line.
Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki did well in the 11th minute when he somehow was able to stay in the field of play down the right touchline after being passed the ball with no room to move. Somehow Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki was able to maintain his balance and stay away from the touchline even after contact, breaking three tackles in the process.
The 29th minute saw Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki make an impressive twelve metres including breaking two tackles after cutting back to his left after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball.
Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki added another strong run to his outstanding match in the 32nd minute when he was able to get out of his own twenty metre area after running out of dummy half to the right from just two metres out from his own line. Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki added a strong fighting twelve metre run in the 57th minute.
Whilst Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki was outstanding running the ball, he was equally effective defensively including in the 14th minute when he smashed the Currumbin left winger who was trying to return a Nerang chip kick.
Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki produced another great defensive hit in the 19th minute when he smashed the Currumbin fullback just as he was taking possession with the ball flying loose as a result of Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki’s initial contact. Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki then made ten metres from the second tackle after the turnover that he generated from the big tackle.
Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki was not finished terrorising the Currumbin defence there when in the 22nd minute when the Currumbin left second rower the ball down a short blindside he ran directly into Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki’s right shoulder and was stopped dead two metres away from the try line.
Just three minutes later in the 25th minute, Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki was on hand to hold up the Eagles left centre over the line. Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki saved another try in the 34th minute when once again he held up the Currumbin left centre, on this occasion ten metres from the right goal post.
Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki’s outstanding defence continued in the second half including a strong tackle from the second half kick-off.
The Currumbin left centre bore the brunt of Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki’s strength once again in the 41st minute when Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki hit the centre, immediately stopping him in his tracks then driving him three metres backwards. Then from marker Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki followed the next run, producing a driving left shoulder low tackle.
In 2021 Titans contracted Arama Hau is playing once again for Nerang in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition with his first appearance coming in Round Two on the weekend of the U18 Division One competition when he started at five eight against the Currumbin Eagles.
I am not sure whether Arama Hau has ever played at five eight before but he had an outstanding match from the position and could not have started the match any better including fielding the kick off in his own in-goal and then he backed that up by taking the second hit-up of the match to get the ball thirty metres away from his own line.
Arama Hau recorded a try assist in the match in the 42nd minute when he drifted across field to his right and put his right centre Taniela Lotaki into a gap sixteen metres out.
One of the key features of Arama Hau’s match was his off-loading, the Eagles just could not handle it. Arama Hau’s first off-load came in the 7th minute when after taking the line on, Arama Hau was able to get the ball away to his hooker. The in the 12th minute, Arama Hau once again charged at the line to get within two metres before he was able to get his right arm free and off-load to Dorian Lotaki.
Another Arama Hau off-load came in the 29th minute when he ran the ball into the Currumbin defensive line and then was able to get his right arm free to offload to his fullback, Arama Hau stayed alive subsequently getting the ball back from the fullback and then Arama Hau burst through two tackles and once again producing a right arm off-load to get the play going.
Arama Hau took another hit-up in the 42nd minute to the left of the dummy half out to the thirty metre line before once again producing a right arm offload to his fullback to back a further ten metres.
In the 25th minute Arama Hau once again took the Currumbin line on with his effort starting just four metres out from his own line with Arama Hau getting the ball out to the twenty metre line before he was tackled. Arama Hau was subsequently awarded a penalty when he was prevented from getting to his feet. Arama Hau took a quick tap, making a further ten metres, before you guessed it, he offloaded once again with his right arm.
Just three minutes later in the 38th minute, Arama Hau one again produced a right arm offload after engaging the defensive line, on that occasions inside the attacking twenty metre area. In the 48th minute a right arm flock pass from Arama Hau after he had engaged the line from a Nerang scrum win enabled his right centre to make ten metres.
Arama Hau put an exclamation mark on his match in the 57th minute when he charged at the defensive line, making twelve metres before offloading to one of his front rowers with the pass coming less than ten metres from the try line.
Another player with Titans links that was part of the Langer Cup launch was Wavell State High School's Tyrell Waka-Rhind.
The young hooker came off the bench for the Titans U17 side early this year against Newcastle and was one of the Titans try scorers.
It was good to see Kovi Ngan-Woo make the most of his start in the front row for the Bilambil Jets on Sunday in Round Three of the NRRRL U18 competition against Northern United.
Kovi Ngan-Woo scored in just the second minute of the match when he charged straight through the Northern United defensive line from ten metres to crash over mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the left side of the field.
Kovi Ngan-Woo had already started the match strongly by taking the second hit-up of the match, making a solid fourteen metres. Then from the kick-up after his second minute try, Kovi Ngan-Woo once again charged at the Northern United line, making ten more metres.
Kovi Ngan-Woo made further metres from another kick-off (Kai Smallwood try) in the 34th minute, making fifteen metres when he charged straight at the giant Northern United forward pack.
After starting the opening two rounds of the NRRRL U18 competition at left centre, Bilambil’s Caleb Case moved to left second row for Round Three against Northern United scoring a try and breaking the Northern United line on two other occasions.
Caleb Case’s try came in the 53rd minute of the match when he burst through a gap fifty five metres out from the line and was far too quick for the Northern United cover defence to put the ball down ten metres from the left upright.
Caleb Case broke the Northern United line on the first occasion in the 13th minute when he moved into dummy half thirty metres out from his own line and a metre in from the right touchline. Caleb Case picked up the ball and darted down the right touchline making forty five metres before being tackled by the Northern United fullback.
Caleb Case’s second line break of the match came in the 49th minute, when once again he charged through a gap, making thirty metres before the Northern United fullback was able to stop him.
Caleb Case’s afternoon got off to a good start in the opening set of six when after a strong 4th hit-up of the match he was able to get away on off-load.
Hikoirangi Paki started at fullback in Round Two against Runaway Bay on the weekend and scored since his early 2021 move from Auckland.
In the 16th minute he was on the end of a Southport movement to the right. Hikoirangi Paki received the ball in space ten metres from the try line and headed towards the right corner. At the last moment Hikoirangi Paki cut back towards his left as two Seagulls defenders went flying by to dive over.
In the 23rd minute Hikoirangi Paki almost scored his second try of the match when he got within a metre of the try line after receiving the ball on the right side of the field fifteen metres out before cutting back towards the goal posts.
Hikoirangi Paki also did well defensively in the match including in the 41st minute when he was able to hold up the Runaway Bay left second rower with Southport holding a narrow lead.
Bilambil Jet’s Kai Smallwood continued his run of starts at halfback on Sunday in Round Three of the NRRRL U18 competition against Northern United having an exceptional match in the Jets big 44 – 4 win.
For me, Kai Smallwood was easily the best player on the field, scoring two tries and recording three try assists as well as kicking six conversions to finish with an individual points haul of twenty points, being 45% of Bilambil’s total points in the match.
Kai Smallwood scored his first try in the 20th minute of the match with Kai Smallwood passing the ball to his right and then backing up on the inside to receive the ball back and then Kai Smallwood was able to run thirty metres untouched to put the ball down under the posts.
Kai Smallwood added his second try in the 32nd minute when once again he was operating on the right,. Kai Smallwood ran the ball down a short right blind side, running at the lien from ten metres out. Kai Smallwood dummied to his right before slicing through the line to score five metres in from the right corner post.
Kai Smallwood’s initial try assist came in just the 11th minute when he received the ball on the left side of the field, dummying to his inside before popping a good short pass to his left to put Connor Jenner into a gap five metres out with the second rower diving over.
Kai Smallwood added his second try assist in the in the 17th minute. After receiving the ball on the right, Kai Smallwood double pumped his pass to put Jye Brady into a gap with the lock running twenty metres to score.
The 47th minute say Kai Smallwood record his third try assist when he threw a long cut out pass to his right that was taken by Jye Brady who comfortably scored.
Kai Smallwood could have had a fourth try assist when he drifted to his left to put Cooper Jenner into a gap five metres out in the first half but his final pass was called forward.
Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr started at right centre in just his second match in Australia for Southport in Round Two of the GCRL U18 Division One competition against Runaway Bay over the weekend and in just the 2nd minute of the match he made a strong burst of fourteen metres from a hit-up to the right of the dummy half with Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr initially receiving the ball just eight metres out from his own line.
Then in the 5th minute Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr broke two tackles when running the ball off a Tigers scrum win, making sixteen strong metres with at least half of those post contact metres. Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr made another strong run from a Southport scrum win in the 7th minute making a further ten metres.
Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr hard working start to the match continued when he took the second hit-up from the kick-off after the first Southport try making ten metres to get the ball outside of his own twenty metre area.
The 18th minute saw Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr record a line break directly from the kick-off after Southport’s second try. Southport let the kick-off bounce and it actually bounced back towards the oncoming Runaway Bay chasers. Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr charged forward retrieving the ball at full speed and then ran straight through two defenders to get the ball back to the forty metre line.
Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr continued to highlight that he can run all sorts of routes when in the 22nd minute he came back underneath one of his playmakers running to his left and backing sixteen metres to get within twenty metres of the try line.
Just a minute later in the 23rd minute, Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr ran out of dummy half once again getting within two metres of the line after a strong fourteen metre run after running to his right.
Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr had a line break assist in the match as well when in the 33rd minute he moved over to the left side of the field for a set move off the back of a scrum, drawing in both his immediate defender as well as the Seagulls right winger to put his own winger away down the left touchline.
Whilst he was one of the most dangerous ball runners in the match, Atunaisa Pahulu Jnr did not ignore his defensive duties, including in the 28th minute when he made a strong tackle on the Seagulls fullback who had run down a short right blindside.
It was good to see Titans contracted Seth Nikotemo start from the bench for Runaway Bay as they took on Southport in Round Two of the GCRL U18 Division One competition.
Seth Nikotemo lined up at right second row when he came on and scored in the 36th minute of the match.
Seth Nikotemo pounced on a Seagulls dropped ball that had been knocked back, picking the ball up ten metres out, Seth Nikotemo was able to hold off one defender with his left arm as he charged towards the line, getting the ball down in the right corner.
As a result of this weekend’s Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts bye week, Titans contracted Tristian Powell moves to the Burleigh Gold Coast Rugby League side, being named to start at lock in Round Three against the Mudgeeraba Redbacks
After spending the 2020/21 off-season training with the Titans NRL squad Tristian Powell’s first 2021 hit-up came in mid-February when he started from the bench for the Titans in their first trial against the Burleigh Bears coming on for the second half at lock. Tristian Powell as in fact named to start at lock but moved to the bench to accommodate Herman Ese Ese coming into the Titans starting side.
Mid-way through the second half, Tristian Powell also scored his first try in a Titans jersey when he received the ball and charged ten metres towards the line but was brought down less than a metres away from the line.
Defensively Tristian Powell had some outstanding moments in the match including a try saving tackle in the 56th minute of the match when a last ditch tackle on Burleigh’s Shallin Fuller prevented a try after Tristian Powell had moved quickly to his left.
Tristian Powell was on hand once again in the 62nd minute to prevent another try when his heavy contact after moving to his right saved another try.
A week later Tristian Powell started from the bench for Burleigh in their Queensland Cup trial against the Easts Tigers. Tristian Powell then started at lock for Burleigh Second’s side in their final 2021 Queensland Cup trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Tristian Powell start in the front row for the Burleigh Bears when they took on the Easts Tigers and he took the first hit-up of the match after the Tigers had kicked off.
Tristian Powell came close to scoring himself in the 8th minute he ran an underneath route making ten metres to get within two metres of the try line. With Burleigh scoring later in the same set of six tackles through Sam McIntyre. From the subsequent Easts kick-off, Tristian Powell took the first hit-up getting the ball back to near the twenty metre mark.
Tristian Powell made a further strong run from the kick-off after Lofi Khan-Pereira’s try getting the ball back to the eighteen metre mark. Then in the 60th minute took yet another hit-up, dummying to his right before making thirteen metres to get within twelve metres of the line.
Tristian Powell’s strength and endurance was only enhanced by the training that he did with the Titans NRL squad and his constant effort through Round One against Easts proved that. In addition to all that he had previously done in the match, Tristian Powell in the 66th minute continued to work hard with a twelve metre run after a Ronin Rio intercept.
Tristian Powell’s strength was not just displayed running with the ball but also in defence including in the 67th minute when after the Tigers right winger broke through the line and when he tried to step Tristian Powell he was monstered by the big front rower.
Tristian Powell also started in the front row in the Round Two local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls, getting involved in the first tackle of the match on Tweed Heads front rower Ben Liyou alongside team mates, Jayden Sharp and Blake Campbell.
In the 54th minute Tristian Powell was involved in one of the stranger tries that you will see. After Burleigh had kicked off after a Tweed Heads try, the ball hit the right goal post on the full bouncing back into the field. Tristian Powell had run downfield from the kick-off and was able to retrieve the ball on the bounce and get to within eleven metres of the line. Replacement hooker Vaka Sikahele ran from dummy half after Tristian Powell had played the ball to score.
In the set of six after the try Tristian Powell was able to make an additional ten metres down a short left blindside on the second tackle and then made a further fifteen metres from a hit-up on the 4th tackle of the same set.
Tristian Powell also started in the front row in Round Three against the Western Mustangs but moved back to start in the second row in Round Four against the Norths Devils.
Tristian Powell also started in the second row in Round Five against the Ipswich Jets and scored his first try of the season in the Bears big win.
Titans contracted Syris Schmidt will start at No. 10 (fly half) on Saturday for TSS in the opening set of 2021 GPS school boy rugby First XV trials as TSS play round robin matches against Churchie and Gregory Terrace.
Fellow Titans contracted TSS students, Kaleb Ngamanu and Nic Hilton are on stand-by for the matches which is understandable as both will line up for the South Coast Open school boy rugby league side for the U18 QSSRL Championships next week.
Toby Sexton was deservedly named in the Titans extended bench for Round Eleven this weekend for the Titans home match against the Canterbury Bulldogs.
Toby Sexton’s first 2021 hit-out came in mid-February when he started at five eight for the Titans in their first trial against the Burleigh Bears. Whilst a lot of the play went to the left with Toby Sexton on the right, he did have some good moments in the match in both attack and defence.
Toby Sexton produced an impressive line break in in the 35th minute of the match when after receiving the ball from Erin Clark he stepped off his left foot beat two defenders and break through the centre of the Burleigh ruck, making thirty five metres before being brought down by the fullback.
Toby Sexton also made a long run in the 69th minute when he backed up on the inside of a Tremain Spry break from a Titans scrum win inside their own twenty. Once he received the ball toby Sexton stepped off his left to beat one defender running twenty metres downfield before off-loading to his left.
A minute later, Toby Sexton almost caught the Burleigh defence napping when, on the sixth tackle, Toby Sexton dummied to his left and took off towards the line from ten metres out, only to be brought down just centremetres short of the try line.
Defensively Toby Sexton produced an outstanding front on tackle in the 21st minute jarring the ball lose to gain a Titans scrum feed.
The following week Toby Sexton started from the bench for the Titans in their final 2021 NRL trial against the New Zealand Warriors at Lismore. Toby Sexton played the final quarter of the Titans 12 all draw with the Warriors and produced a good right foot kick to the right corner to force the Warriors to drop out from their own line.
In his time on the field Toby Sexton ran for twenty eight metres (twelve post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.17 seconds and had a 100% tackling efficiency whilst making ten tackles.
As he has been in previous seasons, Toby Sexton was allocated to the Tweed Heads Seagulls when the Titans allocated their players to their Gold Coast based feeder clubs with Toby Sexton part of the Seagulls squad for their final Queensland Cup trial against local rivals, being the Burleigh Bears, starting the match at halfback and scoring late in the first half when he stepped his way through the Burleigh defence to score under the posts.
Toby Sexton controlled Tweed heads attack well in the match and also kicked well including forcing a Burleigh goal line drop out with a well weighted grubber in the 20th minute of the first half which Kurtis Rowe was forced to dive on in his own in-goal.
Toby Sexton was also perfect with the boot kicking three conversions from as many attempts including a great kick from the sideline to convert a Ryland Jacobs first half try as well as converting his own first half try.
Toby Sexton made his Queensland Cup debut in Round One of the 2021 season when he started at halfback for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Central Queensland Capra’s.
Toby Sexton had an outstanding debut including scoring in the second half as Tweed Heads came back from a half time deficit. Toby Sexton ran across field to the right and sliced through the Capra’s line from around twenty metres out to dive over ten metres from the right upright.
Playing all eighty minutes of the match, Toby Sexton ran for sixty six metres (twelve post contact), broke one tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.6 seconds and made twenty two tackles at a tackling efficiency of 95.65%.
As a result of his outstanding Round One match, Toby Sexton also was set to start at halfback in Round Two against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls however Covid protocols were initiated and Toby Sexton had to withdraw from the side.
Toby Sexton was back starting at halfback for Tweed Heads in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies and once again was impressive collecting two try assists, with both tries being scored by Sam McIntyre in the Seagulls 40 – 24 victory.
Toby Sexton’s first try assist came in the 12th minute, when from forty metres out he ran to the right before stepping off his right foot to get through the line. As the cover got to Toby Sexton he was able to get away a great right arm offload away to Sam McIntyre who was able to score under the posts.
Toby Sexton’s second try assist of the match arrived in the second half when took the ball into the defensive line before putting in a right foot grubber kick which after it passed through the line, sat up ideally for Sam McIntyre to take at full pace to score.
Playing the entire eighty minutes Toby Sexton ran for sixty three metres (fifteen post contact), made a line break, kicked seven times for 145 metres and made twenty one tackles at a tackling efficiency of 91.3%.
Toby Sexton continued at halfback in Round Four against the Burleigh Bears, scoring once again as well as recording a try assist for Joseph Vuna and also being heavily involved in the Seagulls opening try of their 16 – 12 victory.
Toby Sexton’s try was not in any sense of the word a regulation one. Tweed Heads kicked into the Burleigh in goal with Bears half Guy Hamilton retrieving the ball and bringing it back into play. Toby Sexton engaged Hamilton a couple of metres out from the ball and did a great job of holding him off the ground and when help arrived they started to push Hamilton back towards the in-goal. In the course of being dragged towards the in-goal the ball came loose with Toby Sexton retrieving the ball above his head and putting it down under the posts.
Toby Sexton’s try assist came in the second half when he took the ball to the line on the right, putting in a grubber through the Bears line with the ball sitting up for Joseph Vuna to charge through to retrieve and get the ball down wide out on the right.
Playing the entire eighty minutes, Toby Sexton in addition to his try and try assist ran for thirty two metres (five post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed to 3.28 seconds and made twenty seven tackles at a tackling efficiency of 90%. Toby Sexton also kicked on seven occasions making 145 metres in the process.
Toby Sexton started once again at halfback in Round Five against the Redcliffe Dolphins, recording another try assist when he took the ball to the line on the right before popping a good short ball to his right to put Joseph Vuna over from close range. Playing all eighty minutes, Toby Sexton made eleven tackles and kicked on four occasions making 162 metres.
Toby Sexton continued his run of starts at halfback in Round Six against the Ipswich Jets. In his eighty minutes on the field, Toby Sexton had a line break assist, played the ball at an average speed of 3.37 seconds, made nineteen tackles at a 95% tackling efficiency and kicked on five occasions, making 101 metres.
Toby Sexton also started at halfback in Round Seven against the Northern Pride recording a try assist when he put in a chip kick for Jayden Campbell to retrieve on the first bounce and race away to score.
Playing all eighty minutes, Toby Sexton ran for sixty seven metres (eight post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.09 seconds, made twenty four tackles at a 96% tackling efficiency and kicked on twelve occasions making 245 metres.
Even though Jayden Campbell was still on an NRL Development contract at the time, he was deservedly named on the Titans extended bench for the Titans NRL Round Nine match against the Wests Tigers. Whilst he did not make the final seventeen for the match, Jayden Campbell did travel to Sydney with the NRL squad and also undertook the warm-up with the side prior to the match.
Jayden Campbell was also named on the Titans extended bench for Round Ten against the Penrith Panthers as well as for Round Eleven this weekend against the Canterbury Bulldogs.
After spending the 2020/21 off-season training with the Titans NRL squad Jayden Campbell’s first 2021 hit-out came in mid-February when he started at fullback for the Titans in their first trial against the Burleigh Bears. Jayden Campbell almost scored in the match when he backed up a Lofi Khan-Pereira break down the right touchline but the pass back inside to Jayden Campbell just could not be taken.
Jayden Campbell made a plethora of half breaks in the match seemingly poking his nose through the line every time that he touched the ball but he did break the line in the 31st minute when he came forward at full speed to take a Burleigh dropped ball and got to within three metres of the line after initially retrieving the ball twenty five metres from the line.
Also Jayden Campbell almost made a line break from his first kick return of the second half. Jayden Campbell retrieved the ball and skipped to his right only to be just caught as he was accelerating through a gap.
In the 49th minute Jayden Campbell came forward at full speed to take a midfield bomb on the full and then blew through the on rushing defensive line but was rounded up when he skipped to his right with only one defender to beat.
Jayden Campbell also handle his defensive assignments well including being one of four Titans on hand to hold up Burleigh front rower Luke Page just centremetres from the try line mid-way through the second half. Jayden Campbell was in try saving mode again in the 72nd minute when the covering tackle that he made in the right corner with Jonas Pearson stopped the Burleigh left winger from scoring in the corner.
After multiple seasons with the Burleigh Bears, Jayden Campbell moved to the Tweed Heads Seagulls when the Titans allocated their players to their Gold Coast based feeder clubs with Jayden Campbell starting at fullback in the Seagulls final Queensland Cup trial against local rivals, being the Burleigh Bears.
Jayden Campbell was in the match early making a number of critical defensive reads in the opening minutes as the Seagulls found themselves defending their own line for most of the opening ten minutes.
Jayden Campbell’s elusiveness was on display for all to see early in the second half when in his own in-goal, he retrieved a Tannah Boyd attacking kick and produced a devastating step to get out of the in-goal, making ten further metres before being brought down.
Jayden Campbell made his Queensland Cup debut in Round One of the 2021 season when he started at fullback for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Central Queensland Capra’s and what a debut the young man had, including breaking a staggering fifteen tackles as well as contributing a try assist and a line break assist.
Jayden Campbell’s try assist came during the Seagulls second half fight back. Jayden Campbell chimed into the backline on the right side of the field, receiving the ball twelve metres out from the line. Upon receiving the ball Jayden Campbell cut to his right, taking a couple of steps parallel to the defensive line which momentarily froze them in place and then put a short ball to his right into the chest of Tremain Spry who burst over the try line ten metres in from the right corner post.
In addition to the stats noted above, Jayden Campbell whilst playing the entire eight minutes ran for 127 metres (twenty seven post contact and thirty five from kick returns), played the ball at an average speed of 3.55 seconds and made five tackles at a tackling efficiency of 83.33%.
As a result of his outstanding Round One match, Jayden Campbell was set to start at fullback in Round Two against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls however Covid protocols were initiated and Jayden Campbell had to withdraw from the side.
Jayden Campbell was back starting at fullback for Tweed Heads in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies scoring his first career Queensland Cup try in the 57th minute in the Seagulls impressive 40 – 26 victory, a match which saw him once again play all eighty minutes.
Jayden Campbell’s career first Queensland Cup try was certainly worth the wait. Tweed Heads were attacking inside the Magpies twenty and spun the ball from left to right, with Jayden Campbell receiving to the right of the uprights twenty metres out from the line. Jayden Campbell took the ball right to the line, before putting in a right foot grubber kick which was ideally weighted with Jayden Campbell flying through to ground the ball in the in-goal next to the right upright in between two Souths Logan defenders.
In addition to his try Jayden Campbell made a team leading 168 metres (thirty two post contact), made a line break, broke five tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.68 seconds, kicked once making fourteen metres and made three tackles.
Jayden Campbell continued at fullback in Round Four against his former club, the Burleigh Bears once again playing all eighty minutes as Tweed Heads prevailed 16 – 12 in a tight encounter.
In his eighty minutes, Jayden Campbell ran for eighty eight metres (thirty nine post contact), made a team leading five tackle breaks, played the ball at an average speed of 3.41 seconds and made a tackle.
Jayden Campbell started once again at fullback in Round Five against the Redcliffe Dolphins and scored another outstanding solo try, Jayden Campbell also recorded a try assist in the Seagulls impressive 28 – 16 victory.
Jayden Campbell’s try came in the first half when he came forward to take a bomb on the full eight two metres out from the line. As soon as he took the ball, Jayden Campbell stepped off his left to beat one defender before a right foot step saw him break into space before he easily rounded the fullback to his left and then Jayden Campbell easily outpaced the cover defence to score ten metres in from the left corner post.
Jayden Campbell’s try assist also came in the first half and once again was impressive. Jayden Campbell chimed into the backline as Tweed Heads spun the ball to the right, receiving the ball twenty metres out and took the ball right to the line before throwing a cut out pass to his right to put his winger over in the corner.
Playing the entire eighty minutes, Jayden Campbell ran for a team leading 217 metres (twenty three post contact), broke a team leading eleven tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 2.82 seconds and made six tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
After missing Round Six as a result of being in the Titans 19 man NRL travelling squad against the Wests Tigers, Jayden Campbell started at fullback in Round Seven against the Northern Pride, scoring a hat trick in an 18 all draw.
Jayden Campbell’s first try came in the first half when he chimed into the Seagulls backline on the right, receiving the ball twenty metres out. When he received the ball, Jayden Campbell slipped with a defender going right over the top of him. Jayden Campbell bounced to his feet, cutting back to his left. As he came to the next set of defenders, Jayden Campbell put in a grubber into the in-goal between defenders and raced through to dive on the ball to the left of the uprights.
Jayden Campbell scored his second try once again down the right when he chased through a Toby Sexton chip kick, getting to the ball just prior to the onrushing Pride fullback and racing away to score under the posts.
Jayden Campbell completed his hat trick when he sliced through the Northern Pride defence, fifty metres out, easily stepping the fullback to once again run away to score under the posts.
Jayden Campbell ran for a team leading 298 metres (fifty three post contact), broke the defensive line, broke a team leading (and staggering) seventeen tackles, defended two kicks, played the ball at ana average speed of 2.39 seconds and made five tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
Talented Coombabah Year 7/8 half Hunter Wilson led his school to a solid 20-12 win against Marymount College in their Round Five Titans Cup match this evening.
Young front rower Zachairiah Siulepa has moved over to the Gold Coast from Western Australia to play for the Burleigh Bears in the 2021 GCRL U18 Division One competition, starting Round One of that competition against the Nerang Roosters in the front row.
Zachairiah Siulepa dropped back to start from the bench in Round Two last weekend as the Bears took on the Helensvale Hornets coming on late in the first half, playing in the front row and not long after coming on the field Zachairiah Siulepa made his presence felt with a strong tackle on the Helensvale right second rower. The 33rd minute then saw Zachairiah Siulepa monster one of the Hornets interchange forwards.
Zachairiah Siulepa almost scored his first try since his move to the Gold Coast when in the 34th minute he rumbled forward from ten metres out from the try line and it took four Helensvale defenders to hold him up over the line adjacent to the left upright.
In 2019 Zachairiah Siulepa was part of the Western Australian U15 School Boys side that played in the U15 ASSRL U15 National Championships scoring in Western Australia’s second match of the Championships against Victoria when he got low and was too strong for the Victorian defence close to the try line with Zachairiah Siulepa getting the ball down next to the right upright.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Darius Farmer:
Darius Farmer’s first 2021 hit-out came in mid-February when he started in the front row for the Titans in their first trial against the Burleigh Bears. Darius Farmer actually crossed the line in the early going in the match but his try was called back for an obstruction as he was adjudged to have run behind a team mate in the lead up.
Over the course of the match Darius Farmer highlighted his strength including when in the 11th minute he held and then forced back Burleigh front rower Luke Page when it looked likely Page would score from close range. Darius Farmer was also heavily involved defensively including flattening Burleigh half Guy Hamilton with a rib rattling hit early in the match.
Round Eight of the 2021 NRL competition saw Darius Farmer named on the Titans extended bench for their match against the Brisbane Bronco’s.
After multiple seasons with the Burleigh Bears, Darius Farmer moved to the Tweed Heads Seagulls when the Titans allocated their players to their Gold Coast based feeder clubs with Darius Farmer part of the Seagulls Seconds squad for their final Queensland Cup trial against local rivals, being the Burleigh Bears with Darius Farmer starting in the front row and producing some huge hits in defence in his time on the field.
Darius Farmer made his Queensland Cup debut for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round One of the 2021 season when he started on the bench for the Seagulls against the Central Queensland Capra’s.
Even though he was only in the field for thirty minutes of the match, Darius Farmer certainly made his presence felt running for seventy four metres (twenty seven post contact), broke one tackle, played the ball at an average speed for 3.45 seconds and had a 100% tackling efficiency whilst making eight tackles.
Darius Farmer also was set to come off the bench in Round Two against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls however Covid protocols were initiated and Darius Farmer had to withdraw from the side.
Darius Farmer was back coming off the bench for Tweed Heads in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies and recorded his first career Queensland Cup try in the 70th minute when he ran a straight crash line from three metres out. After contacting the defence, Darius Farmer spun counter clockwise to twist his way over next to the right upright.
Whilst Darius Farmer only played the final twenty nine minutes of the match, he certainly made the most of each minute, running for ninety eight metres (thirty nine post contact), made a line break, broke a team leading six tackles and made ten tackles of his own.
Darius Farmer continued operating from the bench in Round Four against the Burleigh Bears in this match playing seventeen minutes. In that time Darius Farmer ran for thirty nine metres (ten post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 4.07 seconds and made eight tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
Darius Farmer started once again from the bench in Round Five against the Redcliffe Dolphins, playing thirty nine minutes, running for eighty two metres (forty two post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.85 seconds and made twenty three tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.46%.
Darius Farmer also was named to start from the bench in Round Six against the Ipswich Jets however he in fact started the match at lock, playing twenty two minutes. In that time Darius Farmer ran for thirty seven metres (eleven post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 4.43 seconds and made eleven tackles at a tackling efficiency of 91.67%.
Darius Farmer was also named to start from the bench in Round Seven against the Northern Pride, however once again he started the match at lock, playing thirty three minutes, running for ninety five metres (forty two post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.67 seconds and made fourteen tackles.
Darius Farmer has moved into the Tweed Heads starting side in Round Eight against the Easts Tigers, being named to start the match in the front row.
The 2021 season to date for Titans NRL Development contract holder Tony Francis:
The powerhouse former Marsden State High School centre, five eight or fullback is a Titans contracted youngster who started training with the Titans after a number of seasons in the Brisbane Bronco’s junior development system after moving to Brisbane from Sydney where he was part of the Manly Sea Eagles Junior Development Program.
In January 2021 Tony Francis was part of the Titans U19 squad that took on the Newcastle Knights in their annual match in Coffs Harbour, starting the match at left centre with the Titans recording an impressive victory 40 – 6 against the Knights.
Tony Francis’s first involvement in the match was when he chased through a Thomas Weaver midfield high kick and crunched the Knights fullback just as he took possession of the ball.
Tony Francis performed exceptionally well in the match, scoring in the second half when he charged onto a pass from Oskar Bryant down a short blind side, running over a defender before getting the ball down under heavy pressure.
Tony Francis proved a handful for the Knights right sided defence on multiple occasions in the match including a bustling first up run when he beat two Knights defenders to make his presence in the match felt. Tony Francis was at it again late in the first half when he surged fifteen metres down field, a majority of which was post contact metres when he ran off a good pass from Oskar Bryant who had darted out of dummy half.
Tony Francis also had some good moments defensively in the match, including a heavy well timed hit on the Knights right centre (No. 3) early in the match. From a Newcastle scrum win the Knights threw the ball out to their right, with a long pass being thrown to the right centre. Tony Francis identified the situation early and come out of the line to hit the Knights centre front on just a fraction after the ball got to the centre. Tony Francis drove his shoulder literally through the centres chest , stopping all of the Knights, and the centres, momentum.
A week after the match against the Newcastle Knights Tony Francis once again lined up for the Titans U19’s starting once again at left centre as they took on a Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad with the Titans winning 32 – 20 with no conversions attempted.
Tony Francis did not take long to make an impact in the match, taking a strong hit-up in the opening set of six from the kick with a twelve metre surge down the left side of the field.
Just minutes later, Tony Francis had an even bigger impact on the match when he charged into a gap, receiving a good pass from Jaylan De Groot in the process to charge fifteen minutes to get the ball down five metres in from the left corner after a twelve metre burst.
Tony Francis was again in the action in the 25th minute of the first half with yet another strong charge down the left of twenty metres after being put into a gap by Thomas Weaver.
Tony Francis followed up his 25th minute line break with an even more impressive thirty five metre effort just five minutes later when he rumbled downfield, initially bumping off two defenders who had tried to tackle him chest on. Tony Francis then got rid of two further defenders in quick succession with right arm fends.
Just weeks after Tony Francis suited up for the Titans against Burleigh, Tony Francis was in a Burleigh jersey lining up for the Bears in a Hastings Deering’s Colts trial against the Easts Tigers at Langland’s Park. Starting at left centre, Tony Francis was one of Burleigh’s best, alongside fellow contracted Titan Isaac Matalavea-Booth in the match that ended up in a twenty all draw.
Tony Francis was one of the Bears try scorers when he crossed for a powerful try late in the first half. Tony Francis came back underneath Cameron Brown who had run to his right and passed back to Tony Francis who received the ball ten metres out charging onto the ball and beating three defenders to score ten metres away from the left upright.
Tony Francis also had a first half line break assist, when he showed quick hands to catch and pass to his left to put the Burleigh left winger into space down the left touchline for a thirty metre gain.
Earlier in the match, in the 25th minute to be precise, Tony Francis made a strong ten metre charge when he, like he did for his try, ran on underneath play with Cameron Brown to make a ten metre gain.
Defensively Tony Francis was also very strong in the match including a big front on tackle in the 27th minute of the first half on his opposing centre which forced the Easts Tigers centre sideways.
When he came back onto the field late in the second half, Tony Francis showed his versatility, playing right centre.
The following week in the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls, Tony Francis was once again in the starting side but this time at right centre and was once again as his damaging best scoring a first half double as Burleigh rounded out their 2021 Hastings Deering’s trial campaign with a solid win.
It took only four minutes for Tony Francis to score his first try of the match. Tony Francis was able to get on the outside of his direct opponent within ten metres of the try line and from there was able to hold the defender off with his left arm whilst maintaining his balance and running line to score two metres in from the right corner post.
Tony Francis’s second try of the first half came in the 20th minute when Tony Francis received the ball on is inside from Jacob Hall and once gain got outside of his opposing defender and bumping off another to get the ball down four metres in from the right corner post.
In the 24th minute Tony Francis continued his outstanding start to the match with a strong twenty metre charge through centre field, breaking three tackles before three additional Tweed Heads had to commit to the tackle to bring Tony Francis down.
Tony Francis came back onto the field for his second stint in the second half, once again at right centre and it came as no surprise when in the 62nd minute Tony Francis proved exceptionally difficult to stop. Tony Francis made a great bullocking run across field that ultimately made twenty five metres down field breaking four tackles before he was put on the ground.
Tony Francis’s strength was highlighted in the 64th minute when he came in off the right side to bend back Tweed Heads Ben Liyou who ran the ball to Tony Francis’s side of the field.
Tony Francis deservedly took the final hit-up of the match with the final siren sounding just as he was going to ground in his own twenty metre area.
In early May 2021 a Titans U19 side travelled to North Queensland to play an U19 Cowboys selection in a curtain raiser to a Cowboys v Broncos NRL match with Tony Francis starting the match at right centre for the Titans.
Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Tony Francis start at right centres for the Burleigh Bears when they took on the Easts Tigers with Tony Francis scoring for the Bears in their 42 – 24 opening round victory.
Tony Francis scored in the 30th minute, once again highlighting his speed and power. After some good work on his inside by his forward’s Tony Francis cut to his left to run an underneath route and receive the hand off from TJ Devery. From there Tony Francis literally ran over the Easts fullback to slam the ball down over the line ten metres in from the right corner post.
Whilst he cannot be put down for a try assist Tony Francis was involved in Will Evans 50 minute try all be it in a unique way. On his inside, Cameron Brown identified that there was space to the right and threw a long cut out pass. The ball was not going to reach Tony Francis on the full so in an effort to retain possession Tony Francis tried to trap the ball with his left foot, but instead to stopping the ball dead, the ball spun of his foot to the left and directly into the path of Will Evans who picked up the ball ten metres out and was able to dive over between defenders to score near the right corner.
In the 29th Tony Francis highlighted his explosiveness when he took the tap kick from a Burleigh twenty metre restart, bursting twelve metres downfield with three Easts forwards trying to drag him to the ground.
Tony Francis showed his wide ranging skill set in the 64th minute with a run that started near the left wing and finished on the opposite side of the field. Initially when he received the ball Tony Francis was forty metres out and hemmed in on three sides, Tony Francis pulled back and cut back towards the centre of the field twice, when he was confronted a third time Tony Francis exquisitely put in a left foot chip that he followed through a retrieved on the first bounce before offloading to his left.
Whilst his effort did not produce a try or line break it was just a little window to how much skill this young man has.
Tony Francis produced a more traditional run in the 76th minute when after dummying to his right, Tony Francis put the ball under his arm on the halfway mark and after getting on the outside of his direct opponent made fifteen metres of valuable ground.
Tony Francis made a statement defensively in the 34th minute when he along with TJ Devery made a heavy driving tackle in the East forward unlucky enough to run the ball towards them from a Burleigh kick-off. Tony Francis added to his defensive credentials in the 42nd minute when he made the correct decision to come out of the line when he was facing an overlap to smash the Easts halfback just as he was about to pass to his right and spring the overlap.
The 77th minute saw Tony Francis continue to be strong defensively when a great one on one wrapping tackle on the East left centre nullified a promising Tigers attacking raid.
Tony Francis also started at right centre in the Round Two local derby against the Tweed heads Seagulls and in the 16th minute with Burleigh under pressure, took some of that pressure off coming infield to take a hit-out of his own twenty metre area, with the ten metres that Tony Francis made all hard metres.
Tony Francis made additional hard earned ground in the 25th minute when he broke two tackles on the way to making ten metres down the right side of the field.
Tony Francis moved to left centre for Round Three against the Western Mustangs, scoring in the second half in Burleigh’s thirty point victory. Toby Francis moved into dummy half in the 66th minute five metres out from the try line and five metres in from the left touchline. After picking up the ball Tony Francis ran to his left, down the short blind side and powered his way over in the left corner.
After missing Round Four due to playing for the Titans U19 side, Tony Francis was named to start Round Five against the Northern Pride at left centre however he was a late scratching from the match.
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