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Last night Titans contracted Reef Sommerville continued at left centre for PBC in Round Six of the Lnager Cup against Mabel Park State High School with the tall centre scoring PBC’s opening try of the match.
In the 23rd minute, Oskar Bryant received to the ball to the left of the play the ball around twenty metres from the line and immediately ran a diagonal route at the defensive line and was able to draw in a Mable Park defender and then threw a good short ball to his left to a charging Reef Sommerville who ran through a gap to score seven metres in from the left corner post.
Late in the second half Reef Sommerville made a great line break of around thirty five metres from deep inside his own territory to get the ball into Mabel Park SHS territory before he was eventually brought to ground.
Last night for Ipswich SHS Titans contracted Shannon Subritzky-Stewart started at right centre in Round Six of the Langer Cup against St Mary’s College Toowoomba with Shannon Subritzky-Stewart recording a late first half try assist with a great catch and pass effort when under extreme pressure just out from the try line to put his right winger over in the corner.
Shannon Subritzky-Stewart resigned with the Titans for a further couple of seasons in early November 2020.
Round One of the 2021 Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League competition saw Shannon Subritzky-Stewart named at right centre for Ipswich State High School against PBC.
Shannon Subritzky-Stewart also started at right centre in Round Three against Keebra Park State High School and had an impressive match even though his team went down in a high quality match that saw Shannon Subritzky-Stewart trouble the Keebra Park left sided defence on more than one occasion including in the 46th minute with a great right channel charge of sixteen metres to get within four metres of the line.
Whilst Shannon Subritzky-Stewart carried the ball strongly in the match, it was his defence that probably stood out, including a great tackle in the 27th minute when he got low and held up Keebra Park’s Blaze Mozer who had tried to sneak over from dumm half. Shannon Subritzky-Stewart initially held the Keebra Park hooker up before flipping him onto his back with the ball subsequently coming loose.
Shannon Subritzky-Stewart also started at right centre in Round Four against Coombabah State High School and recorded a try assist in the 42nd minute when he showed a deft touch with an off-load to his right to put his winger over in the right corner.
Shannon Subritzky-Stewart also started at right centre in Round Five against Wavell State High School.
Last night’s Langer Cup Round Six against Mabel Park State High School saw PBC’s and Titans contracted Michael Roberts move closer to the action, starting the match at right centre and in the 26th minute scored a long range ninety try which saw him put the ball down under the posts.
Michael Roberts was also PBC’s first choice goal kicker for the match and kicked three conversions from four attempts including a good kick in the 23rd minute from near the left touchline after Reef Sommerville had scored wide out.
Titans contracted Joseph Shannon started in the front row last night in Round Six of the Langer Cup for Coombabah State High School against Marsden State High School and was his usual aggressive self against the giant Marsden State High School forward pack and as usual Joseph Shannon was able to showcase his off-loading skills including in the 5th minute with a great charge near halfway and then was able to get his right arm free to get away a trademark Joseph Shannon off-load.
Great to see the Titans formalise a partnership with Coombabah State High School.
That makes it four of the Top Queensland Rugby League High Schools now officially under the Titans banner.
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2021/07/29/titans-and-coombabah-state-high-school-formalise-partnership/
PBC and Titans contracted Oskar Bryant was named to continue at hooker in Round Six of the Langer Cup last night against Mabel Park State High School, however he in fact started the match at halfback and recorded a try assist for PBC’s opening try of the match.
In the 23rd minute, Oskar Bryant received to the ball to the left of the play the ball around twenty metres from the line and immediately ran a diagonal route at the defensive line and was able to draw in a Mable Park defender and then threw a good short ball to his left to a charging Reef Sommerville who ran through through a gap to score seven metres in from the left corner post.
The in the second half, Oskar Bryant showed that his defensive technique that he has honed whilst at hooker, is not wasted at halfback when near the halfway mark one of the giant Mabel Park SHS forwards tried to run over him. Oskar Bryant drove into him with his right shoulder driving him backwards and then hard into the ground.
Last night Titans contracted Keano Kini started at fullback for PBC in Round Six of the Langer Cup away to Mabel Park State High School and once again his ability to run parallel to the defensive line before exploding through the smallest of gaps was highlighted on numerous occasions including in the 55th minute when he exploded through a gap to comfortably break through the Mabel Park SHS defensive line, making thirty five metres for his progress was halted.
Keano Kini also scored for PBC in their 22 – 4 victory when in the 48th minute with the Mabel Park SHS defence backpeddling Keano Kini ran the ball down a short left blindside, initially receiving the ball eighteen metres out before cutting off the left foot and then accelerating forward before diving over ten metres in from the left corner post between two defenders.
Last night Titans contracted Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu made his Langer Cup Open A debut for Keebra Park SHS in Round Six against Wavell State High School at right second row and what a debut it was with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu scoring just seven seconds into the match, yes seven seconds is correct.
Keebra Park SHS kicked off with the ball going high and it was subsequently caught by the wind. The ball came down on the twenty metre mark but was dropped by Wavell SHS with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu coming through and picking the ball up in one motion whilst at full speed. Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu then veered slightly to his right and then charged over between two defenders to get the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
Titans contracted Josiah Pahulu continued in the front row for Ipswich SHS last night in Round Six of the Langer Cup against St Mary’s College Toowoomba, a match that saw Josiah Pahulu once again dominate including a great charge and right arm off-load down the left side of the left that led directly to Ipswich State High School’s opening try of the match in their 36 – 6 victory.
In January 2021 Josiah Pahulu started at right second row for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Josiah Pahulu producing a dominating performance in the impressive Titans 32 – 20 victory in both attack and defence. In a sign of the high regard that the Titans have in Josiah Pahulu, he was acting captain for periods of the match.
One tackle in particular stood out in the match, Newcastle were bringing the ball off their own try line when Josiah Pahulu moved up and got in and under the ribs of the ball runner with his left shoulder. Josiah Pahulu drove the Knights forward back three metres and put him on his back, taking all momentum out of the Knights set of six.
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 Josiah Pahulu starting the match on the bench for the Titans.
Then in June 2021 Josiah Pahulu started at lock for a Titans U17 JTS squad that played at Cbus Stadium against a Titans Northern Rivers U18 selection, with the match being played as a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
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 Josiah 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 with 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.
At the 2021 Ipswich Jets MM Cup Presentation Night, Josiah Pahulu was deservedly named the 2021 Ipswich Jets Most Valuable Player.
Post the 2021 MM Cup competition, Josiah Pahulu played for the Springfield Panthers in the Ipswich Rugby League U17 Division One competition with his first appearance for the Panthers coming in Round Four when Josiah Pahulu started in the second row against Goonda Black.
Josiah Pahulu captained the Springfield Panthers side in Round Six against Brothers Ipswich, starting in the front row and scoring two tries in their impressive 36 – 8 victory.
Josiah Pahulu moved to lock in Round Seven against Brother Blue and scored the final try of the match in the Panthers victory.
Round Ten against Norths Blue saw, Josiah Pahulu moved to the second row for the Panthers with Josiah Pahulu scoring the Panthers opening try in their 24 – 14 victory. Josiah Pahulu then continued in the second row in Round Eleven against Goodna Black, scoring twice in the Panthers 26 – 8 victory.
Round Twelve against Redbank Plains Red saw Josiah Pahulu once again start in the second row.
2021 also saw Josiah Pahulu line up once again for Ipswich State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup competition starting Round One at lock against PBC.
Ipswich SHS had a tough first 2021 Langer Cup outing but Josiah Pahulu scored a deserved try in the 19th minute when he charged over from dummy half to his left from close range, rumbling over one PBC defender to get the ball down adjacent to the right upright.
Another one of Josiah Pahulu’s best moments of his match was Josiah Pahulu’s huge charge into the PBC line from the second half kick-off.
Josiah Pahulu also started at lock in Round Two against Marsden State High School and whilst his team were soundly beaten, Josiah Pahulu more than held his own against the giant Marsden SHS forward pack.
Josiah Pahulu continued at lock in Round Three against Keebra Park State High School taking the third hit-up of the match and then in the 11th minute, Josiah Pahulu made a hard eleven metres from an Ipswich SHS penalty restart from inside their own twenty metre area.
Josiah Pahulu then moved to the front row for Round Four against Coombabah State High School and continued in the front row in Round Five against Wavell State High School.
Titans contracted Caleb Hodges has been named in the centres for Tweed Heads in this weekend’s Round Twelve of the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition against the Central Queensland Capra’s.
In early March 2021, Caleb Hodges started from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side in their final 2021 trial against the Burleigh Bears.
Caleb Hodges started Round Two of the Queensland Cup on the wing for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against Wynnum Manly and played all eighty minutes.
In the match, Caleb Hodges ran for seventy five metres (thirty two post contact and twenty one kick return), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 2.91 seconds and made seven tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
Caleb Hodges then started on the wing in the previously postponed Round Twelve of the Queensland Cup against Souths Logan with Caleb Hodges playing the entire eight minutes, running for seven metres and made three tackles.
In Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition, Caleb Hodges started at left centre for the Tweed Heads Seagulls as they took on the Souths Logan Magpies.
In the 3rd minute of the match Caleb Hodges made his first Colts hit-up of 2021 when he received the ball to the right of the dummy half making twelve metres to get the ball out to forty metres away from his own line.
Caleb Hodges continued his efforts running with the ball in the 6th minute when he ran the ball from a Seagulls scrum win to the left, beating two defenders on their outside making twelve metres and doing a good job staying away from the left touch line.
Caleb Hodges showed his speed in the 33rd minute of the match when he chased through a short Seagulls kick-off getting to the ball first on the twenty metre mark to surprise Souths Logan with Caleb Hodges making it to twelve metres out before he was stopped by the defence.
Defence has always been one of Caleb Hodges strong suits and that was highlighted in the 48th minute when he produced a strong tackle close to his own line. Caleb Hodges engaged the Souths Logan right centre initially holding him up before driving him into touch.
Caleb Hodges also started at left centre in the Round Two 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.
Caleb Hodges also started at left centre in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins and in Round Four against the Ipswich Jets.
Round Two away to Anglican Church Grammar School saw Titans contracted Brock Lennox named at outside centre for the TSS U16A side with Brock Lennox kicking two conversions from as many attempts in his side’s 15 – 14 loss.
Round Two away to Anglican Church Grammar School last weekend saw Titans contracted Nayte Saaga make his TSS named at fly half for the TSS U15A side with Nayte Saaga scoring in his debut but unfortunately his side went down 31 -24.
Great effort by Titans contracted Kaleb Ngamanu awarded three points from the TSS First XV coaches as a result of his Round Two performance against Anglican Church Grammar School.
Fellow Titan Nicholas Hilton received an honourable mention from the TSS First XV coaches.
Tonight's Ipswich Rugby League's U17 Division One Round Thirteen see Titans contracted 16 year old front rower Larry Siala named to start in the front row for Norths against Ipswich Brothers.
In June 2021 Damian Wilson from the Kyogle Turkeys was part of a Titans U18 Northern Rivers squad that played the Titans U17 JTS squad at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
Damian Wilson started the season as part of the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad, starting Round One of the competition on the bench against the Wests Tigers and also started from the bench in Round Two against the North Coast Bulldogs.
After missing Round Three Damian Wilson came off the bench once again in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters before moving into the starting side in the front row in Round Five against the Newcastle Knights.
After starting off the 2021 season in the NRRRL U18 competition with the Kyogle Turkeys, Damian Wilson made his NRRRL First Grade debut in Round Seven when he started at right second row against the Tweed Coast Raiders and continued in the second row in Round Eight against the Cudgen Hornets as well as in Round Nine against Northern United.
Damian Wilson then continued at right second row in Round Ten against the Mullumbimby Giants, in Round Eleven against the Byron Bay Devils and in Round Twelve against the Lower Clarence Magpies.
Damian Wilson played the 2021 season with the Kyogle Turkeys in the NRRRL U18 competition starting Round One at lock against the Ballina Seagulls before moving to the second row in Round Three against Marist Brothers Rams.
Damian Wilson also started in the second row in Round Four and scored in an impressive two point win against Casino RSM with his try coming in the 47th minute when he received the ball down a short left blindside less than ten metres from the line. After receiving the ball Damian Wilson propped on the spot to let one defender fly past before surging towards the line and carry three defenders over the line with him.
Damian Wilson also recorded a great line break in the 18th minute when he ran twenty five metres down the left channel to skittling defenders to get to within five metres of the line. Kyogle then scored from his quick play the ball.
Round Eight Damian Wilson named on the bench against the Cudgen Hornets and he was also named on the bench in Round Nine against Northern United with Damian Wilson scoring in the first half when he broke two tackles to score from ten metres out, getting the ball down eight metres in from the right corner post.
Damian Wilson was also named to come off the bench in Round Eleven against the Byron Bay Devils but was back in the Turkey’s starting side at right second row in Round Thirteen against the Evans Head Bombers.
A big battle looms in the GCRL U18 Division One competition this weekend with two Titans contracted forwards set to line up against each other when Nerang take on the Ormeau Shearers.
Brock Priestly will start in the second row for Ormeau and Immanuel Kalekale is slated to start in the second row for the Roosters.
In Round One of the NRRRL First Grade competition, this season 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 down 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.
Layne Hardy also started at right centre in Round Two against the Marist Brothers Rams and recorded a try assist late in the second half when after breaking into space, Layne Hardy drew the Rams fullback and then passing to his right to give his right winger a clear passage to the try line.
Layne Hardy also started at right centre in Round Three against Casino RSM, scoring once again when he was on the end of a Kyogle backline move to his right side, with Layne Hardy receiving the ball fifteen metres out and breaking one tackle on the way to the line.
Layne Hardy scored once again in Round Five against the Bilambil Jets. After starting the match at right centre Layne Hardy found himself on the left in the 53rd minute, receiving the ball twenty two metres from the line. Layne Hardy pushed off the first would be tackled with a right arm fend, broke through a second tackle with pace before shrugging off a third defender who had tried to tackle him around the chest before Layne Hardy beat a fourth as he dived over to score.
Round Six against Murwillumbah saw Layne Hardy move to fullback and he also started at fullback in Round Seven against the Tweed Coast Raiders and Round Eight against the Cudgen Hornets as well as in Round Nine against Northern United and Round Ten against the Mullumbimby Giants.
Layne Hardy continued at fullback in Round Eleven against the Byron Bay Devils as well as in Round Twelve against the Lower Clarence Magpies and also in this weekend’s Round Thirteen against the Evans Head Bombers.
Round Thirteen of the NRRRL U18 competition this weekend against the Ballina Seagulls sess Titans contracted Riley Lack named to continue at five eight for Murwillumbah.
In January 2021 Riley Lack started from the bench for the Titans U19 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights. When he came on, Riley Lack played five eight and operated on the right side of the field as the Titans ran away with the match in the second half to records a well-deserved 40 – 6 victory.
Riley Lack started the second half playing at five eight on the right side of the field and was involved to the Titans first try of the second half when he threw a good quick pass to his right to Brock Priestley, who subsequently offloaded to Reef Sommerville, with a spectacular Jaylan De Groot try resulting from a Reef Sommerville kick back inside.
A week after the match against the Newcastle Knights Riley Lack once again lined up for the Titans U19’s as they took on a Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad with the Titans winning 32 – 20 with no conversions attempted.
Riley Lack started the match on the bench, coming on at half time and playing at five eight for the Titans on the right side of the field. As he did against the Knights, Riley Lack played an understated role against the Bears, doing a lot of the little things such as looking for his support runs and chasing downfield in relation to Titans tactical kicking. It was a similar situation from a defensive perspective for Riley Lack against the Bears.
Probably Riley Lack’s most effective tactical kick in the match came in the 68th minute of the match, when Riley Lack received the ball down a short left blind side just inside his own half. Riley Lack put in a long right foot kick down the left touchline with the ball bouncing up in the in-goal forcing the Burleigh fullback to play at the ball. The Burleigh fullback was caught inside his own ten metre line with Riley Lack one of the first Titans players down field forcing the Bears fullback towards the Titans right side defence.
In November 2020 Riley Lack was named in the powerful 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.
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.
In Round Two of the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition, Riley Lack started at five eight for the Murwillumbah Mustangs and kicked eight conversions as the Mustangs accounted for Northern United.
After Murwillumbah had a number of byes back to back, Riley Lack started at five eight in Round Six against the Kyogle Turkeys, kicking five conversions in the Mustangs big victory.
Riley Lack was also involved in Ryan Foran’s second try of the match when he put up a huge bomb from near midfield which the Kyogle defence could not handle, Ryan Foran charged through to dive on the loose ball in the in-goal.
Riley Lack also started at five eight in Round Seven against Byron Bay, kicking two conversions in the Mustangs 20 – 0 victory. Riley Lack also recorded a try assist when he put in a chip kick down a right blindside which was taken on the full by his right winger who raced away to score.
Riley Lack continued at five eight in Round Eight against Marist Brothers Lismore, kicking four conversions from five attempts in the Mustangs victory.
After Murwillumbah’s Round Nine match against the Tweed Coast Raiders was postponed, Riley Lack was back at five eight for Round Ten against the Cudgen Hornets. Riley Lack was in the match in the first minute when he put up a huge bomb sixty metres out from the line and after bouncing once that ball amazingly hit the cross bar and then bounced into the in-goal with Cudgen subsequently trapped there and was forced to drop the ball out to restart the match.
Riley Lack also produced another kick in the match that had a positive impact for the Mustangs when in the 45th minute he put in a chip kick from twenty metres out that Cudgen’s Reef Sommervile was forced to take over the dead ball line.
Riley lack came very close to scoring in the first half of the match after a slicing run to his left but unfortunately the ball was knocked out of his grasp just as he was crossing the line. Also Riley Lack showcased his speed in the first half when he chased Cudgen’s Jett Forbes down field after the Hornets right centre took an intercept twenty metres from his own line and took off but Riley Lack rounded him up still twenty metres from the try line.
Riley Lack continued at five eight in Round Twelve against Northern United and had a day out, scoring one try, kicking an exceptional ten from ten, including conversions from both sidelines and also recorded three try assists.
Riley Lack scored in the 49th minute, after a superb break from inside his own territory by Blake Forder, Riley Lack received the ball on the right and was able to get the ball down in the right corner.
Riley Lack’s opening try assist of the match came in the 29th minute he cut back inside off his right foot and was able to offload to Cooper Wolf who crashed over from close range.
Riley Lack added his second try assist in the 35th minute when from thirty five metres out he put in a right foot chip kick which sat up perfectly for Matthew Bollard to race through and retrieve the ball and he was able to bring the ball around and put it down under the posts.
Riley Lack recorded his third and final try assist in the 41st when he fed a scrum running to the left and executing an old fashioned run around with Brandon Williams before putting his support runner through a huge gap thirty five metres out.
In Round Two of the NRRRL First Grade competition, Riley Lack came off the bench and kicked a late first half conversion against Northern United after kicking eight conversions in the U18 match earlier in the day.
Round Three of the NRRRL First Grade competition saw Riley Lack start at halfback for the Mustangs as they had a big win over the Lower Clarence Magpies.
Round Four of the 2021 NRRRL First Grade competition saw Riley Lack moved to five eight for their local derby against the Mullumbimby Giants with Riley Lack recording a second half try assist when he spilt the Giants defence around the halfway mark as he ran to his left. Once Riley Lack was through the line he drew the fullback before passing to his left to put fullback Liam Cusack over untouched.
In Round Twelve of the NRRRL Reserve Grade competition, Riley Lack came off the bench against Northern United.
On Wednesday night Keebra Park’s Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki once again started at left centre in Round Six of the Walters Cup against Wavell State High School and once again was outstanding with Wavell SHS being the latest school that could not prevent Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki from scoring.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki scored in just the 4th minute as a result of a strong straight charge that easily burst through to defenders from six metres out with Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki getting the ball down near the left upright.
The match also saw Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki kick four conversions from as many attempts in Keebra Park’s 24 – 6 victory.
Titans contracted Ray Puru was at his dominating best from fullback for PBC in Round Six of the Walters Cup on Wednesday night against Redcliffe State High School scoring a first half hat trick with the three tries coming in a six minute burst. Literally Ray Puru wreaked havoc every time that he touched the ball.
Ray Puru scored his opening try in the 19th minute after receiving the ball on the left side of the field, twenty two metres from the line and was simply too quick, easily slicing through the Redcliffe right sided defence to score five metres in from the left corner.
Ray Puru added his second try in the 22nd minute with the try once again coming on the left side of the field. After he received the ball nineteen metres from the line, Ray Puru cut off his left foot to beat one defender and then cut back inside to beat a second before carrying a third defender over the line to get the ball down five metres in from the left corner post.
Ray Puru competed his hat trick in the 25th minute, and this time he scored on the right side of the field after he received the ball twenty five metres out. After receiving the ball, Ray Puru ran to his right beating one defender with a left arm fend and from there Ray Puru outpaced the Redcliffe cover defence to score in the right corner.
Round Thirteen of the NRRRL First Grade competition against the Ballina Seagulls sees Titans contracted Ryan Foran named to start at left second row for Murwillumbah.
In early January 2021 Ryan Foran started at left second row for the Titans U19 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour with Ryan Foran scoring in the first half in the Titans impressive 40 – 6 victory.
From a play the ball a metre out from the Newcastle line, Ryan Foran charged onto the ball, cutting back towards the play the ball and receiving a pass from hooker Ediq Ambrosyev who had darted out of dummy half to the left side of the field. Ryan Foran was immediately confronted by two Knights defenders but as soon as he made contact, Ryan Foran Spun 360 degree clockwide to break contact and then was able to dive over to score around mid-way between the gola post and corner post on the left side of the field.
Ryan Foran was in the action almost immediately, being involved in a solid hit in the third tackle after the Titans kicked off, with the tackle driving the Newcastle opponent sideways. Also involved in the tackle was Jack Cullen.
Ryan Foran’s first touch of the ball in attack came a minute or so later when he came back underneath Thomas Weaver, running directly over one defender before being brought down after a twelve metre charge.
A week after the match against the Newcastle Knights Ryan Foran once again lined up for the Titans U19’s starting at left second row as the Titans took on a Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad with the Titans winning 32 – 20 with no conversions attempted.
It did not take long for Ryan Foran in make an impact in the match when he produced a strong fifteen surge down the left side of the field on the second tackle of the set of six after the Titans first try.
Ryan Foran was one of the Titans first half try scorers in the 32 – 20 victory, when he dived over from close range near the left corner in the 20th minute of the match after receiving a long pass out of dummy half from Thomas Weaver with the pass finding Ryan Foran outside the widest Burleigh defender on that side of the field.
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 Ryan Foran starting the match on the bench for the Titans.
In November 2020 Ryan Foran was named in the Tweed Heads Seagulls 2021 MM Cup squad.
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.
Post the 2021 MM Cup competition, Ryan Foran was back playing for Murwillumbah in the NRRRL U18 competition, with his first appearance coming in Round Six when he started at left second row in the U18 competition as the Mustangs took on the Kyogle Turkeys.
To say that Ryan Foran was outstanding in the match would be an understatement. In addition to scoring a hat trick, Ryan Foran recorded two try assists, two line breaks and two line break assists.
Ryan Foran’s opening try of his hat trick performance came in the 13th minute when he received the ball on the left forty metres from the line, easily bumping off the initial defender who attempted to engage him before using his right arm to palm off the second. From there Ryan Foran produced a right foot step to easily round the fullback and bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.
Ryan Foran’s second try came in the 26th minute when he ran a great outside shoulder line from eighteen metres out, breaking three tackles on his run to the line and once again was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.
Ryan Foran completed his hat trick in the 48th minute when Riley Lack put up a huge bomb from near midfield which the Kyogle defence could not handle, Ryan Foran charged through to dive on the loose ball in the in-goal.
Ryan Foran recorded the first of his two try assists in the match in the 3rd minute when after receiving the ball forty seven metres out he kept running to his left, using a right arm fend to gain separation from two defenders before getting a pass away to his left for his fullback to dive over in the left corner.
Ryan Foran added a second try assist in the 41st minute when after he was put into a gap by a great ball from Byron Jones on halfway, Ryan Foran ran thirty metres downfield before passing to his left to put the Mustangs replacement left centre over in the left corner.
The 45th minute saw Ryan Foran record a line break assist when the ball was passed in his direction thirty metres out from his own line, Ryan Foran had to reach forward and down low to take receipt of the ball before passing the ball to his left in one motion to put his support runner away on a thirty five metre run down the left touchline.
Ryan Foran broke the line himself in the 51st minute with a twenty metre line break before off-loading to his left with three would be tacklers on the ground in his wake.
After Murwillumbah’s Round Nine match against the Tweed Coast Raiders was postponed, Ryan Foran was named to come off the bench for Round Ten against the Cudgen Hornets.
Round Seven of the NRRRL First Grade competition saw Ryan Foran come off the bench for Murwillumbah and play in the left second row position in their big 60 – 6 victory over Byron Bay.
Ryan Foran also was named to start from the bench in Round Eight against Northern United and was also named on the bench in Round Twelve against Northern United once again when he scored in the 78th minute when he followed through a break, receiving the ball twenty metres out and crossing the line untouched.
In mid-February 2021 Ryan Foran was named at left second row in the school boy Oceanic Opens side for the South Coast school boy QSSRL U18 trial against Broadwater. Following the final round of trials, Ryan Foran was named in the 2021 South Coast U18 school boy QSSRL squad in the left second row position.
Ryan Foran started at left second row in South Coast’s Day One match against Met North getting into the action in just the 2nd minute he took South Coast’s first hit-up of the match after team mate Kaleb Ngamanu had taken a Met North clearing kick on the full inside his own territory.
Ryan Foran also started at left second row on Day Two as South Coast took on Met East and scored in the 10th minute whne he ran twenty metres off a Nicholas Hilton off-load and was able to bring the ball around to put it down near the goal posts.
On Day Three against Capricornia Ryan Foran once again start at left second row and had a line break assist when he was able to get a great ball away to his left to Kaleb Ngamanu who made a forty metre line break down the left touchline, then as he was confronted by the cover defence, Kaleb Ngamanu got the ball back inside to Ryan Foran.
Ryan Foran also started at left second row in the Championship Final against Met North, scoring in the 22nd minute when after great work on his inside by Thomas Weaver who had picked up a wickedly bouncing ball and threw a cut-out ball to his left in one motion. Subsequently Ryan Foran ran into space to score wide out on the left.
Ryan Foran also made some stong defensive efforts in the match including in the 16th minute when he along with Thomas Weaver forced Met North back five metres to just out from his own line.
At the completion of the Championships, Ryan Foran was named at left second row in the 2021 QSSRL U18 School Boy Merit Team.
2021 also saw Ryan Foran line up once again for PBC State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup competition starting Round One at left second row against Ipswich State High School.
Ryan Foran scored a key try in the match after PBC had fallen behind early. Ryan Foran ran the ball down the left channel in the 24th minute, receiving the ball ten metres out and through sheer strength and determination, Ryan Foran pushed through three defenders to get the ball down with defenders still hanging off him three metres out from the left upright.
In addition to his try, Ryan Foran also made a number of telling runs, firstly in the 11th minute when his strong run made fourteen metres to get within thirty metres of the line, then in the 48th minute, a Ryan Foran jink to the left saw him get to within eight metres of the line after his run started twenty metres out.
Ryan Foran also started at left second row in Round Two against St Mary’s College Toowoomba and was easily the best player on the field in PBC’s big win, scoring a double as well as recording a try assist.
Ryan Foran’s opening try of the match came in just the 8th minute when from twelve metres out from the line on the left side of the field he ran an outside shoulder route and after receiving the pass from Thomas Weaver, Ryan Foran charged through a gap to get the ball down three metres in from the left corner post.
Ryan Foran completed his double in the 31st minute when after earlier good work from Thomas Weaver and Hunter Plogema, Ryan Foran ran thirty metres untouched to put the ball down next to the left upright.
Ryan Foran recorded his try assist in the 44th minute when he threw a hard flat cut-out pass to his left from just ten metres from the line to put Hunter Plogema into space down the touchline with the PBC left winger getting the ball down in the left corner.
Ryan Foran also made a line break in the 43rd minute when he burst away down the left, charging twenty metres before getting a pass away to his left.
Ryan Foran continued at left second row in Round Three against Coombabah State High School and took the second hit-up of the match and in the 58th minute added a twenty metre run down the left channel to easily get over the halfway mark.
Ryan Foran continued at left second row in the Round Four blockbuster against Marsden State High School with Ryan Foran scoring in the 48th minute when he ran an underneath route down a short left blindside from four metres out after Oskar Bryant had darted to his left out of dummy half and get the ball inside to Ryan Foran.
Ryan Foran’s first key contribution of the match came in the 14th minute when he executed a great ball and all tackle down a short blindside to prevent the Marsden SHS right centre from scoring with Ryan Foran’s tackle stopping his opponent dead a metre from the try line.
Ryan Foran produced another outstanding tackle in the 36th minute when as the Marsden SHS fullback was bringing the ball off his own line, Ryan Foran flew out of marker to his right to smash the fullback and force the ball loose.
Ryan Foran continued at left second row for the much anticipated Round Five local derby against Keebra Park State High School as well as in Round Six against Mabel Park State high School.
After a hat trick for Burleigh last weekend, understandably Titans contracted Lofi Khan-Pereira continued on the right wing in Round Eleven of the GCRL First Grade competition against the Runaway Bay Seagulls this weekend.
After spending the 2020/21 off-season training with the Titans NRL squad Lofi Khan-Periera’s first 2021 hit-up came in mid-February when he started on the right wing for the Titans in their first trial against the Burleigh Bears putting in an impressive performance.
In fact Lofi Khan-Pereira should have had his name on the try scoring list when Tremain Spry produced a piece of individual brilliance midway through the first half when he threw a beautiful right arm flick pass to put Lofi Khan-Pereira over in the corner but somehow the pass was ruled forward.
Lofi Khan-Periera’s first line break came early in the first half when he was put away down the right touch line by Tremain Spry, after a forty metre run Lofi Khan-Periera passed back inside to his left to an unmarked Jayden Campbell but the pass could not be taken.
In an impressive sign, in the fourteen minute, Lofi Khan-Periera tracked back to retrieve a kick and when he took possession was confronted by a straight line of Burleigh kick chasers. Lofi Khan-Periera just put his head down and charged straight at the oncoming defenders making fifteen valuable metres to get over the twenty metre line.
In the third minute of the second half, Lofi Khan-Pereira came off his wing and took a solid hit-up, bringing the ball out of his own territory making twelve metres through centre field.
Lofi Khan-Periera also showcased his express pace in the first half when he had to stop, turn and chase and still caught Burleigh speedster Troy Leo within forty metres.
Lofi Khan-Pereira showed safe hands in the 28th minute when he lept high to take a Tannah Boyd on the full in heavy traffic just short of the try line but was held up on the sixth tackle.
Lofi Khan-Pereira was named to make his Queensland Cup debut for Burleigh in Round Seven against the Ipswich Jets, starting the match on the right wing and playing all eighty minutes, running for fifty five metres (five post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.244 seconds and made six tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
A week playing for the Titans in a trial match, Lofi Khan-Pereira started from the bench for Burleigh in their Queensland Cup trial against the Easts Tigers.
Lofi Khan-Pereira then started on the wing for Burleigh Second’s side in their final 2021 Queensland Cup trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and was one of the best players on the field on the way to scoring two spectacular second half tries.
Lofi Khan-Pereira’s first try resulted from a kick to Lofi Khan-Pereira’s right wing with the ball sitting up perfectly for him to streak away to score. Lofi Khan-Pereira’s second try also came from a kick, this time from Ngangarra Barker who grubbered to the right wing with the ball once again sitting up perfectly for Lofi Khan-Pereira to run onto it in full flight to cross for his second try of the half.
Burleigh, in the 72nd minute of the match went to Lofi Khan-Pereira’s right wing once again with a kick but even though the Tweed Heads left winger got to the ball first Lofi Khan-Pereira was able to get hold of him and drag him into touch.
Lofi Khan-Pereira in fact could have had a second half hat trick when he almost grabbed an intercept off Jack Cook but he could not quite get to the ball, if he had it was shut the gate for try number three.
Lofi Khan-Pereira showcased his leaping ability in the opening minutes of the match when he leapt high to take a Tweed Heads attacking bomb to his wing on the full to defuse a dangerous situation.
In Mid-March 2021 Lofi Khan-Pereira was part of the Burleigh Bears Nine’s squad that won the Gold Coast Nine’s Annual Competition with a 22 – 20 Final victory.
Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Lofi Khan-Pereira start on the left wing for the Burleigh Bears when they took on the Easts Tigers with Lofi Khan-Pereira scoring in the Bears opening round victory.
Lofi Khan-Pereira’s try came in the 14th minute of the match when after receiving a cut out pass from Cameron Brown ten metres out, he flew down the left wing to dive over in the left corner.
Lofi Khan-Pereira added a try assist and a line break to his match statistics in the 56th minute. After receiving a cut-out pass from Cameron Brown, Lofi Khan-Pereira took off down the left touchline. When confronted by the East fullback, Lofi Khan-Pereira drew the fullback towards him then passed the ball inside to Zane Prophert who scored in the left corner.
Lofi Khan-Pereira was also heavily involved in Burleigh’s final try of the match, after some outstanding stepping by Cameron Brown the halfback passed to Lofi Khan-Pereira fifteen metres away from the line in confined space near the left touchline. Initially Lofi Khan-Pereira juggled the pass but was able to haul it in and then break an attempted jersey grab be running to his left before he offloaded the ball back to Cameron Brown who then beat two defenders to score wide out on the left.
Lofi Khan-Pereira’s extensive impact of the match came in just the second minute when he tracked back when Easts were awarded a penalty and kicked for touch. The ball did not go out and Lofi Khan-Pereira was on hand to take the ball on the full on his own twenty metre line and he was able to get the ball back to his own forty metre mark.
Lofi Khan-Pereira’s first line break of the match came in the 7th minute when he was on the end of a passing movement to exploit a small amount of space down the left wing. Lofi Khan-Pereira flew down the left wing making thirty five metres before he was able to draw the Easts fullback and pass to his inside to a backing up Cameron Brown.
Lofi Khan-Pereira made another line break in the 44th minute when he flew sixty metre down the left touch line after getting outside his direct opponent after receiving a cut out pass from Cameron Brown. As the Easts fullback came across in cover defence Lofi Khan-Pereira passed back inside to his right, but the pass when to ground but was retrieved by Will Evans who offloaded to Sam McIntyre who got to within five metres of the try line.
In the match, Lofi Khan-Pereira proved that he was not all about the flash but substance as well, coming off is wing on multiple occasions to run the ball out of his own territory including in the 14th minute when Lofi Khan-Pereira made thirteen metres after receiving the ball from the dummy half to get Burleigh to near thirty metres away from his own line.
Lofi Khan-Pereira took his turn brining the ball out of Burleigh territory once again in the 66th minute when he came off his left wing to run the ball mid-field over the twenty metre mark.
Speed is Lofi Khan-Pereira’s calling card and there was no better example of that in the 33rd minute when the Easts right centre made a clean break from a Tigers scrum win eighty metres out from the try line. Lofi Khan-Pereira who was up in the line at the time turned and chased and easily ran him down on the forty metre mark even after giving him a fifteen metre start.
Even when he missed a tackle Lofi Khan-Pereira could still contribute for Burleigh, it was just that sort of game for him. In the 78th minute Lofi Khan-Pereira came off his wing to stop an overlap and whilst he was initially bumped off, bounced to his feet to intercept the subsequent pass that was intended to take advantage of Lofi Khan-Pereira coming off his wing. Lofi Khan-Pereira took the intercept five metres out from his own line but was still able to get the ball over his own twenty.
Lofi Khan-Pereira also started on the left wing in the Round Two 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.
Lofi Khan-Pereira also started on the left wing in Round Three 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.
Lofi Khan-Pereira also started on the left win in Round Four against the Norths Devils, scoring once again in the second half when once again he used his speed to his advantage.
Lofi Khan-Pereira also started on the left wing in Round Six against the Townsville Blackhawks with the ball simply not getting to him often but when it did Lofi Khan-Pereira made the most of the opportunity including in the first minute of the second half in Burleigh opening set of six in the half.
Lofi Khan-Pereira continued on the right wing in Round Seven against the Central Queensland Capra’s and was heavily involved in Burleigh’s 53rd minute try when Cameron Brown chipped to the left wing for Lofi Khan-Pereira who took possession and off-loading inside with Jakob Hall scoring under the posts later in the movement.
Lofi Khan-Pereira continued on the left wing in Round Eight against the Redcliffe Dolphins, scoring a double in the Bears tough two point last minute loss and also started on the left wing in Round Nine against the Mackay Cutters.
The Round Eleven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls saw Lofi Khan-Pereira move to left centre.
With the Burleigh Colts side having a bye week, Lofi Khan-Pereira lined up in the right wing in Round Eleven of the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade side against the Mudgeeraba Redbacks and scored an impressive hat trick in Burleigh’s victory.
Lofi Khan-Pereira scored his first try of the match in the opening minute of the match when he backed up a Burleigh break through centre field to receive the ball sixteen metres and he raced away to score near the right corner untouched.
Lofi Khan-Pereira added a second try in the 55th minute when he dived over from close range, being about two metres down a very short right blindside from a pass from the Burleigh dummy half.
Lofi Khan-Pereira completed his hat trick in the 69th minute he received a long cut out pass from his left from Taine Tuaupiki to race ten metres to dive over in the right corner.
Lofi Khan-Pereira also started on the right wing in the previously postponed Round Eight match against the Tugun Seahawks and for the second round in a row scored a hat trick for the Bears.
Lofi Khan-Pereira scored his opening try in the 10th minute in the right corner after good work on his inside from a scrum move from Taine Tuaupiki.
Lofi Khan-Pereira added his second try in the 25th minute when he backed up a Burleigh break down the right to score one again in the right corner from fifteen metres out.
Lofi Khan-Pereira completed his hat trick in the 34th minute when he was on the spot to receive an offload after Tugun failed to defuse a Burleigh kick down field.
TSS have a GPS bye this weekend but a number of their rugby teams are still playing including the U16A side which includes Titans contracted Brock Lennox who will line up today at outside centre against Downlands College.
Titans contracted Nayte Saaga will line-up at No. 10 today for the TSS U15A side in their away match against Brisbane State High School.
Northern NSW rugby league product Cooper Nelson will start at outside centre for TSS in the side match.
There were some solid efforts put in by Titans contracted players in Burleigh's Hastings Deering's Colts loss to Wynnum Manly last weekend, including Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui who made 35 tackles and Isaac Matalavea-Booth who ran for 169 metres .
Talented play makers, Dylan Watkins and Harrison Doherty will be in the Ballina Seagulls Group One U14 line-up this morning in their Round Twelve match against Casino RSM.
Noah Waldock has played primarily at fullback for the Ballina Group One U15 side this season but today's Round Twelve match against Casino RSM sees the young flyer move to five eight.
Today's Round Twelve Group One U15 match between Grafton and Clarence Coast shapes as a high quality affair.
Amongst others David Torrens (hooker), AJ Hickling (front row) and Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas (hlafback) will line up for the Magpies with second rower Lockie McLaughlin in the Ghosts starting side.
The exceptionally talented Leeton Smith continues his outstanding 2021 Group One U18 season today when he lines up at halfback in Round Twelve for the Marist Rams against Kyogle.
One of the best outside back prospects in the Titans JTS program being Ballina's Lachlan Offley continues his 2021 season today when he lines up on the right wing for the Seagulls in Round Twelve of the NRRRL U18 competition against Murwillumbah.
Impressively Lachlan Offley is U16 eligible this season but has spent the entire season in the U18 competition.
Rowan Mansfield (fullback) and Jesse Beauchamp (half) will line-up for Ballina in Round Twelve of the NRRRL U18 competition against Murwillumbah today and then both are due to be on the bench for the Reserve Grade clash in the following match.
Both Rowan Mansfield and Jesse Beauchamp were recently part of the Titans U18 NRRRL Invitational side that played a Titans U17 JTS squad at CBus Stadium in an NRL curtain-raiser.
Titans contracted front rower Kyhan Weir has been named to start for the Ballina Seagulls today in Round Thirteen of the NRRRL U18 competition and then the young man who was part of the Titans U19 squad that recently took on a North Queensland Cowboys U19 squad in Townsville in an NRL curtain-raiser will be on the bench for this afternoon's NRRL First Grade match also against the Mustangs.
Should he get on the field, Kyhan Weir will face off against fellow Titans contracted forward Ryan Foran who is set to start at left second row for Murwillumbah.
Titans contracted Blake Forder with a good first half try for Murwillumbah as they lead Ballina 10-4 in today's NRRRL U18 match.
Titans contracted Kyhan Weir with a strong second half including a try under the posts from dummy half to help Ballina to a 20-16 win over Murwillumbah in today's U18 NRRRL match.
Yesterday Titans contacted Kyhan Weir started in the front row for Ballina in Round Thirteen of the NRRRL U18 competition against Murwillumbah and had a big match, especially in the second half, including scoring a key try for the Seagulls in the tight four point victory. Kyhan Weir was in the match almost immediately when after a Murwillumbah error from the kick-off Kyhan Weir took the third hit-up after Ballina’s penalty restart.
Kyhan Weir’s try came in the 34th minute when he crashed over under the posts from close range after running to his right out of dummy half.
Kyhan Weir played the entire sixty minutes of the match in the front row and even in the closing minutes of the match with Ballina clinging to a four point lead, Kyhan Weir led the way for the Seagulls, including in the 56th minute with a big ten metre charge on the third tackle from the kick-off to Kye Cooper’s try that gave Ballina the lead. Kyhan Weir, at the end of his run, tried to get to his feet for a quick play the ball but was held down and deservedly won a penalty which allowed Ballina to get the ball deep into Murwillumbah territory.
Even in the final minute of the match, Kyhan Weir continued his strong match, with two strong hit-ups in that final minute to ensure Ballina’s victory.
RavShamrock
01-08-21, 10:56 AM
Hey md I'd like to get your thoughts on our very best hooker prospect and when we should expect his presence in our top squad? i think you mention we had someone coming into the development squad but is he the guy we should be getting excited about or is there another?
cheers
ps. once again sorry mate if you've already been over this.
The Titans have a few hookers in the JTS squad including Oskar Bryant who will, I believe will be on a Development contract next season who is probably the top hooker in the program, but to to fair to him he is three odd years away.
Another hooker in the U18 ranks is Tanu Nona who has been outstanding this season for Cudgen in the NRRRL U18 competition and PBC in the Langer Cup and is also U18 eligible in 2022.
A smoky for me is Vaka Sikahele who came over from NZ after signing with the Titans and has been in outstanding form for Burleigh in the Hastings Deering's Colts competition and is also Colts eligible in 2022.
In the younger age groups, Corey Pearce and Will Saunders are good dummy half prospects but are obviously a long way away from the NRL due to their youth.
Hey md I'd like to get your thoughts on our very best hooker prospect and when we should expect his presence in our top squad? i think you mention we had someone coming into the development squad but is he the guy we should be getting excited about or is there another?
cheers
ps. once again sorry mate if you've already been over this.
RavShamrock
01-08-21, 02:05 PM
Thanks md very much appreciated.
Just a quick read up about Vaka and sounds like he has speed off the mark to burn which is defiantly a big attraction.
cheers
On the weekend Jordan Gallagher who recently was part of a Titans NRRRL U18 side that played at CBus Stadium started at halfback for the South Grafton Rebels in Round Fifteen of the Group Two U18 competition, kicking two conversions against Coffs Harbour.
Damon Coldwell started at left centre for Ballina on Saturday for Ballina in Round Thirteen of the U18 NRRRL competition against the Murwillumbah Mustangs, scoring one try and also making a strong line break.
Damon Coldwell scored in the 44th minute when he was able to twist his way over from dummy half to get the ball down in the right corner.
Damon Coldwell made a strong 36th minute line break of twenty five metres down the left touchline after receiving a good ball from his inside by Rowan Mansfield.
Murwillumbah’s Brandon Williams started at halfback on Saturday in Round Thirteen of the U18 NRRRL competition against the Ballina Seagulls recording a try assist for the opening try of the match in the 7th minute when he threw a long cut out pass to his left to Blake Forder who received the ball around ten metres to get the ball down in the left corner untouched.
Ballina’s Kye Cooper who recently played for a Titans U17 side against a Titans JTS U16 selection at Cbus Stadium in an NRL curtain-raiser, continued at right centre in Round Thirteen of the NRRRL U18 competition against Murwillumbah scoring a key try in the 53rd minute when he was on hand to take possession of a kick into the in-goal that the Murwillumbah defence could not deal with by letting the ball bounce, with Kye Cooper getting the ball down in the right corner.
In addition to his try, Kye Cooper made a 14th minute line break down the right touchline of twenty five metres.
Saturday’s Round Thirteen U18 NRRRL match against the Ballina Seagulls saw Murwillumbah’s Titans contracted Riley Lack continue at five eight and recording two try assists as well as kicking three conversions.
Riley Lack’s first try assist came in the 17th minute when after receiving the ball around sixteen metres out whilst operating on the right side of field, Riley Lack cut back off his right foot towards mid-field, breaking a number of tackles before getting a right arm off-load away close to the line for Mustangs front rower Chad Jones to force his way over under the posts.
Riley Lack added his second try assist in the 48th minute and once again Riley Lack received the ball on the right side of the field before cutting back towards mid-field and once again was able to great another great right arm off-load away, on this occasion to his hooker who was able to get over the line next to the left upright.
Riley Lack also produced a great kick-off in the 45th minute when he hit the kick-off towards the left touchline, with the ball bouncing less than a foot from the touchline and ten metres out. Riley Lack set up a try from the subsequent Murwillumbah restart.
Ballina’s Titans contracted Lachlan Offley on Saturday started on the right wing in Round Thirteen against Murwillumbah and did some very good things in the Seagulls four point victory. Whilst he did not score himself in the match, Lachlan Offley was heavily involved in Ballina’s 11th minute try. Jesse Beauchamp put up a mid-field bomb which Murwillumbah let bounce with the ball bouncing back towards the Ballina chasers. The ball got out to Lachlan Offley’s right wing with the flyer darting down the right wing. When confronted by the cover defence, Lachlan Offley put in a right foot grubber kick back inside which was collected by Ballina to score.
Lachlan Offley produced another smart piece of play in the 44th minute when he identified that there was space behind his own defensive line, after Murwillumbah identified the same thing and put in a chip kick, Lachlan Offley was able to get back and jump high to take the kick on the full and then was awarded a penalty when he was tackled in the air.
Lachlan Offley also worked hard in running the ball, including a strong twelve metres effort out of dummy half in the 10th minute to get the ball out of his own twenty metre area.
Titans contracted Blake Forder started at left centre on Saturday for Murwillumbah in Round Thirteen of the U18 NRRRL competition against the Ballina Seagulls, scoring the opening try of the match in the 7th minute when he took a long cut out pass whilst in space on the left side of the field from Brandan Williams around ten metres to get the ball down in the left corner untouched.
Blake Forder was also strong defensively in the match in the left centre position including a great ball and all try saving tackle in the 43rd minute when he stopped his direct opponent on the spot with strong initial contact.
The 2021 season to date for Kai Smallwood:
In Round One of the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition, Kai Smallwood started at halfback for the Bilambil Jets as they took on the Murwillumbah Mustangs operating on the left side of the field in the Jets 24 – 18 first up victory.
Kai Smallwood recorded a try assist in the 32nd minute of the match when from twenty five metres out he dummied to his right and got halfway through the line before offloading to a flying support runner to score wide out.
Kai Smallwood also started at halfback in Round Two 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.
Kai Smallwood continued his run of starts at halfback in Round Three 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 but his final pass was called forward.
Kai Smallwood continued at halfback in Round Four as the Jets took on the Cudgen Hornets in their local derby with Kai Smallwood involved in the opening minute of the match when he put up a towering bomb on the 5th tackle that forced the Cudgen fullback to bring the ball out of his own in-goal.
Kai Smallwood also started at halfback in Round Five against the Kyogle Turkeys and was everywhere recording a try assist and three line break assists.
Kai Smallwood’s try assist came in the 17th minute when he through a cut-out pass to his right to put his right second rower over wide out.
The first of Kai Smallwood’s three line break assist came in the 35th minute when he ran the ball to the left side of the field to put William James into a gap and then just three minutes later in the 38th minute, this time on the right side of the field, Kai Smallwood ran the ball and whilst holding off one defender through a right arm flick pass for his right second rower to charge twenty metres downfield.
Kai Smallwood’s third line break assist came in the 55th minute when a good cut-out pass to his right put his right centre into a yawning gap.
It was not all about just setting of others in the match for Kai Smallwood as in the 14th minute he took the line on himself when he ran the ball on the right, dummying to the same direction to slice through the defensive line before a left foot step enabled Kai Smallwood to beat another defender before he was eventually brought to ground after making eighteen metres.
Kai Smallwood also produced an enthusiastic piece of play in the 20th minute when he chased hard a Michael Roberts kick that bounced in the Kyogle in-goal to, along with Michael Roberts, tackle the Kyogle fullback three metres out from his own line.
Continuing at halfback in Round Six against Kai Smallwood added another try assist and line break to his exceptional 2021 season.
In the 27th minute, after receiving the ball on the right, Kai Smallwood drafted across field in the same direction, drawing in the defence and throwing a good ball to put his right centre into a gap and over from twenty metres.
Kai Smallwood took it upon himself to break the Casino RSM line in the 29th minute when he produced a show and go to split the line but his pass inside once he was through the line went to ground.
Interestingly Kai Smallwood was named at lock in Round Nine against the Byron Bay Devils with the jersey number change paying dividends with Kai Smallwood scoring a double.
Kai Smallwood scored his opening try in the 16th minute of the match through a great solo effort. Kai Smallwood received the ball when he was operating as first receiver twenty metres from the line and to the right of the play the ball. After dummying to his right, Kai Smallwood put in a short grubber through the line, regathering ten metres out before stepping off his left foot near the try line to beat a cover defender before getting across the line ten metres in from the right corner post.
Kai Smallwood’s second try came in the 36th minute when he backed up on the inside of a long break down the left channel by William James. As the cover defence converged on him, William James kicked inside and Kai Smallwood was on the spot to retrieve the ball to run fifteen metres to score.
Kai Smallwood continued at lock in Round Ten against the Marist Brothers Rams as well as in Round Eleven against the Ballina Seagulls before moving back to halfback for Round Twelve against the Tweed Coast Raiders when he scored one try and set up another.
Kai Smallwood himself in the 45th minute when whilst operating on right side of the field, twenty five metres out from the line, Kai Smallwood put in a short grubber for himself with Kai Smallwood retrieving the ball in front of the fullback and then was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.
Kai Smallwood also recorded a 60th minute try assist when after receiving the ball on the right put Caleb Case into a gap with the centre crossing on the right side of the field.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted TJ Devery:
In January 2021 TJ Devery 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. TJ Devery had some very very good moments both in attack and defence when he came on in the right second row position as the Titans dominated to record a 40 – 6 victory after leading by 16 -6 at half time.
Late in the second half however, TJ Devery moved over to the left and also late in the second half he was held up over the line adjacent to the left goal post coming agonisingly close to scoring in his first match in a Titans jersey.
A week after the match against the Newcastle Knights TJ Devery 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.
TJ Devery producing a powerful display in the match including a strong line break late in the first half. TJ Devery initially split the Bears defensive line after receiving an inside pass from Thomas Weaver. After a twenty metre charge, TJ Devery was able to get the ball away to his left to Ryan Foran and then got the ball back from Ryan Foran before producing an exceptional off-load to his right to Jaylan De Groot. The sequence may not have led to a try for the Titans but it was a stunning sequence none the less.
Defensively in addition to a couple of heavy front on solo tackles, TJ Devery produced an outstanding cover defending tackle in the 33rd minute of the match. The Bears right winger had gotten outside his direct opponent and seemed certain to make a lot of distance down the left touch line but TJ Devery came across to his left making a diving covering defending around the legs tackle just inside Titans territory.
TJ Devery made his first appearance for the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side when he started at right second row in the Bears trial against the Easts Tigers which finished in a twenty all draw. In his second stint of the match in the second half, TJ Devery swapped sides to play in the right second row position.
The following week in the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls, TJ Devery was once again in the starting side at right second row in the No. 19 jersey.
When he had the opportunity TJ Devery produced some strong hit-ups in the match with the first of those coming in the 14th minute when he dragged three Seagulls defenders ten metres down field before they were able to halt his forward momentum.
When the second half started TJ Devery switched to left second row before moving back to the right late in the match and did not waste time getting involved with a strong sixteen metre charge in the 39th minute that necessitated three Tweed Heads defenders have to commit to the tackle to get TJ Devery onto the ground.
TJ Devery continued to be heavily involved in the match including making multiple tackles in the same set of six in the 68th minute. TJ Devery made two massive tackles in a row, the first on Charlie Murray then a second on Jaylan TO’o before making another tackle later in the same set on Lachlan Hallard.
Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw TJ Devery start at right second row for the Burleigh Bears when they took on the Easts Tigers and in fact was the first Bears player to touch the ball in the 2021 Colts season as the Bers recorded a first up 42 – 24 victory which to be fair was more comprehensive than that score line would initially suggest.
For the kick-off TJ Devery lined up on the touchline right at the corner post. The Easts kick-off was a bit of a mongrel kick, bouncing just in front of TJ Devery who maintained his composure to not try to dive forward to attempt to take the kick-off on the full, instead waiting for it to bounce.
As rugby league ball do, the ball bounced to the right towards the touchline but TJ Devery was able to recover the ball and after teetering with both feet close to the touchline was able to flick the ball back to Bears five eight Bryson Vaovasa.
TJ Devery’s first hit-up of the match came in the 3rd minute when he ran to the right of the play the ball, making ten metres to get the ball twenty metres out from his own line.
In the 30th minute TJ Devery was involved in Toby Francis’s try. After receiving an offload from his left, TJ Devery ran to his right and brought Tony Francis back underneath, handing off the ball to the powerhouse centre ten metres out, with Tony Francis doing the rest from there.
From the Burleigh set of six after the Tony Francis try TJ Devery took the 3rd hit-up of the set, dragging defenders with him to get over the thirty metre line. Then just plays later TJ Devery made a big fifteen metre surge to get within five metres of the try line.
TJ Devery made a statement defensively in the 34th minute when he along with Tony Francis made a heavy driving tackle in the East forward unlucky enough to run the ball towards them from a Burleigh kick-off.
TJ Devery also was named to start at right second row in the Round Two local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls, however he was a late scratching from the match.
TJ Devery was back for Round Three starting on the bench against the Western Mustangs.
After missing a number of rounds, TJ Devery came off the bench in Round Seven against the Central Queensland Capra’s with prevailing 42 – 28 in a high scoring contest.
TJ Devery also came off the bench in the previously postponed Round Ten match against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and scored the Bears only try in the match in the 33rd minute when he burst onto a good pass from his left from Isaac Matalavea-Booth to crash over under the posts from eight metres out.
TJ Devery made his Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade debut off the bench for Burleigh in Round Seven against the Currumbin Eagles.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Blake Forder:
In January 2021 Blake Forder started on the left wing for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with the Titans recording an impressive victory in the contest 32 - 20.
As noted, Blake Forder started the match on the left wing, but in the second half, spent a lot of time at fullback, regularly hunting around just behind the play the ball when the Titans were in possession of the ball.
Blake Forder produced an impressive moment in the second half, when he made a twenty five metre charge when he received the ball on the left two passes of the back of the scrum. Blake Forder ran at the line with the ball in two hands and shaped to pass to his right on a number of occasions before pulling the ball back in prior to contact with the defensive line and made another ten metres post contact.
When he moved to fullback in the second half, Blake Forder continually showed exceptional positioning in the custodian role taking numerous Knights clearing kicks on the full, but it was two instances late in the match, that really showcased his positional ability at the fullback position.
With just on three minutes to go in the match and the Knights down by twelve points Newcastle kicked for touch from a penalty with the Knights kicker looking to make as much ground as possible but Blake Forder was on hand to cut the ball off before it went into touch and then was able to bring the ball back twenty metres to around the halfway mark.
In the last minute of the match, Blake Forder was once again positioned perfectly and was able to get across to a Knights chip kick and bundle the ball into touch less than a metre out from the Titans line. If Blake Forder did not get there when he did, one of three Knights players would have retrieved the ball and scored in their left corner.
In June 2021 Blake Forder was part of a Titans U17 side that played a Titans Northern Rivers U18 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters with Blake Forder scoring towards the end of the second half in the right corner after good work by multiple players on his inside.
Blake Forder started on the right wing for the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side for their Round One match against the Wests Tigers before moving to fullback late in the second half with Blake Forder contributing an early second half try to the victory.
Blake Forder was consistently in the action in the match, including being getting over the line early in the match with a great winding run off his right wing only to be penalised for a (seemed harshly) for a double movement after a great winding run off his right wing.
Blake Forder was also heavily involved in Michael Robert’s first try of the match, early in the first half. Half Harvey Moase kicked towards the right wing with the ball taking a wicked bounce, Blake Forder flew through and toe’d the ball forward for Michael Roberts to pick up on the bounce and crash over under the posts.
As noted Blake Forder scored early in the second half when after receiving a pass from Michael Roberts he stepped back inside and after juggling the ball got it down wide out on the right near the corner post.
Blake Forder also showcased some outstanding hands in the match, including a situation when he misjudged a Wests Tigers kick off, coming in too far, Blake Forder had to stop and dive backwards full length, taking the ball over his shoulder as you was diving in the same direction as the ball. If Blake Forder had not been able to pull off such as spectacular take, the ball would have likely gone dead and the Wests Tigers would have gotten it back from the restart.
Defensively Blake Forder also had some good moments in the match, including in the 51st minute of the match, when he along with Michael Roberts grabbed hold of the Wests Tigers left winger and dragged him eight metres into touch to force a Northern Rivers Titans scrum feed.
After his outstanding Round One performance, in no surprise Blake Forder also started Round Two against local rivals the North Coast Bulldogs at Nambucca Heads on the right wing.
After missing Round Three Blake Forder was back on the right wing for Round Four at Lismore against the Central Coast Roosters and scored in the 67th minute of the match when he dived on a deft right foot grubber into the in-goal in the right corner from Harvey Moase.
Blake Forder continued on the right wing in Round Five against the Newcastle Knights and whilst the ball did not find him too often, Blake Forder did have some good moments including a great in and away off a Northern Rivers Titans scrum win in the 48th minute with Blake Forder surging thirty metres down field.
Blake Forder however did almost get his name on the try sheet but was held up near the right corner in the 55th minute, then in the dying minutes of the match Blake Forder once against broke the Knights line off a Northern Rivers Titans scrum win after receiving the ball to the right of the scrum directly off the back of the scrum.
Post the 2021 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition, Blake Forder played for the Murwillumbah Mustangs in the U18 NRRRL Competition starting Round One at five eight against the Bilambil Jets.
Operating on the right side of the field Blake Forder proved to be a handful for the Jets defence including twice in the first half developing an overlap when he beat his opposing defender on the outside before dragging in the outside defender, but unfortunately on both occasions Blake Forder’s pass to his winger went to ground with a try in the offing.
After Murwillumbah had a number of byes back to back, Blake Forder started on the right wing in Round Six against the Kyogle Turkeys before moving to fullback in the second half.
Whilst playing on the right wing in the first half, Blake Forder recorded a 14th minute try when he was on the end of a Mustang backline movement and raced over in the right corner to score after receiving the ball fourteen metres from the try line.
In addition to a myriad of other impressive moments Blake Forder also recorded two line breaks in the match with the first coming in the 29th minute when from a standing start fifty five metres from the line, Blake Forder raced down the right touchline cutting back inside twice to break tackles before pushing out of a third and cutting back towards the touchline before eventually being take to ground after making thirty five metres.
Blake Forder made his second line break of the match in the 56th minute when whilst operating at fullback he looped around to the left after a Mustangs scrum win slicing through the Kyogle defence from thirty metres out and getting to within two metres of the line before his momentum was halted.
Blake Forder first, of many, significant contributions to the Mustangs victory came in just the 5th minute when he ran the ball back strongly from the kick-off after Murwillumbah’s opening try.
Then in the 41st minute Blake Forder made twelve metres from a hit-up to the left of the dummy half. Blake Forder made a further eighteen metres in the 48th minute from a winding run where he stepped off his left foot on two occasions.
Blake Forder rounded out his impressive match in the 53rd minute when he swooped on a dropped ball by Kyogle to make fifteen metres, breaking four tackles along the way.
Blake Forder once again started at fullback In Round Eight against Marist Brothers, scoring an outstanding solo long range try in the Mustangs victory. In the 47th minute a scrum was packed with a Murwillumbah feed ninety metres out from their try line, Blake Forder ran onto the ball after the ball was passed to him to the right from the base of the scrum. Blake Forder blew between two Rams defenders and easily outpaced the cover defence on his ninety metre run to put the ball down under the posts.
Blake Forder continued at fullback in Round Ten against the Cudgen Hornets before starting Round Twelve against Northern United at right centre before moving to fullback in the second half, a match that saw Blake Forder produce one of the best line breaks that I have ever seen that included breaking six tackles.
In the 49th minute Blake Forder retrieved a Northern United clearing kick fifteen metres out from his own line and ran to his right side, as he approached the chasers, Blake Forder stepped off his right to break two tackles before two left foot steps in quick succession back towards centre field saw Blake Forder break to further tackles. Blake Forder then cut back to his right, bumping out of one tackle, before another left foot step broke another tackle, Blake Forder then shrugged off another Northern United defender who tried to tackle him around his shoulders before passing to his right to Matthew Bollard who then off-loaded to Riley Lack who scored in the right corner.
Blake Forder continued in the centres, specifically left centre, in Round Thirteen against the Ballina Seagulls, scoring the opening try of the match in the 7th minute when he took a long cut out pass whilst in space on the left side of the field from Brandan Williams around ten metres to get the ball down in the left corner untouched.
Blake Forder was also strong defensively in the match in the left centre position including a great ball and all try saving tackle in the 43rd minute when he stopped his direct opponent on the spot with strong initial contact.
In late March 2021 Blake Forder was part of Diocesan of Lismore Opens Squad that attended the Northern Country Catholic Colleges Rugby League Selection Trial that were held at Smithtown with Blake Forder playing on the wing in the trials.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Seth Nikotemo:
In January 2021 Seth Nikotemo started at left second row for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with the Titans recording an impressive 32 – 20 victory in hot and steamy conditions.
Seth Nikotemo could not have been more impressive in the match including scoring the Titans opening try of the match in just the second minute. Seth Nikotemo charged onto a pass from half Bailey McConnell around eight metres out and could not be stopped as he barged his way over to score the first try of the match.
Seth Nikotemo added a second try in the second half when he charged onto a Keano Kini pass to charge over from six metres out.
In June 2021 Seth Nikotemo started at right second row for a Titans U17 side that played a Titans Northern Rivers U18 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
Playing right second row, Seth Nikotemo had an outstanding match including a first half try assist when from twenty metres out, Seth Nikotemo took the ball to the line before offloading to his right to put his right centre into a gap and over ten metres in from the right corner.
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 Syris 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 whilst 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 Nikotemo 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 try line. 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 try 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.
Round Two of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition saw Seth Nikotemo start from the bench Runaway Bay against the Southport Tigers with Seth Nikotemo lining up at right second row when he came on with Seth Nikotemo scoring 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.
After missing Round Three due to his school boy representative commitments with South Coast, Seth Nikotemo was named on the bench for Round Four against the Helensvale Hornets and was also named on the bench for Round Seven against the Ormeau Shearers.
Round Nine against Southport saw Seth Nikotemo start at left second row with the hard running second rower scoring a double for the Seagulls in their 40 – 30 victory.
Seth Nikotmo scored his opening try in the 14th minute he ran into space twenty metres from the line. Seth Nikotemo pushed off the Southport right winger who had tried to come off his wing and then Seth Nikotemo ran straight over the Tigers lock to get the ball down five metres in from the left corner post.
Seth Nikotemo then scored in the 52nd minute when he ran a straight hard line from eight metres out, forcing his way over ten metres from the left upright. Seth Nikotemo initially was hit by the Southport defence three metres from the line and in fact backed his way from there and then twisted to get the ball down.
In February 2021 Seth Nikotemo took part in the South Coast Open school boy trials and was named in the second row in the South Coast Open A school boy side as a result of his impressive trial performances.
Seth Nikotemo started South Coast’s Day One match against Met North at right second row and scored in just the 11th minute of the match when he ran into a gap wide on the right, diving over to score ten metres in from the right corner post.
His 11th minute try was certainly not Seth Nikotemo’s first contribution in the match, that occurred in the 6th minute when his first hit-up of the match got him to within six metres of the try line.
Seth Nikotemo was also a key contributor to South Coast’s strong defensive effort in the match including in the 42nd minute when a strong tackle on the Met North left centre forced the ball loose to stop all of the momentum that they had built up.
Seth Nikotemo started the 2021 QSSRL U18 School Boy Championship Final at right second row and took the first South Coast of the match from a penalty restart.
Seth Nikotemo started the Championship Final against Met North at right second row and in the 18th minute made a strong run of thirteen minutes to get to within five metres of the try line.
2021 also saw Seth Nikotemo line up once again for Keebra Park PBC State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup competition starting Round One at right second row against Marsden State High School.
Seth Nikotemo also started at right second row in Round Two against Mabel Park State High School as well as in Round Three against Ipswich State High School, a match that saw him with make a strong run in the 23rd minute when he made sixteen metres from a penalty restart
Seth Nikotemo continued at right second row in Round Four against St Mary’s College Toowoomba and had a strong match including scoring in the 55th minute when he charged onto a Connor Te Kani pass down the right channel, holding off a number of defenders to score ten metres in from the right corner post.
The Round Five local derby against PBC saw Seth Nikotemo continue at right second row and he also started at right second row in Round Six against Wavell State High School.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Aama Hau:
In January 2021 Arama Hau started from the bench for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights and was outstanding when he came on with a number of powerful charges as the Titans came away with an impressive 32 – 20 victory.
In his time on the field Arama Hau worked on both the left and right sides of the ruck and as noted above produced some outstanding charges, none more impressive one than late in the first half when from the left second row position Arama Hau surged twenty metres downfield with most of the ground that he made being accounted for post contact. Late in the second half, Arama Hau produced another outstanding run, charging fifteen metres downfield after receiving a before the line off-load from Joseph Shannon.
Early in the second half Arama Hau showcased his off-loading skills when he produced an outstanding one armed (right arm) off load with Shane Davis-Caldwell with three defenders trying to get him onto the ground. Late in the match, Arama Hau produced another outstanding one armed off-load this left with his left arm when he was able to offload to Shane Davis-Caldwell.
Arama Hau put an exclamation mark on his attacking performance with a great twenty metre charge from the Titans set of six after Keano Kini’s try when he knocked Newcastle forwards backwards as he steamed through the centre of the ruck.
Defensively Arama Hau was also effective, including a try saving tackle mid-way through the second half. The Knights attacker actually got over the Titans line right under the posts, but before he could get the ball down, Arama Hau literally just lifted him off the ground and drove him back, crunching him into the ground back in the field of play.
Even late in the match, Arama Hau continued to work hard and with Newcastle looking to bring the ball off their own line, Arama Hau made three impressive tackles in a row to force the Knights to kick from their own twenty. Arama Hau’s first tackle in the three tackle sequence was a huge front on hit on the Knights second rower No. 11 which stopped him in his tracks.
From the subsequent play the ball, Arama Hau monstered the Knights No. 17 rag dolling him backwards and then to complete the sequence Arama Hau took the legs out from under the No. 20 before he had made any ground at all to mean that in the three tackle sequence, Newcastle had not made any ground at all.
In June 2021 Arama Hau had a distinction of captaining a Titans U17 JTS squad that played at Cbus Stadium against a Titans Northern Rivers U18 selection, with the match being played as a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
Arama Hau had an outstanding match including a great offload after he charged downfield thirty metres before getting his right arm free and offloading to his left to Keano Kini who raced away from forty five metres out to score.
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.
Post the 2021 MM Cup competition, Arama Hau once again played for Nerang in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition with his first appearance coming in Round Two 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.
Arama Hau started at halfback in Round Three against Runaway Bay and scored as the Roosters recorded a 22- 4 win.
Arama Hau scored once again in Round Four after moving to five eight as his Roosters side defeated the Ormeau Shearers 30 – 14.
In Round Five against the Southport Tigers, Arama Hau came off the bench in the Roosters 34 – 12 victory and also come off the bench in Round Six against the Helensvale Hornets, before moving back into the starting side at five eight in Round Seven against Mudgeeraba.
Arama Hau also continued at five eight in Round Nine against the Currumbin Eagles and scored a double in Nerang’s hard fought loss.
Round Ten against the Runaway Bay Seagulls saw Arama Hau start at right centre and score one of the individual tries of the year to date in the 50th minute.
Arama Hau originally received the ball forty five metres from the line to the right of the play the ball and initially shaped to pass to his right before cutting back to his left. Subsequent left and right foot steps saw Arama Hau beat two defenders and then he produced a great right arm flick offload to his trailing fullback. Arama Hau then kept alive to get the ball back from the fullback ten metres out. Aram Hau then proceeded to beat four defenders to crash over adjacent to the left upright to score a try few others would have even come close to scoring.
Arama Hau moved to halfback against the Burleigh Bears and had a very solid game and almost got his name on the try scoring list in the 15th minute when he charged into the ball from fifteen metres out but he was eventually held up under the posts.
The Burleigh match also saw Arama Hau record a 36th minute try assist when he ran to his right before throwing a no look short pass to his right second rower to run into a gap to score near the posts.
Arama Hau showed his intelligence in the 20th minute when after finding himself in dummy half on the final tackle close to the line, put in a short right foot grubber kick to force Burleigh to restart from a goal line drop out.
In February 2021 Arama Hau took part in the South Coast Open school boy trials and was named on the bench for the South Coast Open A school boy side as a result of his trial performances, however he did not end up playing for South Coast in the Championships.
2021 also saw Arama Hau line up for Keebra Park PBC State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup competition starting Round One at lock against Marsden State High School.
Arama Hau could barely have gotten involved earlier in the match as in just the 2nd minute of the match, Arama Hau charged onto the ball, making twelve metres before getting his right arm free and getting away on off-load ten metres out directly in front of the posts. Arama Hau then took another hit-up just two tackles later.
With Keebra Park under intense pressure in the 8th minute, Arama Hau produced a try saving tackle on Marsden second rower Jieye Mauai who had charged at the try line from close range.
Arama Hau also started at lock in Round Two against Mabel Park State High School, making a strong twelve metre run from the fourth hit-up of the match and then in the 56th minute, Arama Hau made a big run on the left side of the field making fifteen metres before producing a sublime right arm off-load with three defenders on him.
Arama Hau continued at lock in Round Three against Ipswich State High School and had a big match including an initial contribution in the 10th minute when he made a strong fifteen metres over the halfway mark and then was able to off-load. Arama Hau made a further strong run in the 14th minute when he made twelve metres with at least 60% of those metres post contact.
Arama Hau continued his strong match in the second half, including in the 47th minute when he charged through a gap near halfway before off-loading to his left. Keebra Park scored later in the same play when De’ontae Perese received an off-load six metres from the line and put the ball down under the posts.
From the set of six from the above mentioned try, Arama Hau made a further twenty five metres and once again was able to off-load, on that occasion to Blake Mozer.
Arama Hau continued at lock in Round Four against St Mary’s College Toowoomba and also started at lock in the Round Five local derby against PBC.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Vaka Sikahele:
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 Vaka Sikahele starting the match at hooker in his first match in a Titans jersey.
After being injured in a pre-season training mishap, Vaka Sikahele was named on Burleigh’s extended bench for the Round Two 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 defender’s 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.
Vaka Sikahele also started from the bench in Round Three against the Western Mustangs coming into the match in the dummy half role towards the end of the first half. Vaka Sikahele was in the action almost immediately running out of dummy half to his right down a blindside and took the ball ten metres to the line before passing to his right to Cole Geyer who then quickly got the ball out to his right for Ronin Rio to dive over in the right corner.
After missing Round Four due to playing for the Titans U19 side, Vaka Sikahele started Round Five against the Northern Pride from the bench.
Vaka Sikahele was on the bench once again in Round Six against the Townsville Blackhawks, coming into the match towards the end of the first half in a running forward role before spending time at dummy half in the second half. Vaka Sikahele made the most of both of the roles that he played in the match and in the 51st minute, whilst playing as a running forward made thirteen metres, the majority post contact, to get the ball to the halfway mark.
Vaka Sikahele was back in the starting side at hooker in Round Seven against the Central Queensland Capra’s before starting from the bench in Round Eight against the Redcliffe Dolphins and in Round Nine against the Mackay Cutters.
Vaka Sikahele also started at hooker in the Round Eleven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and scored a double with his tries coming in the 16th and 55th minutes. In the 16th minute Vaka Sikahele moved into dummy half seven metres from the line and then darted to his right before stepping back to his left to beat the Seagulls marker before crashing through two more defenders who had stationed themselves on the try line.
Vaka Sikahele scored his second try in the 59th minute when once again he darted out of dummy half to his right, on this occasion from 32 metres out. After getting around the markers Vaka Sikahele cut back to his left to the area behind the play the ball and then was easily outpace the Seagulls defence to score under the post.
Vaka Sikahele was also named to start at hooker in the previously postponed Round Ten match against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
The 2021 season to date 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.
In February 2021 Elijah Lui took part in the South Coast Open school boy trials and was named on the wing in the South Coast Open A school boy side as a result of his trial performances.
Elijah Lui started South Coast’s Day One match against Met North on the right wing and in just the 2nd minute of the match made a ten metre run down the left sideline to get to within eight metres of the try line. Elijah Lui displayed calm nerves and courage in the 13th minute when he came forward to take a difficult kick-off on the full under intense pressure.
Round One of the 2021 Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League competition saw Elijah Liu start at fullback for Keebra Park State High School against Keebra Park.
Elijah Liu also started at fullback in Round Two against Mabel Park and almost scored in the 9th minute when he chimed into the backline on the left side of the field however he was held up in the left corner.
Elijah Liu made a line break in the 25th minute when he came forward to take a Mabel Park dropped ball just ten metres from his own line and sliced through the defence, making fifty five metres from before being tackled from behind, Elijah Liu then attempted to get to his feet quickly but was held down and was awarded a penalty as a result.
Round Three against Ipswich State High School saw Elijah Lui named on the bench for Keebra Park but he was back in the starting side on the left wing for Round Four against St Mary’s College Toowoomba.
The Round Five local derby against PBC saw Elijah Lui continue on the left wing and scored Keebra Park’s opening try in the match in the 23rd minute with a try in the left corner after he had taken the cut-out pass above is head.
Elijah Lui came close to a second try in the 37th minute when after a great off-load from Immanuel Kalekale Elijah Lui raced down the left touchline and kicked forward for himself when confronted by PBC fullback Keano Kini. Keani Kini got back to the ball first but Elijah Lui was able to force Keani Kini into the in-goal to force a goal line drop out.
Elijah Lui continued on the left wing in Round Six against Wavell State High School and scored three first half tries as Keebra Park held on to win 18 – 16.
The 2021 season to date for Kovi Ngan-Woo:
In Round One of the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition, 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 24 – 18 victory.
Kovi Ngan-Woo was named on the interchange bench in Round Two against the Tweed Coast Raiders.
Kovi Ngan-Woo was named in the starting line-up in the front row in Round Three against Northern United, making the most of his starting spot by scoring 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.
Kovi Ngan-Woo continued in the front row in Round Four as the Jets took on the Cudgen Hornets in their local derby and was immediately in the action making a strong run from the kick-off.
Kovi Ngan-Woo also started in the front row in Round Five against the Kyogle Turkeys producing a great run from a standing start in the 16th minute making twelve metres to get the ball twenty metres out from the try line.
Kovi Ngan-Wood also started in the front row in Round Six against Casino RSM making the first of numerous strong charges from the fourth hit-up of the match. Kovi Ngan-Woo’s best run of the match came in the 20th minute when he burst onto the ball to the right of the dummy half forty metres from his own line. As soon as he took possession Kovi Ngan-Woo cut down to his left towards the soft spot behind the play the ball and took advantage of the space to race thirty metres downfield with three defenders left in his wake.
Kovi Ngan-Woo dropped back to the bench for Round Nine against the Byron Bay Devils and also came off the bench in Round Ten against the Marist Brothers Rams, in Round Eleven against the Ballina Seagulls and Round Twelve against the Tweed Coast Raiders.
The 2021 season to date for Harvey Moase:
In June 2021 Harvey Moase was part of a Titans U18 Northern Rivers squad that played the Titans U17 JTS squad at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters with Harvey Moase starting the match at halfback and drawing praise for his performance from Titans Development Staff.
Harvey Moase started at halfback for the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side for their Round One match against the Wests Tigers and had an outstanding match which saw him cross for a second half double.
Harvey Moase’s first try came early in the second half, when after kicking towards the right corner, he was on hand when a heavy tackle from Michael Roberts dislodged the ball from the Wests Tiger’s fullbacks grasp, under Harvey Moase being on the spot to pick the ball up and race away to score under the posts.
Later in the second half Harvey Moase scored his second try when he backed up fullback Ben Moyle who had split the Wests Tigers line through the centre of the ruck. Ben Moyle drew the fullback to send Harvey Moase away in score under the posts in the 57th minute. Harvey Moase then proceeded to convert his own try.
Harvey Moase was also heavily involved in Michael Robert’s first try of the match, early in the first half. Harvey Moase kicked towards the right wing with the ball taking a wicked bounce, right winger Blake Forder flew through and toe’d the ball forward for Michael Roberts to pick up on the bounce and crash over under the posts.
Over the course of the match, Harvey Moase’s tactical kicking into the right corner kept the Wests Tigers on the back foot and midway through the second half, Harvey Moase’s kick travelled into the in-goal and as a result of a strong Michael Roberts tackle, the West Tigers fullback could not get back into the field of play, thus forcing a goal line drop out.
After his outstanding Round One performance, Harvey Moase also started Round Two against local rivals the North Coast Bulldogs at Nambucca Heads at half back and produced another solid display and another try as the Titans went down to the Bulldogs.
Harvey Moase scored early in the first half when he produced a winding run back to the left side of the field, which included a right foot step before straightening up to dive over under the posts under heavy pressure. Harry Moase made his try scoring run after receiving a pass from fullback ben Moyle after initially passing to Moyle on the right side of the field.
Harvey Moase also continued to showcase his tactical kicking in the match, including a pin point kick towards the left corner in the 19th minute of the first half which came down less than a metre from the North Coast line when the Titans defence right there to drag the catcher back into the in-goal for a Northern Rivers Titans restart.
Harvey Moase also produced an outstanding kick in the 21st minute of the first half, this time to the right corner, once again the ball came down close to the North Coast line with the Bulldogs left winger unable to take the ball cleanly.
Harvey Moase also started at halfback in Round Three against the Greater Northern Tigers once again highlighting his tactical kicking including a smart short kick into the in-goal in just the third minute of the match to force the Tigers to restart by way of the goal line drop out.
From the resultant set of six after the drop out, Harvey Moase had a try assist when he put up a pinpoint kick to the right corner which found Harry Sivewright on the chest for him to score untouched.
Harvey Moase also started at halfback in Round Four at Lismore against the Central Coast Roosters, kicking three conversions including converting Blake Forder’s 67th minute try from the right touchline. Harvey Moase in fact set up Blake Forder’s try with a deft right foot grubber into the in-goal in the right corner.
A minute earlier Harvey Moase had forced the Central Coast fullback to take the ball dead when he put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal. Harvey Moase set up Blake Forder’s try from the resultant restart.
Harvey Moase continued at halfback in Round Five against the Newcastle Knights and produced a great try saving tackle in the opening minutes of the second half when he scrambled to his right to get to the Newcastle fullback and prevent a try. Harvey Moase made another try saving tackle in the second half of the match in the 63rd minute when he got low and stopped the Newcastle No. 14 when he tried to sneak over from dummy half from close range to the right of the play the ball.
Harvey Moase started at halfback for the Cudgen Hornets in Round One of the NRRRL U18 competition, 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 left 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.
Harvey Moase also started at halfback in Round Two 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.
Harvey Moase continued at halfback in Round Four in the local derby against the Bilambil Jets and after missing Round Five, Harvey Moase was back at halfback and kicked two conversions in Round Six against Byron Bay.
Harvey Moase continued at halfback in Round Seven against the Marist Brothers Rams, kicking four conversions in Cudgen’s victory including an outstanding kick from the right touchline in the 52nd minute to convert a Tobey Carpenter try.
Harvey Moase also started at halfback in Round Eight against the Kyogle Turkeys and kicked nine conversions from ten attempts (90% strike rate) in the Hornets comprehensive victory.
In addition to his outstanding goal kicking, Harvey Moase was heavily involved in multiple Hornets tries with the first of those involvements coming in just the 3rd minute when he took the ball to the line on the right side of the field near the halfway mark, putting his right second rower, Rohan Beggs, into a gap with the right second rower subsequently drawing the Kyogle fullback to send Jett Forbes on a twenty metres run to put the ball down under the posts.
Harvey Moase also recorded a line break assist in the lead up to Dominic Bowman’s 9th minute try when he put Jett Forbes into a gap with the right centre subsequently drawing the Kyogle fullback to send right winger Dominic Bowman over in the right corner.
Harvey Moase continued at halfback in Round Ten against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.
The 2021 season to date for Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki:
Round One of the 2021 Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League competition saw Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki named to start at right centre of Keebra Park against Marsden State High School however on the day of the game he moved back to the bench and ultimately did not participant in the match.
Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki started at right centre in Round Two against Mabel Park State High School producing a strong run of fifteen metres from just the third hit-up of the match.
Round Three against Ipswich State High School saw Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki named on the bench for Keebra Park but moved into the start side at left centre for Round Four against St Mary’s College Toowoomba, a match in which Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki was comfortably the best player on the field including scoring an impressive double.
Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki’s opening try came in just the second minute of the match when he charged into a gap from six metres out off a Connor Te Kani pass.
Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki scored his second try in the 39th minute as a result of another strong charge down the left channel with Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki bursting through the St Mary’s defensive line ten metres out to get the ball down twelve metres in from the left corner post.
The 7th minute also saw Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki make himself a handful for the St Mary’s right sided defence with a twenty metre burst down the left channel.
The Round Five local derby against PBC saw Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki continue at left centre and score in the 47th minute with a ten metre run to the line down the left channel.
Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki was also heavily involved in Elijah Lui’s 37th minute line break when he was on hand to receive an off-load from his inside by Immanuel Kalekale with Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki then off-loading to his left to Elijah Lui who broke away down the left touchline.
Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki continued at right centre in Round Six against Wavell State High School.
In Round One of the 2021 Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition, Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki started at lock for the Nerang Roosters as they faced the Burleigh Bears.
Round Two against the Currumbin Eagles saw Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki move to right centre, with the move paying big dividends for the Roosters.
Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki had an outstanding match, 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 before placing it down.
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.
Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki continued at right centre in Round Three against Runaway Bay and then after missing a number of rounds, started at right second row in Round Nine against the Currumbin Eagles before being named on the bench in Round Ten against the Runaway Bay Seagulls.
Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki moved to right centre in Round Ten against the Burleigh Bears scoring one try and setting up another.
Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki scored in the 21st minute when he barged over to get the ball down under the posts from five metres out after taking possession off the dummy half to the left of the play the ball.
Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki’s try assist came in the 41st minute when whilst operating down a short right blindside, Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki he put in a short grubber kick which was collected by one of Nerang’s interchange players to score in the right corner.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu:
In June 2021, Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu was a member of the Titans JYS U16 side that drew with a Titans U17 Northern Rivers Academy side at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans NRL fixture against Manly.
In late October 2020, Philip Hakaaraia-Ngamotu was named in the Gold Coast Rugby League U16 Cyril Connell Cup Academy Squad and when the split occurred Philip Hakaaraia-Ngamotu was named in the Burleigh Bears Cyril Connell Cup squad.
Philip Hakaaraia-Ngamotu started in the second row in the Bears first 2021 U16 Cyril Connell Cup trail in early February 2021 against the Tweed Heads Seagulls Cyril Connell Cup squad and came off the bench in their second trial against the Easts Tigers.
In Round One of the 2021 Cyril Connell Cup, Philip Hakaaraia-Ngamotu started in the second row for the Bears side as they took on the Souths Logan Magpies and scored a strong try late in the match dragging two Souths Logan defenders over the line with him to score in the right corner.
Philip Hakaaraia-Ngamotu received the ball down a short blind side approximately six metres out from the line, beating two defenders who had rushed out of the line, once past those two defenders Philip Hakaaraia-Ngamotu surged towards the line, dragging another two defenders along for the ride to get the ball down three metres in from the right corner post at the car park end of Pizzey Park.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu also started at right second row in the Round Three local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and made an immediate impression with a strong first up tackle on giant Seagulls front rower Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa.
Towards the end of the match in the 57th minute, Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu produced for me what as his best tackle of the match when he hit Tweed Heads second rower Max Murphy front on, stopping the Seagulls player dead in his tracks just two metres from the try line.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu also had a number of strong runs in the match, the first of which came in the 22nd minute with a ten metre effort to get Burleigh into Seagulls territory. Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu then backed that run up two tackles later with the speed of his run too quick for the defence who were penalised for being offside.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu produced another strong effort in the 28th minute with a run from a Burleigh penalty restart, initially taking the ball eighteen metres out from the line and getting to within three before being wrestled down by multiple Seagulls defenders. Then in the 37th minute Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu continued his hard running afternoon with a run of fourteen metres that once again got him to within a couple of metres of the try line.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu showcased his outstanding speed for a big strong second rower in the 47th minute with a huge fifty metre charge down the right side of the field. After receiving the ball thirty metres out from his own line Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu easily bumped off the first attempted tackle to break into space, outpacing the Seagulls cover defence. As he got to about twenty metres out from the try line Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu tried to set up his support on his inside but just as he was about to pass to his left the ball was stripped out of his grasp with Burleigh being awarded a penalty as a result.
Round Five against the Ipswich Jets saw Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu once against named to start at right second row however he was a late scratching from the match.
2021 also saw Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu once again represent Keebra Park State High School in school boy rugby league, starting Round One of the Walters Cup against Marsden State High School at right second row.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu also started Round Two against Redcliffe State High School at right second row and was involved in the opening tackle of the match and then also made the fourth tackle of the match.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu continued his strong start to the match in the 8th minute with a strong fourteen run down the right channel.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu also played some matches in the Langer Reserve competition in 2021 including starting from the bench in Round Six against PBC State High School.
Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu was named to make his Langer Cup Open A debut in Round Six against Wavell State High School at right second row and what a debut it was with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu scoring just seven seconds into the match, yes seven seconds is correct.
Keebra Park SHS kicked off with the ball going high and it was subsequently caught by the wind. The ball came down on the twenty metre mark but was dropped by Wavell SHS with Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu coming through and picking the ball up in one motion whilst at full speed. Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu then veered slightly to his right and then charged over between two defenders to get the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Jeremaiah Tamepo:
In January 2021 Jeremaiah Tamepo started on the left wing for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights, with the Titans recording an impressive victory over their fellow NRL rivals 32 - 20.
In general play the ball did not get out to Jeremaiah Tamepo too often on the left wing, but it did on one occasion in the first half and it appeared that Jeremaiah Tamepo had scored a barging try in the left corner but the touch judge had called a pass earlier in the movement forward.
Whilst the ball may not have gotten out to him Jeremaiah Tamepo went looking for work regularly and made some telling runs out of dummy half as the match progressed.
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.
In Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition, Jeremaiah Temapo started at right centre for the Nerang Roosters as they faced the Burleigh Bears and was one of the Roosters try scorers in their impressive first up victory.
Jeremaiah Temapo moved to left centre in Round Two against the Currumbin Eagles with his first touch of the ball coming when he took the 4th hit-up of the match after Currumbin kicked off. Then in the 4th minute Jeremaiah Tamepo ran out of dummy half from inside his own twenty metre area, breaking three tackles in the effort.
Jeremaiah Temapo made a line break in the 52nd minute when he broke through the defensive line down a short left blindside making thirty metres before getting the ball away to his left.
Jeremaiah Temapo produced a line break assist in the 6th minute when he was able to put his left winger Haizyn Mellars away on a twenty five metre run down the left touchline.
Round Three against Runaway Bay saw Jeremaiah Tamepo have a signature match from left centre, scoring four of the Roosters five tries as they defeated Runaway Bay 22 – 4.
Jeremaiah Temapo scored once again in Round Four from his left centre position as his Roosters side defeated the Ormeau Shearers 30 – 14.
Jeremaiah Temapo continued at left centre In Round Five against the Southport Tigers, scoring a double in the Roosters 34 – 12 victory before moving to right centre in Round Nine against the Currumbin Eagles.
In Round Nine against the Runaway Bay Seagulls Jeremaiah Temapo once again started at left centre and he had a big game, including scoring a double in the Roosters impressive victory.
Jeremaiah Temapo scored his first try in just the 7th minute when he burst onto the ball ten metres out, breaking one tackle to get the ball down seven metres in from the left corner post.
Jeremaiah Temapo’s second try came in the 44th minute and it was certainly a spectacular effort. Nerang had a scrum feed deep on their own territory. Once the scrum was won, the Roosters spun the ball to their left with Jeremaiah Temapo receiving the ball less than ten metres from his own line, Jeremaiah Temapo ran over his direct opponent and from there outpaced the cover defence to dive over five metres in from the left corner post.
Jememaiah Temapo continued at left centre in Round Ten against the Burleigh Bears.
In early March 2021 Jeremaiah Tamepo was named in the South Coast Open school boy rugby squad however he did not end up playing for South Coast in the Championships.
Round One of the 2021 Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League competition saw Jeremaiah Tamepo initially named on the bench for Keebra Park against Marsden State High School however Jeremaiah Tamepo ended up starting the match on the right wing.
Jeremaiah Tamepo moved to left centre for Round Two against Mabel Park State High School and was one of Keebra Park’s try scorers in their 30 – 14 victory.
Jeremaiah Tamepo’s try came in the 33rd minute when he received a cut-out pass from Connor Te Kani when he was still eight metres and as he engaged the defence just short of the try line, Jeremaiah Tamepo spun clockwise to get the ball down whilst still engaged with defenders from metres from the left corner.
Jeremaiah Tamepo almost scored a second try in the 45th minute when he leapt above the defence to take a chip kick to his side of the field on the full and he pushed to within centremetres of the line before he was stopped.
In the 24th minute, Jeremaiah Tamepo recorded a line break in the 24th minute when he burst twenty metres down the left touchline but unfortunately he as adjudged to have put his left on the touchline around the halfway mark.
Jeremaiah Tamepo also started at right centre in Round Three against Ipswich State High School before dropping back to the bench for Round Four against St Mary’s College Toowoomba and was also on the bench for the Round Five local derby against PBC.
In Round Six against Wavell State High School, Jeremaiah Temapo moved into the Keebra Park SHS side at left centre.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Immanuel Kalekale:
Immanuel Kalekale made his first appearance in a Titans jersey for the Titans U17 side that played their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour in January 2021 starting the match from the bench.
Immanuel Kalekale made a positive impact when he came on as the Titans were impressive in their 32 – 20 victory including an exceptional charge late in the match where he made at least thirteen metres through the middle of the Knights forward pack. Overall it was an impressive Titans debut for Immanuel Kalekale punctuated by some powerful hit-ups and a high work rate in both attack and defence.
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 Kalekale 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.
In relation to club rugby league in 2021 Immanuel Kalekale lined up for the Nerang Roosters in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition with his first appearance for the Roosters coming in Round Three when he started from the bench as the Roosters defeated Runaway Bay 22 - 4.
In Round Five against the Southport Tigers, Immanuel Kalekale started at lock in the Roosters 34 – 12 victory before being named on the bench in Round Seven against Mudgeeraba. Round Ten against the Runaway Bay Seagulls saw Immanuel Kalekale named to start from the bench however he was a late scratching from the match.
Immanuel Kalekale moved to lock in Round Ten against the Burleigh Bears and scored a strong try in the 15th minute and also kicked Nerang’s final conversion of the match with the kick being taken just to the left of the uprights.
In the 15th minute Immanuel Kalekale charged onto the ball from six metres out to the left of the dummy half and dragged four defenders over the line to get the ball down next to the right upright.
Immanuel Kalekale produced another powerful run in the 55th minute from deep inside his own territory of thirty five metres with Immanuel Kalekale then producing a great right arm off-load to keep Nerang’s momentum going.
Immanuel Kalekale was also named to start in the front row in Round Six against Wavell State High School.
In February 2021 Immanuel Kalekale took part in the South Coast Open school boy trials and was subsequently named in the South Coast Open A school boy side as a result of his outstanding trial performances, however he did not end up lining up for South Coast in the Championships.
2021 also saw Immanuel Kalekale line up for Keebra Park PBC State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup competition starting Round One in the front row against Marsden State High School.
Immanuel Kalekale started Round Two against Mabel Park State High School in the front row and one of Keebra Park’s try scorers in their 30 – 14 victory with his try coming in the 15th minute when he charged onto the ball from three metres, skittling a number of defenders to get the ball down four metre to the right of the uprights.
Immanuel Kalekale made another big charge in in the 45th minute when he broke four tackles to get to within two metres of the line and then in the 49th minute Immanuel Kalekale came out of the line to put on a big front on hit in what was probably the best tackle of the match.
Immanuel Kalekale also started in the front row in Round Three against Ipswich State High School and made the opening tackle of the match after Keebra Park had kicked off. Immanuel Kalekale made the first of multiple strong runs in the 4th minute with hard charge and off-load to Blaze Mozer and then he was at it again in the 10th minute with another strong charge.
Immanuel Kalekale was named to continue in the front row in Round Four against St Mary’s College Toowoomba however he was a late omission from the Keebra Park side.
The Round Five local derby against PBC saw Immanuel Kalekale named to start in the front row and put in a dominating performance to lead Keebra Park to an impressive come from behind victory.
Immanuel Kalekale was simply devastating running the ball but it was two off-loads that also brought Immanuel Kalekale to prominence in the match, including an off-load in the 38th minute after he kept fighting in a tackle. Immanuel Kalekale was able to get his right arm free and off-load to his left to Delahia Wigmore who cut back to his right into space to score from ten metres out.
Immanuel Kalekale’s other significant off-load came in the 37th minute and came when he charged onto the ball on the left side of the field and whilst in contact with the line got a great right arm off-load away to left centre Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki who then off-loaded to Elijah Lui who broke away down the left touchline.
The 2021 season to date for Taine Tuaupiki:
Taine Tuaupiki is a local young former Titans linked utility (halfback/five eight/fullback) who 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.
Deservedly however Taine Tuaupiki made his Queensland Cup debut for Burleigh off the bench in Round Six as the Bears defeated Norths 36 – 0.
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 also was named to start on the bench against the Ipswich Jets in Round Seven however he was a late scratching.
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.
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.
Taine Tuaupiki started Round Two of the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition at fullback against Helensvale and scored in the 50th minute when he received the ball two passes off the ruck as the ball was spun to the left with Taine Tuaupiki receiving the ball eighteen metres out. As he approached the defensive line, Taine Tuaupiki dummied to left left to break through the line and then stepped off his left to beat the Hornets fullback to score.
Against Mudgeeraba in Round Three Taine Tuaupiki once again started at fullback, scoring once again as well as setting up another. Taine Tuaupiki scored in the 24th minute when he received the ball from a Burleigh scrum win sixteen metres out, Taine Tuaupiki ran to his left dummying once before cutting through the line to score ten metres in from the left corner.
Taine Tuaupiki’s incredible 2021 season continued in Round Four when from fullback he scored a hat trick as Burleigh routed Southport 88 – 0.
Taine Tuaupiki’s first try came in the 13th minute of the match when he used his speed to slice through the Southport defensive line on the left side of the field and then was simply too quick for the fullback to score two metres from the left upright.
In the 23rd minute Taine Tuaupiki scored once again after some great work by right winger Will Evans. Will Evans took a kick on the full just out from his own line and then raced sixty metres down the right touchline before kicking back towards centre field with the ball sitting up nicely for Taine Tuaupiki who ran thirty metres to score next to the left upright.
Taine Tuaupiki completed his hat trick in the 58th minute when he backed up a break by the dummy half through centre field forty five metres out, breaking through one attempted jersey grab before veering to his right to round the Southport fullback to score.
In addition to his hat trick, Taine Tuaupiki also recorded three try assists, a line break and a line break assist in the big Burleigh victory.
The 27th minute of the match saw Taine Tuaupiki record the first of his three try assist when he put in a right foot stab kick towards the right corner with Regan Ogle racing through to get the ball down.
Taine Tuaupiki’s second try assist came in the 44th minute when he joined the Burleigh backline and
after engaging the defensive line on the right side of the field, Taine Tuaupiki was held by the defence with his back towards the goal line but he was able to pop a right arm off-load to Brett Stratton to dive over.
Taine Tauapiki’s third and final try assist of the match came in the 54th minute when after receiving the ball he cut back towards the goal posts getting within two metres of the try line before off-loading to Shallin Fuller who was able to dive over.
After his Round Four heroic’s. Taine Tauaupiki understandably also started at fullback in Round Five against Runaway Bay throwing the final pass for Will Evans try in the right corner in the first half. Taine Tuaupiki also started at fullback in Round Seven against the Currumbin Eagles.
Taine Tuaupiki scored once again from the fullback position in Round Nine against Helensvale when in the 5th minute Taine Tuaupiki sliced through the Hornets left sided defence from ten metres out to score near the right upright.
Round Eleven against the Mudgeeraba Redbacks saw Taine Tuaupiki continue at fullback with Taine Tuaupiki scoring one try and setting up another.
Taine Tuaupiki scored in the 49th minute when after receiving the ball two passes off the dummy half on the left side of the field twenty metres out, Taine Tuaupiki ran at the line before cutting back towards centre field. With the Mudgeeraba defensive stationary, Taine Tauapiki ran back to his right parallel to the line. Near centre field, Taine Tuaupiki dummied to his right before stepping off his right foot and as a consequence sliced through the defensive line ten metres out and ran around to put the ball down under the posts.
Taine Tuaupiki’s try assist came in the 69th minute when after receiving the ball, Taine Tauapiki threw a long cut out pass to right winger Lofi Khan-Pereira who raced over to score in the right corner.
Taine Tuaupiki moved to five eight for Round Twelve against the Tugun Seahawks and recorded a 10th minute try assist when from a scrum Taine Tuaupiki received the ball twenty five metres out and to the right and was able to get on the outside of his immediate opponent and draw in the Tugun left winger to send Lofi Khan-Pereira over in the right corner.
Taine Tuaupiki continued at five eight in Round Eleven against Runaway Bay.
In April 2021, Taine Tuaupiki was named in the Gold Coast Vikings First Grade South East Queensland Chairman’s Challenge initial squad.
The 2021 season on date for Jayden Sharp:
Jayden Sharp made his first 2021 appearance when he came off the bench for the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side in their twenty all draw against the Easts Tigers at Langland’s Park with Jayden Sharp scoring late in the first half when he charged onto a pass from Cole Geyer to the left of the play the ball from three metres out, spinning counter clockwise to force his way over adjacent to the left upright.
Jayden Sharp had made a strong fifteen metre surge earlier in the first half, with the majority of the metres made post contact.
Jayden Sharp was also impressive defensively in his first stint on the field in the trial including a big tackle (the first that he made after coming on) in the 24th minute of the first half. Jayden Sharp produced another strong hit, this time in the second half when from a Burleigh kick-off Jayden Sharp’s initial contact forced the ball loose from the Easts Tigers forwards grasp as he was returning the kick-off.
The following week in the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls, Jayden Sharp moved into the starting side at lock and contributing to the Bears victory including a strong run in the 56th minute where he made fifteen metres with the highlight of the line being when he knocked the Tweed Heads hooker backwards.
Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Jayden Sharp start at lock and captain the Burleigh Bears when they took on the Easts Tigers with Jayden Sharp taking the 3rd hit-up of the match.
Jayden Sharp made another strong hit-up in the 7th minute when he made eleven hard metres to get the ball into the Bears twenty attacking zone after Easts had lost the ball in a tackle. In the 14th minute, Jayden Sharp made a further fourteen metres to get Burleigh over the halfway after receiving the ball to the left of the dummy half.
Jayden Sharp continued to work hard in the 16th minute when he made twelve more metres getting the ball to the thirty metre mark on the second hit-up after Lofi Khan-Pereira’s 14th minute try.
Jayden Sharp did a lot of defence in the match including a strong front on driving tackle in the 77th minute on one of the Easts Tigers second rowers that sat him on his back.
To cap off a very solid captain’s performance when the 67th minute he raced through to get hold of an errant Tigers pass forty metres out from their line. Instead of just submitting to a tackle, Jayden Sharp whilst under pressure from two defenders, offloaded to his left by way of a left arm flick pass to Cameron Brown who after some expert stepping by both him and Lofi Khan-Pereira scored a spectacular try in the left corner.
Jayden Sharp also started at lock 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, Tristian Powell and Blake Campbell.
Jayden Sharp first major impact running the ball came in the 14th minute when the Burleigh captain was able to make fifteen metres downfield after receiving the ball on his own twenty before offloading to his right to Daniel Shannon.
Jayden Sharp also started at lock in Round Three against the Western Mustangs but started Round Four in the front row against the Norths Devils.
Jayden Sharp also started in the front row in Round Five against the Ipswich Jets and after two weeks with the Burleigh GCRL First Grade side Jayden Sharp came off the bench in Round Eight against the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Bears tough two point last minute loss.
After playing a number of matches for the Burleigh GCRL First Grade side, Jayden Sharp was back at lock in Round Nine against the Mackay Cutters.
Jayden Sharp deservedly stepped up to the Burleigh Bears Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade side for their Round Four match, with Jayden Sharp starting from the bench as the Bears routed Southport 88 – 0. Jayden Sharp also started from the bench in Round Five against Runaway Bay.
Jayden Sharp made his starting Gold Coast Rugby League starting debut in the front row in Round Nine against the Helensvale Hornets before dropping back to the bench for Round Eleven against the Mudgeeraba Redbacks, match that saw Jayden Sharp score his first GCRL First Grade try in the 26th minute when he took a hit-up to the right of the dummy half and ten metres from the line directly in front of the goal posts.
After receiving the ball Jayden Sharp produced a slight jink off his left foot to wrong foot two defenders. When he was just a few metres from the line, Jayden Sharp got hit in a heavy tackle but was able to maintain his balance long enough to reach out and put the ball down with his right arm next to the right upright.
Jayden Sharp continued in the front row in the previously postponed Round Eight match against Tugun as well as in Round Eleven against Runaway Bay.
The 2021 season to date for Jonah Beaven:
In late October 2020, Jonah Beaven was named in the Gold Coast Rugby League U16 Cyril Connell Cup Academy Squad and when the split occurred Jonah Beaven was named in the Tweed Heads Cyril Connell Cup squad.
Jonah Beaven started at lock in the first two quarters for the Seagulls in their final 2021 trial against the Souths Logan Magpies before coming back onto the field in the fourth quarter to line up at lock one again.
Jonah Beaven started Round One of the 2021 Cyril Connell Cup at lock as the Bears took on the Ipswich Jets also started at lock in the Round Three local derby against the Burleigh Bears and as his all action self in the comprehensive 33 – 6 Seagulls victory.
In the Round Three local derby Jonah Beaven took the 4th hit-up of the match after Burleigh kicked off. Then to emphasise his work ethic after Tweed Heads kicked on the last tackle, Jonah Beaven was the first Seagulls player down field to tackle the Burleigh fullback returning the ball. To prove that was no fluke, Jonah Beaven was first downfield just a couple of minutes later to once again tackle the Burleigh fullback in relation to the Seagulls second clearing kick.
Jonah Beaven continued the trend of him terrorising the Burleigh fullback when in the 11th minute, along with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa he crunched him as he was trying to dart through the centre of the ruck.
Jonah Beaven added a great ball and all tackle to his game resume in the 17th minute when he moved out of marker to his left to hit Burleigh front rower Samuel McAllister.
Whilst it may appear from the commentary that Jonah Beaven’s contribution to Tweed Heads victory was solely based on his defence that certainly was just case as could be seen in the 46th minute when Jonah Beaven charged into the Burleigh defensive line making thirteen metres on the second hit-up from the kick-off to Matthew Barrow’s try, to get the ball thirty three metres out from his own line. Jonah Beaven then backed that run up with the 4th hit-up from the same set of six making another eighteen metres to great the ball near to the twenty metre mark.
Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies saw Jonah Beaven once against start at lock.
In 2021 Jonah Beaven once again was part of the PBC School Boy Rugby League Elite Program starting Round One of the Walters Cup competition in the front row against Ipswich State High School and scoring a key PBC try in the 16 all draw.
In the 37th minute, after PBC hooker Will Saunders had run to the right out of dummy half close to the Ipswich SHS line, Jonah Beaven cut back underneath, getting the pass five metres out and continuing his run to his left before straightening up after he had gotten to the other side of the play the ball to force his way over from a second effort (he had initially looked as if he was going to be held up) five metres in from the left corner post.
Jonah Beaven was immediately in the match, taking the hit-up from the kick-off. Jonah Beaven made another strong run from the kick-off to PBC’s first try of the match in the 11th minute with Jonah Beaven breaking straight through the Ipswich SHS line to get the ball to forty two metres out from his own line.
Jonah Beaven added a great right arm off-load to his match highlight reel in the 19th minute directly in front of the posts to show everyone watching that he has every skill in the book.
Jonah Beaven also started in the front row in Round Two against Forest Lake State High School and scored for the second match in a row. Jonah Beaven scored in the 30th minute when he charged onto the ball from twelve metres out to the right of the play the ball, immediately cutting back towards the soft spot in the defensive line behind the play the ball and reaching out with his right arm to get the ball down, breaking five tackles along the way.
Jonah Beaven’s contribution to PBC’s 28 – 6 started in the first set of six in the match when he took the fourth hit-up after Forest Lake SHS kicked off, with Jonah Beaven making fifteen metres. Then in the 24th minute, Jonah Beaven made a strong twenty metre run before off-loading to his left to Ray Puru who then set up his centre to score down the left side of the field.
Jonah Beaven also started in the front row in Round Three against Coombabah State High School making a number of strong runs, including in the 14th minute when he charged twenty metres through the centre of the ruck before being able to off-load and then in the 38th minute Jonah Beaven burst twenty two metres downfield to get over the halfway mark.
Jonah Beaven continued starting in the front row in Round Six against Keebra Park State High School.
Impressively 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.
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 own twenty metre area. In the 50th minute, Joanh 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 an exceptionally quick play the ball with the Redbacks scoring as a result from the subsequent play the ball.
The 2021 season to date for Will Saunders:
In late October 2020, Will Saunders was named in the Gold Coast Rugby League U16 Cyril Connell Cup Academy Squad and when the split occurred Will Saunders was named in the Tweed Heads Cyril Connell Cup squad.
Will Saunders started at hooker in the first quarter for the Seagulls in their final 2021 trial against the Souths Logan Magpies before coming back onto the field in the fourth quarter to line up at hooker one again. Over the course of the two quarters that he played Will Saunders defended well against the giant Magpies forward pack.
Will Saunders started Round One of the 2021 Cyril Connell Cup at hooker as the Bears took on the Ipswich Jets and put in an outstanding display being far and away the best player on the field in Burleigh’s eight point victory. Such was Will Saunders performance that he was deservedly named as the Seagulls best in the Round One match.
Will Saunders also started at hooker in the Round Three local derby against the Burleigh Bears putting on a dummy half clinic in the Seagulls comprehensive 33 – 6 victory. Will Saunders came close to getting his name on the scoreboard in the 5th minute of the match when he was tackled inches short of the line on the right side of the field.
Will Saunders produced another good dart out of dummy half in the 69th minute when he took off out of dummy half to his left before off-loading. The referee deemed that Will Saunders was hit late after passing the ball with Tweed Heads being awarded the penalty with a bit of a scuffle ensuing due to the late contact.
Even though he was not the biggest player on the field Will Saunders is also an effective defender and that was born out in the 25th minute when Will Saunders hit Bears second rower Junior Filimaua with a strong tackle as he was defending right on his try line with the ball coming loose as a result of Will Saunders initial contact.
Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies saw Will Saunders once against start at hooker and scored in the 10th minute of the match as the Seagulls recorded a last minute victory.
In 2021 Will Saunders continued at PBC as part of the school’s Elite Rugby League Program and made a strong impression after starting at hooker for the PBC Walters Cup side in their Round One 16 all draw against Ipswich State High School.
Will Saunders made the first of his trademark runs out of dummy half in the 18th minute when made ten metres after darting out of dummy half to his right.
Will Saunders then in the 48th minute highlighted that even though he is not the biggest player he has functional strength when he made a great driving tackle on one of the giant Ipswich SHS front rowers just five metres out from his own line, directly in front of his own posts.
Will Saunders also started at hooker in Round Two against Forest Lake State High School and he was once again at his scheming best as early as the 5th minute when he darted out of dummy half to his right getting through the line before off-loading to Zane Harrison not strangely his pass was called forward. Will Saunders, in the 29th minute made another run out of dummy half once again to his right, on that occasion making eighteen metres.
Will Saunders continued at hooker in Round Three against Coombabah State High School scoring one and coming close to a second in an all-round impressive display.
Will Saunders scored in the 14th minute when he darted out of dummy half to his right to burrow his way over from two metres out, getting the ball down on the right side of the field mid-way between the goal posts and corner post.
As noted Will Saunders almost scored another try but in the 7th minute he was held up over the line after attempting to score from dummy half.
Two runs out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball from Will Saunders were also key points in two further tries. On the first occasion, in the 39th minute, Will Saunders ran out of dummy half to his right making fifteen metres before off-loading to Jac Finnigan who then off-load to the PBC right centre with Jac Finnigan receiving the ball back from the centre and then off-loaded the ball back to the same player to score.
In the 47th minute, once again Will Saunders darted out of dummy half down a short right blindside ten metres from the line, drawing a defender before getting the ball away to Zane Harrison who threw an out the back pass to Ray Puru who put his right winger in the corner.
Will Saunders also had an outstanding match from hooker in Round Four against Marsden State High School and also started at hooker in Round Five against Keebra Park State High School.
Will Saunders continued at hooker in Round Six against Redcliffe State High School with the talented hooker having a very good match including scoring in the 55th minute when he chased through an attacking grubber kick from Zane Harrison to dive on the ball under the posts with the referee consequently blowing the whistle to award the try.
The 2021 season to date of Titans contracted Ray Puru:
In May 2021 Ray Puru was part of the South Coast U15 QSSRL School Boy representative side, starting the Championship Final against Met West at fullback and scored in the 31st minute of the Final.
In the 31st minute, Ray Puru looped around to the right behind Zane Harrison, receiving the ball thirty metres out and to put to simply from there Ray Puru was just too quick for the defence blowing through the defensive line and getting the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and right corner post.
Ray Puru would not even have been in a position to score had it not been for another outstanding play of his just a minute prior when he raced to his left to field a Met West attacking grubber kick twenty metres out from his own line. As soon as he took possession, Ray Puru headed back towards centre field before a left foot step took him back towards the right wing, breaking four tackles along the way and making twenty metres.
Ray Puru split the defensive line once again in the 39th minute when he ran onto the ball on the left side of the field, thirty metres out from the line, stepping off both feet to get to ten metres out when he off-loaded to his left to five eight Nayte Saaga who got to within two metres of the line before he offloaded to his left for Jett Bryce to dive over fifteen metres in from the left corner post.
Ray Puru showcased his elite footwork in the 18th minute of the Championship Final when he ran the ball to the right after a South Coast scrum win, stepping off his left foot on three separate occasions in his run that made fourteen metres.
Ray Puru recorded a Championship Final try assist in the 24th minute when he took the ball down a short right blindside ten metres out and popping a good ball to Jac Finnigan who crashed over in the right corner.
Ray Puru started at fullback on Day One of the Championships as South Coast took on Met West with Ray Puru producing a dazzlingly stepping run in the 20th minute when after receiving the ball from the back of a scrum on the right side of the field, Ray Puru produced a series of left foot steps across field, bamboozingly a number of defenders before off-loading to Zane Harrison.
Ray Puru showcased his ball playing ability in the 27th minute when he chimed into the backline on the right side of the field and put right centre Joseph Tupuse away on a thirty run down the right side of the field before he was able to off-load on his inside.
Day Two saw Ray Puru once again start at fullback against Capricornia recording a 39th minute line break when he exploded off the mark from forty metres out from his own line after receiving an off-load whilst standing still. Ray Puru simply exploded through the Capricornia defensive line and got to twenty metres out before being tackled high and justifiably was awarded a penalty.
Also in the 16th minute, Ray Puru made fourteen metres from a winding stepping run after receiving the ball from the dummy half, getting the ball out of his own twenty metre area.
In 2021 Ray Puru continued at PBC as part of the school’s Elite Rugby League Program and made an impressive start from fullback for the PBC Walters Cup side in their Round One 16 all draw against Ipswich State High School.
Ray Puru contributed a try assist to PBC’s cause in the 9th minute when he chimed into the PBC backline on the right side of the field, holding the ball until the last minute before throwing a flat cut-out ball to put his right winger over in the corner.
It was clear that Ray Puru stood a class apart in the match as early as the 3rd minute with his initial kick return of the match. Ray Puru tracked the ball to collect it in the right corner and moving to his left getting on the outside of two Ipswich SHS chasers to make twenty metres.
Ray Puru also started at fullback in Round Two against Forest Lake State High School and he was once again at his electric best contributing a try assist and two line breaks to PBC’s cause in their 28 – 6 victory.
Ray Puru’s try assist came in the 24th minute when after receiving an off-load from Jonah Beaven, Ray Puru drew the Forest Lake SHS right winger to send his left centre on an uninterrupted thirty five metre run to the try line.
Ray Puru made his first line break of the match in just the 2nd minute when he retrieved a Forest Lake SHS clearing kick, moving to his left before bursting down the left touchline making twenty four metres before being tackled and after his attempt at a quick play the ball was stifled he was awarded a penalty.
Ray Puru recorded another line break in the 35th minute when he ran the ball from a PBC scrum win on the left beating three defenders in a twenty metre run but just as he was being tackled the ball unfortunately came loose.
Ray Puru also started at fullback in Round Three against Coombabah State High School, recording two a try assists. Ray Puru recorded his first try assist in the 44th minute when he collected the ball ten metres from his own try line and ran to his right and literally ran around the Coombabah SHS left side defence, racing seventy five metres down the right touchline before drawing the fullback and passing to his left to Zane Harrison who raced away to score under the posts.
Ray Puru recorded his second try assist in the 47th minute, when Will Saunders darted out of dummy half down a short right blindside ten metres from the line, drawing a defender before getting the ball away to Zane Harrison who threw an out the back pass to Ray Puru who put his right winger in the corner.
Ray Puru also had a very solid match from fullback in Round Four against Marsden State High School and was also solid in Round Five against Keebra Park SHS after once again starting at fullback.
Ray Puru was at his dominating best from fullback in Round Six against Redcliffe State High School scoring a first half hat trick with the three tries coming in a six minute burst. Literally Ray Puru wreaked havoc every time that he touched the ball.
Ray Puru scored his opening try in the 19th minute after receiving the ball on the left side of the field, twenty two metres from the line and was simply too quick, easily slicing through the Redcliffe right sided defence to score five metres in from the left corner.
Ray Puru added his second try in the 22nd minute with the try once again coming on the left side of the field. After he received the ball nineteen metres from the line, Ray Puru cut off his left foot to beat one defender and then cut back inside to beat a second before carrying a third defender over the line to get the ball down five metres in from the left corner post.
Ray Puru competed his hat trick in the 25th minute, and this time he scored on the right side of the field after he received the ball twenty five metres out. After receiving the ball, Ray Puru ran to his right beating one defender with a left arm fend and from there Ray Puru outpaced the Redcliffe cover defence to score in the right corner.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Zane Harrison:
In early January 2021 Zane Harrison was part of a small group of Titans 2021 U15 players who after attending a Titans camp, trained with the Titans NRL squad and in mid-February 2021 Zane Harrison played in a Titans U15 Invitational Trial at Burleigh, a trial which included only the best of the 2021 Titans U15 squad members.
Zane Harrison started the match at halfback for the Titans White side and for me he was the standout player of the match with his ball running and deft kicking skills heavily showcased on multiple occasions, primarily on the left side of the field. Post that U15 Titans trial match, Zane Harrison signed a multi-year contract that binds the talented young man to the Titans for three years.
In May 2021 Zane Harrison was part of the South Coast U15 QSSRL School Boy representative side, starting the Championship Final against Met West at halfback, scoring one try and setting up another as well as kicking two conversions.
Zane Harrison scored in the 20th minute after a great solo effort that commenced when Zane Harrison took a pass on the right side of the field twelve metres out from the line. Zane Harrison immediately stepped off his right to beat the initial defender before a left foot step beat a second. As he approached the defence that was situated on the try line, Zane Harrison spun counter clockwise in a tackle and get the ball down ten metres to the right of the goal posts.
Zane Harrison also displayed his never say die attitude in the 24th minute when he produced a great chase from a Nayte Saaga tactical kick from mid-field to tackle the Met West fullback just five metres out from his own line.
At the completion of the Championships, Zane Harrison was named at halfback in the 2021 QSSRL U15 School Boy Merit Team.
On Day One against Met West Zane Harrison was at his dangerous best in the 30th minute when he ran across field to his left and threw a great bell to put a charging Riley Buchanan into a gap, unfortunately thirty metres downfield, Riley Buchanan’s pass to his left was knocked down by the Met West fullback.
Day Two saw Zane Harrison shine once again from halfback against Capricornia and continued early with an outstanding fifty five metre kick in the first minute with the Capricornia being trapped in his own in-goal.
Starting at halfback once again Zane Harrison could not have gotten into the action any quicker on Day Three against Met North when he was required to come forward very quickly to take the kick-off on the full after it fell very short. Zane Harrison really did have to get his skates on and charge forward to take the ball on the full just in front of the onrushing Met North forwards.
Zane Harrison had another big game on Day Three against Met North with the halfback recording a try assist and a line break amongst other smart pieces of play.
In the 47th minute, Zane Harrison drifted to his right across field twenty five metres out from the line before throwing a short flat ball to his right to Jac Finnigan who had run a great outside shoulder line.
Zane Harrison’s first half line break was certainly not your typical one, Met North were attacking the South Coast line and on the 5th tackle took the ball to their right and attempted to put in a short grubber kick. Zane Harrison who was defending on the left, trapped the ball with his left foot just seven metres out from his own line, he quickly picked up the ball and as a result of a winding run was able to get to the halfway mark before he was eventually collared.
Zane Harrison also made significant metres in the opening minute of the second half when South Coast five eight Nayte Saaga put in a short kick-off to the right, with Zane Harrison taking the ball on the full just after the ball had travelled the required ten metres and stepped his way to twenty metres out from the line.
Zane Harrison also made a try saving tackle in the first half of the match when he produced a strong tackle on the giant Met North No. 10 just two metres out from the line with Zane Harrison’s tackle forcing the ball loose.
In 2021 Zane Harrison continued at PBC as part of the school’s Elite Rugby League Program and made a strong impression, showcasing multiple skills from halfback for the PBC Walters Cup side in their Round One 16 all draw against Ipswich State High School.
Zane Harrison put in an assured display for PBC starting off with an exquisite tactical kick in the opening minute of the match with Zane Harrison executing the kick fifty five metres out from the line from an acute angle with the ball going into touch just eight metres out from the line.
Zane Harrison’s elite footwork was at the fore in the 36th minute, when after receiving an off-load from Jac Finnigan, he made a stepping run that made twenty metres as he stepped on multiple occasions to his left.
Zane Harrison also started at halfback in Round Two against Forest Lake State High School and he was once again at his scheming best in PBC’s victory including being heavily involved in PBC’s try in the 41st minute when he laid on a good ball to put right second rower Jac Finnigan into a gap, with Jac Finnigan then off-loading to put his centre over in the right corner.
Zane Harrison continued at halfback in Round Three against Coombabah State High School, scoring a double in PBC’s impressive victory. Zane Harrison’s opening try came in the 17th minute when he flew into an off-load from his lock to score untouched next to the right upright.
Zane Harrison’s second try came in the 44th minute when Ray Puru collected the ball ten metres from his own try line and ran to his right and literally ran around the Coombabah SHS left side defence, racing seventy five metres down the right touchline before drawing the fullback and passing to his left to Zane Harrison who raced away to score under the posts.
Zane Harrison also recorded a try assist in the 8th minute when he floated across the field to his right twenty metres out, dummying to an inside runner to hold the defensive line in place and then he threw a long cut out pass to his right to put his right centre in space and over in the right corner.
Zane Harrison was also heavily involved in another PBC try in the 47th minute, when Will Saunders darted out of dummy half down a short right blindside ten metres from the line, drawing a defender before getting the ball away to Zane Harrison who threw an out the back pass to Ray Puru who put his right winger in the corner.
Zane Harrison also had an outstanding match from halfback in Round Four against Marsden State High School including scoring in the 36th minute with a winding effort. Zane Harrison received the ball eighteen metres from the line on the right side of the field, dummying in that direction before straightening up. Zane Harrison was tripped up as he broke through the line, but quickly bounced to his feet to dive over close to the right upright.
The 24th minute saw Zane Harrison’s kicking game come to the fore when from twenty metres out, he put up a high kick to the right corner with the ball coming down less than a metre from the line with the PBC defence then forcing the Marsden SHS winger back into the in-goal to force a line drop out. Then to highlight that Zane Harrison can execute all types of kicks, he converted PBC’s second try from the right touchline to seal the match.
Zane Harrison continued at halfback in Round Five against Keebra Park SHS and one was of PBC’s best in their tough loss recording a try assist in the 28th minute with a pin point cross field kick to the right corner for his winger to race through to take the ball on the full and score wide out on the right.
Zane Harrison continued at halfback in Round Six against Redcliffe State High School with the cerebral halfback having a very good match including recording a try assist in the 55th minute when he put in an attacking grubber kick that hooker Will Saunders dived on the ball under the posts with the referee consequently blowing the whistle to award the try.
Zane Harrison continued to play for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Junior Rugby League Club in 2021 in the U15 Group 18 competition and had some exceptional matches including in Round Five as the Seagulls accounted for Tugun 24 – 14.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Caleb Hodges:
In early March 2021, Caleb Hodges started from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side in their final 2021 trial against the Burleigh Bears.
Caleb Hodges started Round Two of the Queensland Cup on the wing for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against Wynnum Manly and played all eighty minutes.
In the match, Caleb Hodges ran for seventy five metres (thirty two post contact and twenty one kick return), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 2.91 seconds and made seven tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
Caleb Hodges then started on the wing in the previously postponed Round Twelve of the Queensland Cup against Souths Logan with Caleb Hodges playing the entire eight minutes, running for seven metres and made three tackles.
In Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition, Caleb Hodges started at left centre for the Tweed Heads Seagulls as they took on the Souths Logan Magpies.
In the 3rd minute of the match Caleb Hodges made his first Colts hit-up of 2021 when he received the ball to the right of the dummy half making twelve metres to get the ball out to forty metres away from his own line.
Caleb Hodges continued his efforts running with the ball in the 6th minute when he ran the ball from a Seagulls scrum win to the left, beating two defenders on their outside making twelve metres and doing a good job staying away from the left touch line.
Caleb Hodges showed his speed in the 33rd minute of the match when he chased through a short Seagulls kick-off getting to the ball first on the twenty metre mark to surprise Souths Logan with Caleb Hodges making it to twelve metres out before he was stopped by the defence.
Defence has always been one of Caleb Hodges strong suits and that was highlighted in the 48th minute when he produced a strong tackle close to his own line. Caleb Hodges engaged the Souths Logan right centre initially holding him up before driving him into touch.
Caleb Hodges also started at left centre in the Round Two 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.
Caleb Hodges also started at left centre in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins and in Round Four against the Ipswich Jets.
After missing and number of weeks, including playing for Tweed Heads in the Queensland Cup, Caleb Hodges was named in the centres for Round Twelve of the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition against the Central Queensland Capra’s.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Ben Liyou:
In 2021 Ben Liyou was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts squad and started in the front row in their final 2021 trial against the Burleigh Bears and was immediately in the action making the first tackle of the match on the charging Burleigh front rower Daniel Shannon.
In the 5th minute of the match Ben Liyou produced a strong twenty metre run after Tweed Heads got the ball back after retrieving a short kick-off to display that Ben Liyou is more than just a solid defensive player. Ben Liyou produced another strong twenty metre run off the kick-off after Seagulls team mate Troy Duckett’s try and then also took another strong hit-up on the fourth tackle in the same set of six.
Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Ben Liyou start in the front row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls as well as captaining the side when they took on the Souths Logan Magpies.
Ben Liyou took the first hit-up of the match after Souths Logan kicked off but unfortunately in just the 4th minute of the match, Ben Liyou was taken off for a HIA which he subsequently failed to prematurely end his afternoon.
Ben Liyou also started in the front row in Round Two in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears 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.
Ben Liyou also started in the front row in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins and in Round Four against the Ipswich Jets.
Ben Liyou also started in the front row in Round Five against the Northern Pride, scoring for the Seagulls as they defeated the Jets 40 – 18.
Ben Liyou continued his run of starts in the front row in Round Six against the Easts Tigers, in Round Seven against the Norths Devils, in Round Eight against the Mackay Cutters, in Round Nine against Wynnum Manly and in the Round Eleven local derby against the Burleigh Bears.
Ben Liyou also started in the front row in the previously postponed Round Eleven match against the Sunshine Coast Falcons scoring in the 22nd minute.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Samuel Shannon:
In early January 2021 Samuel Shannon started at lock for the Titans U19 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour and was one of the Titans best in their dominating 40 – 6 victory.
Samuel Shannon was in the action almost immediately, being involved in a solid hit in the second tackle after the Titans kicked off. Also involved in the tackle were Ediq Ambrosyev and Isaac Matalavea-Booth.
Samuel Shannon showcased a variety of skills in the match including an outstanding first hit-up which came in the Titans second set of six tackles when he bent the Knights defensive line in the centre of the ruck backwards. Samuel Shannon also produced an outstanding charge from the second hit-up from the second half kick-off when he took the ball to the right of the play the ball and knocked two defenders as he made fifteen metres with the Titans scoring in the same set of six due to the knight’s defensive line back peddling.
The next skill attributes that Samuel Shannon showcased in the match was an outstanding off-load under heavy pressure to Ediq Ambroysev who was able to make additional metres.
Samuel Shannon highlighted another skill attribute in the 4th minute of the second half, when he showed that he has a one on one steal attribute in his game. When Newcastle on the attack just fifteen metres out from the Titans line, Samuel Shannon was able to get across on the right just as it seemed the Knights attacker was going to be able to split the Titans right sided defence. Samuel Shannon was able to get the ball out of the Knights players hands and then charge forty metres down the right touchline to fundamentally change the momentum of the match at that time.
Samuel Shannon’s game in the main is based on strength and power but in the first half against the Newcastle Knights, he showed some real subtly to put Thomas Weaver into a gap from which the half subsequently scored. Samuel Shannon moved into dummy half twenty five metes out from the Knights line and when he saw the Titans had the number down the blind side, Samuel Shannon ran out of dummy half to his left, running directly at the Knights A defender, holding him on place, before throwing a good short pass to his left to put Thomas Weaver into the gap to record an impressive try assist that many half’s/five eights would have been proud of.
To round out an exceptional match against the Knights, Samuel Shannon produced another outstanding off-load that led to a second Jaylan De Groot try. At the start of the play it appeared that Samuel Shannon was supporting a Jack Cullen hit-up, but at the last moment prior to contacting the defensive line, Jack Cullen put Samuel Shannon into a gap with a deft pre-contact offload. Samuel Shannon then produced his own off-load to send Thomas Weaver away, who subsequently off-loaded to Jaylan De Groot to score.
The off-load by Samuel Shannon was definitely not a simple one. Not long after breaking into space, Samuel Shannon was hit on his left side, but we maintained body control and balance, to get the ball into his right arm and get the pass to Thomas Weaver around the body of the Knights defender who as in contact with him.
At the completion of the Newcastle match, Samuel Shannon along with Thomas Weaver were named the Titans joint Player of the Match.
A week after the match against the Newcastle Knights Samuel Shannon once again lined up for the Titans U19’s starting at lock as the Titans took on a Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad with the Titans winning 32 – 20 with no conversions attempted.
Samuel Shannon was in the action almost immediately, taking the second hit-up after the Bears kicked off, making a typically strong charge to the right of the play the ball after receiving the ball from Ediq Ambrosyev.
As he did in the Newcastle match, Samuel Shannon produced some outstanding runs against the Bears including an 11th minute charge of a Titans tap kick from a penalty against a set Burleigh defensive line. Even though they knew Samuel Shannon was charging straight at them, the Bears defence could not stop Samuel Shannon from making seven metres post contact.
Like it was against Newcastle, Samuel Shannon’s off-loading ability was showcased against the Bears including a two handed off-load with his back towards his own line to Oskar Bryant who made additional metres from the off-load for the Titans.
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 Samuel Shannon starting the match at lock for the Titans.
In early March 2021, Samuel Shannon started on the interchange bench for the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side as they took on the Tweed Heads Seagulls in a trial. Samuel Shannon came off the bench in the 24th minute of the match immediately taking a hit-up to the right of the dummy half making eight metres in the first of multiple charges by the hard as nails young lock.
Samuel Shannon’s hard running style was on display once again just a few minutes later in the 28th minute when he charged into the Seagulls defensive line off the kick-off from Tyler Mahon’s try and then in the 29th minute, Samuel Shannon backed up a break from Cameron Brown, receiving the off-load before getting the ball away to his right to put Tyler Mahon away to score his second try in a five minute span.
Samuel Shannon continued to be heavily involved in the first half and in the last minute of the half charged into the Tweed Heads defensive line once again and on that occasion was able to get an off-load away with his back to the defence.
Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Samuel Shannon named on the interchange bench for the Burleigh Bears when they took on the Easts Tigers with Samuel Shannon scoring the Bears opening round victory.
Samuel Shannon came off the bench in the 23rd minute and just a minute later made the first of many impacts when he ran onto the ball to the left of the dummy half, receiving the ball on his own twenty. Samuel Shannon cut back to his right to the soft spot behind the ruck, making twenty five metres with at least 60% of those post contact.
Just two minutes later Samuel Shannon was able to score his first try of the season. Samuel Shannon received the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball ten metres out from the line. Samuel Shannon broke five tackles in the ten metres that he had to negotiate to get to the line and score under the posts.
Then from the resultant kick-off Samuel Shannon was on hand to take the run, getting the ball out to twenty metres away from his own line. Samuel Shannon continued his great start to the match in the 31st minute when he made a strong charge off the kick off to the Tony Francis try with Samuel Shannon getting the ball back to over the twenty metre mark.
It was another hit-up after a Burleigh try, this one in the 50th minute by Will Evans that saw Samuel Shannon make a mess of the Tigers defensive line when from the kick-off scuttled a number of defenders on the way to making twenty metres.
It was not just strong efforts with the ball that meant that Samuel Shannon was one of the best players on the field, it was also strong efforts in defence including in the 34th minute when he crunched the Easts hooker from his left blind spot. A minute later the Easts No. 16 felt just how hard Samuel Shannon tackles, with on that occasion, Samuel Shannon hitting him from the right side.
Samuel Shannon continued on the interchange bench in the Round Two local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls coming into the match in the 19th minute and almost immediately along with Isaac Matalavea-Booth was in on a big first tackle on Tweed Heads front rower Ben Liyou.
Samuel Shannon took his first hit-up of the match in the 21st minute making twenty metres and breaking four tackles along the way with Samuel Shannon bringing the ball out to the twenty metre mark before three Seagulls defenders were finally able to get him to the ground.
Samuel Shannon has a skill set that includes an offload and in the 31st minute, after making twelve metres of his own he was able to get a right arm offload away to Isaac Matalavea-Booth to was able to get the ball over the halfway mark.
Defensively Samuel Shannon was his usual aggressive self in the derby and Seagulls lock Charlie Murray found that out the hard way when in the 30th minute Samuel Shannon hit him front on and stopping his momentum very quickly and effectively.
After missing Round Four due to playing for the Titans U19 side, Samuel Shannon was named to start Round Five against the Northern Pride from the bench however actually started the match at left second row.
Samuel Shannon moved to lock in Round Six against the Townsville Blackhawks and was in the action immediately, taking the second hit-up after the Townsville kick-off. Samuel Shannon backed that run up in the 25th minute with a sixteen metre run from the set of six after the kick-off from Burleigh’s opening try of the match.
Then in the 43rd minute, Samuel Shannon was able to make twenty metres after a great charge through centre field.
Samuel Shannon moved to right second row in Round Seven against the Central Queensland Capra’s and scored a first half double in Burleigh’s big win.
Samuel Shannon had to wait just six minutes to score his opening try of the match when he flew onto a short flat pass from Isaac Matalavea-Booth, running through a gap in the defensive line to run twenty five metres untouched to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
Samuel Shannon completed his double in the 30th minute when once again he ran a great line into a gap to also score untouched, on that occasion from five metres out, to get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.
Samuel Shannon continued at right second row in Round Eight against the Redcliffe Dolphins, in Round Nine against the Mackay Cutters and the Round Eleven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Tanu Nona:
In January 2021 Tanu Nona started at hooker for the Titans U17 side that defeated a Newcastle Knights side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour with Tanu Nona leading his forwards onto the ball well as they dominated the Knights pack as well as running judicially out of dummy half as the match progressed and the Knight forwards tired in the Titans 32 – 20 victory. One such run early in the second half was a superb twenty five metre effort directly through the centre of the ruck after darting to his right out of dummy half.
Tanu Nona did not have to wait long to get into the match, being part of three of the first five that the Titans made after they kicked off to Newcastle to start the match off.
In June 2021 Tanu Nona started at hooker for a Titans U17 side that played a Titans Northern Rivers U18 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters and caused all sorts of trouble for the Northern Rivers Titans defensive line.
Tanu Nona was named at hooker for the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side for their Round One match against the Wests Tigers and had an impressive match as the Northern Rivers Titans had a solid first up victory.
Tanu Nona got the Northern Rivers Titans on the front foot early in the match with a strong forty metre run through the centre of the Wests Tigers ruck after darting out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball. Tanu Nona continued to run from dummy half over the course of the match and it almost paid off late in the match when Tanu Nona darted out of dummy half to his right only to be held up next to the left goal post.
After his outstanding Round One performance, Tanu Nona also started Round Two against local rivals the North Coast Bulldogs at Nambucca Heads at hooker, producing another solid display, including an early first half try assist.
Tanu Nona’s try assist came early in the first half when he darted out of dummy half to his left, three metres out from the North Coast line and through a flat short ball to his left to put Rowan Mansfield into a gap and he was able to put the ball down under the posts.
Tanu Nona produced an early trademark run out of dummy half in just the 14th minute of the first half when he darted out of dummy half to his right and surging twenty metres before being brought down and then being awarded a penalty when the North Coast defence would not allow him to get to his feet.
Tanu Nona produced two more outstanding runs out of dummy half to the match, one a thirty metre run out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball and in the 49th minute of the match, Tanu Nona once again ran to his right making fifteen valuable metres.
Tanu Nona also started at hooker in Round Three against the Greater Northern Tigers recording a try and a try assist.
Tanu Nona’s try came in the 60th minute of the match when he ran out of dummy half to his left before dummying the same way and darting towards the line to get the ball down under the posts.
Tanu Nona recorded his try assist in the 42nd minute of the match when he ran out of dummy half to his left holding his pass to his left nicely to create a gap for Jye David to run into from close range to score.
Tanu Nona also started at hooker in Round Four at Lismore against the Central Coast Roosters as well as in Round Five against the Newcastle Knights. In his second stint on the field in the second half, Tanu Nona initially came on to play as a running forward before reverting back to his dummy half role later in the half.
Tanu Nona was at dummy half less than a metre out from the Newcastle line with nowhere to go in the 60th minute. Tanu Nona deliberately grubber kicked the ball out of dummy half hard into the Knights defenders who were crouched low, forcing a Knights knock on and winning the ball back for the Northern Rivers Titans.
In May 2021 Tanu Nona was part of the South Coast Maroon Open school boy side at the QSSRL Championships starting from the bench on Day One of the Championships.
Tanu Nona moved into the South Coast Maroon starting side at hooker on Day Two against Met North with his first dummy half run coming in the opening minute of the match.
Tanu Nona was also outstanding in South Coast Maroons Day Three match against Darling Downs including scoring late in the first half. From thirteen metres out Tanu Nona ran out of dummy half to his left shaping to pass to his left but instead he barged over next to the right upright.
The Day Four fifth place play-off match against Met East saw Tanu Nona also start from the bench coming on to play in the dummy half run and early in the second half he produced a typical Tanu Nona dart out of dummy half to his right, making sixteen metres through the centre of the ruck.
Tanu Nona started from the bench for the Cudgen Hornets in Round One of the NRRRL U18 competition, coming on in the second half in the dummy half role as the Hornets defeated the Tweed Coast Raiders 38 – 6.
Tanu Nona also started from the bench in Round Five against Byron Bay, initially playing as a running forward when he came into the field before reverting back to his normal dummy half role. Tanu Nona almost got himself on the try scoring list in the match but in the 56th minute he was held up under the posts after darting out of dummy half from close range.
Tanu Nona moved into the Cudgen starting side at hooker in Round Seven against the Marist Brothers Rams, scoring one try and setting up another in Cudgen’s impressive victory.
Tanu Nona scored in the 48th minute when he moved into dummy half fourteen metres from the try line on the left side of the field. Tanu Nona dummied to his left before running out of dummy half in the same direction before stepping off his left foot to run back towards the centre of the field. Running parallel to the defensive line towards the right, Tanu Nona dummied once again, this time to the right to force his way over the line five metres from the left goal post.
Tanu Nona’s try assist came in the 52nd minute when he ran down a short right blind side, drawing the defence towards him before throwing a cut-out pass to right winger Tobey Carpenter who dived over in the right corner.
Tanu Nona continued at hooker in Round Eight against the Kyogle Turkeys scoring an outstanding long-range solo try in the final minute of the match. Playing as a running forward at the time, Tanu Nona received the ball to the right of the dummy half sixty five metres from the line, easily slicing through two defenders in the Turkeys defensive line and from there Tanu Nona beat the fullback with pace. Within metres of the try line, Tanu Nona was actually caught from behind by the Kyogle five eight but he maintained his balance to get the ball down under the posts.
In addition to his outstanding try, Tanu Nona recorded a 23rd minute try assist when after skipping out of dummy half to his left, Tanu Nona threw a flat, hard short ball in the same direction to his front rower to force his way over five metres to the left of the goal posts after running into a gap established by Tanu Nona four metres from the line.
Tanu Nona continued at hooker in Round Ten against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.
2021 also saw Tanu Nona line up once again for PBC State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup competition starting Round One at hooker against Ipswich State High School. Whilst Tanu Nona spent the majority of his time on the field in the dummy half role he did play as a running forward for a portion of the second half.
In his debut Langer Cup A match, Tanu Nona was outstanding recording two try assist (both for Jett Forbes to score) and two line breaks on top of his outstanding distribution out of dummy half and solid defence.
Tanu Nona’s first try assist came early in the match, in the 9th minute to be exact when he ran the ball to the right out of dummy half down a short blindside, picking the ball up nine metres out. Tanu Nona took the ball right to the line before throwing a cut-out pass to his right to Jett Forbes who dived over in the right corner.
As noted above, Tanu Nona’s second try assist enabled Jett Forbes to score once again, with the try completing Jett Forbes’s hat trick. In the 59th minute, Tanu Nona flew out of dummy half to his left breaking three tackles to get through the Ipswich SHS defensive line, Tanu Nona rounded the fullback by veering to his right but was ankle tapped but as he was going to ground Tanu Nona was able to off-load to his right to a flying Jett Forbes to race away to score under the posts untouched.
In addition to his 59th minute line break that led to Jett Forbes third try, Tanu Nona also broke the Ipswich SHS line in the 22nd minute when Tanu Nona burst out of dummy half to his left bursting through the line and making fifty metres downfield but unfortunately his off-load could not find friendly hands.
It was clear that Tanu Nona was in for a good match as early as the 8th minute, when a dart out of dummy half caught the Ipswich SHS defence napping with Tanu Nona making good ground and then he was awarded a penalty when he was hit in a high tackle.
Tanu Nona also started at hooker in Round Two against St Mary’s College Toowoomba and scored his career first Langer Cup try when in the 29th minute he ran out of dummy half to his left from twenty metres out but as he approached the defensive line Tanu Nona cut back to his right to dive over next to the right upright.
Tanu Nona was immediately in the match, making the first tackle after PBC kicked off in conjunction with Jack Cullen and took his first run out of dummy half in the 4th minute when he darted out of dummy half to his left, making eight metres.
Tanu Nona continued at hooker in Round Three against Coombabah State High School and was also named at hooker for Round Four against Marsden State High School however he ended up starting the match from the bench and played a sunning forward role when he was on the field.
Tanu Nona also started from the bench in the much anticipated Round Five local derby against Keebra Park State High School and also was named to start from the bench in Round Six against Mabel Park State high School but he came into the starting side at hooker just prior to the match.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Oskar Bryant:
In January 2021 Oskar Bryant started from the bench for the Titans U19 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights coming on to play in the dummy half role and as usual Oskar Bryant brought a spark off the bench with his speed out of dummy half and overall enthusiasm.
In the second half Oskar Bryant was heavily involved in a number of Titans tries including when he darted out of dummy half to his left down a short blind side and put Titans left centre Tony Francis into a gap, with the powerful centre subsequently scoring in the left corner.
Oskar Bryant was at it again in the second half when he darted out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball and was then able to draw a defender a pass to his right to Sam McIntyre who was able to barge his way over for his first try in a Titans jersey.
Oskar Bryant has another string to his bow when at dummy half and that is on relation to kicking out of that position. In the 25th minute of the second half, on his own forty five metre line, Oskar Bryant stepped up of dummy half to the right of the play the ball, and off one step produced a strong well directed right foot kick to the Knights left corner. Oskar Bryant got impressive distance on the kick with the ball pulling up within metres of the Knights line and the Titans right side defence making the tackle on the Knights winger eight metres out from the line.
A week after the match against the Newcastle Knights Oskar Bryant 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 and scoring with the Titans winning once again, this time 32 – 20 in a match that saw no conversions attempted.
Oskar Bryant got into the action almost immediately into the match. From dummy half, Oskar Bryant moved to his right and kicked for the right corner from right on the halfway mark. The kick was ideal, forcing the Burleigh fullback to go back into his in-goal. As he was trying to bring the ball back into the field of play, he was hit by Kaleb Ngamanu with the contact forcing the ball loose for Reef Sommerville to simply put his hand on the ball to be awarded a try.
Later in the first half Oskar Bryant once again kicked out of dummy half, after moving to his right, in the right corner, with the Burleigh kick retriever tackled inside his own ten metre line. Oskar Bryant made it three kicks from dummy half into the right corner in the 35th minute with Burleigh trapped inside their own twenty as a result of Oskar Bryant’s kick.
Oskar Bryant’s try came late in the 37th minute of the first half when after passing out of dummy half to his right, he backed up front rower Isaac Matalavea-Booth who was able to get a right armed offload to his left to Oskar Bryant who received the ball ten metres out. Oskar Bryant took off towards the line beating the Burleigh fullback (No. 2 at the time) with a right foot step to dive over next to the left upright.
As usual Oskar Bryant also ran judicially out of dummy half in his two stints on the field in the match, including a smart run out of dummy half in the 30th minute of the first half when he ran to his right with his twelve metre run on the 5th tackle including a 360 degree spin to beat two defenders.
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 Oskar Bryant starting the match on the bench for the Titans.
In November 2020 Oskar Bryant was named in the powerful Tweed Heads Seagulls 2021 MM Cup squad.
In the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side’s 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.
In mid-February 2021 Oskar Bryant was named at hooker in the school boy Oceanic Opens side for the South Coast school boy QSSRL U18 trial against Broadwater. Following the final round of trials, Oskar Bryant was named on the bench for the 2021 South Coast U18 school boy QSSRL squad.
Oskar Bryant came off the bench on Day One of the Championships as South Coast defeated Met North with his first run out of dummy half coming in the 24th minute when he darted out of dummy half to his right.
Oskar Bryant started at hooker for South Coast on Day Three against Capricornia making his initial run out of dummy half in just the second minute down a short left blindside making twenty two metres before being tackled just nine metres from the line.
Oskar Bryant started the Championship Final against Met North from the bench but came into the match late in the first half.
At the completion of the Championships, Oscar Bryant was named in the bench in the 2021 QSSRL U18 School Boy Merit Team.
2021 also saw Oskar Bryant line up once again for PBC State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup competition with his first appearance in the Langer Cup coming when he started at hooker in Round Four against Marsden State High School.
In the match Oskar Bryant showed no signs of rust almost scoring in 7th minute when after throwing a big dummy to his left, Oskar Bryant charged towards the line from twelve metres out to get within a metre of the line before the Marsden SHS defence brought him down.
Oskar Bryant recorded a try assist in the 48th minute when Ryan Foran ran an underneath route down a short left blindside from four metres out after Oskar Bryant had darted to his left out of dummy half and got the ball inside to Ryan Foran who crashed over.
Oskar Bryant showcased his diverse skill set in the 12th minute with a great right foot kick out of dummy half from thirty eight metres from his own line, with the ball bouncing into the in-goal with the Marsden left winger only able to get the ball a metre out from his own line before being tackled by Michael Roberts.
Oskar Bryant continued at hooker centre in the much anticipated Round Five local derby against Keebra Park State High School and came close to scoring in the 9th minute when after a dart from dummy half Oskar Bryant was held up over the line.
Oskar Bryant was named to continue at hooker in Round Six against Mabel Park State High School, however he in fact started the match at halfback and recorded a try assist for PBC’s opening try of the match.
In the 23rd minute, Oskar Bryant received to the ball to the left of the play the ball around twenty metres from the line and immediately ran a diagonal route at the defensive line and was able to draw in a Mable Park defender and then threw a good short ball to his left to a charging Reef Sommerville who ran through a gap to score seven metres in from the left corner post.
The in the second half, Oskar Bryant showed that his defensive technique that he has honed whilst at hooker, is not wasted at halfback when near the halfway mark one of the giant Mabel Park SHS forwards tried to run over him. Oskar Bryant drove into him with his right shoulder driving him backwards and then hard into the ground.
The 2021 season to date for 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.
In February 2021 Delahia Wigmore took part in the South Coast Open school boy trials and was named in the second row in the South Coast Maroon Open school boy side as a result of his trial performances.
Delahia Wigmore started at left second row on Day One of the Championships producing a number of strong runs including in the 22nd minute when he made twelve metres from a penalty restart and the 51st minute, Delahia Wigmore flew out of the line to smash an opposing forward in one of the best tackles of Day One.
Delahia Wigmore also started at left second row on Day Two as South Coast Maroon took on Met North, scoring in the 25th minute when he ran onto a good short ball from Connor Te Kani five metres out to get across the line.
His try was not the only impressive piece of play that Delahia Wigmore produced in the Day Two match. In the 17th minute Delahia Wigmore broke four tackles over the course of running sixteen metres after cutting back towards the centre of the field and in the 54th minute, Delahia Wigmore produced a try saving tackle from marker as the Met North hooker attempted to sneak across from less than a metre out.
The Day Four fifth place play-off match against Met East saw Delahia Wigmore also start at left second row and he recorded an early match line break when he ran a good line to be put into a gap by Connor Te Kani. Once through the gap Delahia Wigmore was able to off-load to his left winger who subsequently crossing out wide.
Delahia Wigmore made his second 2021 South Coast school boy representative side when he was named in the South Coast Open school boy rugby squad in early March 2021 after being named in the South Coast Open B school boy rugby league squad a month earlier.
Round One of the 2021 Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League competition saw Delahia Wigmore named on the bench for Keebra Park against Marsden State High School.
Delahia Wigmore moved into the starting side at left second row in Round Two against Mabel Park State High School and was one of Keebra Park’s try scorers in their 30 – 14 victory with the first of his two tries coming in the 21st minute when he charged onto the ball, not deviating at all to charge over from eighteen metres out.
Delahia Wigmore’s second try came in the 36th minute when he was on the end of a Keebra Park movement to the left side of the field with Delahia Wigmore receiving the ball eight metres out and forcing his way over the line two metres in from the left corner.
In the 32nd minute, Delahia Wigmore broke the defensive line down the left channel before off-loading to his left to Jeremaiah Tamepo who as able to make a further ten metres.
Delahia Wigmore continued at left second row in Round Four against St Mary’s College Toowoomba and scored in the 21st minute when he charged over from ten metres out off a Connor Te Kani pass.
The Round Five local derby against PBC saw Delahia Wigmore continue at left second row and score in the 38th minute when Keebra Park front rower Immanuel Kalekale was able to get his right arm free and off-load to his left to Delahia Wigmore who cut back to his right into space to score from ten metres out.
The 2021 season to date for Cameron Brown:
Cameron Brown made his first 2021 appearance when he started at halfback for the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side in their trial against the Easts Tigers that ended in a twenty all draw with Cameron Brown scoring a 90 metres intercept try in the second half as well as being heavily involved in multiple other positive plays for the Bears.
Cameron Brown also produced some smart pieces of play in the match, including in the 24th minute when he smartly blacked an attacking grubber kick with his left foot, picking the ball up and making a couple of additional metres to ease the pressure on his team.
Cameron Brown was at it again in the 33rd minute of the first half when he tracked back to retrieve an Easts chip kick, after retrieving the ball Cameron Brown burst through the fractured Easts defensive line running sixty metres before looking to offload to his left to his fullback, but unfortunately the ball went to ground.
In the early minutes of the second half, Cameron Brown who operated on the left side of the field in the match showed that he is not adverse to taking the line on, when he dummied to his left then stepping off his right foot to beat one defender before being collared, Cameron Brown however was able to get his arms free to offload to keep the play going.
The following week in the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls, Cameron Brown was once again in the starting side at halfback. Cameron Brown showcased his elite kicking skills in just the 2nd minute of the match when he put a right footed stab kick into the Tweed Heads in-goal forcing a line drop out.
Cameron Brown added a try assist to his impressive performance in the 45th minute when a long cut out pass to his right put Kalani Skipps into space down the left touchline and from there the winger was able to dive over in the corner.
Cameron Brown just could not be kept out of the match and that continued in the 54th minute when he intercepted an errant pass four metres out from his own line, racing sixty seven metres down the left touchline before being dragged into touch.
Cameron Brown added a second try assist in the match when in the 57th minute, Cameron Brown chipped over the Tweed Heads defensive line forty metres out, regathering the ball and sending a pass to his left to trailing second rower Sam McIntyre who ran twenty metres to dive over untouched.
Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Cameron Brown start at halfback and captain for the Burleigh Bears when they took on the Easts Tigers with Cameron Brown scoring the Bears opening round victory. When you add in his five conversions, Cameron Brown finished the match with a fourteen point individual haul and that does not include his try assists.
Cameron Brown’s 67th minute try was certainly one for the ages and is an early contender for try of the year. After retrieving a lost Tigers ball Jayden Sharp offloaded to Cameron Brown forty metres out from the line. When he received the ball Cameron Brown darted to his left beating one defender before producing a right arm flick pass to Lofi Khan-Pereira.
After Lofi Khan-Pereira broke one tackle he passed the ball back to Cameron Brown who was still ten metres away from the line. Cameron Brown stepped off his left to allow two cover defenders to flew past him before putting his head down and going flat out towards the line and diving over seven metres in from the left corner.
Cameron Brown recorded a try assist in just the 6th minute of the match. Operating on the left, Cameron Brown took the ball to the line on the 5th tackle, getting to ten metres out before putting in a right foot stab kick to his left. The kick was ideally weighted, pulling up perfectly in the in-goal for left second rower Sam McIntyre to dive on the ball to score Burleigh’s first try of the 2021 Colts season.
Cameron Brown added another try assist in the 14th minute he threw a cut out pass to his left ten metres from the try line, putting the ball onto the chest of Lofi Khan-Pereira’ who then flew down the left wing to dive over in the left corner.
Cameron Brown added a line break assist in the 44th minute when he took the ball to the line and threw a fifteen metre cut-out pass to his left to hit Lofi Khan-Pereira away down the left touchline.
A further line break assist came in the 56th minute when once again Cameron Brown took the ball right to the line before firing a hard flat cut-out pass to Lofi Khan-Pereira who after running forty metres down the left touchline passed to Zane Prophert who scored in the left corner. Cameron Brown then converted the try from the left touchline.
Cameron Brown was also involved in Will Evans 50th minute try. Cameron Brown had the ball midfield ten metres out and in front of the posts. After he stopped room on the right Cameron Brown threw a long cut-out pass in that direction, but the pass fell short with Tony Francis knocking the ball with his foot into the path of Will Evans who picked the ball up and ran ten metres to score near the right corner.
In addition to his great kick for Sam McIntyre’s 6th minute try, Cameron Brown produced another good kick in the 14th minute, this time a spiralling mid-field bomb that could not be handled by the Easts fullback. Cameron Brown had chased his own kick, to retrieve the ball after Easts had dropped it and beat two defenders to get to twenty metres out from the try line.
Cameron Brown produced a heads up play to take all of the pressure of the Burleigh line in the 66th minute when he darted through to dive on a loose Tigers pass just out from his own line just after Easts had received a six again call.
Cameron Brown also started at halfback and captain in the Round Two local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Cameron Brown kicking four conversions from as many attempts as well as a try assist in the Bears 32 – 24 loss.
Cameron Brown’s try assist came on the last play of the match when he ran to his right and put his five eight into a gaping hole fifteen metres out with the try coming next to the right upright.
Cameron Brown also recorded a line break assist, when in the 30th minute a catch and pass under pressure to his right saw the Burleigh burst through a gaping hole in the Seagulls defensive line.
Cameron Brown also saved a try when late in the first half he along with Isaac Matalavea-Booth 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.
Cameron Brown also started at halfback in Round Three 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.
Cameron Brown continued at halfback in Round Four against the Norths Devils, kicking three conversions from four attempts as the Bears succumbed to the Devils 34 - 22.
Cameron Brown also started at halfback in Round Five against the Ipswich Jets finishing the match with an individual points haul of twenty two points from two tries and seven conversions from ten attempts.
Cameron Brown also started at halfback in Round Six against the Townsville Blackhawks, once again being one of the Bears best and contributing two tries and two conversions to Burleigh’s victory.
Both of Cameron Brown’s tries were long range intercept efforts, the first of which came in the 28th minute, with Cameron Brown taking the intercept when defending on the left and running ninety metres to score. Cameron Brown’s second intercept try of the match was a seventy metre effort in the 71st minute which gave Burleigh back the lead after Townsville had hit the front just minutes earlier.
Cameron Brown’s kicking game was on song in the match with the first of a number of good kicks coming in the 16th minute when from dummy half Cameron Brown grubber kicked towards the posts from the left side of the field with Townsville forced to take the ball dead in-goal.
The Blackhawks had to take another Cameron Brown kick dead in-goal in the 26th minute after he had grubber kicked into the in-goal once again.
Cameron Brown continued at halfback and captain in Round Seven against the Central Queensland Capra’s, kicking six conversions from eight attempts in Burleigh’s big victory.
Cameron Brown also recorded a 76th minute try assist when he chased through a Tyler Mahon midfield bomb, getting a great bounce when it bounced back to him. Cameron Brown immediately, from thirty five metres out, kicked towards the right corner with the kick perfectly weighted for Kalani Skipps to score in the right corner.
Cameron Brown was also involved in Burleigh’s 53rd minute try when he chipped to the left wing for Lofi Khan-Pereira who took possession and off-loading inside with Jakob Hall scoring under the posts later in the movement.
Cameron Brown continued at halfback in Round Eight against the Redcliffe Dolphins, kicking three conversions from four attempts in the Bears tough two point last minute loss.
Cameron Brown also started at halfback in Round Nine against the Mackay Cutters kicking a conversion in Burleigh’s loss and in Round Eleven against the Tweed Heads Seagulls, Cameron Brown also started at halfback and kicked three goals from four attempts in Burleigh’s 38 – 22 loss.
Cameron Brown also started at halfback in the previously postponed Round Ten match against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls kicking one conversion from one attempt when he converted TJ Devery’s 33rd minute try from directly in front.
Cameron Brown also started at halfback and captain in Round Twelve against the Souths Logan Magpies.
The 2021 season to date for James Torrens:
James Torrens is a big strong barrel chested northern New South Wales junior who started from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Three of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition against the Redcliffe Dolphins.
James Torrens also started from the bench in Round Four against the Ipswich Jets and scored in the second half as the Seagulls defeated Ipswich 24 - 12.
James Torrens moved to right centre for Round Five against the Northern Pride and also played at right centre in Round Six against the Easts Tigers and he was one of the Seagulls try scorers in their 30 – 18 victory. James Torrens also started at right centre in Round Seven against the Norths Devils, once again scoring in the Seagulls big victory.
James Torrens moved back to left centre for Round Eight against the Mackay Cutters and also started there in Round Nine against Wynnum Manly and was one of the Seagulls try scorers in their loss. James Torrens scored in the 8th minute when from twelve metres out, James Torrens got on the outside of his direct opponent only to be brought down two metres short of the line, but he was able to reach out as he was being flipped onto his back to get the down with his right arm three metres in from the left corner post.
James Torrens continued at left centre in the Round Eleven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with James Torrens scoring a double and kicking four conversions in the Seagulls 38 – 22 victory with his tries coming in the 34th and 37th minutes.
In the 34th minute James Torrens received the ball eight metres from the line and initially shaped to pass to his left before running the ball himself to get the ball down near the left corner. Then in the 37th minute James Torrens was the beneficiary of some great initial work from Jack Cullen who produced a great one arm off-load for Tweed Heads to break the ball before James Torrens backed up to score an easy try.
James Torrens also started at left centre in the previously postponed Round Eleven match against the Sunshine Coast Falcons with James Torrens scoring in the 10th minute and also kicked four conversions in the Seagulls big win.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Ezra Ubaldino:
Ezra Ubaldino’s first 2021 hit-out was for the Titans U19 squad that in late January played against a Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad with the Titans winning 32 – 20 in a match where no conversions were attempted.
Ezra Ubaldino started the match from the bench, coming on at half time to play the entire second half on the right side of the field, being his usual aggressive self in his time on the field. Ezra Ubaldino had some very good moments in the match with none being more important when he produced a second half try saving tackle. Ezra Ubaldino used his strength to literally get hold of the Burleigh player just as he was diving over. Ezra Ubaldino did not just hold the Burleigh attacker up but then lifted him further off the ground and drove him and back and into the ground in an outstanding display of exceptional strength.
Ezra Ubaldino was immediately in the action, coming up with a heavy tackle in the first tackle after the Titans kicked off to start the second half.
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.
Impressively Ezra Ubaldino started on the Burleigh interchange bench for the Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts Round Four match against the Norths Devils.
Ezra Ubaldino was also named to start from the bench in Round Five against the Ipswich Jets however he was a late scratching from the match.
Ezra Ubaldino was once again on the bench in Round Six against the Townsville Blackhawks, playing left second row when he came onto the field, running the ball well, including in the 71st minute with an effort that earned ten metres.
2021 also saw Ezra Ubaldino line up once again for Burleigh in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition with one of his first appearances set to come in Round Ten against the Mudgeeraba Redbacks when he due to start at left centre however Mudgeeraba ended up forfeiting the match. The Ezra Ubaldino came off the bench against the Nerang Roosters.
The 2021 season to date for Jed Edwards:
Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Jed Edwards start from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls when they took on the Souths Logan Magpies.
Jed Edwards come on towards the end of the first half, moving into the dummy half role and in the 34th minute produced a trademark dart to his left out of dummy half taking the ball nine metres to near the halfway before offloading to his left to enable the Seagulls to get into Magpies territory.
Jed Edwards recorded a line break assist in the 54th minute when he ran out of dummy half to his left and was able to draw in the defence before sending a cut-out pass to his left to put Brenton Daley-Holten down the left touchline.
Jed Edwards made multiple contributions over the course of the match including a great front on low tackle in the 64th minute on a charging Souths Logan front rower after coming out of the marker position.
Jed Edwards also started from the bench in Round Two 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 backpeddling 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.
Jed Edwards also started on the bench in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins and scored a second half double in the Seagulls loss.
Jed Edwards moved into the Seagulls starting side at hooker in Round Four against the Ipswich Jets but was back starting from the bench for Round Five against the Northern Pride.
Jed Edwards also started at hooker in Round Seven against the Norths Devils and after missing a number of rounds also started at hooker in the Round Eleven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Jed Edwards scoring in the 22nd minute of the Seagulls victory when he ran out of dummy half to his right from five metres out beating three defenders to get the ball down midway between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
The 2021 season to date for Daniel Shannon:
Daniel Shannon was deservedly named to make his Queensland Cup debut for the Burleigh Bears in Round Twelve against the Easts Tigers however he ended up being the 18th man.
In early March 2021 Daniel Shannon started in the front row Burleigh in their Hastings Deering’s Colts trial also against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
To say that Daniel Shannon started the match off like a whirlwind would be an understatement and it all started when he charged onto the ball returning the kick off with a charge that proved that Daniel Shannon does not even consider self-preservation. To add to his impressive opening minute, Daniel Shannon then backed up to take the fifth hit-up in the same set of six, with that hit-up equally as strong as the one from the kick-off.
It was not just running with the ball where Daniel Shannon stood out in the match, his defence was also first rate including a heavy tackle in the 19th minute that forced the ball loose as Tweed Heads were trying to bring the ball out of their own area.
Immediately when he came back onto the field in the second half Daniel Shannon made his presence felt with a strong eleven metre run in the 49th minute and then in the 51st minute Daniel Shannon charged onto the ball from a penalty restart twenty metres out from the line getting to within six metres of the Tweed Heads line before getting a great right arm off-load away to Lachie Adamson six metres out and the hooker was able to dive over after the majority of the Seagulls defenders focussed their attention on Daniel Shannon.
In the 59th minute Daniel Shannon produced yet another big run, this time from the kick-off after team mate Sam McIntyre’s try, and after contact Daniel Shannon was able to off-load to Jacob Hall as Burleigh brought the ball off their own line.
Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Daniel Shannon start in the front row for the Burleigh Bears when they took on the Easts Tigers with Daniel Shannon taking the second hi-up of the match into a flying Easts Tigers defensive line. Daniel Shannon then backed up to take the 5th hit-up in the same set of six.
Daniel Shannon then made more ground for Burleigh in the 10th minute when from the second hit-up from the Easts kick-off after Sam McIntyre scored, he made twelve more metres to get the ball out to the twenty metre mark.
In his second stint on the field in the second half Daniel Shannon started where he left off from his first shift when in the 57th minute he took the first and third hit-ups from the kick-off after Zane Prophert’s try.
Daniel Shannon more metres to his tally in the 66th minute when he made twelve metres getting the ball into Easts Tigers territory and he was still going strong in the 75th minute with another run out of his own twenty metre area.
Daniel Shannon took the ball up all day long, but he was also good defensively in the match, including a belting tackle over the top in the third minute of the match that bent the Easts front rower (No. 10) on himself.
Daniel Shannon also started in the front row in the Round Two local derby against the Tweed heads Seagulls and continued to work hard in the centre of the field including in the 18th minute when he worked work to make thirteen metres downfield to get the ball more than thirty metres away from his own try line.
In the 56th minute Daniel Shannon made a strong run of fifteen metres from the kick-off return after a Burleigh try getting the ball out of his own twenty metre area and then made another ten metres from the 3rd hit-up in the same set of six.
Daniel Shannon also started in the front row in Round Three against the Western Mustangs and in Round Four against the Norths Devils.
Daniel Shannon also started in the front row in Round Five against the Ipswich Jets as well as in Round Six against the Townsville Blackhawks a match that saw him held up over the line, under the goal posts in the 26th minute. Daniel Shannon then charged back into the fray just minutes later from a Blackhawks goal line drop out. Even with the match won, Daniel Shannon was still running as hard as he did at the start of the match, making fourteen in the 76th minute to get the ball into the Townsville twenty metre area.
Daniel Shannon also started in the front row in Round Seven against the Central Queensland Capra’s, in Round Nine against the Mackay Cutters and Round Eleven against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Troy Duckett:
In early January 2021 Troy Duckett started on the left wing for the Titans U19 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour with the Titans recording an impressive 40 – 6 victory.
Early in the second half Troy Duckett produced an outstanding heads up play to prevent a Newcastle penalty kick from finding touch. Troy Duckett jumped from the field of play and was a long way over the touch line when he took the ball on the full and threw it back over his head in one movement to get possession back for the Titans.
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 Troy Duckett starting the match on the right wing for the Titans.
In 2021 Troy Duckett was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts squad and started on the right wing in their final 2021 trial against the Burleigh Bears and scored a spectacular first half try.
In the 10th minute of the first half, Charlie Murray received the ball from the dummy half and put up a high cross field pin point bomb to the right corner, with the ball coming down a metre or so from the try line. Troy Duckett as able to time his jump perfectly to get above the Burleigh left winger in Ronin Rio and get the ball down a couple of metres in from the right corner post.
In the 17th minute Troy Duckett made a line break down a short right blind side. Glenn McGrady was able to work the numbers off-load to Troy Duckett who was able to break away down the right touchline. Unfortunately Troy Duckett’s subsequent inside pass after he had drawn the Burleigh fullback was intercepted with a try in the offing.
Troy Duckett showcased his elite speed in the 54th minute. Tweed Heads were on the attack just metres out from the Burleigh line when Bears half back Cameron Brown took an intercept and raced down field. Troy Duckett had to stop, turn and chase and hunted Cameron Brown down tackling him into touch.
Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Troy Duckett named to start on the right wing for the Tweed Heads Seagulls when they took on the Souths Logan Magpies however he was a late scratching from the match.
Troy Duckett was also named to start on the right wing in the Round Two 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.
Troy Duckett also started on the right wing in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins, scoring his first Colts try in the Seagulls tough loss.
After missing Round Four due to playing for the Titans U19 side, Troy Duckett started Round Five against the Ipswich Jets on the right wing and scoring a double as the Seagulls ran away with the match to record a 40 – 18 victory.
Troy Duckett scored once again in Round Six from the right wing in the Seagulls 30 – 18 victory over the Easts Tigers. Troy Duckett also started on the right wing in Round Seven against the Norths Devils and Round Eight against the Mackay Cutters.
Troy Duckett scored once again in Round Nine against Wynnum Manly after starting the match on the right wing. Troy Duckett’s try came in the 51st minute when he was on the end of a Seagulls backline movement from a scrum, diving over in the right corner and receiving the ball fourteen metres out.
Troy Duckett scored in the 3rd minute from the right wing in the Round Eleven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with the try being a brilliant solo effort. Troy Duckett received the ball on the ball forty metres from the line with limited space in front of him. Troy Duckett then took the defensive line on, chipping over his opposing defender and then regathering the ball and he was then able to dive over in the right corner to record a spectacular try.
Troy Duckett was also named to start on the right wing in the previously postponed Round Ten against the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Syris Schmidt:
In early January 2021 Syris Schmidt started at five eight for the Titans U19 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour. Syris Schmidt operated on the right side of the field with Thomas Weaver on the left in the Titans dominating 40 – 6 blow out victory.
Syris Schmidt was immediately in the action in the match, making the first tackle of the match in conjunction with Reef Sommerville after the Titans kicked off.
A week after the match against the Newcastle Knights Syris Schmidt once again started at five eight for the Titans U19’s as they took on a Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad with the Titans winning 32 – 20 with no conversions attempted.
Syris Schmidt recorded a try assist in the 30th minute of the first half, when he took the ball to the right of the field, putting in a right foot grubber kick towards the right corner from approximately twelve metres out, with the ball bouncing up nicely for Reef Sommerville to score for his second first half try.
A lot of the things that are noted about Syris Schmidt’s math highlights revolve around game management and passing aspects, but Syris Schmidt can certainly run the ball when the opportunity presents, as it did in the 20th minute of the first half against the Bears, when he broke through the line after a deft right foot step enabled him to beat his opposing defender.
Syris Schmidt is not known as a big hitter in defence but his 39th minutes first half tackle in Burleigh’s left second rower belied that notion, when Syris Schmidt came out of the line to hit the second rower, with the initial contact such that the ball came loose and the Titans through Kaleb Ngamanu turning defence into attack with a twenty two metre run down the right touchline.
After playing the first half at five eight, in his second stint on the field in the second half, Syris Schmidt moved into the half back role for the Titans in the final twenty minutes of the match.
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 Syris Schmidt starting the match at five eight for the Titans.
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.
Syris Schmidt was part of the TSS school boy rugby First XV once again in 2021, playing the 2021 as a full colours player in what was Syris Schmidt’s third season in the TSS First XV. In fact Syris Schmidt was the TSS 2021 Rugby Captain and Vice-Captain of the TSS First XV.
Syris Schmidt started at No. 10 in TSS’s opening GPS school boy trials, being a set of round robin trials against Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) and Gregory Terrace with Syris Schmidt leading TSS to 15 – 5 and 10 – 5 victories in the abridged round robin matches.
Syris Schmidt also started at No. 10 in late May 2021 for the First XV in TSS’s first full trial against Ipswich Grammar School. Syris Schmidt also started at No. 10 in TSS’s second 2021 First XV trial against Nudgee College on the Gold Coast and also started in the same position in the final full scale GPS First XV trial against Brisbane Boys College (BBC).
In TSS’s final trial before the commencement of the 2021 GPS First XV school boy rugby season, Syris Schmidt continued at fly half against the TSS Second XV.
Round One of the 2021 GPS school boy rugby First XV competition saw Syris Schmidt line up at fly half (No. 10) for TSS as they took on Brisbane Grammar School at home with Syris Schmidt kicking six conversions including a number from both the left and right touchlines. Another conversion from the left touchline in the 2nd minute hit the goal post.
Syris Schmidt kicking also resulted in a try assist in the 52nd minute when he put in a deft left foot to his right which was subsequently taken on the full by the TSS right winger who raced away to score.
Syris Schmidt’s general play kicking was also on display in the 26th minute with a long raking left foot kick. Syris Schmidt connected with the ball ten metres out from his own try line with the Brisbane Grammar School fullback not being able to field the ball until it had gotten to within twenty metres of the goal line.
Syris Schmidt was also outstanding in general play in TSS’s 71 – 5 victory with his initial contribution coming inside the opening minute of the match, when he combined from a TSS scrum win with Kaleb Ngamanu to put fullback Jye Gray into space down the left side of the field who then was able to put his winger over in the corner.
Then in the 30th minute Syris Schmidt combined in for all intents and purposes exactly the same way for another TSS try with the only difference being that the move was executed on the right side of the field as opposed to the opening minute when the moved was executed on the left.
As a result of his performance in the match Syris Schmidt was named at No. 10 in the Courier Mail GPS First XV Team of Round One and also received a TSS coaches honourbale mention.
Round Two away to Anglican Church Grammar School saw Syris Schmidt named at fly half for the TSS First XV with Syris Schmidt kicking three conversions and a penalty in the 41st minute in TSS’s tough loss. In addition, Syris Schmidt made a good play in just the 3rd minute of the match when he charged down a Churchie clearing kick which ultimately led to TSS’s first try of the match.
Syris Schmidt was also engaged in an old fashion kicking duel in the 19th minute which he finished with a superb seventy metre effort when he drilled a left foot kick from only ten metres from the sideline on his own twenty with the ball finding touch ten metres from the Churchie line.
In June 2021, Syris Schmidt started at inside centre (No. 12) for the Queensland Reds U18 White side in matches against the New South Wales Gen Blue Academy.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Nicholas Hilton:
In January 2021 Nicholas Hilton started at lock for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights and was his usual impressive outstanding self, leading from the front as the Titans dominated the Knights to record an impressive 32 – 20 victory. As usual Nicholas Hilton’s work rate in both attack and defence was exceptional as was his leadership in the hot and humid conditions.
Nicholas Hilton’s first action of the match against the Knights came in just the second tackle after the Titans kicked off when he along with EJ Finau smashed the Knights second rower who was taking just the second hit-up of the match. Nicholas Hilton also produced a big tackle early in the second half when he hit one of the Knights outside backs with his left shoulder putting him onto the ground quickly and efficiently with extreme force.
In November 2020 Nicholas Hilton was named in the powerful Tweed Heads Seagulls 2021 MM Cup squad.
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.
In Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition, Nicholas Hilton was named at five eight for the Nerang Roosters as they faced the Burleigh Bears and was one of the Roosters try scorers in their impressive first up victory.
In Round Five against the Southport Tigers, Nicholas Hilton came off the bench in the Roosters 34 – 12 victory.
In February 2021 Nicholas Hilton took part in the South Coast Open school boy trials and was named at lock for the South Coast Open A school boy side as a result of his trial performances. Nicholas Hilton was one of two Titans contracted 2021 TSS School Boy Rugby First XV players in the South Coast Squad with the other being Kaleb Ngamanu.
Nicholas Hilton started at lock on Day One as South Coast played Met North with Nicholas Hilton making the opening tackle of the match from the kick-off.
Nicholas Hilton also started at lock on Day Two as South Coast took on Met East and recorded a try assist in the 10th minute when he engaged the defensive line on the left and off-loaded to Ryan Foran who ran twenty metres and was able to bring the ball around to put it down near the goal posts.
Nicholas Hilton was one of South Coast’s try scorers with his try coming in the 42nd minute when he charged at the line from close range (two metres) and after engaging the defence, spun counter clockwise to get the ball down with two defenders still engaged.
Nicholas Hilton also produced a smart piece of play in the 31st minute when he took the line on after receiving the ball of the play the ball and was able to get an off-load away to Brock Priestley.
Nicholas Hilton started at lock once again on Day Three against Capricornia making a strong hit-up in the opening set of six in the match. Nicholas Hilton made another strong hit-up in the set of six after South Coast’s opening try.
Nicholas Hilton also started at lock in the Championship Final against Met North.
Nicholas Hilton was part of the TSS school boy rugby First XV once again in 2021, playing the season as a full colours player in what was Nicholas Hilton’s second season in the TSS First XV.
Nicholas Hilton was named as a stand by player in TSS’s opening GPS trials, being a set of round robin trials against Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) and Gregory Terrace.
Nicholas Hilton made his first appearance for TSS in late May 2021 for the First XV in TSS’s first full trial against Ipswich Grammar School when he started at No. 8.
Nicholas Hilton also started at No. 8 in TSS’s second 2021 First XV trial against Nudgee College on the Gold Coast and also started in the same position in the final full scale GPS First XV trial against Brisbane Boys College (BBC).
In TSS’s final trial before the commencement of the 2021 GPS First XV school boy rugby season, Nicholas Hilton continued at No. 8 against the TSS Second XV.
Round One of the 2021 GPS school boy rugby First XV competition saw Nicholas Hilton line up at No. 8 for TSS as they took on Brisbane Grammar School at home with Nicholas Hilton producing a couple of moments of class in TSS’s 71 – 5 victory including a try in the opening minutes when he broke away from a ruck to run fifty metres to score under the posts.
Nicholas Hilton contributed a try assist in the 48th minute when after receiving an off-load from Jye Gray Nicholas Hilton charged downfield before drawing the Brisbane Grammar School fullback and passing to his right to his unmarked right winger to score untouched.
The in the 48th minute Nicholas Hilton broke the Brisbane Grammar School line when running on the left side of the field after receiving the ball ten metres from his own line with Nicholas Hilton eventually being brought down after a thirty five metre run.
Such was Nicholas Hilton’s overall performance that he was awarded two points in the 2021 GPS First XV Coaches Award.
Round Two away to Anglican Church Grammar School saw Nicholas Hilton named at No. 8 for the TSS First XV and scored for the second week in a row when he burst onto a Kaleb Ngamanu pass from ten metres out in the 67th minute to crash over next to the right upright.
As a result of his performance in the match, Nicholas Hilton received an honourable mention from the TSS First XV coaches in their weekly awards.
The 2021 season to date for Titans Development Contract Holder Tony Francis:
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.
Round Six against the Townsville Blackhawks saw Tony Francis return to the Burleigh side at left centre and he was at his destructive best in the 20th minute with a hard fought eleven metre run to get to forty metres out from his own line, with the majority of the metres that he made being post contact.
Tony Francis made an even better run in the 39th minute when he burst thirty two metres down the left touchline, leaving a number of defenders in his wake and then in the 49th minute Tony Francis made another hard fought twelve metres to the forty metre mark after taking a hit-up to the left of the dummy half.
Tony Francis came desperately close to scoring in the 57th minute after getting down low and running out of dummy half to his left from close range. Somehow the Townsville stopped his centremetres short of the left near the left corner.
After missing a number of weeks, Tony Francis was back at left centre for Round Nine against the Mackay Cutters and was the Bears sole try scorer in their loss. The match saw Tony Francis score Burleigh’s only try of the match in the 41st minute when after receiving the ball twelve metres from the line, he got on the outside of his direct opponent to get the ball down five metres in from the left corner post.
Tony Francis started the previously postponed Round Ten match against Wynnum Manly on the wing.
The 2021 season to date for Henry Lee:
In June 2021 Henry Lee was part of a Titans U18 Northern Rivers squad that played the Titans U17 JTS squad at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
Henry Lee started at right second row for the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side for their Round One match against the Wests Tigers at Ballina and also started at right second row in Round Two against local rivals the North Coast Bulldogs at Nambucca Heads.
Henry Lee also started at right second row in Round Three against the Greater Northern Tigers and made a strong run of a penalty restart early in the second half when he came off the long run to charge into the Greater Northern Tigers set defensive line.
Just minutes later Henry Lee produced a smart piece of play from the Northern Rivers Titans kick-off from Jye Davis’s try. Henry Lee was starting on the left sideline just in front of the goal line. With the kick off coming his way, Henry Lee ensured that his left foot was in touch and then took the kick on the full to get a penalty for the Northern Rivers Titans back on the halfway.
Henry Lee moved to the front row for Round Four at Lismore against the Central Coast Roosters and as usual threw his weight around in both attack and defence. One instance stood out in the match when in the 54th minute, Henry lee came flying out of the line looking for a big hit, the Central Coast Roosters forward had a look at the flying Henry Lee and dropped the ball cold.
Henry Lee was back at right second row in the physical Round Five encounter against the Newcastle Knights and made his presence felt in just the 15th minute with a strong twenty metre charge through centre field.
Henry Lee did not let the halftime break slow him down when he flew onto the ball from the second half kick-off return. Henry Lee’s hard running paid off in the 56th minute when he charged straight onto a pass five metres from the Knights line to crash over. Henry Lee was then on hand again to take a strong hit-up from the kick-off over his try.
At the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans Awards Night, Henry Lee was presented with the 2021 U18 Laurie Daley Cup Player’s Player Award.
Post the 2021 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition, Henry Lee was back playing for Marist Brothers Rams Lismore in the NRRRL competition, starting at five eight in Round One of the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition against Northern United.
In the Round One match, Henry Lee made a good fist of playing five eight whilst operating on the left side of the field. Henry Lee played primarily as a running five eight and in the 11th minute charged thirty five metres down the left touchline before being brought to ground just five metres away from the try line.
Henry Lee made another strong run in the 19th minute made a sixteen metres run before being able to off-load the ball. The 29th minute saw Henry Lee make another line break of thirty five metres once again down the left touchline after the line break came after he had dummied to his left.
Henry Lee moved to lock for Round Two of the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition as the Rams took on Casino RSM and was also effective, including a strong thirty five metre run down the right touchline in the first half before he was brought down by a copy book low tackle by the Casino RSM fullback.
After missing Round Three, Henry Lee started in the second row in Round Four against the Ballina Seagulls. Henry Lee then missed a further couple of weeks before coming back into the Rams side for Round Eight against the Murwillumbah Mustangs at right second row. In the 42nd minute of the Round Eight match, Henry Lee scored the Rams opening try of the match when from eight metres out Henry Lee was put into a gap by Jye Davis who whilst operating on the right popped a good short ball to his right from eight metres out to put into the gap and over the line.
Henry Lee continued at right second row in Round Ten against the Bilambil Jets with Henry Lee scoring a double. Henry Lee scored his first try in the 38th minute when he ran a straight crash line from ten metres out down a right blindside after Jye Davis had cut from the openside back to the right blindside.
Henry Lee added his second try in the 60th minute when he received the ball twelve metres from the line, palming off one with his left arm before diving over in the right corner.
Round Twelve against Casino RSM saw Henry Lee start at right centre.
In Round One of the NRRRL First Grade competition Henry Lee started from the bench against Northern United, after starting at five eight in the U18 match earlier in the day.
Henry Lee also came off the bench in Round Two of the NRRRL First Grade competition against Casino RSM after starting at lock in the U18 match against the same opponent earlier in the day.
In late March 2021 Henry Lee was part of Diocesan of Lismore Opens Squad that attended the Northern Country Catholic Colleges Rugby League Selection Trial that were held at Smithtown.
The 2021 season to date for Haizyn Mellars.
Haizyn Mellars started on the left wing for the Nerang Roosters in Round One of the 2021 Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition as they take on the Burleigh Bears and was one of the Roosters try scorers in their impressive first up victory.
Haizyn Mellars also started on the left wing in Round Two 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.
After missing Round Three, Haizyn Mellars made the most of his return to the right wing in Round Four scoring a double as Nerang defeated the Ormeau Shearers 30 – 14. Haizyn Mellars also started on the left wing in Round Six against the Helensvale Hornets as well as in Round Nine against the Currumbin Eagles.
Haizyn Mellars continued on the left wing in Round Ten against the Burleigh Bears making a strong line break of thirty metres through the centre of the ruck in the 14th minute.
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.
2021 also saw Haizyn Mellars play school boy rugby league for Marsden State High School in the Langer Cup Reserve Grade competition and he had a particularly good match in Round Three against Wavell State High School.
The 2021 season to date for Tahrell Feaveai :
In 2021 Tahrell Feaveai was part of the Norths Devils MM Cup squad and started Round One of the competition against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls off the bench, coming on in the 21st minute of the match to play in the middle of the field.
Some of Tahrell Feaveai’s charges in the Round One match were simply outstanding (and fearsome) including one burst in the first half where Tahrell Feaveai charged onto the ball, knocking the initial Seagulls defender backwards, then bouncing to his left and making a further ten metres, certainly more than 50% of Tahrell Feaveai’s metres in that run alone were definitely post contact.
Tahrell Feaveai almost found himself on the Devils try scoring list when in the 32nd minute, he ran a straight crash line to the right of the play the ball from just three metres out. Tahrell Feaveai actually got over the line but could not get the ball down before being forced back into the field of play by the Wynnum Manly defence.
Tahrell Feaveai continued his strong match with a strong first hit-up off Wynnum Manly’s kick-off to get the second half underway. Even against a straight defensive line coming towards him, Tahrell Feaveai was still able to get the ball out over the twenty metre mark to get Norths onto the front foot to start the second half in decent field position.
Tahrell Feaveai moved into the Devils starting side at lock in Round Two against the Easts Tigers, scoring early in the first half of Norths big win. Tahrell Feaveai scored when he charged onto a pass (offload) from his left around three metres out and caught the defenders totally unaware due to the speed that he ran onto the ball. Tahrell Feaveai got the ball down mid-way between the corner posts and uprights on the left side of the field, with three Tigers defenders trying in vain to stop Tahrell Feaveai from scoring.
Tahrell Feaveai scored once again in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins after starting the match in the front row with his try coming in the second half, in the 56th minute of the match to be precise.
Once again Tahrell Feaveai charged onto the ball taking the ball twenty metres out and flew through a gap before easily rounding the Dolphins fullback by veering to his right and score under the posts. As was the case against the Tigers, it was the speed of his run that meant Tahrell Feaveai was able to break the back of the defence that was arrayed against him.
In addition to his try, Tahrell Feaveai proved to be devastating running with the ball especially in terms of restarts whether the restarts related to Redcliffe kick-offs or goal line drop outs, of which there was a few of both.
Tahrell Feaveai also started in the front row in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and in Round Five against the Easts Tigers.
Round Six being the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition saw Tahrell Feaveai line up in the front row against Redcliffe.
In May 2021 Tahrell Feaveai was part of the Met North QSSRL school boy representative side and started their Day One match in the front row against South Coast.
Tahrell Feaveai had a solid opening match of the Championships starting with a strong run in the 7th minute when he cut back underneath his five eight making twenty metres to get the ball to near the halfway mark. Tahrell Feaveai also produced another strong run in the 9th minute, getting the ball into South Coast territory with an eleven metre effort.
Tahrell Feaveai also started in the front row on Day Two as Met North took on South Coast Maroon and had strong runs including in the 33rd minute when a sixteen metres charge from Tahrell Feaveai was only shut down by the South Coast Maroon defence less than ten metres from the try line.
Tahrell Feaveai also started in the front row in the Championship Final against South Coast with one of his best charges coming in the 35th minute when he burst through the South Coast defence to get to thirty metres out from the line after an eighteen metre charge.
In 2021 Tahrell Feaveai was part of the Wavell State High School Langer Cup squad once again starting Round One in the front row agaisnt St Mary’s College Toowoomba.
Tahrell Feaveai dropped back to the bench for Round Two against Coombabah State High School and was one of Wavell’s try scorers in their big win. In the 32nd minute Tahrell Feaveai was hit by the Coombabah SHS defence as soon as he received the ball thirteen metres out from the line, but kept fighting including a period when Tahrell Feaveai was spun around with his back to the try line and kept dragging three defenders towards the line before breaking free and crashing over between two more defenders mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Tahrell Feaveai also started from the bench in Round Three against Marsden State High School but was back in the starting side in the front row for Round Four against Mabel Park State High School and Round Five against Ipswich State High School. Tahrell Feaveai then moved to lock for the Round Six match against Keebra Park State High School.
The 2021 season to date for Tyrell Waka-Rhind.
The solidly built, lightning quick young dummy half made his first appearance in a Titans jersey for the Titans U17 side that played their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour in January 2021.
Tyrell Waka-Rhind started the match from the bench and was one of the Titans try scorers, with the Titans U17’s emerging impressive 32 – 20 victors (no conversions were taken in the match) in hot, slippery and steamy conditions.
To be fair, the Titans final winning margin certainly flattered the Knights, with the Titans, including Tyrell Waka-Rhind being far too good with the gulf in class between the two teams being a lot wider that the final score appeared to indicate.
When he came on mid-way through the first half Tyrell Waka-Rhind operated in the dummy half role for the Titans, as he also did in his second half stint on the field. Tyrell Waka-Rhind scored for the Titans towards the end of the first half.
Tyrell Waka-Rhind moved into acting half less than a metre out from the Knights line. When he took control of the ball, Tyrell Waka-Rhind darted to his right then spun 360 degrees clockwise to generate space and a consequent gap that Tyrell Waka-Rhind used to dive over to score adjacent to the right upright.
Tyrell Waka-Rhind almost scored a second try just minutes later, when once again he darted out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball from less than a metre out. That time however Tyrell Waka-Rhind was stopped just centremetres away from the line on the final tackle.
It was not just in attack where Tyrell Waka-Rhind impressed in the match, he was also more than effective defensively in the Knights match. Early in the second half Tyrell Waka-Rhind hit the Knights left second rower front on, driving forward with his left shoulder, with the initial contact lifting the second rower off his feet, with Tyrell Waka-Rhind then driving him hard into the ground for a two metre loss of ground from the point of initial contact for his much bigger Knights opponent.
In June 2021 Tyrell Waka-Rhind was part of a Titans U17 side that played a Titans Northern Rivers U18 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
In 2021 Tyrell Waka-Rhind was part of the Norths Devils MM Cup squad and started Round One from the bench (he had been named earlier in the week to start the match at hooker) as the Devils took on Wynnum Manly. When Tyrell Waka-Rhind came on in the 19th minute he slotted into the dummy half role for the Devils. In his second stint on the field in the second half, Tyrell Waka-Rhind also operated out of dummy half.
In the 31st minute Tyrell Waka-Rhind almost got on the Norths try scoring list when he darted out of dummy half to his right from three metres out but was held up after the Seagulls defence turned Tyrell Waka-Rhind onto his back to prevent him from getting the ball down.
Round Two saw Tyrell Waka-Rhind initially named to start from the interchange bench against the Easts Tigers, but on the day of the game Tyrell Waka-Rhind moved into the starting side and scored the Devils final try of the match in the dying minutes, the 68th minute to be exact in a 42 – 20 Devils victory when he darted over from close range after darting out of dummy half.
Tyrell Waka-Rhind also started at hooker for Norths in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins and in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls as well as in Round Five against the Easts Tigers when he scored in the opening minutes of the Devils 26 all draw.
Round Six being the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition saw Tyrell Waka-Rhind line up at hooker and score in the 59th minute against Redcliffe.
In May 2021 Tyrell Waka-Rhind represented Met North at the QSSRL Open school boy Championships as captain and started their Day One match against South Coast at hooker.
2021 also saw Tyrell Waka-Rhind line up for Wavell State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup competition with Tyrell Waka-Rhind representing Wavell at the 2021 Langer Cup launch.
Tyrell Waka-Rhind also started at hooker on Day Two as Met North took on South Coast Maroon and scored in the 6th minute when he ran out of dummy half to his right from within two metres of the line. As soon as he felt contact, Tyrell Waka-Rhind spun clockwise and was able to reach out with right hand to get the ball down under heavy pressure.
Tyrell Waka-Rhind scored once again on Day Three against Northern, scoring under the posts late in the second half after he ran out of dummy half to his left, burrowing over from two metres out.
Tyrell Waka-Rhind also started at hooker in the Championship Final against the South Coast making a typical dart out of dummy half to his left in the 12th minute, a run which made twelve metres.
In 2021 Tyrell Waka-Rhind was part of the Wavell State High School Langer Cup squad once again starting Round One at hooker against St Mary’s College Toowoomba.
Tyrell Waka-Rhind also started at hooker in Round Two against Coombabah State High School and was one of Wavell’s try scorers in Wavell SHS’s big win when in the 13th minute Tyrell Waka-Rhind raced out of dummy half to the right of the play the ball to burrow over from eight metres to get the ball down on the left side of the field.
Tyrell Waka-Rhind also started at hooker in Round Three against Marsden State High School as well as in Round Four against Mabel Park State High School and Round Five against Ipswich State High School as well as in Round Six match against Keebra Park State High School.
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 and Darius Farmer was also named on the Titans NRL extended bench for Round Thirteen against the Melbourne Storm.
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 moved into the Tweed Heads starting side in Round Eight against the Easts Tigers, starting the match in the front row and playing forty minutes as well as scoring one of the Seagulls tries in their big win.
Darius Farmer scored in the 41st minute when he charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball just two metres from the line, bursting through two tackles to get the ball down next to the left upright.
Darius Farmer was heavily involved in Tremain Spry’s second try of the match which came in the second half. With Easts running the ball, Darius Farmer smashed the Tigers halfback front on with the ball immediately coming loose, Joseph Vuna swooped on the ball, running around forty metres before getting away on overhead pass to his right to an unmarked Tremain Spry who easily scored under the posts.
In addition to his try, Darius Farmer ran for ninety one metres (thirty post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.54 seconds and made nine tackles at a 90% tackling efficiency.
Round Nine against the Norths Devils once again saw Darius Farmer line up in the front row. Playing thirty four minutes, Darius Farmer ran for eighty six metres (thirty eight post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 2.75 seconds and made twenty six tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.86%.
Darius Farmer also came off the bench in Round Ten against the Mackay Cutters playing twenty five minutes. In that time Darius Farmer ran for sixty nine metres (twenty four post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.07 seconds and made twelve tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.31%.
After being released from the NRL bubble, Darius Farmer came off the bench in Round Fourteen against the Sunshine Coast Falcons. In his thirty one minutes on the field, Darius Farmer ran for eighty one metres (twenty post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 4.34 seconds and made fifteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.75%.
Darius Farmer continued off the bench in the previously postponed Round Twelve against the Souths Logan Magpies to paly twenty three minutes. In those minutes, Darius Farmer ran for thirty four metres (seven post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 4.57 seconds and made eleven tackles.
Darius Farmer also started from the bench in Round Fifteen against the Central Queensland Capra’s.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Jayden Wright:
Jayden Wright started the 2021 season as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad, playing Rounds One and Two against Ipswich and Souths Logan respectively at right second row.
In Round Three against Burleigh, Jayden Wright also started at right second row, scoring a double in the Seagulls victory. Jayden Wright’s first try came in the opening minute of the match when he was on hand to force the ball in the in-goal after Burleigh had failed to defuse a kick to his side of the field. Jayden Wright’s second try of the match was a result of him running through a gap and getting a pass from Riley Lack in the 12th minute from fourteen metres out to score ten metres from the left corner.
After dropping back to the bench for Round Four and Five against Ipswich and Souths Logan respectively, Jayden Wright then started Round Six at right second row once again.
Jayden Wright then came off the bench in both the 2021 MM Cup semi-final against Wynnum Manly and the MM Cup Grand Final against the Townsville.
Jayden Wright also scored in a 2021 MM Cup trial against Burleigh when he scored in the opening minutes of the match from the left second row position when he ran into a gap, receiving a good ball from Keano Kini to score from ten metres out, getting the ball down five metres in from the left corner post.
2021 also saw Jayden Wright represent South Coast at the QSSRL U18 School Boy Championships and post those Championships, Jayden Wright was named on the bench in the 2021 QSSRL U18 School Boy Merit Team.
After starting Round One of the 2021 Langer Cup school boy competition at lock for PBC against Ipswich State High School, Jayden Wright started Rounds Two and Three against St Mary’s College Toowoomba and Coombabah State High School respectively from the bench, coming into the right second row position when he came on.
Jayden Wright was named to continue on the bench in the Round Four blockbuster against Marsden State High School however Jayden Wright started the match at right second row.
Jayden Wright moved to lock for the much anticipated Round Five local derby against Keebra Park State High School and came close to scoring on a number of occasions in the first half.
Jayden Wright continued at lock in Round Six against Mabel Park State high School and had a big match particularly in defence with a couple of heavy hits including a huge hit in the first half just as the Mabel Park SHS five eight was off-loading the ball. Jayden Wright hit him with a great tackle knocking the five eight a couple of metres backwards after he was hit by Jayden Wright directly under his right rib cage.
In 2021 Jayden Wright played for the Currumbin Eagles in the GCRL U18 Division One competition, starting all of the matches that he played in at right second row.
Jayden Wright’s opening try of the 2021 GCRL U18 Division One season came in Round Six against Runaway Bay when in the 13th minute, Jayden Wright followed through a Travis May chip taking the ball above his head in his right hand and then dragged the Seagulls fullback over the line to get the ball down in the right corner.
Jayden Wright scored his second try of the season in Round Seven against the Burleigh Bears in the 47th minute when he chased through a grubber kick, diving on the ball close to the dead ball line.
Jayden Wright continued at right second row in Round Nine against the Nerang Roosters and scored a double in the Eagles impressive victory.
Jayden Wright then continued at right second row in Round Ten against the Helensvale Hornets, scoring a double in the Eagles big 44 – 6 win. Jayden Wright scored his first try in the 7th minute when he was on hand to pick up a kick over the defensive line and after picking up the ball twenty five metres out, Jayden Wright burst down the right touchline to dive over in the corner.
Jayden Wright completed his double in the 55th minute when he burst onto the ball down the right channel thirty metres from the line and was just too fast and powerful for the Hornets defence to score ten metres in from the right corner post.
Jayden Wright made his Gold Coast Rugby League U20 debut for Currumbin in Round Seven when he started at right second row against the Burleigh Bears.
The 2021 season to date for Sione Fotuaika:
In January 2021 Sione Fotuaika started from the bench for the Titans U19 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights and worked hard both in attack and defence in his stints on the field in the Titans 40 – 6 victory.
It appears that Sione Fotuaika was spent a lot of the offseason in the gym as he looks bigger and stronger than he did in 2021 and he used that additional size and strength well throughout the match including late in the match when from around twelve metres out, the Knights defence was barely able to prevent him from scoring, finally holding him up just a metre away from the line.
Another aspect of the Sione Fotuaika’s game that was impressive was the speed of his play the ball, with that speed translating into momentum for the Titans. Impressively in the 30th minute of the first half, Sione Fotuaika won a penalty for the Titans when he was just too quick for the Knights defenders who had no choice but to give away a penalty for holding Sione Fotuaika down with their defensive line still back peddling.
A week after the match against the Newcastle Knights Sione Fotuaika once again lined up for the Titans U19’s as they took on a Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad with the Titans winning 32 – 20 with no conversions attempted with Sione Fotuaika starting the match on the bench, coming on at half time and playing the entire second half in the front row.
In 2021 Sione Fotuaika was also part of the Souths Logan Magpies MM Cup squad and started the 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.
In late May 2021 Sione Fotuaika was part of the Met East QSSRL Open School Boy representative side and started in the front row in their Day One match against Sunshine Coast with the strong front rower scoring an easy try in the 38th minute when he put the ball down under the posts after a great pass from his hooker to stroll over from close range.
Sione Fotuaika was part of the Marsden State High School Rugby League Excellence Program in 2021, and came into the Marsden SHS side for Round Three against Wavell State High School, coming off the bench and working hard, including in the 43rd minute with a strong run over the halfway mark and then Sione Fotauika was able to off-load with his right arm to Braden Teilua.
Sione Fotuaika started Round One of the Langer Cup Reserve Grade Competition in the front row against Keebra Park and scored an outstanding solo try in the 42nd minute. Sione Fotuaika received the ball to the left of the play the ball, twelve metres out from the line initially skipping to his left, before engaging the defensive line. Sione Fotuaika shrugged off the first defender who engaged him before cutting back to his right, breaking five tackles to force his way over under the posts.
Sione Fotuaika also started in the front row in Round Two against Ipswich State High School and then started from the bench in the Round Four blockbuster against PBC State High School coming into the match at around the twenty minute mark to operate in the front row.
Sione Fotuaika once again started from the bench in Round Five against Mabel Park State High School before weight of performances led to his elevation to the starting line-up in the front row against Coombabah State High School.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Dominique Sandow:
In June 2021 Dominique Sandow started at fullback for a Titans U17 side that played a Titans Northern Rivers U18 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
Dominique Sandow was part of the South Logan Magpies U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad in 2021, starting their trial against 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 scratching from the final Magpies seventeen.
Dominique Sandow was named to start Round Five against the Tweed Heads Seagulls on the wing.
In late May 2021 Dominique Sandow was part of the Met East QSSRL Open School Boy representative side and started at fullback in their Day One match against Sunshine Coast.
On Day Three of the Championships Dominique Sandow started at five eight (he was wearing jersey 1) for Met East against Met West. Dominique Sandow wasted no time making a contribution when he did some good work on the left to put his left winger into space with the winger able to score out wide.
Dominique Sandow was at it again in the second half when he backed up a break through centre field and after he received the ball he drew the fullback and passed to his right to his support.
The Day Four fifth place play-off match against South Coast saw Dominique Sandow start at five eight and operating on the left side of the field where he teamed up well with fellow Titan William Semu.
2021 also saw Dominique Sandow move to the Titans partnered and highly successful Marsden State High School where he immediately started training with the Opens squad in preparation for the 2021 GIO and Langer Cup elite school boy competitions.
Round One of the 2021 Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League competition saw Dominique Sandow start at five eight against Keebra Park and then he moved to fullback for Round Two against Ipswich State High School and recorded a first half try assist.
In the 7th minute, Dominique Sandow followed a break from William Semu receiving a pass from the left centre on the inside, before cutting back towards the left touchline and passing to an unmarked left winger to dive over in the left corner.
Dominique Sandow then came off the bench in the Round Four blockbuster against PBC State High School but moved into the Marsden SHS side at fullback in Round Five against Mabel Park State High School and came close to scoring in the first half but he was dragged down just short of the line.
Dominique Sandow started Round Three of the Langer Cup Reserve Grade competition at five eight against Wavell State High School and was heavily involved throughout the match including a first half try assist when he put left winger Shane Rapson over in the corner.
The 2021 season to date for Kobie Mackey-Taylor:
In 2021 Kobie Mackey-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 Kobie Mackey-Taylor took part in the South Coast Open school boy trials and was named in the centres in the South Coast Maroon Open school boy side as a result of his trial performances.
Kobie Mackay-Taylor started South Coast Maroon’s Day One match at left centre and contibued at left centre on Day Three against Darling Downs producing a good effort in the opening minutes to chase back and tackle a run away Darling Downs outside back who had intercepoted a South Coast Maroons pass from right on his own goal line.
Kobie Mackay-Taylor also produced another outstanding tackle midway through the first half when he came across towards the left corner to force an errant pass from the opposing right centre.
The Day Four fifth place play-off match against Met East saw Kobie Mackay-Taylor also start at left centre and he recorded an early match line break and try assistssist when he was able to run forty five metres down the left winger before throwing a long pass to his inside which, after bouncing was picked up bu Jarde Johnson to dive over under the posts.
In Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition 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 abl lfor 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.
Kobie Mackay-Taylor also started at left centre in Round Two against the Southport Tigers making a line break in just the 4th minute of the match when from a scrum on the halfway mark he made eighteen metres down the left side of the field.
Kobie Mackay-Taylor made a further line break in the 44th minute when he raced off his own line to take an intercept just five metres out with Kobie Mackay-Taylor racing seventy five metres before he was dragged down from behind.
After missing Round Three due to his school boy representative commitments with South Coast, Kobie Mackay-Taylor was named on the bench for Round Four against the Helensvale Hornets.
Round Five saw Kobie Mackay-Taylor start at left centre against Burleigh producing a strong performance in the Seagulls tough loss including scoring two tries and a try assist in the 53rd minute that locked the scores up at 18 all.
Kobie Mackay-Taylor scored his first try in the 47th minute when he dived over in the left corner after receiving a pass from the dummy half down a very skinny left blind side.
Kobie Mackay-Taylor added his second try in the final minute of the match when he followed through a two kicks with the ball bouncing up perfectly for Kobie Mackay-Taylor five metres from the try line for him to dive over adjacent to the left uprights.
In addition to his double, Kobie Mackay-Taylor set up a try in the 53rd minute when after receiving the ball on the left, he got outside of his direct opponent and as the Burleigh right winger came in, Kobie Mackay-Taylor produced an outstanding left arm flick pass to put Jack McKenzie over in the left corner.
Kobie Mackay-Taylor’s afternoon got off to a positive start in the 6th minute when he made a sixteen metre run to just over the halfway mark and did well to stay in the field of play after being tackled close to the left touchline. Then in the 19th minute Kobie Mackay-Taylor made a line break when after receiving the ball in centre field he ran to his left getting outside the Burleigh right sided defence and was able to make twenty two metres before being reeled in by the cover defence.
The 27th minute saw Kobie Mackay-Taylor once again take a strong hit-up making eleven metres to get the ball out of his own twenty metre area and then in the 51st minute when he made thirteen metres from right on his own try line.
Whilst he scored a double and set up another, Kobie Mackay-Taylor’s defence was even more impressive than his efforts in attack with the left centre making two try saving tackles. Kobie Mackay-Taylor’s first try saving tackle coming in the 21st minute when he brought down Burleigh right second rower Aston Bai when he looked certain to score.
Kobie Mackay-Taylor was at it again in the 55th minute when he brought down Aston Bai once again with a great tackle with the try line beckoning the Burleigh second rower.
Kobie Mackay-Taylor also produced a strong tackle in the 7th minute when defending from a scrum he raced up to hit the Burleigh right centre just after he had received the ball with Kobie Mackay-Taylor’s initial contact forcing the ball loose.
2021 also saw Kobie Mackay-Taylor line up once again for Coombabah State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup competition starting Round One at left centre against Mabel Park State High School.
Kobie Mackay-Taylor had a solid match against the Langer Cup newcomers including recording a try assist in the 8th minute when after making space for himself, Kobie Mackay-Taylor was able to draw in the Mable Park right side defence to give Filisi Frost the space to fly down the left touchline to score in the corner.
Kobie Mackay-Taylor also started at left centre in Coombabah SHS’s touch Round Two loss against Wavell State High School.
The 2021 season to date for De’Ontae Perese:
Round One of the 2021 Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League competition saw De’Ontae Perese initially named to start at five eight for Keebra Park against Marsden State High School however on game day moved to right centre.
De’Ontae Perese then started at five eight in Round Three against Ipswich State High School, scoring in the 47th minute when De’ontae Perese received an off-load six metres from the line and put the ball down under the posts.
DeÓntae Perese then dropped back to the bench for Round Four against St Mary’s College Toowoomba playing in the right centre position when he came on.
De’Ontae Perese made the most of his opportunities in the match scoring one try and coming close to a second.
De’Ontae Perese’s try came in the 38th minute when from twelve metres out De’Ontae Perese darted out of dummy half down a short right blindside and was simply too quick for the St Mary’s defence to crash over ten metres in from the right corner.
As noted above De’Ontae Perese almost scored another try when he chased through a short grubber kick with the referee adjudging that he did not get the ball down cleanly.
De’Ontae Perese also produced a smart piece of play in the 50th minute with a great one on one strip deep inside his own territory from a St Mary’s scrum win.
The Round Five local derby against PBC saw De’Ontae Perese move back into the Keebra Park starting side at right centre and in the 33rd minute produced an exceptional right arm flick off-load to put Levi Jones over in the right corner to kick off Keebra Park’s stunning second half comeback.
De’Ontae Perese moved to start at five eight in Round Six against Wavell State High School.
The 2021 season to date for Esmonde Parangi:
In Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition 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.
Esmonde Parangi also started at halfback in Round Two against the Southport Tigers with his kicking game late in the late being a key reason why Runaway Bay was able to come away with a hard fought victory.
In the 45th minute, Esmonde Parangi put in a deft right foot chip to the right corner from thirty metres out with Southport being trapped in that corner and in the 47th minute Esmonde Parangi produced an inside pass to a support runner before receiving the ball back and grubbering through the line, forcing Southport to ground the ball in their own in-goal. Runaway Bay scored the match winning try from the subsequent set of six tackles.
Round Five saw Esmonde Parangi start at five eight against Burleigh in their tough one point loss. In addition to kicking a conversion, Esmonde Parangi also recorded a try assist and a great 40/20 in the first half.
Esmonde Parangi’s try assist arrived in the 12th minute when on the last tackle he put in a right foot stab kick from thirteen metres out into the in-goal. The Burleigh defenders made a mess of trying to defuse the kick and Seagulls winger Cody Brose took advantage of the confusion to dive on the ball.
Esmonde Parangi produced another outstanding right foot stab kick in the 46th minute, on that occasion from five metres out with Burleigh forced to take the ball dead and restart by way of a goal line drop out.
Esmonde Parangi kicked his outstanding 40/20 in the 15th minute when from an acute angle down a short right blindside just inside his own forty, Esmonde Parangi was able to find touch fourteen metres out from the line.
Esmonde Parangi showed quick hands in the 6th minute when under pressure he was able to shift to his right to create space for himself and off-load to put Titan Vaikai inside space.
Esmonde Parangi continued at five eight in Round Six against the Currumbin Eagles scoring a great solo try of the 52nd minute of the match. Operating on the right around ten metres from the line, Esmonde Parangi put in a right foot grubber kick for himself and beat the Curumbin defenders to the ball, getting downward pressure on it a metre from the dead ball line.
Esmonde Parangi continued at five eight in Round Seven agaisnt the Ormeau Shearers as well as in Round Nine against the Southport Tigers. Esmonde Parangi recorded a try assist against the Tigers in the 24th minute when whilst operating on the right side of the field, from eleven metres out he grubbered into the in-goal for his right second rower to get to the ball easily in front of the Southport fullback.
Round Ten against the Nerang Roosters saw Esmonde Parangi continue at five eight against the Nerang Roosters with one of best moments in the match coming in the 19th minute when Esmonde Parangi took the ball to the right and from thirteen metres out put in a well weighted grubber into the line goal which Nerang had to take dead in-goal.
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 against Burleigh and Helensvale.
The 2021 season to date for 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 break 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.
In Round One of the 2021 Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition Christina Kiri started at left second row for the Burleigh Bears as they took on the Nerang Roosters.
Christian Kiri also started at left second row in Round Two 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 Helensvale No. 10 with the hit jarring the ball loose.
Christian Kiri then continued at left second row in Round Three against the Mudgeeraba Redbacks.
After missing a number of rounds, Christian Kiri was due back in Round Ten, when he was set to start in the front row for the Bears against the Mudgeeraba Redbacks however Mudgeeraba ended up forfeiting the match. Christian Kiri then came off the bench against the Nerang Roosters before moving into the Burleigh starting line-up at right second row in Round Eleven against the Southport Tigers.
The 2021 season to date for Kye Cooper:
In June 2021, Kye Cooper was a member of the Titans U17 Northern Rivers Academy side that drew 28 all with a Titans JTS U16 side at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans NRL fixture against Manly.
Kye Cooper started at fullback for the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side for their Round One match against the Wests Tigers. Kye Cooper moved into the starting side at lock for Round Two against local rivals the North Coast Bulldogs in Nambucca Heads.
Round Three saw Kye Cooper move from lock to five eight as the Northern Rivers Titans took on the Greater Northern Tigers with the move suiting him perfectly as he scored one try and was heavily involved on others in an all-round impressive display in the Titans 30 – 16 victory.
Kye Cooper’s try came in the 25th minute when he dummied to his right then cut back to his left and whilst he was being held by three defenders, Kye Cooper was able to reach out to get the ball down.
Kye Cooper’s involvement started in the 10th minute when he along with Reshawn Anderson smashed a Greater Northern Tigers front rower forcing him to lose the ball just ten metres out from the line.
Just minutes later Kye Cooper threw the pass that put fullback Lachlan Offley into space on the left for the Titans to score their first try of the match.
Kye Cooper finished off his impressive match with a huge bomb in the last minute. The spiralling kick could not be taken on the full by the defence and Levi Dangerfield was able to dive on the ball in the in-goal to score just prior to the final siren sounding.
Kye Cooper continued at five eight in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters and was for mine the Northern Rivers Titans best, including scoring a try and converting that same try in the 35th minute of the match.
In the 49th minute, Kye Cooper kicked a huge spirally mid-field bomb that could not be held by the Central Coast fullback, giving the Northern Rivers Titans good field position. Kye Cooper put up another huge kick in the dying moments of the match and then chased hard down field, with the Northern Rivers Titans forcing the Central Coast fullback to lose the ball to give themselves a final opportunity to attack.
Kye Cooper also produced a try saving tackle in the 54th minute of the match when he held one of the Central Coast second rowers back from the line, forcing the Roosters player to extend his arms forward to get the ball down but in the process was penalised for a double movement.
Kye Cooper also started at five eight in Round Five against the Newcastle Knights and kicked four conversions from five attempts as the Northern Rivers Titans ended their 2021 season with a resounding 28 – 4 win.
Kye Cooper also made a line break late in the second half when whilst operating on the left dummied to his outside before slicing through the defensive line and beating two defenders in his twenty metre run.
Impressively Kye Cooper started Round One of the 2021 NRRRL U18 season 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.
Kye Cooper also started at right centre in Round Two 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.
Kye Cooper continued at right centre (he spent time at left centre in the second half) in Round Three against the Tweed Coast Raiders getting himself involved early by making the fourth tackle of the match produced a strong effort in the 23rd minute when from marker he rag dolled the Raiders left winger and dragged him back into the in-goal to force a goal line drop out.
Kye Cooper also recorded a try assist in the 29th minute when he worked an overlap on the right well to send Kade Garrett over in the right corner.
Kye Cooper continued at right centre in Round Four against the Marist Brothers Rams and in the 46th minute scored his first try of the season in the NRRRL U18 competition when after a Ballina cross field kick was taken on the full on his inside with Key Cooper receiving the ball and scoring wide out on the right.
Kye Cooper continued at right centre in Round Five against Casino RSM and almost scored in the 31st minute in the right corner from a chip kick to his wing but a terrible bounce of the ball meant the try just eluded him.
Round Eight against Northern United saw Kye Cooper initially named at halfback but on the day of the match, he moved back to his regular right centre position and Kye Cooper continued at right centre in Round Eleven against the Bilambil Jets and in Round Twelve against the Byron Bay Devils.
Kye Cooper continued at right centre in Round Thirteen against Murwillumbah scoring a key try in the 53rd minute when he was on hand to take possession of a kick into the in-goal that the Murwillumbah defence could not deal with by letting the ball bounce, with Kye Cooper getting the ball down in the right corner.
In addition to his try, Kye Cooper made a 14th minute line break down the right touchline of twenty five metres.
In late March 2021 Kye Cooper was part of Diocesan of Lismore Opens Squad that attended the Northern Country Catholic Colleges Rugby League Selection Trial that were held at Smithtown.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Antioch Faitala-Mariner.
The Brisbane based Titans contracted winger signed a multi-year contract at the start of the 2019 year after some impressive displays for the Titans Logan based junior development squads. In positive news for the Titans Antioch Faitala-Mariner resigned with the Titans for an additional couple of seasons in late 2020.
In January 2021 Antioch Faitala-Mariner started at right centre for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Antioch Faitala-Mariner having the opportunity to showcase his blazing speed on a number of occasions with the Titans deserved 32 – 20 victory.
In 2021 Antioch Faitala-Mariner was part of the Easts Tigers U18 Mal Meninga squad and started on the wing in their 26 – 12 trial victory over the Ipswich Jets.
In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup against the Redcliffe Dolphins, Antioch Faitala-Mariner moved to fullback and also started at fullback in Round Two against the Norths Devils and in Round Three against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Antioch Faitala-Mariner was also named to start at fullback in Round Four against the Redcliffe Dolphins but in fact started the match in the centres and also started in the centres in Round Five against the Norths Devils scoring his first try of the 2021 MM Cup season in the Tigers 26 all draw.
Round Six being the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition saw Antioch Faitala-Mariner line up in the centres against Wynnum Manly.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Wailer Whaiapu:
In June 2021, Wailer Whaiapu was a member of the Titans JTS U16 side that drew with a Titans U17 Northern Rivers Academy side at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans NRL fixture against Manly.
Wailer Whaiapu started Round One of the School Boy Walters Cup for Keebra Park in the front row against Marsden SHS and whilst he had a strong match throughout, it was an effort with just three minutes to go and Keebra Park holding onto a slender lead that caught spectators attention.
With Marsden chasing the game second rower Jedidah Riai charged onto the ball but was smashed by Wailer Whaiapu with an outstanding, perfectly timed and executed front on tackle that forced the ball loose and set the tone for Keebra Park to see out the match and hold onto their lead.
Wailer Whaiapu also started Round Two against Redcliffe State High School in the front row being involved in the opening tackle of the match and then the hard working front rower also made the third tackle of the match.
Wailer Whaiapu almost scored in the 39th minute. When he received the ball three metres out from the line, it appeared that Wailer Whaiapu would turn his back to the line and pass to his right but instead he brought the ball back into his body and force his way over to score next to the left upright.
Wailer Whaiapu continued his strong start to the match in the 8th minute with a charge of sixteen metres out of his own twenty metre area with Wailer Whaiapu incorporating a clockwise spin in the run.
Whilst Wailer Whaiapu also started in Round Three against Ipswich State High School, he was brought off by the Keebra Park coaching staff early so that he could make his Langer Cup debut off the bench also against Ipswich State High School.
Wailer Whaiapu was also named on the Keebra Park Langer Cup bench for Round Four against St Mary’s College Toowoomba coming into the match late in the first half, making an immediate impact with a strong fifteen metre run in the 29th minute.
The 2021 season to date for Carsil Vaikai:
Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Carsil Vaikai start from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls when they took on the Souths Logan Magpies. Carsil Vaikai came into the match in just the 4th minute after starting front rower Ben Liyou was taken off for a HIA.
It did not take long for Carsil Vaikai to get involved, hitting the ball up over the halfway mark, making twelve metres through the centre of the ruck.
Carsil Vaikai also was named to start from the bench in Round Two in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears however he ended up starting in the front row and scoring as the Seagulls won the derby 32 – 24.
Carsil Vaikai scored in the 8th minute when he ran onto a great short ball from his right from Charlie Murray into a big gap ten metres out. Carsil Vaikai got hit three metres out but was able to maintain his balance long enough to reach out and get the ball down under the posts with his right hand.
Then in the 11th minute Carsil Vaikai took the third hit-up from the kick-off after his try, making ten metres and then Carsil Vaikai also took the 5th hit-up of the set of six making ten more metres.
Carsil Vaikai also started in the front row in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins and in Round Four against the Ipswich Jets.
Carsil Vaikai also started in the front row in Round Five against the Northern Pride and in Round Six against the Easts Tigers as well as Round Seven against the Norths Devils and Round Eight against the Mackay Cutters.
Round Nine against Wynnum Manly saw Carsil Vaikai start at lock for the Seagulls. Carsil Vaikai then started in the front row in the previously postponed Round Eleven match against the Sunshine Coast Falcons
During a Hastings Deering’s Colts bye week, Carsil Vaikai started Round Ten of the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition at lock against the Tugun Seahawks.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Matthew Barrow:
In January 2021 Matthew Barrow started from the bench for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights even though he was still U16 eligible in 2021. Matthew Barrow played on the right wing when he came on as the Titans recorded a well deserved 32 – 20 victory.
Matthew Barrow’s first touch of the ball came late in the first half when he darted out of dummy half to the left of the play the ball on the half way mark to settle himself into the match in the 28th minute of the firt half.
Matthew Barrow is also good defensively in the match, on one occasion early in the second half preventing a try and late in the first half preventing a long Knights run down the left touch line.
Late in the first half, around forty five metres out the Knights left side engineered an overlap that meant Matthew Barrow was facing three attackers, Matthew Barrow made the correct choice to come forward to take the correct attacker thus eliminating the threat.
Early in the second half, Newcastle made a break on Matthew Barrow’s inside, Matthew Barrow turned and chased and just as it looked like Newcastle would score in the left corner, Matthew Barrow came from the clouds so to speak, to tackle the Knights player from behind, knocking the ball loose.
Matthew Barrow finished the match with two line breaks and an impressive game leading 228 metres made running with the ball.
In June 2021 Matthew Barrow started on the left wing for a Titans U17 side that palyed a Titans Northern Rivers U18 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters, making two long breaks down the left touchline in the later part of the second half.
The first of the two line breaks that Matthew Barrow made in the second half was a seventy five metre effort after he picked up a dropped ball, with Matthew Barrwo getting to within eight metres of the line before he was brought down from behind. Matthew Barrow’s other line break accounted for fifty metres after he was put into space by Keano Kini.
Matthew Barrow was also involved in the Titans U15 Academy matches at Burleigh in March 2020 and post those round robin matches signed his contract with the Titans which will see him part of the outstanding Titans JTS program for the next couple of seasons at least.
In late October 2020, Matthew Barrow was named in the Gold Coast Rugby League U16 Cyril Connell Cup Academy Squad and when the split occurred Matthew Barrow was named in the Tweed Heads Cyril Connell Cup squad.
Matthew Barrow started at fullback in the first two quarters for the Seagulls in their final 2021 trial against the Souths Logan Magpies before moving to right centre in the third quarter. It was from that right centre position that Matthew Barrow produced a try saving tackle when he came from the clouds to bring down from behind the Magpies five eight who had broken through the line.
In the first two quarters whilst at fullback, Matthew Barrow had to be on his toes with all types of kicks coming his way but on each occasion Matthew Barrow was well positioned and had safe hands taking each type of kick comfortably.
On one occasion in the second quarter Matthew Barrow also chimed into the backline on the right throwing a good long cut-out pass to his right to put his winger into space down the touchline, whislt the winger ultimately forced into touch, it was still a good piece of work by Matthew Barrow.
Matthew Barrow started Round One of the 2021 Cyril Connell Cup at fullback as the Seagulls took on the Ipswich Jets and moved to the left wing for the Round Three local derby against the Burleigh Bears, scoring a double in the Seagulls 33 – 6 victory.
Matthew Barrow’s first try of the match was a long range affair coming in the 29th minute. With Burleigh attacking the line from close range they put in a grubber kick behind Tweed Heads left side defence, fullback Lewis Symonds got to the ball in the in goal darting to his left and getting the ball to Matthew Barrow who raced ninety metres untouched to score.
Matthew Barrow scored his second half try in the 43rd minute and it was a lot less spectacular. Matthew Barrow stayed close to the left touchline, receiving a looping pass which he took and took a step forward putting the ball down for probably the easiest try that he will ever score.
Matthew Barrow’s first contribution for the Seagulls in the match came in the opening minutes of the match when he was in a position to take a Burleigh clearing kick on the full and return the kick running hard into the Bears chasing defensive line.
Matthew Barrow backed that run up with another strong run in the 8th minute when he took the Burleigh kick-off after the Jacob Sa try on the full and charged into the defensive line and immediately fought to get to his feet and consequently was awarded a penalty when he was held down.
Matthew Barrow came off his left wing once again in the 13th minute to take a hit-up in centre field, making ten metres to get the ball out of their own twenty metre area. Matthew Barrow made even more metres in the 36th minute with a run of more than forty metres down the left side of the field, bumping off the first defender who had tried to tackle him front on. Matthew Barrow got within ten metres of the try line before two Burleigh defenders were finally able to break him down.
In the 42nd minute made a further strong run making ten metres and bringing the ball out of the Burleigh twenty metre area and Matthew Barrow was awarded a penalty when he was not allowed to his feet quickly. Being awarded that penalty was telling as from the subsequent kick for touch and set of six, Matthew Barrow scored in the left corner for his second try of the match.
Matthew Barrow rounded out a more than solid match in the 68th minute when he took a Burleigh kick-off from Keahn Skipps field goal, on the full, running the ball back to the Seagulls thirty five metre mark and put Tweed Heads back onto the attack immediately.
Matthew Barrow also produced another highlight reel play and so nearly pulled up a great try saving tackle in the 39th minute. Burleigh made a break through the centre of the field from long range and it looked a certain try but Matthew Barrow came from his left wing to five full length from behind dragging the bell loose just as the Burleigh player was about to score. The referee however called play on with Tana Tuhaka, the Burleigh five eight picking the ball up and diving over. The fact that a try was ultimately awarded should not detract however to the outstanding piece of play from Matthew Barrow.
Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies saw Matthew Barrow once against start on the left wing.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Kyhan Weir:
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 Kyhan Weir starting the match on the bench in his first match in a Titans jersey.
In June 2021 Kyhan Weir was part of a Titans U18 Northern Rivers squad that played the Titans U17 JTS squad at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters with Kyhan Weir starting the match in the front row and drawing praise for his whole hearted performance from Titans Development Staff.
Kyhan Weir’s selection in the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad was in fact surprisingly the first time in his junior rugby league career that Kyhan Weir was selected in any representative side.
Round One of the 2021 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Kyhan Weir start in the front row against the Wests Tigers and Kyhan Weir also started in the front row in Round Two against the North Coast Bulldogs and once again was one of the Northern Rivers Titans best in the wet conditions against a far larger forward pack.
Kyhan Weir also started in the front row in Round Three against the Greater Northern Tigers and produced another impressive display starting with his first run of the match which came in the 3rd minute when after making ground through the centre of the ruck, Kyhan Weir was able to offload to Tanu Nona. Kyhan Weir then backed up to take another hit-up from the next play the ball.
Kyhan Weir continued his strong match in the 14th minute when he charged into a short pass from Rowan Mansfield surging forty metres downfield, showing some good speed from a front rower before he was brought down.
Kyhan Weir continued his strong match in the second half with yet another strong run in the 59th minute and won a penalty for the Northern Rivers Titans when he was not allowed to get to his feet quickly to play the ball. Tanu Nona scored from the resultant set of six.
Kyhan Weir made another strong charge in the 69th minute and once again was awarded a penalty when he was not allowed to get to his feet quickly to play the ball.
Kyhan Weir also started in the front row in Round Four at Lismore against the Central Coast Roosters and as usual was heavily involved throughout, including taking the hit-up off the Central Coast kick-off and then also taking the fourth hit-up in the same set of six.
Kyhan Weir was also strong defensively in the match including a strong front on tackle on one of the Central Coast Roosters front rowers in the 36th minute of the first half and then he followed that tackle up by bring down the Roosters half back to make back to back tackles.
Kyhan Weir continued in the front row in Round Five being the final regular season round against the Newcastle Knights and made his presence felt from the kick off when in conjunction with Patrick Gray crunched the Newcastle front rower who took the ball from the kick-off.
Kyhan Weir then took the first of his many hit-ups in just the 4th minute of the match and also charged onto the ball in the 17th minute making fifteen metres into the Knights twenty metre zone and then in the 23rd minute produced a good offload to Harvey Moase to keep the ball moving forward.
Defensively Kyhan Weir also displayed his aggressiveness over the course of the match but also his intensity and effort including making three tackles in a row in the 22nd minute as Newcastle were trying to bring the ball out of their own twenty metre area.
Kyhan Weir’s aggressiveness came to the fore in the 53rd minute of the match when a strong tackle forced the ball loose from his Newcastle opponent to put the Northern Rivers Titans back on the attack in the Knights territory.
At the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans Awards Night, Kyhan Weir was presented with the 2021 U18 Laurie Daley Cup Coaches Award.
For the 2021 NRRRL season, Kyhan Weir moved from Byron Bay to Ballina, starting in the front row for the Seagulls against the Kyogle Turkeys in Round One of the NRRRL U18 competition.
Kyhan Weir also started in the front row in Round Two against the Byron Bay Devils and was his usual aggressive self in Ballina’s 24 – 18 loss.
Kyhan Weir had some good moments in the ill tempered match including a great twenty five metre charge through the centre of the Byron Bay ruck before off-loading to his hooker in the 29th minute and Kyhan Weir was able to off-load once again in the 34th minute with another right arm off-load.
Kyhan Weir also made a crunching tackle in the 54th minute to force the ball loose and regain possession for Ballina just twenty metres out from their try line.
Kyhan Weir continued in the front row in Round Three 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 off-loading skill set to both sides of his body.
Kyhan Weir continued in the front row in Round Four against the Marist Brothers Rams and scored his second try of the season in the 23rd minute. Kyhan Weir’s try was more of the type that you would see from a half or five eight as he received the ball sixteen metres out from the line and ran to his left, initially looking as if he was going to pass to his left but instead pulled the ball back in and crashed over three metres from the left upright.
Earlier in the match in the 16th minute, Kyhan Weir made a strong sixteen metre charge through the centre of the field, getting the ball to within the opposition twenty metre area.
Kyhan Weir also started in the front row in Round Five against Casino RSM scoring once again for the Seagulls when in the 40th minute he charged straight through the Casino RSM defence breaking three tackles from fifteen metres out to score a strong try.
It was obvious that Kyhan Weir was “up” for the match with the tall front rower being involved in the first two tackles of the match after Ballina had kicked off. The in the 19th minute Kyhan Weir made a strong twelve metres run before he was able to get his right arm free and off-load the ball. Kyhan Weir added to his efforts in the 59th minute with a fifteen metre charge to halfway as Ballina tried to arrest a two point deficit.
Kyhan Weir also started in the front row in Round Eight against Northern United, in Round Eleven against the Bilambil Jets and also in Round Twelve against the Byron Bay Devils.
Kyhan Weir continued in the front row in Round Thirteen against Murwillumbah and had a big match, especially in the second half, including scoring a key try for the Seagulls in the tight four point victory. Kyhan Weir was in the match almost immediately when after a Murwillumbah error from the kick-off Kyhan Weir took the third hit-up after Ballina’s penalty restart.
Kyhan Weir’s try came in the 34th minute when he crashed over under the posts from close range after running to his right out of dummy half.
Kyhan Weir played the entire sixty minutes of the match in the front row and even in the closing minutes of the match with Ballina clinging to a four point lead, Kyhan Weir led the way for the Seagulls, including in the 56th minute with a big ten metre charge on the third tackle from the kick-off to Kye Cooper’s try that gave Ballina the lead. Kyhan Weir, at the end of his run, tried to get to his feet for a quick play the ball but was held down and deservedly won a penalty which allowed Ballina to get the ball deep into Murwillumbah territory.
Even in the final minute of the match, Kyhan Weir continued his strong match, with two strong hit-ups in that final minute to ensure Ballina’s victory.
In Round Three of the NRRRL First Grade competition, starring in the earlier U18 match, Kyhan Weir made his NRRRL First Grade debut for the Ballina Seagulls against the Tweed Coast Raiders. Kyhan Weir also came off the bench in Round Four against the Marist Brothers Rams.
With the Ballina U18 side having a bye, Kyhan Weir was also on the bench in Round Six against the Mullumbimby Giants, coming on late in the first half. Kyhan Weir also came off the bench in Round Eleven against the Bilambil Jets.
2021 also saw Kyhan Weir play a number of matches in the NRRRL Reserve Grade competition, including coming off the bench in Round Eight against Northern United after playing in the U18 match against the same opponent earlier in the day.
Kyhan Weir also came off the bench in Round Ten against the Lower Clarence Magpies and was one of the Seagulls try scorers in their 60 – 0 victory when in the 36th minute Kyhan Weir received the ball on the left side of the field as it was spun in that direction by Ballina. Kyhan Weir received the ball in space twelve metres out, dummying to his left before straightening up and crashing over in a tackle ten metres from the left corner post.
In late March 2021 Kyhan Weir was part of Diocesan of Lismore Opens Squad that attended the Northern Country Catholic Colleges Rugby League Selection Trial that were held at Smithtown with Kyhan Weir starting in the front row in the trials.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Brandon Tikinau:
Brandon Tikinau was part of the South Logan Magpies U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad in 2021, starting their trial agaisnt Wynnum Manly at Capalaba at halfback that the Magpies won six tries to one.
After missing Round One of the 2021 Cyril Connell Cup competition, Brandon Tikinau started at five eight in Round Two against the Ipswich Jets scoring in the first half in a big Magpies victory.
From a club rugby league perspective in 2021 Brandon Tikinau played for Logan Brothers in the GBJRL U16 Division One competition operating primarily at halfback.
For Marsden State High School, Brandon Tikinau started Round One of the Walters Cup School Boy Competition at five eight against Keebra Park, primarily operating on the left and also recording a try assist in the second half when after receiving the ball, Brandon Tikinau stepped to his left and put the ball onto the chest of right second rower Te Anki Kowhai to charge into a gap seven metres from the line to subsequently crash over.
Brandon Tikinau started at halfback in Round Two of the Walters Cup against Ipswich State High School, recording a try assist and throwing the final pass for two other tries in a match that ended in a 24 all draw.
Brandon Tikinau recorded his try assist in the 21st minute when he put in a right foot chip kick towards the right corner from around twenty metres out. The Ipswich defence could not defuse the kick with Marsden diving on the ball to score.
In the 42nd minute threw the final pass for his right centre to score in the right corner and then ten minutes later in the 52nd minute the Marsden fullback was the beneficiary of a pass from Brandon Tikinau to also score in the right corner.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Larry Siala:
In November 2020 Larry Siala was named in the 2021 Ipswich Jets Cyril Connell Cup squad and started from the bench in Round One of that competition as the Jets took on the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
After missing Round Three Larry Siala started in the front row in Round Five against the Burleigh Bears and scored two powerhouse second half tries that few players at any level would have any hope of ever replicating.
Larry Siala’s first try of the match came in the 41st and his second in the 48th minute.
In the 41st minute Larry Siala scored an outstanding solo try when he charged onto the ball from a penalty restart from twenty seven metres out and just charged straight through the Seagulls line and then outpaced the fullback to score ten metres in from the right corner post.
Just seven minutes later in the 48th minute Larry Siala once again charged onto the ball, this time from ten metres out being the second hit-up from an Ipswich penalty restart, breaking one tackle before dragging the fullback across the line with him to score under the posts.
Larry Siala’s initial contribution in the match came from the kick off when he ran the ball back from the kick off making ten post contact metres to get the ball out to the twenty metre mark. Then in the 6th minute Larry Siala made eleven more metres to get Ipswich over the attacking forty metre mark from a penalty restart.
Larry Siala made more metres in the 21st minute when from another penalty restart ten metres out, he contacted the first defender four metres from the line but his continual leg pumping got Larry Siala over the line but four Seagulls defenders held him up.
To round out a spectacular match, Larry Siala once again charged onto the ball from a kick-off return to get the ball all of the way back to his own thirty metre mark.
Post the 2021 Cyril Connell Cup competition, Larry Siala played for North’s Blue in the Ipswich Rugby League U17 Division One competition, with his first appearance for North’s Blue coming in Round Two against Brothers Blue with Larry Siala starting the match in the second row.
After missing a number of weeks, Larry Siala started from the bench in Round Six against Brothers White and also came off the bench in Round Ten against the Springfield Panthers. Larry Siala then moved into the starting side at right second row in Round Eleven against Ipswich Brothers.
Round Thirteen against Brothers White saw Larry Siala start in the front row.
In April 2021 Larry Siala was named in the Ballymore Cup School Boy Rugby Team of the Tournament at blindside flanker (No. 6) after performing exceptionally well for St Edmunds College over the course of the Tournament.
In 2021 Larry Siala was part of the St Edmunds, College Association of Independent Colleges (AIC) First XV school boy rugby squad, starting Round One at No. 8 against St Patricks College.
Larry Siala also started at No. 8 in Round Two against traditional AIC heavyweights Marist College Ashgrove and had a big match including in the first half being held up over the line after picking the ball up off the back of a ruck and running to his right five metres out from the line.
Round Three saw Larry Siala continue at No. 8 as St Edmunds College took on St Peters Lutheran College in their traditional grudge match with his St Edmunds side recording a tight 14 – 7 victory with the match being in the balance until the final minute.
For the second week in a row Larry Siala was held up over the line in the match after he cut back towards the goal posts from ten metres out bursting through a number of tackles before being held up by two St Peters defenders.
Larry Siala was in the match immediately, getting the ball from the kick-off after getting a tip back after St Edmunds had kicked off. Larry Siala made another strong run just a minute later before getting away an off-load.
Larry Siala also had a strong second half, including making a strong ten metre surge early in the half, palming off one defender before a bustling run of twelve metre from the kick off after St Edmunds second half try.
Larry Siala continued at No. 8 for St Edmunds College in their Round Four match at home against Iona College as well as in Round Five against Padua College before rounding out his season at No. 8 in the final round.
Larry Siala also played rugby league for St Edmunds College in 2021, playing in their Confraternity Shield side in late June/early July.
Larry Siala was also part of the St Edmunds College Rugby League First XIII that took part in the AIC First XIII school boy rugby league competition in Term Three of the school year.
Larry Siala started St Edmunds College’s two Day One matches in the front row against St Laurence’s College and St Thomas More College and then also started in the front row in their Quarter Final match against St Mary’s College Woree with St Edmunds College progressing on the back of a 20 – 6 victory. Unfortunately post the Quarter Final victory, the Confraternity Shield was cancelled due to a Covid 19 lockdown.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Lachlan Offley:
In June 2021, Lachlan Offley was a member of the Titans JTS U16 side that drew with a Titans U17 Northern Rivers Academy side at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans NRL fixture against Manly.
Lachlan Offley started at right centre for the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side for their Round One match against the Wests Tigers as they suffered a tough first up loss and also started at right centre in Round Two against local rivals the North Coast Bulldogs in Nambucca Heads.
Round Three saw Lachlan Offley move from right centre to fullback as the Northern Rivers Titans took on the Greater Northern Tigers.
Lachlan Offley scored his first try of the 2021 Andrew Johns Cup season in the 17th minute of the match when whilst operating on the left he received a pass in pace from Kye Cooper. Lachlan Offley then produced a strong left arm fend to create space and then cut back to his right to charge over from eight metres out.
Lachlan Offley also worked hard running out of dummy half including a strong twenty metre run towards the end of the first half which took a lot of pressure off the Northern Rivers Titans side.
Lachlan Offley produced another strong run late in the first half, breaking through the line making thirty metres and then winning the penalty when he was held down whilst trying to execute a quick play the ball.
Early in the second half Lachlan Offley was at it again making another twenty metres on the back of a winding run that included beating three defenders in the set of six after Jaylen Taewa’s 33rd minute try. Just minutes later Lachlan Offley broke the line once again flying twenty five metres down the left touch line.
Lachlan Offley continued at fullback in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters. Lachlan Offley took the Central Coast kick-off on the full, returning the ball into the defensive line.
Lachlan Offley moved to left centre for Round Five against the Newcastle Knights and as usual worked hard in attack and in the early going back off his line to make fifteen metres from a winding run. Lachlan Offley was at it again just a few minutes later when after a ten metre run he was able to offload to Stevie O’Connor to get outside his man.
In the 19th minute Lachlan Offley continued his good work out of dummy half in the match when he darted to the right, breaking one tackle whilst gaining ten metres. Lachlan Offley’s impressive running out of dummy half continued in the second half when he darted out of dummy half to the right gaining fifteen valuable metres on a run that started inside his own twenty metre area.
The 46th minute of the match saw Lachlan Offley once again dart out of dummy half to his right making sixteen metres before being brought down on the halfway mark and made eleven more metres two minutes later.
It was not just Lachlan Offley’s attack that impressed during the match, his defence was also top quality including in the 39th minute when he was able to hold the Newcastle No. 11 back from scoring through shear strength. Lachlan Offley backed that moment up in the 51st minute when he was able to get across field to force the Newcastle right winger into touch just three metres out from the corner post.
Impressively 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.
Lachlan Offley also started on the right wing in Round Two 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.
Lachlan Offley also started Round Three on the right wing against the Tweed Coast Raiders. Lachlan Offley got his first touch of the ball in the 4th minute when he made fourteen metres out of dummy half when he took off to his left, breaking two tackles and then Lachlan Offley was awarded a penalty when the Tweed Coast would not allow him to get to his feet quickly.
Lachlan Offley moved to the left wing in Round Four against the Marist Brothers Rams with his first run of the match coming in the opening minute. Lachlan Offley produced another strong run in the 18th minute through the centre of the field, making twelve metres before two Rams forwards were able to get him to the ground.
Lachlan Offley continued on the right wing in Round Five against Casino RSM making a strong sixteen metres run down the right touchline, breaking two tackles in the process. Lachlan Offley also took a strong carry in the 31st minute when came off his wing stepping twice and breaking four tackles in a winding run. Then in the 59th minute Lachlan Offley charged out of dummy half to his right making fifteen more metres.
Lachlan Offley also held up well defensively against the aggressive Casino RSM side, including in the 11th minute when facing a three man overlap, Lachlan Offley came off his line and was able to get his hand to a pass to prevent Casino RSM from scoring out wide.
Lachlan Offley also started on the right wing in Round Eight against Northern United scoring a double in the Seagulls big win. Lachlan Offley only had to wait until the second minute of the match to score his opening try when he raced ten metres down the right touchline after receiving a cut-out pass from his inside. After crossing the line, Lachlan Offley had the forsesight to bring the ball around to get it down near the goal posts.
Lachlan Offley completed his double in the 39th minute and it was very similar to his opening try of the match. Lachlan Offley once again received a cut-out pass from his inside, eight metres from the line and once again Lachlan Offley had the intelligence to bring the ball all of the way around to put it down under the posts.
It was a great effort by Ballina to keep Northern United scoreless in the match and a lot of the credit for that should go to Lachlan Offley who in the 18th minute made te htackle of the match, with it being a try saving tackle only adding to its impressiveness. The much bigger Northern United right centre ran straight at Lachlan Offley, trying to run over him less then three metres but the try line, but Lachlan Offley produced an outstanding ball and all tackle on the last to bring the Northern United centre down short of the line. Lachaln Offley then bounced to his feet and ran the ball from dummy half from the restart.
Lachlan Offley then maintained his place on the right wing for Round Eleven against the Bilambil Jets and in Round Twelve against the Byron Bay Devils, a match which saw Lachlan Offley score in the 6th minute when he leapt above his directly opponent to take a chip kick on the full and Lachlan Offley then spun clockwise and get the ball down in the right corner.
A couple of minutes earlier in the 4th minute, the Byron Bay winger took a another chip kick on the full just inside the field of play with Lachlan Offley forcing his opposite number back into the in-goal, forcing Byron Bay to drop the ball out from under their own posts. Lachlan Offley then forced another Byron Bay goal line drop out in the 37th minute when he chased through a long Ballina kick and force the Byron Bay kick returner back into his own in-goal.
Lachlan Offley continued on the right wing in Round Thirteen against Murwillumbah and did some very good things in the Seagulls four point victory. Whilst he did not score himself in the match, Lachlan Offley was heavily involved in Ballina’s 11th minute try. Jesse Beauchamp put up a mid-field bomb which Murwillumbah let bounce with the ball bouncing back towards the Ballina chasers. The ball got out to Lachlan Offley’s right wing with the flyer darting down the right wing. When confronted by the cover defence, Lachlan Offley put in a right foot grubber kick back inside which was collected by Ballina to score.
Lachlan Offley produced another smart piece of play in the 44th minute when he identified that there was space behind his own defensive line, after Murwillumbah identified the same thing and put in a chip kick, Lachlan Offley was able to get back and jump high to take the kick on the full and then was awarded a penalty when he was tackled in the air.
Lachlan Offley also worked hard in running the ball, including a strong twelve metres effort out of dummy half in the 10th minute to get the ball out of his own twenty metre area.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Kaleb Ngamanu:
In early January 2021 Kaleb Ngamanu started on the right wing for the Titans U19 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour, a match which the Titans dominated, especially in the second half to record an impressive 40 – 6 victory.
Whilst the ball did not get to his wing often in general play, Kaleb Ngamanu was still very effective in the match through multiple kick returns with Kaleb Ngamanu fielding a lot of the kicks in his direction on the full and he was also very effective running out of dummy half when bringing the ball out of his own territory.
Two instances late in the match highlighted the hard work that Kaleb Ngamanu undertook bringing the ball upfield. In the 23rd minute of the second half, Kaleb Ngamanu came off his wing and charged into the Knights set defensive line, taking the first defender on front on, bumping him off in a twenty metre run that had started when Kaleb Ngamanu received the ball less than ten metres out from his own line.
Just two minutes later in the 25th minute, Kaleb Ngamanu was at it again when he looped around to the other side of the field to once again start his hit-up from less than twenty metres out from his own line and through sheer hard running and leg drive got to the forty metre line before his forward momentum was eventually stopped and he was forced to play the ball.
A week after the match against the Newcastle Knights Kaleb Ngamanu once again lined up for the Titans U19’s starting on the right wing as they took on a Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad with the Titans winning 32 – 20 with no conversions attempted.
Kaleb Ngamanu had a more than solid match against the Bears including an outstanding thrity metre run that started just ten metres out from his own line early in the first half. From a Titans scrum win deep in their own half, Kaleb Ngamanu took the ball from Ediq Ambrosyev who had packed in at lock, producing an outstanding right foot step to beat the first defender, with Kaleb Ngamanu beating a second defender with a second right foot step. Kaleb Ngamanu then burst downfield before he was dragged down from behind on the forty metre mark just as he was winding up to get to his top speed.
Kaleb Ngamanu was also a key player in one of the Titans first half tries. Dummy half Oskar Bryant kicked out of dummy half, with the weighting being ideal, forcing the Burleigh fullback to go back into his in-goal. As he was trying to bring the ball back into the field of play, he was hit by Kaleb Ngamanu with the contact forcing the ball loose for Reef Sommerville to simply put his hand on the ball to be awarded a try.
After a more than solid first half on the right wing, Kaleb Ngamanu moved to left centre in the second half and produced some real moments of class from there for the Titans including a 19th minute (of the second half) try assist. Kaleb Ngamanu, playing left centre flew into a gap just thirty metres from his own line, receiving a good ball from Thomas Weaver.
After getting through the Bears line Kaleb Ngamanu accelerated away from any potential Bears cover defenders. After a forty metre run, Kaleb Ngamanu expertly drew the Burleigh fullback, then passing to his right to Jaylan De Groot who had loomed up on his inside.
Kaleb Ngamanu then showcased his positioning skills in the final minute of the match. Even though they were on the wrong end of the scoreboard, Burleigh were still desperately trying to score up until the final siren and thus in the final minute the Bears half put in a grubber kick to the Titans left corner. Kaleb Ngamanu turned and chased the kick back, knocking the ball dead literally out of the cluthches of the Bears right winger.
Kaleb Ngamanu also started on the right wing in Tweed Heads final 2021 MM Cup final against the Souths Logan Magpies at Logan. Kaleb Ngamanu moved to left centre early in the second quarter after a Campbell Watchairs ankle injury forced him off the field.
It was from that left centre position where Kaleb Ngamanu threw the last pass to Keano Kini for him to score. The pass that Kaleb Ngamanu threw was to his left and covered around twenty metres and found Keano Kini in full stride and right on his chest. As a result Keano Kini was able to step inside the cover defence to score.
Early in the third quarter Kaleb Ngamanu raced thrity metres down the left touchline after good work on his inside from Keano Kini and Ryan Foran, unfortunately Kaleb Ngamanu was taken into touch just metres away from the left corner post.
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 Kaleb Ngamanu starting the match at left centre for the Titans.
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.
In February 2021 Kaleb Ngamanu took part in the South Coast Open school boy trials and was named in the centres for the South Coast Open A school boy side as a result of his trial performances. Kaleb Ngamanu was one of two Titans contracted 2021 TSS School Boy Rugby First XV players in the South Coast Squad with the other being Nicholas Hilton.
Kaleb Ngamanu started at left centre for South Coast’s Day One match against Met North and made his initial contribution in the opening minute when he ran back to take a Met North clearing kick on the full when still running back towards his own goal line. Then Kaleb Ngamanu took the third hit-up in that same set.
The in the 5th minute, Kaleb Ngamanu made a run of ten metres from a South Coast scrum win, getting the ball to within twenty metres of the try line and then was awarded a penalty after the Met North defenders held on for too long in the tackle.
Kaleb Ngamanu continued his strong start to the Championships in the 13th minute when he was able to make fifteen metres after he had picked the ball up at dummy half and run to his right. Also in the 24th minute, a stepping Kaleb Ngamanu accounted for twelve more valuable metres.
Defensively Kaleb Ngamanu also had a strong Day One match including in the 16th minute when facing an overlap he came out of the line and drove the Met North half backwards, hitting him just as he received the ball.
Kaleb Ngamanu came out of the line once again in the 37th minute producing a great low tackle on the Met North 14 who had tried to get on his outside.
Kaleb Ngamanu also started at left centre on Day Two as South Coast took on Met East and almot immediately made thirteen metres out of his own twenty metre area in just the second minute of the match.
On Day Three against Capricornia Kaleb Ngamanu once again start at left centre and made a forty metre line break down the left touchline after being put into space by Ryan Foran, then as he was confronted by the cover defence, Kaleb Ngamanu got the ball back inside to Ryan Foran.
Kaleb Ngamanu started the Championship Final against Met North at left centre and whilst the ball did not get out to his side of the field too often more than held his own defensively including in the 32nd minute when he defused a Met North bomb under immense pressure.
Kaleb Ngamanu was part of the TSS school boy rugby First XV once again in 2021, playing the season as a full colours player in what was Kaleb Ngamanu’s third season in the TSS First XV. Kaleb Ngamanu was also the 2021 TSS First XV captain.
Kaleb Ngamanu was named as a stand by player in TSS’s opening GPS trials, being a set of round robin trials against Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) and Gregory Terrace.
Kaleb Ngamanu made his first appearance for TSS in late May 2021 for the First XV in TSS’s first full trial against Ipswich Grammar School when he started at inside centre (No. 12).
Kaleb Ngamanu also started at inside centre in TSS’s second 2021 First XV trial against Nudgee College on the Gold Coast and also started in the same position in the final full scale GPS First XV trial against Brisbane Boys College (BBC).
In TSS’s final trial before the commencement of the 2021 GPS First XV school boy rugby season, Kaleb Ngamanu started at inside centre against the TSS Second XV.
Round One of the 2021 GPS school boy rugby First XV competition saw Kaleb Ngamanu line up at inside centre (No. 12) for TSS as they took on Brisbane Grammar School at home with Kaleb Ngamanu contributing two try assists.
Kaleb Ngamanu’s first try assist came in the 10th minute when after he made a long fifty five metre break down the left touchline, Kaleb Ngamanu drew the Brisbane Grammar School fullback and passed to his right to Jye Gray who raced away to score under posts.
Kaleb Ngamanu’s second try assist came in the 58th minute when from twenty seven metres out he put in a chip kick to his left which was perfectly weighted for his left winger to take the ball on the full whilst running at full speed to score comfortably.
Kaleb Ngamanu was also outstanding in others aspects general play in TSS’s 71 – 5 victory with his initial contribution coming inside the opening minute of the match, when he combined from a TSS scrum win with Syris Schmidt to put fullback Jye Gray into space down the left side of the field who then was able to put his winger over in the corner.
Then in the 30th minute Kaleb Ngamanu combined in for all intents and purposes exactly the same way for another TSS try with the only difference being that the move was executed on the right side of the field as opposed to the opening minute when the moved was executed on the left.
As a result of his performance in the match Kaleb Ngamanu was named at inside centre in the Courier Mail GPS First XV Team of Round One and also received a TSS coaches honourbale mention.
Round Two away to Anglican Church Grammar School saw Kaleb Ngamanu named at inside centre for the TSS First XV side with Kaleb Ngamanu proving to be a difficult proposition for the Churchie defence on the way to recording two try assists.
The first of Kaleb Ngamanu’s try assists came in the 23rd minute when after slicing through the defence on the right side of the field from thirty metres out, Kaleb Ngamanu then drew the Churchie fullback and passed to his left to Jye Gray who ran away to score under the posts.
Kaleb Ngamanu added his second try assist when in the 67th minute he threw a good cut out ball to Nicholas Hilton who ran a good inside shoulder route to score next to the right upright. Just five minutes earlier in the 62nd minute Kalbe Nagamnu had also broken the line on the right once again and was able to off-load to Nicholas Hilton.
As a result of his performance in the match Kaleb Ngamanu was named at inside centre in the Courier Mail GPS First XV Team of Round Two and also was awarded three points from the TSS First XV coaches for their weekly awards.
A few weeks ago In Round Ten of the U14 Group One competition for Ballina against Kyogle Dylan Watkins continued at fullback and scored an outstanding five tries in the Seagulls big win.
The recent Round Ten of the Group One U16 competition saw Titans linked Leeton Smith continue at halfback for the Marist Rams against the Grafton Ghosts with Leeton Smith scoring a try and kicking a conversion in the Rams tough loss.
The 2021 season to date for Izaya Leato-Beckett.
After missing the opening rounds of the 2021 season proper, Izaya Leota-Beckett started at right centre for the Burleigh Bears GCRL U20 side in their Round Six match against the Helensvale Hornets, recording a double, with both tries coming in the opening thirteen minutes of the match.
In the 6th minute, Izaya Leota-Beckett followed through a Nelson Ewing kick to the Burleigh right corner with Izaya Leota-Beckett getting a perfect bounce to score in the kick corner. Izaya Leota-Beckett chased through another Nelson Ewing kick to his side of the field in the 13th minute and he leapt above the defence to catch the ball one handed and once again score in the right corner.
Izaya Leota-Beckett made his first 2021 appearance in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition in the Round Eleven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls, starting on the left wing.
Izaya Leato-Beckett’s first hit out of the 2021 season was when he lined up for the Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts squad against a Titans U19 selection in late January at Burleigh.
Izaya Leota-Beckett then started at fullback, playing the first half of the Bears trial against the Easts Tigers against the Easts Tigers that finished in a twenty all draw with Izaya Leato-Beckett perfoeming solidly both from an attacking perspective as well as positionally.
Late in the first half, Izaya Leato-Beckett almost got himself on the Burleigh try scoring list when he backed up a long break by Cameron Brown but unfortunately Cameron Brown’s pass back inside to Izaya Leato-Beckett went to ground.
The following week in the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls, Izaya Leota-Beckett moved to the bench for the final trial.
The 2021 season to date for Caleb Case:
Caleb Case started Round One of the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition for the Bilambil Jets at left centre as the Jets recorded an impressive 24 – 18 victory over the Murwillumbah Mustangs.
Caleb Case also started at left centre in Round Two against the Tweed Coast Raiders and produced a smart piece of play in the 1st minute when on the 5th tackle, from twenty metres out he ran out of dummy half to his right, putting in a right foot grubber that could not be defused by the Raiders defence with Bilambil getting another set of six to attack the line.
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 in the match when after a strong 4th hit-up of the match he was able to get away on off-load.
Caleb Case was back at left centre for Round Four as the Jets took on the Cudgen Hornets in their local derby and was one of the Jets try scorers when in the 45th minute when he received a long cut out pass to dive over five metres in from the left corner.
Caleb Case was named to continue at left centre in Round Nine against the Byron Bay Devils and continued there in Round Ten against the Marist Brothers Rams before dropping back to start from the bench in Round Eleven against the Ballina Seagulls.
Caleb Case then moved back to left centre in Round Twelve against the Tweed Coast Raiders and crossed the try line in the 60th minute when from twenty metres out he was put into a gap by Kia Smallwood.
The 2021 season to date for Matthew Logopati:
Matthew Logopati started Round One of the 2021 Langer Cup School Boy competition at left second row against Mabel Park State High School having an impressive match in Coombabah’s big win over the Langer Cup newcomers including an outstanding solo try in the 48th minute of the match.
Matthew Logopati took a hit-up from a Coombabah SHS penalty restart eleven metres from the line. Matthew Logopati ran fractionally to his left but after bumping of the first defender, he cut back towards the left touchline, palming off a number of defenders and breaking through two more tackles to slam the ball down in the right corner.
The first of a number of telling contributions from Matthew Logopati came in the 8th minute when he made thirteen metres through the centre of the giant Mabel Park SHS forward pack to get to the halfway mark. Matthew Logopati also made a fourteen metres run in the 16th minute.
Matthew Logopati then in the 29th minute charged onto the ball to the right of the dummy half before cutting back to his left to make twelve metres before getting away a right arm off-load.
Matthew Logopati showed his all-out effort in the 8th minute when he stopped, turned and dived backwards onto an attacking grubber kick that was put through by Mabel Park then did not concede the tackle, immediately jumping to his feet racing forty metres downfield to put Coombabah SHS onto the attack deep in Mabel Park territory.
Matthew Logopati also started at left second row in Coombabah SHS’s tough Round Two loss against Wavell State High School and in Round Three against PBC State High School Matthew Logopati dropped back to the bench, coming on to play right second row but unfortunately Matthew Logopati went down with put looked like a serious knee injury in the 22nd minute. Prior to going off, Matthew Logopati had some very good moments including a strong run down the right channel in the 15th minute with Matthew logopati then being able to off-load to his left.
After missing Round Three, Matthew Logopati was named on the bench for Round Four against Ipswich State High School and also for Round Five against St Mary’s College Toowoomba.
Matthew Logopati’s first appearance for Runaway Bay in the GCRL U18 Division One competition came when he started from the bench in Round Three against the Nerang Roosters. Matthew Logopati moved into the Seagulls starting side at left second row in Round Four against the Helensvale Hornets.
Round Five saw Matthew Logopati start at right second row against Burleigh producing a strong performance in the Seagulls tough loss including a strong run of thirteen metres in the 7th minute, being stopped less than a metre from the tryline.
The match also saw Matthew Logopati produce a strong tackled in the 51st minute when his contact when he came over the top forcing the ball loose.
In Round Seven against the Ormeau Shearers, Matthew Logopati was named on the bench.
Matthew Logopati started his school boy rugby league career of with Coombabah SHS in the Titans Cup Year 11/12 Division One competition including in Round Five when he was Coombabah’s best in their loss to Marymount College.
A couple of weeks ago for South Grafton Noah Reti started in the second row in Round Ten of the Group One U13 against the Clarence Coast Magpies, scoring a staggering five tries in the Rebels impressive victory.
Grafton Group One U14’s Beau Hartmann has proved himself a try scorer of note this season and that continued recently in Round Ten when he scored four tries for the Ghosts against traditional rivals the South Grafton Rebels.
The four tries that he scored in the Round Ten match means that Beau Hartmann has now scored thirteen tries in the Group One U14 competition.
Beau Hartmann who has started from the bench in all of his matches this season has also scored two hat tricks which came in Round Six against the Marist Rams and Round Eight against the Kyogle Turkeys.
Beau Hartmann also scored a double in Round Seven against Ballina and also scored in Round One also against the Rams.
Beau Hartmann has also scored two tries in the Group One U15 competition with both tries coming from a double in Round Nine against Casino RSM.
The 2021 season to date for Jykoven Torrens:
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 and also started at hooker in Round Three against Marist Brothers Rams, scoring a double in a big Casino RSM victory.
Jykoven Torrens scored once again in Round Four against Grafton after starting the match at hooker and continued at hooker in Round Five against Ballina and in Round Seven against the Clarence Coast Magpies. Jykoven Torrens also started at hooker in Round Eight against South Grafton as well as in Round Nine against Kyogle with Jykoven Torrens one of Casino RSM’s try scorers.
Jykoven Torrens also started at hooker in Round Ten against the Marist Rams scoring a double in Casino RSM’s six point loss.
The Grafton Ghosts Group One U15 side has an impressive backrow pairing in their ranks in Billy and Caleb Kilduff with both impressing this season.
Caleb Kilduff to date this season has scored eleven tries and kicked one conversion which came in Round Two against Casino RSM.
Caleb Kilduff has scored doubles in Rounds Five (Clarence Coast) and Eight (Ballina) and has also scored in Round Three (South Grafton), Four and Nine against Casino RSM, Six (Marist Rams) and Seven against Ballina.
Billy Kilduff has scored six tries with doubles in Rounds Two and Six against Casino RSM and Marist Rams respectively as well as in Round Four against Casino RSM and Round Eight against the Ballina Seagulls.
The 2021 season to date for Reshawn Anderson:
In June 2021, Reshawn Anderson was a member of the Titans U17 Northern Rivers Academy side that drew 28 all with a Titans JTS U16 side at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans NRL fixture against Manly.
Reshawn Anderson was named on the interchange bench for the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side for their 2021 Round One match against the Wests Tigers. Reshawn Anderson moved into the starting side in the front row in Round Two against local rivals the North Coast Bulldogs in Nambucca Heads and also started in the front row in Round Three against the Greater Northern Tigers.
Reshawn Anderson had a good match against the Tigers getting involved early in the match with a powerful run from the fourth hit-up of the match making fifteen metres from a run to the right of the play the ball.
Reshawn Anderson’s involvement continued minutes later when he expertly took a hard low Tigers attacking kick on the full low down and gained ten metres upfield. Minutes later, Reshawn Anderson who was packing into scrums in the front row was able to break from the scrum and chase down the Greater Northern Tigers half who had broken through the line from the scrum.
Reshawn Anderson’s involvement continued in the 10th minute when he along with Kye Cooper smashed a Greater Northern Tigers front rower forcing him to lose the ball just ten metres out from the line. Minutes later Reshawn Anderson looked as if he had scored on the left side of the field but the referee adjudged that he had been held up.
Reshawn Anderson put an exclamation point on his impressive match in the 52nd minute when he smashed the Greater Northern Tigers fullback with a huge hit when he flew in from the fullback blind side.
After missing Round Four Reshawn Anderson was back in the starting side in the front row in Round Five against the Newcastle Knights taking the first hit-up of the match from the Newcastle kick off, impressive Reshawn Anderson then also took the 4th hit-up on the same set, being the first set of the match.
Reshawn Anderson finished his 2021 U16 Andrew Johns Cup season on a high when he scored in the 55th minute of the match. Reshawn Anderson received the ball twelve metres out from the line and to the right of the play the ball. Reshawn Anderson shaped to pass to his right before straightening to charge his way over to get the ball down adjacent to the right upright.
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.
Reshawn Anderson was named to start in the front row in Round Two 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.
Reshawn Anderson started from the bench once again in Round Three against Northern United coming on two thirds of the way through the first half and as usual Reshawn Anderson displayed all sorts of freakish skills in his time on the field, including a line break.
Within minutes of coming on, Reshawn Anderson had already take two hit-ups, breaking at least one tackle on each occasion.
Reshawn Anderson recorded his line break in the 34th minute when he lined up on the right side of the field, receiving the ball three passes off the ruck. Reshawn Anderson burst through the Northern United line, making forty metres before his attempted off-load went to ground.
Reshawn Anderson also produced one of the best defensive hits in the match when in the 37th minute he drove the giant Northern United front rower (No. 8) backwards with a text book front on tackle.
For a big young man Reshawn Anderson is exceptionally mobile and that presented itself in the 43rd minute when Northern United put in a high attacking chip kick to their left side of the field. Reshawn Anderson however anticipated the kick the kick on the full running at full speed running back towards his own goal line five metres out from his own line.
Reshawn Anderson moved to lock for Round Four as the Jets took on the Cudgen Hornets in the local derby, taking the second hit-up of the match. The match saw Reshawn Anderson score once again the 35th minute when he barged over after receiving the ball sixteen metres out and slamming the ball down one metre from the left upright.
Reshawn Anderson started Round Six against Casino RSM from the bench coming into the match in just the 10th minute and scored once again in the Jets 40 – 16 victory with his try coming in the 57th minute when after receiving the ball from a standing start he was able to break through four tackles to get the ball down.
Reshawn Anderson also went close to scoring in the 21st minute when from twenty metres out he rumbled forward seventeen metres before being brought down, breaking four tackles along the way.
Reshawn Anderson is an outstanding ball runner but he is also a good defender and the Casino RSM fullback found that out the hard way when in the 24th minute he was monstered by Reshawn Anderson ten metres from the try line.
Reshawn Anderson continued coming off the bench in Round Ten against the Marist Brothers Rams.
The 2021 season to date for Rowan Mansfield:
In June 2021 Rowan Mansfield was part of a Titans U18 Northern Rivers squad that played the Titans U17 JTS squad at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
Rowan Mansfield started from the interchange bench row for the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side for their Round One match against the Wests Tigers at Ballina coming on to play in a roving forward role operating as a lock when he came on, regularly getting into dummy half and running a lot out of there.
After his impressive Round One performance, Rowan Mansfield deservedly moved into the starting line for the Northern Rivers Titans at lock in Round Two against local rivals the North Coast Bulldogs at Nambucca Heads, with Rowan Mansfield scoring the Northern Rivers Titan’s second try of the match and he also recorded a line break assist.
Rowan Mansfield’s try resulted when he ran a straight hard line from around three metres out from the North Coast line, hooker Tanu Nona darted out of dummy half to the left and put the ball onto his chest and Rowan Mansfield was able to put the ball down under the posts.
Rowan Mansfield’s line break assist resulted from a good piece of play in his own territory. Rowan Mansfield ran to the line, jinking to his left just prior to the line and popped a short pass to his left to Nicholas Troy to rumble into a gap and then make another twenty metres down the middle of the field.
Rowan Mansfield also started at lock in Round Three against the Greater Northern Tigers and recorded another line break assist when he put front rower Kyhan Weir into a big gap by way of a short pass to his left.
Rowan Mansfield also started at lock in Round Four at Lismore against the Central Coast Roosters and was once again busy and recorded a try assist in the 43rd minute when he cut inside on a hit-up close to the Central Coast line and was able to off-load to Jye Davis who dived over.
Rowan Mansfield continued at lock in Round Five against the Newcastle Knights and made his presence felt early with a strong front on tackle on the Newcastle front rower that forced the ball loose from his grasp. Rowan Mansfield produced another strong front on tackle that forced the ball loose from his Newcastle opponent when he took the hit-up from a penalty restart just a few minutes after his strong first hit.
Against the giant Newcastle forward pack Rowan Mansfield was able to use his footwork to make ground through the centre of the ruck including a strong fifteen run in the set of six after Michael Roberts early first half try. Rowan Mansfield made another strong run of ten metres through centre field in the dying minutes of the first half. Rowan Mansfield’s footwork continued in the second half including a strong sixteen metre effort from a hit-up to the left of the play the ball.
Late in the match Rowan Mansfield was almost rewarded for his effort in the match but he was held up over the line.
After the 2021 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition was completed 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.
Rowan Mansfield also started at fullback in Round Two 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 Kye Cooper well to get an off-load away to him.
Rowan Mansfield also started Round Three at fullback against the Tweed Coast Raiders but with Ballina leading 22 – 0 at halftime, Rowan Mansfield was rested for the second half.
Even though he only played the first half Rowan Mansfield came close to getting his name on the score board when he in fact crossed the line but the last pass to him was ruled to have travelled forward.
Rowan Mansfield also started at fullback in Round Five against Casino RSM, playing the first half before being rested to start the NRRRL First Grade match against the same opponent on the right wing.
Rowan Mansfield was in the action early in the match running the ball back fifteen metres from Casino RSM’s clearing kick from their first set after the kick off. Then in the 19th minute Rowan Mansfield did some good work near halfway after a Seagulls scrum win, backing ground before getting an off-load away.
Probably Rowan Mansfield’s best moment of the first half came when in the 20th minute he put in a deft right foot chip to the right corner with Lachlan Offley in plenty of space but the ball took a horror bounce to just elude the right winger.
Round Eight of the NRRRL U18 competition saw Rowan Mansfield named at fullback against Northern United and Rowan Mansfield continued at fullback in Round Eleven against the Bilambil Jets with Rowan Mansfield scoring one try and setting up another in the Seagulls strong 30 – 0 win.
Rowan Mansfield scored in the 26th minute of the match he chimed into the backline on the left side of the field around twenty metres out. Upon receiving the ball, Rowan Mansfield straightened up the attack before drawing two defenders and then skipping to their outside. By that time Rowan Mansfield had the remaining Jets right side defenders back peddling and then from there he dummied to his left and sliced through the line to get the ball down in the left corner.
Rowan Mansfield contributed a try assist to Ballina’s 30 – 0 when after chiming into the backline, once again on the left side of the field, Rowan Mansfield committed two defenders before throwing a long cut-out pass to his left to put his winger over in the left corner.
Rowan Mansfield continued at fullback in Round Twelve against the Byron Bay Devils as well as Round Thirteen against the Murwillumbah Mustangs and had some good moments in the match including a 42nd minute line break down the left touchline out of dummy half making twenty five metres before being brought down less than a metres from line.
Rowan Mansfield also recorded a 36th minute line break assist when he was able to put Damon Coldwell away down a left blindside with a good short pass.
In Round One of the 2021 NRRRL First Grade season, after starring at fullback in the U18 match earlier in the day, Rowan Mansfield came off the bench as Ballina thrashed the Kyogle Turkeys 72 – 12. Rowan Mansfield also came off the bench in Round Two against Byron Bay after starting the earlier U18 match at fullback.
Rowan Mansfield started on the right wing for Ballina in Round Five of the NRRRL First Grade competition against Casino RSM, scoring twice in the Seagulls victory.
Rowan Mansfield’s first try of the match came in the 50th minute when he found himself on the left side of the field, receiving the ball fifteen metres form the line, Rowan Mansfield charged at the line, spinning counter clockwise right on the line to get the ball down ten metres in from the left corner.
Rowan Mansfield’s second try was a simpler affair coming in the 53rd minute when he received the ball on the right wing after a Ballina backline movement with Rowan Mansfield running twenty metres untouched to put the ball down in the right corner.
After his Round Five double Rowan Mansfield was understandably named to start on the right wing in Round Six against the Mullumbimby Giants, a match that saw him record a 16th minute try assist when he retrieved a Ballina mid-field bomb that the Giants could not handle and immediately ran towards the right touchline. A desperate tackle saw Rowan Mansfield being swung around by the jersey but he kept his wits about him to off-load to his five eight to run around and score under the posts.
Rowan Mansfield was also heavily involved in Ballina’s 7th minute try. Rowan Mansfield’s opposing winger tried to beat him down the touch line but Rowan Mansfield got hold of his jersey and as he was swinging him into touch the Mullumbimby desperately threw the ball back infield with the Ballina right second rower intercepting the pass and running the ball back to score.
To round out a very good first half, in the 39th minute, Rowan Mansfield ran back to field a Giants kick on the full ten metres out from his own line and return the ball twenty five metres.
Rowan Mansfield also started on the right wing in Round Eight against Northern United after playing in the U18 match against the same opponent earlier in the day. Rowan Mansfield was more than solid in the match including contributing a try assist to Ballina’s victory. In the second half Rowan Mansfield ran out of dummy half to his right down a short blindside and drew in one defender before putting Luke Simpson over in the right corner.
Rowan Mansfield was also named to start on the right wing in Round Nine against the Evans Heads Bombers and also started on the right wing in Round Ten against the Lower Clarence Magpies and Round Eleven against the Bilambil Jets however he ended up not being in the final squad against the Jets.
In the NRRRL Round Three Reserve Grade match against the Tweed Coast Raiders, Rowan Mansfield came off the bench for Ballina after playing in the U18 match between the same two teams earlier in the same day. Rowan Mansfield also came off the bench in Round Eleven against the Bilambil Jets and scored in the 29th minute when he was on the end of a long range Ballina movement to receive a pass from his inside while he was positioned on the left touchline to score in the corner.
Rowan Mansfield also came off the bench in the Round Two NRRRL Reserve Grade match against the Byron Bay Devils and he also came off the bench in Round Thirteen against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.
In May 2021 Rowan Mansfield took part in the New South Wales Combined High School’s U18 rugby league trials, representing the Northern Region, scoring on Day One of the trials against Southern Region.
The 2021 season to date for Riley Buchanan:
In early January 2021 Riley Buchanan was part of a small group of Titans 2021 U15 players who after attending a Titans camp, trained with the Titans NRL squad, then in mid-February 2021 Riley Buchanan played in a Titans U15 Invitational Trial at Burleigh, a trial which included only the best of the 2021 Titans U15 squad members.
In May 2021 Riley Buchanan was part of the South Coast U15 QSSRL School Boy representative side, playing the Championship Final against Met West at left second row.
Riley Buchanan made a strong start in the Championship Final when in the 6th minute he made a good run accounting for fifteen metres and promoting the ball into Met West territory.
Riley Buchanan produced some other strong runs, none better than in the 23rd minute when charged onto the ball from the Met West kick-off to the Nayte Saaga try and was awarded a penalty as a result of being hit by a shoulder charge.
At the completion of the Championships, Riley Buchanan was named at left second row in the 2021 QSSRL U15 School Boy Merit Team.
On Day One Riley Buchanan played his usual left second row position and generated a line break in the 30th minute when he charged into a gap receiving the ball from his left from Zane Harrison, unfortunately thirty metres downfield, Riley Buchanan’s pass to his left was knocked down by the Met West fullback.
Riley Buchanan started at right second row on Day Three against Met North and was in the action early taking the second hit-up of the match and was able to get the ball out to the thirty metre mark.
Riley Buchanan also scored on Day Three when in the 27th minute, Riley Buchanan received a good ball from his hooker who had skipped out of dummy half to his right. After he received the ball Riley Buchanan spun 360 degrees clockwise to get the ball down.
Riley Buchanan made twenty metres in the 46th minute when he retrieved the ball from a Nayte Saaga short kick-off to the right side of the field, getting to twenty metres out from the line before the Met North defence could recover.
Riley Buchanan also made a strong defensive play in the match when early in the first half, he along with Isaac Harrison and Jett Bryce combined to hit and hold up a Met North runner ten metres from his own line and force him back eight metres towards his own goal line, with the ball coming loose as the Met North player desperately trying to off-load.
In early June 2021 Riley Buchanan started at right second row for the PBC Year Nine school boy rugby league side in their victory against Keebra Park and he was one of the try scorers for PBC when in the 35th minute Riley Buchanan made a straight charge onto the ball from eight metres out to the right of the dummy half with Riley Buchanan’s run proving too much to handle with Riley Buchanan crashing over five metres from the left upright.
Ballina’s Group One U13 forward Baxter Turner has had a good fortnight, scoring last weekend in Round Twelve against the Clarence Coast Magpies after coming off the bench and the week prior in Round Eleven against the South Grafton Rebels Baxter Turner started in the second row and scored in the Seagulls four point win.
The 2021 season to date for Reece Warburton:
In 2021 Reece Warburton was 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.
Reece Warburton also started at fullback in Round Three against the Grafton Ghosts, kicking a conversion in the Magpies 16 – 10 loss. Reece Warburton continued at fullback against Kyogle in Round Four and had a day out, scoring two tries and kicking three conversions in the Magpies 22- 14 victory.
From fullback once again in Round Five against the Grafton Ghosts, Reece Warburton scored once again as well as kicking a conversion in the match.
Round Seven once again saw Reece Warburton start at fullback, kicking a conversion in the Magpies loss to Casino RSM. Also starting at fullback in Round Eight against Marist Brothers, Reece Warburton scored a try and kicked three conversions.
Reece Warburton continued at fullback in Round Eleven against the Kyogle Turkeys with Reece Warburton kicking two conversions.
The 2021 season to date for recently contracted Titan Izayah Petricevich:
In February 2021 Izayah Petrichvich took part in the South Coast U15 school boy trials and was named in the South Coast Squad for the QSSRL Championships as a result of his trial performances and started the Championship Final against Met West on the left wing.
At the completion of the Championships, Izayah Petrichvich was named on the left wing in the 2021 QSSRL U15 School Boy Merit Team alongside numerous South Coast team mates such as Sunny Kama, Zane Harrison and Riley Buchanan.
On Day One against Met West Izayah Petrichvich started the match on the left wing and scored South Coast’s first try of the Championships when in the 5th minute he took an intercept and raced eighty metres to dive over in the left corner.
Izayah Petrichvich scored his second try of the match in the 27th minute when he benefited from a great pass down a short left blind side from Jett Bryce to crash over in the left corner.
Izayah Petrichvich heavily involved in Jett Bryce’s 38th minute try when Nayte Saaga put in a chip kick to the left wing which was collected by Izayah Petrichvich who off-loaded in one movement to Jett Bryce to run away to score under the posts.
Izayah Petrichvich also scored on Day Two against Capricornia when in the 50th minute he anticipated a long pass to his side of the field, taking an intercept and running eighty five metres to score under the posts.
His intercept try capped a couple of impressive minutes for Izayah Petrichvich as in the 58th minute he came off his wing to smash the Capricornia right second rower and as he was forcing him back stole the ball in the one on one tackle.
2021 also saw Izayah Petrichvich once again represent Coombabah State High School in school boy rugby league, starting Round One of the Walters Cup agaisnt Redcliffe State High School at left centre.
Izayah Petrichvich also started at left centre in Round Four against Ipswich State High School scoring one try and setting up another in Coombabah’s 14 all draw.
Izayah Petrichvich scored in the 32nd minute when he backed up his left winger to get the ball nineteen metres out and was able to surge away from the cover defence to get the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.
Izayah Petrichvich’s try assist came in the 7th minute when he showed quick hands to get the ball away to his left down a short blindside and close to the try line to put his left winger over in the corner.
Izayah Petrichvich scored once again in Round FIve against Forest Lake State High School when in the 29th minute from the left centre position, Izayah Petrichvich received a pass from his inside and was able to dive over in the left corner.
Izayah Petrichvich also started at left centre in Round Six against Marsden State High School.
The 2021 season to date for Noah Waldock:
In late March 2021 Noah Waldock was part of Diocesan of Lismore U15 Squad that attended the Northern Country Catholic Colleges Rugby League Selection Trial that were held at Smithtown with Noah Waldock playing at fullback in the trials.
In Round One of the 2021 Group One U15 competition Noah Waldock started at fullback and was Ballina’s captain as the Seagulls took on the Clarence Coast Magpies.
Noah Waldock also started at fullback in Round Two against Marist Brothers, scoring a double in the Seagulls 38 – 0 victory and also started at fullback in Round Five against Casino RSM.
Noah Waldock continued at fullback in Round Six against the Clarence Coast Magpies, scoring a double in Ballina’s 34 – 0 victory and scored once again in Round Seven against the Grafton Ghosts after also starting the match at fullback. Noah Waldock also started at fullback in Round Eight against the Grafton Ghosts.
Noah Waldock dropped back to the bench in Round Eleven against the South Grafton Rebels, but dominated when he came on, including scoring a hat trick.
Beau Hartmann’s outstanding 2021 Group One U14 season continued in Round Eleven for Grafton against Casino RSM with the young man scoring a double off the bench.
Kyogle’s Jed Mulcahy continued in the front row in Round Eleven of the Group One U14 season against the Clarence Coast Magpies and added a further try to his impressive 2021 season.
Kyogle’s Che Garred continued in the centres in Round Twelve of the Group One U13 competition last weekend against the Marist Rams scoring a hat trick and also scored the week prior in Round Eleven against the Clarence Coast Magpies.
Tonight (if the match goes ahead) Titan Leeton Smith will start at halfback for the Marist Rams in Round Thirteen of the Group One U16 match against the Kyogle Turkeys.
From the five eight position Ballina’s Harrison Doherty scored a try and kicked two conversions in Round Eleven of the Group One U14 competition against the South Grafton Rebels.
South Grafton Rebel Wayne-Chase Whitney started at fullback in Round Twelve of the Group One U13 competition last weekend against Casino RSM, scoring for the Rebels.
The week prior in Round Eleven against the Ballina Seagulls Wayne-Chase Whitney continued at fullback and score an outstanding hat trick against the Ballina Seagulls.
Wayne-Chase Whitney also started at fullback in Round Ten against the Clarence Coast Magpies, scoring in the Rebels impressive victory.
Kyogle’s Malachy Laarhaven continued at lock in Round Twelve of the Group One U13 competition last weekend against the Marist Rams scoring a double and also scored the week prior in Round Eleven against the Clarence Coast Magpies.
Also in Round Eleven Malachy Laarhaven came off the bench for the Turkeys in the U14 competition also against Clarence Coast.
Very interesting to see that regular South Grafton Group One U13 fullback Wayne-Chase Whitney has been named to start at hooker for the Rebels tomorrow in Round Thirteen against the Marist Rams.
The young man has also been named on the bench of the South Grafton U14 as well tomorrow against the same opponent.
Whilst there is a lot of hype, and deservedly so about the Titans securing formal partnerships with PBC, Keebra Park, Marsden and Cooombabah, it should not be forgotten that the Titans also have an outstanding partnership with Ballina Coast High School who also have an outstanding elite rugby league program.
Titans linked Grant Brown has spent the majority of this season for Clarence Coast in the Group One U14 competition at five eight or fullback but he has been named to start at fullback for tomorrow's Round Thirteen match against Casino RSM.
I am very intrigued to see who this talented young man goes at hooker.
Last weekend Ballina’s Harrison Clements started in the second row for the Seagulls in Round Twelve of the Group One U14 competition and scored a double in Ballina’s victory.
The Round Eleven match against the South Grafton Rebels the week prior saw Harrison Clements come off the bench and score one of the Seagulls tries in their four point win.
South Grafton’s Noah Reti has had an outstanding 2021 season in the Northern NSW Group One U13 competition and that continued last weekend in Round Twelve when he proved Reti proving to be close to unstoppable on the way to scoring on four occasions.
The week prior from the second row position in Round Eleven against the Ballina Seagulls, Naoh Reti scored an outstanding hat trick in a tough four point loss.
Noah Reti also started in the second row in Round Ten against the Clarence Coast Magpies, scoring a staggering five tries in the Rebels impressive victory.
The 2021 season to date for Nicholas Troy:
In June 2021 the second rower from the Ballina Seagulls was part of a Titans U18 Northern Rivers squad that played the Titans U17 JTS squad at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the bizarre Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
Nicholas Troy started the season as part of the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad, starting Round One of the competition at lock against the Wests Tigers before moving to the front row for Round Two against the North Coast Bulldogs and maintaining his spot there in Round Three against the Northern Tigers. Nicholas Troy then moved to the second row in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters.
Nicholas Troy played the 2021 season with Ballina Seagulls in the NRRRL U18 competition starting Round One at left second row against Kyogle with Nicholas Troy being one of the Seagulls try scorers in their 54 – 4 first up victory.
Nicholas Troy scored in the 35th minute he ran a good line to run straight through the defensive line twelve metres out and then Nicholas Troy produced a left foot step to beat the Turkey’s fullback right on the try line and then as he bringing the ball closer to the posts in-goal ran into a defender but still comfortably got the ball down.
Nicholas Troy continued in the second row in Round Two against Byron Bay and Round Three against the Tweed Coast Raiders, a match which saw him score a double.
Nicholas Troy’s opening try came in the 24th minute with a straight twelve metre run to the right of the dummy half, getting the ball down next to the right upright.
Nicholas Troy scored his second try in the 46th minute when he ran onto a pass from hooker Jesse Beauchamp fourteen metres from the line. Nicholas Troy was actually held by the Tweed Coast fullback by one leg was able to reach out and put the ball over the line.
Nicholas Troy also started in the second row in Round Four against Marist Brothers and in Round Five against Casino RSM.
Round Eight against Northern United saw Nicholas Troy move to lock with the move in no way impacting on Nicholas Troy’s contribution to Ballina’s big win.
Nicholas Troy then moved back to the right second row position for Round Eleven against the Bilambil Jets and was one of the Seagulls try scorers in their impressive 30 – 0 victory. Nicholas Troy scored in the 41st minute when he ran a hard straight line from sixteen metres out, breaking through two tackles on the way to getting the ball down five metres in from the right corner post.
Nicholas Troy continued at right second row in Round Twelve against the Byron Bay Devils and also in Round Thirteen against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.
Nicholas Troy was also named to continue at right second row in Round Fourteen against the Cudgen Hornets.
The 2021 season to date for Damon Coldwell:
In June 2021 Damon Coldwell was part of a Titans U18 Northern Rivers squad that played the Titans U17 JTS squad at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
In 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.
After the 2021 MM Cup competition wound up, Damon Coldwell was back in Northern New South Wales, starting 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.
Damon Coldwell also started at left centre in Round Two 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 continued at left centre in Round Three against the Tweed Coast Raiders making a strong tackle from the kick off put put the Raiders on the back foot immediately and then in the 5th minute Damon Coldwell produced a bullocking run that accounted for ten metres to get him within a minute of the try line and Damon Coldwell was subsequently awarded a penalty when he was not afforded an opportunity for a quick play the ball.
Damon Coldwell continued at left centre in Round Four against the Marist Brothers Rams scoring once again in a tight Seagulls two point victory. Damon Coldwell scored in the 50th minute when he barged over from dummy half. With the play the ball two metres from the try line and two metres in from the left touchline, Damon Coldwell picked the ball up from dummy half and force his way over to score in the left corner.
Earlier in the match Damon Coldwell produced a strong effort in the 8th minute when he was able to make sixteen metres and then off-load near the halfway mark.
Round Five against Casino RSM saw Damon Coldwell start the match on the bench, playing at left centre when he came on late in the first half. Even coming off the bench could not stop Damon Coldwell from continuing his try scoring streak when in the 43rd minute Damon Coldwell backed up a break by the Ballina halfback, receiving the ball six metres form the line with Damon Coldwell then stepping off his left foot to beat the cover defence to score wide out on the right.
Damon Coldwell did well in the 25th minute when he chased through a Ballina kick to force the Casino RSM fullback back int the in-goal to force a goal line drop out.
Damon Coldwell returned to the starting side at left centre in Round Eight against Northern United, scoring a double in the Seagulls big win. Damon Coldwell’s opening try came in the 18th minute when he burst through a gap twenty five metres from the line, as he approached the fullback, Damon Coldwell shaped to pass to his left but after the Northern United fullback moved off his line towards Damon Coldwell’s support, he brought the ball back in a then was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.
Damon Coldwell’s second try came in the 28th minute and it was certainly worth the wait. Damon Coldwell took a tap restart after Ballina had been awarded a penalty and had kicked the ball into touch thirty seven metres from the line. After taking the tap Damon Coldwell jogged slowly towards centre field before accelerating and stepping off his left. In his exceptional run to the line, Damon Coldwell broke four tackles before putting the ball down under the posts.
Damon Coldwell continued at left centre in Round Eleven against the Bilambil Jets and in Round Twelve against the Byron Bay Devils with Damon Coldwell scoring in the 60th minute when he received a long cut out pass from his inside from Jesse Beauchamp and then had an easy passage to score wide out on the left.
Damon Coldwell almost had another try in the match by in the 22nd minute he was held up under the posts and a strong charge of fourteen metres after running an underneath route.
Damon Coldwell also recorded a 25th minute try assist when after he had made a long line break down the left touchline, he passed to Jesse Beauchamp who had backed up on his inside around thirty metres out. Jesse Beauchamp was then able to bring the ball around to score under the posts.
Damon Coldwell also started at left centre in Round Thirteen against the Murwillumbah Mustangs, scoring one try and also making a strong line break.
Damon Coldwell scored in the 44th minute when he was able to twist his way over from dummy half to get the ball down in the right corner.
Damon Coldwell made a strong 36th minute line break of twenty five metres down the left touchline after receiving a good ball from his inside by Rowan Mansfield.
Damon Coldwell was also named to continue at left centre in Round Fourteen against the Cudgen Hornets.
After playing at left centre for Ballina in Round One of the U18 NRRRL competition, earlier 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.
Damon Coldwell also came on in Round Two of the NRRRL Reserve Grade competition against Byron Bay after scoring a double in the earlier U18 match against the same opponent.
Damon Coldwell made his first 2021 NRRRL Reserve Grade start in Round Ten against the Lower Clarence Magpies when he started at fullback and made the most of the starting opportunity by scoring twice in Ballina’s 60 – 0 victory.
Damon Coldwell’s initial try came in the 29th minute. Damon Coldwell after hovering behind the play the ball, was in position on the inside of a break by the Seagulls dummy half to receive the pass and run twenty metres to score under the posts.
Damon Coldwell then added his second try in the 43rd minute after receiving the ball on the left side of the field after the Seagulls spun the ball to that side of the field. Once he received the ball twelve metres out, Damon Coldwell beat one defender to score ten metres in from the left corner.
2021 also saw Damon Coldwell play school boy rugby league for Wavell State High School in the Langer Cup Reserve Grade competition and he had a particularly good match in Round Three against Marsden State High School.
Last weekend from the five eight position Ballina’s Harrison Doherty in Round Twelve scoring in the Seagulls victory over Casino RSM.
The week prior in Round Eleven against the South Grafton Rebels he scored a try and kicked two conversions after also starting the match at five eight.
Clarence Coast Magpie Jasper Whalley continued in the centres in Round Twelve of the Group One U14 competition last weekend against the Grafton Ghosts and crossed for a double in the match.
Toby Hannah started at five eight for Casino RSM last weekend in Round Twelve of the Group One U14 competition against the Marist Rams, and kicked three conversions from as many attempts.
Toby Hannah also started at five eight in Round Ten against the Marist Rams kicking three conversions from as many attempts in Casino RSM’s six point loss.
Kyogle’s Jed Mulcahy started in the front row in Round Twelve of the Group One U14 competition last weekend, crossing for a hat trick against the Marist Rams.
Jykoven Torrens has started at hooker all season and that was the same last weekend for Casino RSM in Round Twelve of the Group One U14 competition against the Ballina Seagulls with Jykoven Torrens scoring an impressive hat trick.
From the bench in Round Twelve against the Clarence Coast Magpies last weekend in Round Twelve of the Group One U14 competition Grafton Ghosts Beau Hartmann crossed for a hat trick in the Ghosts big win.
Last weekend in Round Twelve of the Group One U16 competition former Titans Junior Development Squad member Keaton Stutt moved to hooker for the Grafton Ghosts scoring a double in the Ghosts eight point win.
Last weekend in Round of the Group One U16 competition, Marist Rams Leeton Smith started at halfback against the Kyogle Turkeys scoring once again in the Rams loss.
Last weekend Ballina’s Dylan Watkins continued at fullback in Round Twelve of the Group One U14 competition against Casino RSM and scored eighteen individual points from four tries and a conversion.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Riley Lack:
In January 2021 Riley Lack started from the bench for the Titans U19 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights. When he came on, Riley Lack played five eight and operated on the right side of the field as the Titans ran away with the match in the second half to records a well-deserved 40 – 6 victory.
Riley Lack started the second half playing at five eight on the right side of the field and was involved to the Titans first try of the second half when he threw a good quick pass to his right to Brock Priestley, who subsequently offloaded to Reef Sommerville, with a spectacular Jaylan De Groot try resulting from a Reef Sommerville kick back inside.
A week after the match against the Newcastle Knights Riley Lack once again lined up for the Titans U19’s as they took on a Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad with the Titans winning 32 – 20 with no conversions attempted.
Riley Lack started the match on the bench, coming on at half time and playing at five eight for the Titans on the right side of the field. As he did against the Knights, Riley Lack played an understated role against the Bears, doing a lot of the little things such as looking for his support runs and chasing downfield in relation to Titans tactical kicking. It was a similar situation from a defensive perspective for Riley Lack against the Bears.
Probably Riley Lack’s most effective tactical kick in the match came in the 68th minute of the match, when Riley Lack received the ball down a short left blind side just inside his own half. Riley Lack put in a long right foot kick down the left touchline with the ball bouncing up in the in-goal forcing the Burleigh fullback to play at the ball. The Burleigh fullback was caught inside his own ten metre line with Riley Lack one of the first Titans players down field forcing the Bears fullback towards the Titans right side defence.
In November 2020 Riley Lack was named in the powerful 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.
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.
In Round Two of the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition, Riley Lack started at five eight for the Murwillumbah Mustangs and kicked eight conversions as the Mustangs accounted for Northern United.
After Murwillumbah had a number of byes back to back, Riley Lack started at five eight in Round Six against the Kyogle Turkeys, kicking five conversions in the Mustangs big victory.
Riley Lack was also involved in Ryan Foran’s second try of the match when he put up a huge bomb from near midfield which the Kyogle defence could not handle, Ryan Foran charged through to dive on the loose ball in the in-goal.
Riley Lack also started at five eight in Round Seven against Byron Bay, kicking two conversions in the Mustangs 20 – 0 victory. Riley Lack also recorded a try assist when he put in a chip kick down a right blindside which was taken on the full by his right winger who raced away to score.
Riley Lack continued at five eight in Round Eight against Marist Brothers Lismore, kicking four conversions from five attempts in the Mustangs victory.
After Murwillumbah’s Round Nine match against the Tweed Coast Raiders was postponed, Riley Lack was back at five eight for Round Ten against the Cudgen Hornets. Riley Lack was in the match in the first minute when he put up a huge bomb sixty metres out from the line and after bouncing once that ball amazingly hit the cross bar and then bounced into the in-goal with Cudgen subsequently trapped there and was forced to drop the ball out to restart the match.
Riley Lack also produced another kick in the match that had a positive impact for the Mustangs when in the 45th minute he put in a chip kick from twenty metres out that Cudgen’s Reef Sommervile was forced to take over the dead ball line.
Riley lack came very close to scoring in the first half of the match after a slicing run to his left but unfortunately the ball was knocked out of his grasp just as he was crossing the line. Also Riley Lack showcased his speed in the first half when he chased Cudgen’s Jett Forbes down field after the Hornets right centre took an intercept twenty metres from his own line and took off but Riley Lack rounded him up still twenty metres from the try line.
Riley Lack continued at five eight in Round Twelve against Northern United and had a day out, scoring one try, kicking an exceptional ten from ten, including conversions from both sidelines and also recorded three try assists.
Riley Lack scored in the 49th minute, after a superb break from inside his own territory by Blake Forder, Riley Lack received the ball on the right and was able to get the ball down in the right corner.
Riley Lack’s opening try assist of the match came in the 29th minute he cut back inside off his right foot and was able to offload to Cooper Wolf who crashed over from close range.
Riley Lack added his second try assist in the 35th minute when from thirty five metres out he put in a right foot chip kick which sat up perfectly for Matthew Bollard to race through and retrieve the ball and he was able to bring the ball around and put it down under the posts.
Riley Lack recorded his third and final try assist in the 41st when he fed a scrum running to the left and executing an old fashioned run around with Brandon Williams before putting his support runner through a huge gap thirty five metres out.
Round Thirteen against the Ballina Seagulls saw Riley Lack continue at five eight and recording two try assists as well as kicking three conversions.
Riley Lack’s first try assist came in the 17th minute when after receiving the ball around sixteen metres out whilst operating on the right side of field, Riley Lack cut back off his right foot towards mid-field, breaking a number of tackles before getting a right arm off-load away close to the line for Mustangs front rower Chad Jones to force his way over under the posts.
Riley Lack added his second try assist in the 48th minute and once again Riley Lack received the ball on the right side of the field before cutting back towards mid-field and once again was able to great another great right arm off-load away, on this occasion to his hooker who was able to get over the line next to the left upright.
Riley Lack also produced a great kick-off in the 45th minute when he hit the kick-off towards the left touchline, with the ball bouncing less than a foot from the touchline and ten metres out. Riley Lack set up a try from the subsequent Murwillumbah restart.
In Round Two of the NRRRL First Grade competition, Riley Lack came off the bench and kicked a late first half conversion against Northern United after kicking eight conversions in the U18 match earlier in the day.
Round Three of the NRRRL First Grade competition saw Riley Lack start at halfback for the Mustangs as they had a big win over the Lower Clarence Magpies.
Round Four of the 2021 NRRRL First Grade competition saw Riley Lack moved to five eight for their local derby against the Mullumbimby Giants with Riley Lack recording a second half try assist when he spilt the Giants defence around the halfway mark as he ran to his left. Once Riley Lack was through the line he drew the fullback before passing to his left to put fullback Liam Cusack over untouched.
In Round Twelve of the NRRRL Reserve Grade competition, Riley Lack came off the bench against Northern United and Riley Lack also came off the bench in Round Thirteen against the Ballina Seagulls.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Brock Priestley:
In early January 2021 Brock Priestley started at right second row for the Titans U19 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour, a match that the Titans dominated, especially in the second half to record a 40 – 6 victory.
Brock Priestley was solid throughout the match both in attack and defence and early in the second half was involved in a spectacular Jaylan De Groot try. Down a short blind side fifty five metres out from the Newcastle line, Brock Priestley received a short pass from Riley Lack. Noting that there was space to his right, Brock Priestley immediately upon getting the ball threw a great short pass to Reef Sommerville putting him into space, with Jaylan De Groot scoring when he was on hand to retrieve a Reef Sommerville kick back inside.
Brock Priestley was also solid defensively in the match with a number of tackles standing out including a tackle in the third minute where Brock Priestley and Isaac Matalavea-Booth belted the Knight left winger who had come off his wing forcing him five metres backwards before driving him into the ground.
Brock Priestley and Isaac Matalavea-Booth combined once again in a heavy tackle early in the second half when they combined to heavily tackle a Knights player from a twenty metre restart, with the initial contact forcing the ball loose.
Another impressive (and critical) tackle that Brock Priestley made came early in the second half. Defending on the right, Brock Priestley came out of the line to make a ball and all tackle on the Newcastle halfback around twenty metres out from the try line. If Brock Priestley had not came out of the line and made the tackle or allowed an offload, Newcastle would have developed a one man overlap against the Titans right sided defensive line with the Titans defensive line back peddling close to their own line.
A week after the match against the Newcastle Knights Brock Priestley once again lined up for the Titans U19’s starting at right second row as the Titans took on a Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad with the Titans winning 32 – 20 with no conversions attempted.
As he did against Newcastle Brock Priestley produced some smart pieces of play for the Titans including some impressive footwork in the first half to get in between two defenders and still Brock Priestley was able to get his right arm free to get an off-load away out of the back of his right arm to enable Reef Sommerville to progress the ball further down field, impressively Brock Priestley got to his feet to take the next hit-up afte the off-load.
Brock Priestley’s speed was highlighted in the 17th minute of the first half against the Bears. Brock Priestley packed into a scrum with a Bears feed in the second row. When the Bears won the scrum, Cole Geyer, who is probably the quickest hooker in the Gold Coast Rugby League, ran the ball to Brock Priestley’s right off the back of the scrum. After breaking from the scrum Brock Priestley chased Cole Geyer down tackling him from behind and dislodging the ball.
Later in the first half Brock Priestley showcased his line running ability when he ran a great inside shoulder line, making ten metres with the run finishing inside the Bears twenty metre zone.
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 Brock Priestley starting the match on the bench for the Titans.
In November 2020 Brock Priestley was named in the powerful Tweed Heads Seagulls 2021 MM Cup squad.
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.
In Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition 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.
Brock Priestley then switched to five eight for Round Five against the Currumbin Eagles, kicking a conversion in the Shearers 30 – 10 loss. The nin previously postponed Round Eight match against the Helensvale Brock Priestley came off the bench and was one of the Shearers try scorers in their victory.
Round Eleven against the Nerang Roosters saw Brock Priestley named at right second row for the Shearers.
In mid-February 2021 Brock Priestley was named at right second row in the school boy Oceanic Opens side for the South Coast school boy QSSRL U18 trial against Broadwater and was named on the bench in the South Coast Open A school boy side as a result of his trial performances.
Brock Priestley started from the bench for South Coast in their Day One match against Met North coming on towards the end of the first half and in the 26th minute a fifteen metre run from him got the ball to twelve metres out from the line. After playing the ball, Brock Priestley kept in the match, getting an off-load after South Coast had run out of dummy half with Brock Priestley carrying two defenders to within two metres from the line.
Brock Priestley started the Championship Final against Met North from the bench but came into the match at around the ten minute mark playing at right second row and in the 26th minute came out of the line to put on a big hit, then from the matrker position, Brock Priestley tacked back to dive on a Met North grubber kick just out from his own line.
Brock Priestley almost scored in the Championship Final in the 35th minute when he broke the line but was tackled fractionally short of the line.
2021 also saw Brock Priestley line up once again for PBC State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup competition starting Round One at right second row against Ipswich State High School.
Brock Priestley’s first hit-up of the match was literally the first hit-up of the match with the Ipswich kick-off fell short with Brock Priestley moving forward to take the ball on the full and run it back. Brock Priestley then took the fourth hit-up in the same set of six.
Brock Priestley made a line break in the 45th minute when he burst eighteen metres downfield down the right channel and he made another line break down the right channel in the 56th minute, on that occasion making twenty metres.
Brock Priestley showed in the 35th minute that he does not just tuck the ball under his arm and run when he off-loaded to his right to Jett Forbes just prior to engaging the Ipswich SHS defensive line.
Brock Priestley’s defence was also on song in the match as was evidenced in just the second minute when he executed a great low tackle on the Ipswich hooker just as he was just about to explode through a gap.
Brock Priestley also started at right second row in Round Two against St Mary’s College Toowoomba, making the second tackle of the match over PBC kicked off and then in the 7th minute Brock Priestley made twelve metres when he ran the ball into a set St Mary’s College defensive line line from a penalty restart.
Brock Priestley’s second half started the same way his first half went with a strong run from the return of the St Mary’s second half kick-off.
Brock Priestley continued at right second row in Round Three against Coombabah State High School and whilst the ball did not get to his side of the field often he made some telling contributions from a defensive perspective inlduing a huge front on tackle in the 18th minute on Coombabah SHS interchange second rower Matthew Logopati.
Brock Priestley was named to continue at right second row in the Round Four blockbuster against Marsden State High School however he was a late scratching from the PBC side.
Brock Priestley was also named to start at right second row for the much anticipated Round Five local derby against Keebra Park State High School and had some good moments incuding a great short off-load to his right in the 16th minute and then in the 32nd Brock Priestley executed a great try savinf tackle.
Brock Priestley continued at right second row in Round Six against Mabel Park State high School.
Marist Rams half Matthew Robson had a big match last weekend in Round Twelve of the Group One U16 competition scoring four tries as the Rams defeated South Grafton 42 - 12.
Today in Round Thirteen of the Group One U15 competition Noah Waldock looks set to continue at five eight for the Ballina Seagulls against the Grafton Ghosts.
Last weekend in Round Twelve Noah Waldock also started at five eight and was one of Ballina's try scorers in their 20-18 loss to Casino RSM.
Noah Waldock has recently moved to five eight after spending the majority of the season at fullback.
Last weekend's Round Twelve Group One U16 match between the Grafton Ghosts and Clarence Coast Magpies was a high quality with the teams being unable to be separated in the 12 all draw.
Titans linked Clarence Coast front rower AJ Hickling was outstanding in the match, scoring both of the Magpies tries.
Jordan Gallagher continues at halfback and captain of the South Grafton Rebels U18 Group Two side tomorrow when they take on Macksville.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Jack Cullen:
In early January 2021 Jack Cullen started in the front row for the Titans U19 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour which the Titans dominated to come away with a 40 – 6 victory.
Jack Cullen was in the action almost immediately, being involved in a solid hit in the third tackle after the Titans kicked off, with the tackle driving the Newcastle opponent sideways. Also involved in the tackle was Ryan Foran.
Jack Cullen produced sound telling hit-ups over the course of the match including his first hit-up of the match which came in the Titans second set of six tackles when he bent the middle the Knights defensive line backwards. Jack Cullen produced a further strong hit-up late in the first half when he charged eighteen metres through the centre of the Knights ruck, leaving two Knights defenders in his wake.
Whilst Jack Cullen’s game is built on a hard charging mentality but Jack Cullen also has some subtly in his game and that trait was showcased late in the second half. It appeared that Jack Cullen was taking a hit-up, but at the last moment, popped a great short pass to his right to Samuel Shannon to put the lock into a gap with Jaylan De Groot scored later in the same movement.
Defensively in the match against Burleigh Jack Cullen also had some very good moments, including a try saving tackle in the 16th minute of the second half. Newcastle played the ball thirty centremetres from the Titans with Jack Cullen defending fractionally to the right of the play the ball. The Knights dummy half looked to dive over the line out of summy half on the opposite side of the ruck to Jack Cullen but just as he was about to get the ball down, Jack Cullen willed himself across the ruck to get his hand in to dislodge the ball with the Knights dummy half already in the air in the Titans in-goal.
A week after the match against the Newcastle Knights Jack Cullen once again lined up for the Titans U19’s starting in the front row as the Titans took on a Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad with the Titans winning 32 – 20 with no conversions attempted.
Jack Cullen was immediately in the match, charging into the Knights defense from the kick and bending back the Burleigh defensive line and then Jack Cullen took the 4th hit-up in the first set of six in the match.
Jack Cullen was at it again just minutes later when, after the first Titans try that was scored by Tony Francis, he once again took the hit-up off the Burleigh kick-off and once again Jack Cullen smashed into the Bears defensive line and once again threatened to go straight through it.
Jack Cullen, in the 63rd minute was heavily involved in Brody Smitka’s try. In the 63rd minute of the match, Brody Smitka followed Jack Cullen who was hitting the ball up to the left of the play the bal, just prior to contact with the defensive line, Jack Cullen popped a good short ball to Brody Smitka who went straight through a gap after receving the ball twenty metres out. Brody Smitka promptly rounded the Bears fullback to score next to the left upright.
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 Jack Cullen starting the match in the front row for the Titans.
In November 2020 Jack Cullen was named in the Tweed Heads Seagulls 2021 MM Cup squad.
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.
In mid-February 2021 Jack Cullen was named in the front row in the school boy Oceanic Open’s side for the South Coast school boy QSSRL U18 trial against Broadwater. Following the final round of trials, Jack Cullen was named in the front row in the 2021 South Coast U18 school boy QSSRL squad.
Jack Cullen started in the front row in South Coast’s Day One match against Met North.
Jack Cullen also started in the front row on Day Two as South Coast took on Met East and scored in the 37th minute when he barged over from ten metres out to score under the posts.
Also in the 4th minute, Jack Cullen produced a strong charge of twelve metres to get the ball to within ten metres of the try line.
Jack Cullen started in the front row once again on Day Three against Capricornia making a strong hit-up in the opening set of six in the match. Jack Cullen made another strong hit-up in the set of six after South Coast’s opening try.
Jack Cullen started the 2021 QSSRL U18 School Boy Championship Final in the front row and took the second South Coast of the match from a penalty restart. Jack Cullen followed that run up in the 6th minute with a twelve metre charge out of his own twenty metre area.
The 25th minute Jack Cullen made another strong run from the kick-off after Ryan Foran had scored. Jack Cullen also took the hit-up from the second half kick off.
At the completion of the Championships, Jack Cullen was named in the front row in the 2021 QSSRL U18 School Boy Merit Team.
2021 also saw Jack Cullen line up once again for PBC State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup competition starting Round One in the front row against Ipswich State High School with the powerful front rower taking the third hit-up of the match after Ipswich SHS had gotten the match underway.
It took only until the 14th minute for Jack Cullen to make another significant contribution when he made fourteen touch metres to get the ball to within twenty eight metres of the line as a result of a bustling effort. Jack Cullen recorded another strong run in the 52nd minute when he charged into the Ipswich SHS defensive line from a goal line drop-out.
Jack Cullen also started in the front row in Round Two against St Mary’s College Toowoomba, recording a try assist in the 21st minute when after charging into the defensive line, Jack Cullen produced a right arm off-load with three defenders engaged with him to fullback Michael Roberts who dived over next to the left upright.
Jack Cullen was immediately in the match, making the first tackle after PBC kicked off in conjunction with Tanu Nona. Jack Cullen then in the 10th minute made a huge charge from the kick-off from PBC’s opening try of the match, scored by Ryan Foran.
Jack Cullen continued in the front row in Round Three against Coombabah State High School and made a twenty metre charge from the kick-off and then also took the third hit-up of the match. Jack Cullen added a strong fourteen metre effort in the 10th minute and then in the 15th minute Jack Cullen rumbled forward eighteen metres to get the ball within thirty metres of the try line. Jack Cullen followed those efforts up with a nineteen metre run down the left channel from the set of six after the Keano Kini try.
Jack Cullen continued in the front row in the Round Four blockbuster against Marsden State High School and scored in the 51st minute of PBC’s six point victory when he ran onto a great pass from front row partner Kaden Somerville to crash over next to the left upright.
Jack Cullen also started in the front row in the much anticipated Round Five local derby against Keebra Park State High School as well as in Round Six against Mabel Park State high School.
Jack Cullen was named to make his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Eleven of the 2021 competition against the Burleigh Bears. Jack Cullen made the most of his debut scoring in the 70th minute of the Seagulls impressive 38 – 22 victory when from three matres out Jack Cullen forced his way over next to the left upright.
Jack Cullen was also the catalyst of a Tweed Heads try in the 37th minute James Torrens was the beneficiary of some great initial work from Jack Cullen who produced a great one arm off-load for Tweed Heads to break the line inside Tweed Heads territory.
Jack Cullen also came off the bench in the previously postponed Round Eleven match against the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Ryan Foran:
In early January 2021 Ryan Foran started at left second row for the Titans U19 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour with Ryan Foran scoring in the first half in the Titans impressive 40 – 6 victory.
From a play the ball a metre out from the Newcastle line, Ryan Foran charged onto the ball, cutting back towards the play the ball and receiving a pass from hooker Ediq Ambrosyev who had darted out of dummy half to the left side of the field. Ryan Foran was immediately confronted by two Knights defenders but as soon as he made contact, Ryan Foran Spun 360 degree clockwide to break contact and then was able to dive over to score around mid-way between the gola post and corner post on the left side of the field.
Ryan Foran was in the action almost immediately, being involved in a solid hit in the third tackle after the Titans kicked off, with the tackle driving the Newcastle opponent sideways. Also involved in the tackle was Jack Cullen.
Ryan Foran’s first touch of the ball in attack came a minute or so later when he came back underneath Thomas Weaver, running directly over one defender before being brought down after a twelve metre charge.
A week after the match against the Newcastle Knights Ryan Foran once again lined up for the Titans U19’s starting at left second row as the Titans took on a Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts squad with the Titans winning 32 – 20 with no conversions attempted.
It did not take long for Ryan Foran in make an impact in the match when he produced a strong fifteen surge down the left side of the field on the second tackle of the set of six after the Titans first try.
Ryan Foran was one of the Titans first half try scorers in the 32 – 20 victory, when he dived over from close range near the left corner in the 20th minute of the match after receiving a long pass out of dummy half from Thomas Weaver with the pass finding Ryan Foran outside the widest Burleigh defender on that side of the field.
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 Ryan Foran starting the match on the bench for the Titans.
In November 2020 Ryan Foran was named in the Tweed Heads Seagulls 2021 MM Cup squad.
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.
Post the 2021 MM Cup competition, Ryan Foran was back playing for Murwillumbah in the NRRRL U18 competition, with his first appearance coming in Round Six when he started at left second row in the U18 competition as the Mustangs took on the Kyogle Turkeys.
To say that Ryan Foran was outstanding in the match would be an understatement. In addition to scoring a hat trick, Ryan Foran recorded two try assists, two line breaks and two line break assists.
Ryan Foran’s opening try of his hat trick performance came in the 13th minute when he received the ball on the left forty metres from the line, easily bumping off the initial defender who attempted to engage him before using his right arm to palm off the second. From there Ryan Foran produced a right foot step to easily round the fullback and bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.
Ryan Foran’s second try came in the 26th minute when he ran a great outside shoulder line from eighteen metres out, breaking three tackles on his run to the line and once again was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.
Ryan Foran completed his hat trick in the 48th minute when Riley Lack put up a huge bomb from near midfield which the Kyogle defence could not handle, Ryan Foran charged through to dive on the loose ball in the in-goal.
Ryan Foran recorded the first of his two try assists in the match in the 3rd minute when after receiving the ball forty seven metres out he kept running to his left, using a right arm fend to gain separation from two defenders before getting a pass away to his left for his fullback to dive over in the left corner.
Ryan Foran added a second try assist in the 41st minute when after he was put into a gap by a great ball from Byron Jones on halfway, Ryan Foran ran thirty metres downfield before passing to his left to put the Mustangs replacement left centre over in the left corner.
The 45th minute saw Ryan Foran record a line break assist when the ball was passed in his direction thirty metres out from his own line, Ryan Foran had to reach forward and down low to take receipt of the ball before passing the ball to his left in one motion to put his support runner away on a thirty five metre run down the left touchline.
Ryan Foran broke the line himself in the 51st minute with a twenty metre line break before off-loading to his left with three would be tacklers on the ground in his wake.
After Murwillumbah’s Round Nine match against the Tweed Coast Raiders was postponed, Ryan Foran was named to come off the bench for Round Ten against the Cudgen Hornets.
Round Seven of the NRRRL First Grade competition saw Ryan Foran come off the bench for Murwillumbah and play in the left second row position in their big 60 – 6 victory over Byron Bay.
Ryan Foran also was named to start from the bench in Round Eight against Northern United and was also named on the bench in Round Twelve against Northern United once again when he scored in the 78th minute when he followed through a break, receiving the ball twenty metres out and crossing the line untouched.
Round Thirteen against the Ballina Seagulls saw Ryan Foran named to start at right second row.
In mid-February 2021 Ryan Foran was named at left second row in the school boy Oceanic Opens side for the South Coast school boy QSSRL U18 trial against Broadwater. Following the final round of trials, Ryan Foran was named in the 2021 South Coast U18 school boy QSSRL squad in the left second row position.
Ryan Foran started at left second row in South Coast’s Day One match against Met North getting into the action in just the 2nd minute he took South Coast’s first hit-up of the match after team mate Kaleb Ngamanu had taken a Met North clearing kick on the full inside his own territory.
Ryan Foran also started at left second row on Day Two as South Coast took on Met East and scored in the 10th minute whne he ran twenty metres off a Nicholas Hilton off-load and was able to bring the ball around to put it down near the goal posts.
On Day Three against Capricornia Ryan Foran once again start at left second row and had a line break assist when he was able to get a great ball away to his left to Kaleb Ngamanu who made a forty metre line break down the left touchline, then as he was confronted by the cover defence, Kaleb Ngamanu got the ball back inside to Ryan Foran.
Ryan Foran also started at left second row in the Championship Final against Met North, scoring in the 22nd minute when after great work on his inside by Thomas Weaver who had picked up a wickedly bouncing ball and threw a cut-out ball to his left in one motion. Subsequently Ryan Foran ran into space to score wide out on the left.
Ryan Foran also made some stong defensive efforts in the match including in the 16th minute when he along with Thomas Weaver forced Met North back five metres to just out from his own line.
At the completion of the Championships, Ryan Foran was named at left second row in the 2021 QSSRL U18 School Boy Merit Team.
2021 also saw Ryan Foran line up once again for PBC State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup competition starting Round One at left second row against Ipswich State High School.
Ryan Foran scored a key try in the match after PBC had fallen behind early. Ryan Foran ran the ball down the left channel in the 24th minute, receiving the ball ten metres out and through sheer strength and determination, Ryan Foran pushed through three defenders to get the ball down with defenders still hanging off him three metres out from the left upright.
In addition to his try, Ryan Foran also made a number of telling runs, firstly in the 11th minute when his strong run made fourteen metres to get within thirty metres of the line, then in the 48th minute, a Ryan Foran jink to the left saw him get to within eight metres of the line after his run started twenty metres out.
Ryan Foran also started at left second row in Round Two against St Mary’s College Toowoomba and was easily the best player on the field in PBC’s big win, scoring a double as well as recording a try assist.
Ryan Foran’s opening try of the match came in just the 8th minute when from twelve metres out from the line on the left side of the field he ran an outside shoulder route and after receiving the pass from Thomas Weaver, Ryan Foran charged through a gap to get the ball down three metres in from the left corner post.
Ryan Foran completed his double in the 31st minute when after earlier good work from Thomas Weaver and Hunter Plogema, Ryan Foran ran thirty metres untouched to put the ball down next to the left upright.
Ryan Foran recorded his try assist in the 44th minute when he threw a hard flat cut-out pass to his left from just ten metres from the line to put Hunter Plogema into space down the touchline with the PBC left winger getting the ball down in the left corner.
Ryan Foran also made a line break in the 43rd minute when he burst away down the left, charging twenty metres before getting a pass away to his left.
Ryan Foran continued at left second row in Round Three against Coombabah State High School and took the second hit-up of the match and in the 58th minute added a twenty metre run down the left channel to easily get over the halfway mark.
Ryan Foran continued at left second row in the Round Four blockbuster against Marsden State High School with Ryan Foran scoring in the 48th minute when he ran an underneath route down a short left blindside from four metres out after Oskar Bryant had darted to his left out of dummy half and get the ball inside to Ryan Foran.
Ryan Foran’s first key contribution of the match came in the 14th minute when he executed a great ball and all tackle down a short blindside to prevent the Marsden SHS right centre from scoring with Ryan Foran’s tackle stopping his opponent dead a metre from the try line.
Ryan Foran produced another outstanding tackle in the 36th minute when as the Marsden SHS fullback was bringing the ball off his own line, Ryan Foran flew out of marker to his right to smash the fullback and force the ball loose.
Ryan Foran continued at left second row for the much anticipated Round Five local derby against Keebra Park State High School as well as in Round Six against Mabel Park State high School.
Great to see the Titans beat a number of other NRL clubs to the signature of Coombabah SHS's Izayah Petrichvich.
One player in the Group One U15 competition that I have not touched on this season is Grafton Ghosts Joshua Donovan-Skinner and one match where all of his considerable talents was on display was recently in Round Eleven against Casino RSM.
Starting the match at fullback Joshua Donovan-Skinner was heavily involved in a lot of the good things that the Ghosts did in their victory, including a strong sequence in just the 7th minute of the match. From a Grafton scrum win fifteen metres out from the line, Joshua Donovan-Skinner positioned himself to the right of the scrum, after receiving the ball after Grafton won the scrum, Joshua Donovan-Skinner took the ball to the line before executing a good short pass to his right to a charging Lockie McLaughlin who was dragged down just short of the line.
Joshua Donovan-Skinner continued to loop around to the right, receiving the ball after Lockie McLaughlin played the ball. After receiving the ball from the dummy half Joshua Donovan-Skinner threw a long cut-out pass to his right to put his unmarked right centre over in the right corner. Joshua Donovan-Skinner then stepped up to convert the try that he set up from the right touchline.
Joshua Donovan-Skinner recorded another try assist in the 49th minute when after receiving the ball on the left side of the field, he threw a cut out pass in the same direction to put his five eight over in the left corner.
Joshua Donovan-Skinner continued his strong match in the 26th minute when he produced another strong run after chiming into the backline on the right with Joshua Donovan-Skinner getting through the line before getting an off-load away with his left arm.
Joshua Donovan-Skinner made another line break in the 34th minute on that occasion from a kick return. The ball initially went over Joshua Donovan-Skinner’s head forcing him to track back and collect the ball twenty metres out and in front of his own posts. After retrieving the ball Joshua Donovan-Skinner ran to his right and was able to get outside the Casino RSM defensive line and charge thirty metres down the right touchline. Joshua Donovan-Skinner was eventually tackled near the halfway mark and after a scuffle that included the majority of players on the field, Joshua Donovan-Skinner was awarded a penalty.
In addition to kicking three conversions, Joshua Donovan-Skinner came close to scoring himself for the Ghosts when in the 56th minute when he received the ball near the halfway mark and put up a mid-field bomb, Joshua Donovan-Skinner chased the kick through himself and was on the spot to recover the ball after it was dropped by the Casino RSM fullback. Joshua Donovan-Skinner retrieved possession around twenty metres of the try line and got within two metres of the try line before being dragged down right in front of the posts.
The 2021 season to date for Jake Kearton:
Jake Kearton made his Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade debut off the bench in the previously postponed 2021 Round Eight match against Tugun. Jake Kearton then maintained his place on the bench for Round Eleven against Runaway Bay.
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.
Round One of the GCRL U20 season proper saw Jake Kearton started in the front row for the Bears as they took on the Currumbin Eagles with Jake Kearton one of the Bears try scorers in the 34 – 20 first up loss.
Jake Kearton also started in the front row and captained the Burleigh side in Round Six against the Helensvale Hornets and showcased his strength in the 12 minute when he grabbed the Helensvale fullback and forced him back into the in-goal area.
Starting in the front row once again in Round Seven against Runaway Bay, Jake Kearton had a strong match scoring a hat trick in Burleigh’s four point loss. Jake Kearton’s opening try came in the 34th minute when he ran into a gap twelve metres out and then rounding the Seagulls fullback to score ten metres from the left upright.
Jake Kearton added his second try in the 38th minute when he charged onto the ball to the right of the dummy half from ten metres out, stepping off his right foot to barge over next to the left upright. Jake Kearton then completed his hat trick in the 44th minute when he broke three tackles from five metres out to once again get the ball down adjacent to the left upright.
Jake Kearton continued in the front row and captain in Round Ten against Runaway Bay scoring a double, with his opening try coming in the 27th minute when he ran onto the ball to the left of the dummy half from twelve metres out. Jake Kearton produced a slight jink to his left and then carried four defenders over the line with him to score under the posts.
Jake Kearton completed his double with an outstanding solo effort in the 63rd minute. Jake Kearton received the ball fifty two metres out running to the left of the play the ball. As he approached the defensive line, Jake Kearton stepped off his left foot to get between two defenders and surged downfield. With only the Runaway Bay fullback to beat, Jake Kearton dummied to his left and then continued downfield to score near the left upright.
In April 2021, Jack Kearton was named in the U20 Gold Coast Vikings First Grade South East Queensland Chairman’s Challenge initial squad.
Young Casino RSM lock Elijah Freeman is having outstanding season in the Group One U14 competition but over the last couple of weeks has gotten even better.
Elijah Freeman started at lock in Round Eleven against the Grafton Ghosts and was one of Casino RSM’s try scorers in the 18 – 10 loss. Even though he started the match at lock, Elijah Freeman spent long portions of the match in the dummy half role.
Elijah Freeman scored in the 45th minute when he moved into dummy half a metre from the line, dummying to his left before diving over just to the right of the play the ball mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the right side of the field.
The Round Eleven match also saw Elijah Freeman make a long fifty metre line break directly through the centre of the ruck when his hard charge enabled him to burst through the Ghosts defensive line.
Elijah Freeman also started at lock in Round Ten against the Marist Rams and once again was one of Casino RSM’s try scorers in a touch six point loss.
In the 18th minute Elijah Freeman was able to score in the right corner from ten metres out. Initially Elijah Freeman received the ball ten metres to the right of the goal posts and was able to get on the outside of the Rams defence and then held his line when hit by the cover defence to get the ball down in the right corner.
The 2021 season to date for Jordan Gallagher:
In June 2021 the half/five eight from the South Grafton Rebels was part of a Titans U18 Northern Rivers squad that played the Titans U17 JTS squad at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
Jordan Gallagher started the season as part of the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad, starting Round One of the competition at five eight against the Wests Tigers. In fact Jordan Gallagher started at five eight in all four of his matches for the Northern Rivers Titans at five eight, missing only Round Three through injury.
Jordan Gallagher played the 2021 season with the South Grafton Rebels in the Group Two U18 competition starting Round One at halfback against Macksville and Jordan Gallagher also captained the Rebels side.
Jordan Gallagher continued at halfback for the duration of his matches and also was the Rebels goal kicker in a number of matches, including kicking conversion in Round Three against Coffs Harbour and he also kicked two conversions against Coffs Harbour in Round Eight.
Jordan Gallagher continued at halfback and captain in Round Nine against Sawtell, with Jordan Gallagher scoring his first try of the 2021 Group Two U18 season and also kicked a conversion in the Rebels 18 – 10 loss.
Round Ten saw Jordan Gallagher continue at halfback and captain for the Rebels with Jordan Gallagher kicking four goals from as many attempts in their 20 – 18 victory over Coffs Harbour. Jordan Gallagher then also from the halfback position kicked three goals in Round Twelve against Sawtell in a 22 – 10 Rebels victory.
Jordan Gallagher continued at halfback in Round Thirteen against Coffs Harbour and kicked a conversion and a penalty goal in the Rebels two point victory. Round Fourteen saw Jordan Gallagher continue at halfback and captain against Sawtell with Jordan Gallagher kicking three conversions in a ten point rebels victory.
In Round Fifteen against Coffs Harbour, Jordan Gallagher also started at halfback and kicked two goals for the Rebels as they went down to Coffs Harbour.
Jordan Gallagher was initially named to start at hooker in Round Fifteen of the Group Two First Grade competition for the South Grafton Rebels but ended of starting from the bench against local rivals, the Grafton Ghosts.
Titans linked Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas started at halfback in Round Ten of the Group One U15 competition for Clarence Coast against Casino RSM recently and Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas was an his scheming best including a 41st minute line break when whilst operating on his usual right side of the field fifty five metres from the line, Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas shaped to pass before slicing through two Casino RSM defenders and then showed the cover defence a clean pair of heels. Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas then was able to position his right sided support well and after drawing the Casino RSM fullback he passed to his right but unfortunately the ball could not be held by his support player.
The 2021 season to date for Lockie McLaughlin:
In Round One of the 2021 U16 Group One U15 Competition, Lockie McLaughlin started at lock for the Grafton Ghosts as they took on the Marist Brothers Rams and was one of the Ghosts scored as they disposed of the Rams 38 – 12.
Lockie McLaughlin also started at lock in Round Two against Casino RSM and well as in Round Three in the local derby against the South Grafton Rebels when he was one of the Ghosts try scorers in their 16 – 0 victory.
Lockie McLaughlin, from lock then scored a double in Round Four against the Casino RSM before moving to the front row for Round Five against the Clarence Coast Magpies.
Lockie McLaughlin moved back to the second row in Round Six against Marist Brothers Lismore relishing the extra space in the Ghosts 44 – 6 victory with Lockie McLaughlin scoring a hat trick.
Lockie McLaughin continued in the second row in Round Seven against Ballina and was one of the Ghosts try scorers in their 16 – 4 victory and also started in the second row in Round Eight against the Ballina Seagulls.
Lockie McLaughlin continued in the second row in Round Nine against Casino RSM and was one of the Ghosts try scorers in their 36 – 6 victory and Lockie McLaughlin scored once again from the second row position in Round Eleven against Casino RSM and once against was one of the Ghosts try scorers.
Lockie McLaughlin also came off the bench in Round Eight against the Kyogle Turkeys but was back starting in the second row in Round Ten against the South Grafton Rebels.
Lockie McLaughlin continued at right second row in Round Twelve against Casino RSM and scored the Ghosts final try of the match in their victory.
Lockie McLaughlin scored in the 52nd minute when from two metres out from the line, Lockie McLaughlin darted out of dummy half to his right to force his way over the line, getting the ball down under heavy pressure.
Lockie McLaughlin was strong for the duration of the match and made a strong contribution early in the match including making a hard fought twelve metre run, the majority of which was post contact, in the 15th minute to get the ball within fifteen metres of the try line.
Lockie McLaughlan was also named to start in the second row in Round Twelve against the Clarence Coast Magpies.
Lockie McLaughlin made his first appearance in 2021 in the Group One U16 competition in Round Six coming off the bench against Marist Brothers Lismore after scoring a hat trick against the same opponent in the U15 match earlier in the day.
Outstanding play makers are not easy to find but Casino RSM’s Group One U13 five eight Makiah Torrens is one out of the box that has a big future ahead of him.
Recent Rounds Ten and Eleven of the Group One U13 competition showcased Makiah Torrens elite skill.
Round Ten against Marist Rams saw Makiah Torrens start at five eight with the exciting talent scoring twice in Casino RSM’s big win. Makiah Torrens also set up one of Casino RSM’s tries in the match.
Makiah Torrens opening try came in just the 3rd minute of the match and it is a brilliant individual effort. Makiah Torrens received the ball to the right of the dummy half forty metres out and initially ran to his right before cutting back to his left exposing the area behind the play the ball. After splitting the Marist defence, Makiah Torrens veered to his left to beat the fullback before stepping off his left to straighten up his run then beat two more would be defenders on the way to getting the ball down five metres in from the left corner post.
Makiah Torrens competed his double in the 41st minute when he scored under the posts after running the ball from one off a scrum. Makiah Torrens received the ball to the right of a scrum eighteen metres out and ran at the line, dummying to his left before cutting back to his right into a gap and subsequently getting the ball down under the posts.
Makiah Torrens recorded his try assist in the 7th minute of the match when from twenty metres out and operating on the right, Makiah Torrens put in a right foot grubber kick towards the right corner with the kick ideally weighted for a team mate to fly through and get the ball down in the right corner.
In Round Eleven also against the Marist Rams, Makiah Torrens was as close to unstoppable as a young player could get in dominating the match from start to finish.
In just the 5th minute, Makiah Torrens scored his opening try when after receiving the ball on the left side of the field, he charged onto the ball, receiving the pass from his inside twelve metres out and from there he Makiah Torrens was simply to strong and fast for the defence, running straight through a gap and past two defenders and then carried two more over the line to get the ball dwon ten metres in from the left corner.
Makiah Torrens added a second try in the 20th minute and it was probably the pick of the four that he scored in the match. Makiah Torrens received the ball fifteen metres from the try line and to the right of the play the ball. Once he took possession of the ball Makiah Torrens ran to his right at the line with the ball out in front of his body in both hands. When he was close to the defensive line, Makiah Torrens dummied twice to his right in quick succession before stepping off his right to beat two defenders before Makiah Torrens carried three more Marist defenders over the line to get the ball down three metres to the right of the uprights. Makiah Torrens then stepped up to kick the conversion.
Just two minutes later in the 22nd minute Makiah Torrens completed his hat trick when he exploded down the right touchline, breaking the line sixty metres out. After breaking the line, Makiah Torrens produced a late and explosive right foot step to easuly beat the Marist fullback and from there Makiah Torrens had a comfortable and uninterrupted run to put the ball down under the posts.
Makiah Torrens made it four tries for the match in the 43rd minute when he backed up a break by a team mate down the left touchline, receiving the offload ten metres out and then was able to comfortably bring the ball around to put it down untouched under the posts.
Makiah Torrens added a further try from the five eight position in Round Twelve against the South Grafton Rebels.
I have noted on a couple of occasions recently how good Grafton’s Group One U14 player Beau Hartmann is travelling.
Against Casino RSM in Round Eleven recently Beau Hartmann scored the first of his two tries with an outstanding long range individual in the 9th minute when from seventy metres out Beau Hartmann received the ball on the left side of the field. As soon as he took possession of the ball, Beau Hartmann accelerated through two Casino RSM defenders before running around the fullback and then was able to get the ball down under the posts.
Beau Hartmann recorded the second of his two tries in the 25th minute when after receiving the ball fifteen metres out and on the right side of the field, Beau Hartmann sliced through the Casino RSM before stepping off his left foot to beat the fullback and then brought the ball around to score next to the right upright.
Beau Hartmann also broke the Casino RSM line in the 21st minute with a strong twenty metre effort down the left side of the field before producing a good left arm off-load to keep the play going.
The dummy half role has taken on even greater significance in recent years and it should be noted that the Titans have a very talented hooking prospect in their own catchment area in Casino RSM’s Jykoven Torrens.
All that is good about this young man could be seen in the recent Group One U14 Round Ten match against the Marist Rams with Jykoven Torrens scoring a double in Casino RSM’s six point loss.
Jykoven Torrens scored his opening try in the 45th minute when from close range he darted out of dummy half to his left to force his way over close to the right upright.
Jykoven Torrens completed his double in the 51st minute when after packing into a scrum at lock ten metres from the line that was being fed by Casino RSM. Jykoven Torrens picked up the ball from the back of the scrum and immediately raced to the right down a wide blindside bursting through one tackle to get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.
It was clear from just the 3rd minute of the match that Jykoven Torrens was switched on after he made a great line break. From deep inside his own territory Jykoven Torrens ran out of dummy half to his left and utilised a left foot step on two occasions to get on the outside of the Rams defence and burst forty five metres down the right touchline before he was finally brought to great just fifteen metres out from the tryline.
Ballina Seagulls Group One u13 centre Kai Delli is in the middle of an outstanding 2021 season, scoring sixteen tries through his first ten matches, scoring in nine of them for a 160% strike rate. The only match that Kai Delli has not scored in was his first match of the 2021 season which was in Round Three against Kyogle.
Kai Delli has scored hat tricks in Rounds Six and Eight against Clarence Coast and Casino RSM respectively. He has also scored doubles in Round Four and Five against South Grafton, Round Ten against Kyogle and Round Eleven against South Grafton.
Round Twelve against Clarence Coast saw Kai Delli score a try and kick a conversion.
One of the best ball runners in the Group One U13 competition this season is Marist Rams five eight Traevon Basinauro.
The electric young five eight has scored twelve tries through the opening twelve rounds and he also converted one of his own tries in Round Eleven against Casino RSM.
Traevon Basinauro scored four tries in Round Four against Clarence Coast, a hat trick in Round Three against Casino RSM, doubles in Round Eight against Clarence Coast and Round Eleven against Casino RSM.
He also scored in Round Ten against Casino RSM.
Traevon Basinuaro’s Round Ten 28th minute try was a long range blinder. Casino RSM were on the attack and put in a chip kick which came down a metre from the line and was regathered by a Casino RSM attacker who then attempted to off-load. Traevon Basinauro swooped onto the ball after the off-load went to ground with Traevon Basinauro collecting the ball a metre from his own line and then Traevon Basinauro raced ninety nine metres untouched to slow down and place the ball down under the posts.
Traevon Basinuaro’s opening try of Round Eleven came in the 27th minute when he received the ball thirty five metres from the line off the dummy half with the play the ball near the right touchline. After receiving the ball Traevon Basinuaro exploded between two defenders as he continued to run to his right and from there his speed coupled with his diagonal run to his left was too much for the defence. Traevon Basinuaro crossed the try line in the left corner but he was able to bring the ball around seven or eight metres once he had crossed the line.
Traevon Basinuaro completed his double in the 51st minute when from eight metres out, he ran to his left out of dummy half down a short left blindside to get the ball down in the left corner.
Devastating is the only word that I can come up with to describe how well Casino RSM’s Deekan Duncan is performing in the Group One U13 competition this season.
He has played in nine of Casino RSM’s matches, scoring at least one in each and to date has scored on twenty five occasions to currently have a strike rate of 278%.
Deekan Duncan’s first match of the 2021 season was in Round Two against the Kyogle with the young man scoring a first up hat trick. Deecan Duncan then followed that up with hat tricks in Rounds Three and Four against Marist Rams and Kyogle respectively.
Deekan Duncan went one better in Rounds Five and Six against Clarence Coast and Marist before adding another hat trick in Round Eight against Ballina.
In Round Nine against Kyogle Deekan Duncan also scored before recording doubles in Rounds Ten and Eleven with both matches against the Marist Rams.
Deekan Duncan’s first try of the Round Ten match against the Marist Rams came in just the 7th minute when he chased through a Makiah Torrens attacking grubber kick to get downward pressure on the ball in the right corner.
Deekan Duncan completed his double in the 52nd minute. Marist put up a mid-field bomb towards their right, after both sides let the ball bounce Deekan Duncan swooped on the ball, collecting it sixty five metres out and racing down the left touchline to score in the left corner.
In Round Eleven Deekan Duncan scored in the 38th minute with a long range seventy metre effort down the left touchline. Deekan Duncan received an off-load ten metres in from the touchline, cutting to his left to get on the outside of the Rams defensive line. Deekan Duncan’s speed then enabled him to break away from the cover defence before Deekan Duncan produced a great in and away to beat the fullback. Deekan Duncan’s work was not complete then as he was tackled a couple of metres from the line but was able to drag the Marist five eight over the line and reach out to get the ball down in the left corner.
Deekan Duncan almost scored a second try in the match in the 42nd minute but after a ten metre surge he was adjudged to have lost the ball fractionally short of the line in the left corner.
Deekan Duncan also recorded a try assist in the match when in the 43rd minute he broke away down the right touchline. After charging forty metres downfield, Deekan Duncan cut inside beating three defenders before getting a great right arm off-load away to Makiah Torrens who was able to run away to score under the posts.
Deekan Duncan also recorded a 32nd minute line break when from deep in his own territory he was able to make a thirty five metre break down the left touchline.
The 2021 season to date for Greg Marzhew:
Round Thirteen of the 2021 NRL season saw Greg Marzhew initially named on the Titans extended bench for their match on the Sunshine Coast against the Melbourne Storm however he moved into the Titans starting side on the right wing late in the week for what his deserved NRL debut to become Gold Coast Titan No. 167.
Greg Marzhew debut could not have gone better, scoring the first try of the match when after receiving an off-load from Patrick Herbert he jogged three metres to put the ball down in the right corner.
Playing the entire eighty minutes, Greg Marzhew ran for 158 metres (sixty six post contact), made an equal team leading five tackles breaks, played the ball at an average speed of 3.52 seconds and made four tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
Greg Marzhew deservedly maintained his spot on the right wing for Round Fourteen against the Sydney Roosters for his first NRL at Cbus Stadium and in his eighty minutes on the field, led the Titans in both metres gained (213) and post contact metres (seventy four). Greg Marzhew also broke six tackles and played the ball at an average speed of 3.03 seconds.
Greg Marzhew was also named to start on the right wing in Round Fifteen against the Manly Sea Eagles, scoring a first half double, the first coming when he went over in the right corner in a tackle after Manly had mis-handled a bomb and the second when he put down in the corner a perfectly weighted grubber kick from Jayden Campbell.
Playing the entire eighty minutes, Greg Marzhew ran for 102 metres (thirty six post contact), made a line break, broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 2.98 seconds and made three tackles missing none.
After missing a number of matches due to an ankle injury, Greg Marzhew was back on the right wing for Round Nineteen against the St George Dragons and scored in the 44th minute when David Fifita burst between two defenders and was then able to get a right arm flick pass away to Greg Marzhew who got the ball down in the right corner from close range.
Playing the entire eighty minutes, Greg Marzhew ran for 216 metres, a team leading ninety two of which were post contact, broke two tackles, played the ball at an average of 3.4 seconds and made three tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
Greg Marzhew continued on the right wing in Round Twenty against the Canterbury Bulldogs scoring once again in the 51st minute when Greg Marzhew took possession after a bomb to the right wing was knocked back by the Titans. Greg Marzhew took possession around twenty five metres out and surged past a number of defenders to crash over mid-way between the corner post and goal post on the right side of the field.
Playing the entire eighty minutes, Greg Marzhew ran for a team leading 190 metres (seventy three post contact), broke a team leading four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.25 seconds and made four tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
Round Twenty One against the North Queensland Cowboys saw Greg Marzhew continue on the right wing. Playing all eighty minutes, Greg Marzhew ran for a team leading 230 metres, a team leading 111 of which were post contact, broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.02 seconds and made four tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
Greg Marzhew continued on the right wing in Round Twenty Two against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs.
After suffering an injury late in the 2021 pre-season, Greg Marzhew was back, starting on the wing for Burleigh in Round One of the Queensland Cup against the Mackay Cutters.
Greg Marzhew played the opening fifty eight minutes of the match, running for eighty three metres (thirty three post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 2.98 seconds and made eight tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.89%.
Greg Marzhew also named to start on the wing for Round Three against the Easts Tigers however he was a late scratching from the match.
Round Four saw Greg Marzhew named on the wing for the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls 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.
Greg Marzhew started once again on the wing in Round Five against the PNG Hunters playing all eighty minutes, running for 196 metres, a team leading fifty three of which were post contact, broke a team leading twelve tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.13 seconds and made two tackles.
Greg Marzhew also started on the left wing in Round Six 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.
Greg Marzhew also started on the left wing against the Ipswich Jets in Round Seven recording a try assist when he ran out of dummy half before offloading by way of a right arm flick pass from close range.
Playing all eighty minutes, Greg Marzhew ran for team leading 127 metres (thirty three post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 2.27 seconds and made three tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
Greg Marzhew also scored in the 17th minute of Round Eight against the Townsville Blackhawks when the crossed from close range in the left corner. Once again playing all eight minutes on the left wing in the match, Greg Marzhew ran for 144 metres, a team leading fifty seven of which were post contact, made a line break, broke five tackles and played the ball at an average speed of 2.88 seconds.
Greg Marzhew’s first 2021 hit-out came in mid-February when he started at left centre for the Titans in their first trial against the Burleigh Bears producing an outstanding display including scoring a hat trick.
Greg Marzhew’s first try came in the 33rd minute of the first half and showcased his speed, elusiveness and power. Greg Marzhew received a long pass from his right from Erin Clark whilst he was stationary side on the left. Greg Marzhew immediately cut back towards the centre of the field, beating one defending with a step before straightening up and dragging four defenders with him to get the ball down two metres from the left upright.
Greg Marzhew’s second try came in the 45th minute when he cut back inside after receiving an offload from Beau Fermor to score. Earlier in the same movement Greg Marzhew smartly kept the ball alive with a good offload.
Greg Marzhew completed his hat trick in the 51st minute of the match when just four metres out from the line he cut back inside to take an offload from Beau Fermor to burst through two defenders to score. Just prior to receiving the ball from Fermor, Greg Marzhew had actually been the one to pass the ball to Fermor.
Greg Marzhew’s first impact on the match came in the 8th minute when he broke three tackles in a powerful twenty metre run out of dummy half. Greg Marzhew produced another strong run in the 17th minute of the match, breaking two tackles in a fifteen metre run down the left side of the field.
The following week Greg Marzhew started from the bench for the Titans in their final 2021 NRL trial against the New Zealand Warriors at Lismore. Greg Marzhew played at left centre in the final quarter of the Titans 12 all draw, running for seventy five metres (sixteen post contact), played the ball at an average speed to 2.52 seconds and had a 100% tackling efficiency.
Greg Marzhew then started at left centre for Burleigh in their final 2021 Queensland Cup trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
The 2021 season to date for Toby Sexton:
Toby Sexton made his deserved NRL debut in Round Nineteen against the St George Dragons after being named at halfback in become Titan Number 168 and what a debut it was with Toby Sexton scoring sixteen points from a debut try when he backed up Jarrod Wallace to score under the posts in the 65th minute and six goals from as many attempts.
Playing the entire eighty minutes, Toby Sexton ran for 161 metres (ten post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.22 seconds and made twenty tackles at a tackling efficiency of 86.96%.
Toby Sexton continued at halfback in Round Twenty against the Canterbury Bulldogs kicking five conversions from six attempts as well as recording a try assist in the 33rd minute when Toby Sexton’s pass to his right was knocked down by a Bulldogs defender but Esan Marsters was able to take possession and get the ball down five metres in from the right corner post.
Playing the entire eighty minutes, Toby Sexton ran for sixty nine metres (three post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 4.09 seconds and made thirty four tackles at a tackling efficiency of 97.14%.
Round Twenty One against the North Queensland Cowboys saw Toby Sexton named to continue at halfback, with Toby Sexton kicking four conversions (another hit the post) and also recorded a try assist in the 53rd minute when he ran to the line on the left side of the field and put in a very short grbuuber through the line from ten metres out which sat up for Beau Fermor to retrieve and dive over.
Playing the entire eighty minutes, Toby Sexton ran for seventy metres (nine post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.23 seconds and made fourteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 87.5%.
Toby Sexont continued at halfback in Round Twenty Two against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs.
Previously Toby Sexton was named in the Titans extended bench in Round Eleven of the 2021 season 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.
Toby Sexton continued at halfback in Round Eight and whilst playing the entire match was in everything, recording two try assists, a line break and a line break assist.
Toby Sexton’s first try assist came when he threw an “out the back” pass to put Jayden Campbell into space in the first half and then in the second half, Toby Sexton came back underneath Liam Hampson who had run to his right, with Toby Sexton breaking through the line and drawing the fullback and passing to his right to put Brayden McGrady over under the posts.
In addition to everything else, Toby Sexton ran for sixty two metres, played the ball at an average speed of 3.91 seconds and had a 100% tackling efficiency whilst making fifteen tackles.
Round Nine against the Norths Devils saw Toby Sexton line up at halfback. Playing the entire eighty minutes, Toby Sexton ran for sixty three metres (ten post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 2.93 seconds and made nineteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 90.48%.
Toby Sexton continued at halfback in Round Ten against the Mackay Cutters, playing all eighty minutes, running for 113 metres (twenty three post contact), made a two line break, broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.2 seconds, kicked on six occasions for 198 metres and made seventeen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 89.47%.
Toby Sexton continued at halfback for Round Eleven against Redcliffe, once again playing the entire eighty minutes of the match. In that time Toby Sexton ran for sixty four metres (thirteen post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 4.06 seconds and made twenty five tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.59%.
Toby Sexton recorded two try assists in the match against the Dolphins, the first when he put in a short right foot stab kick to the left wing where Tremain Spry was on hand to dive on the ball in the left corner. Toby Sexton’s second try assist came in the 74th minute when he squeezed a grubber kick into the in goal down the left channel with Herman Ese’ese charging through to dive on the ball to lock the scores up at twelve all.
Last weekend in Round Thirteen of the Group One U13 competition, Kyogle lock Malachy Laarhaven scored twice in a Turkeys 34 - 22 victory against Casino RSM.
Wayne-Chase Whitney has played the majority of the Group One U13 competition at fullback but enjoyed his move to hooker last weekend in Round Thirteen against the Marist Rams, scoring one of the Rebels three tries in their two point loss.
The try was Wayne-Chase Whitney's 14th of the season.
Hard running Deekan Duncan scored a double last weekend for Casino RSM in Round Thirteen of the Group One U13 competition as his side went down 34-22 to the Kyogle Turkeys.
With his double Deekan Duncan has now scored 27 tries to be second on the Group One U13 competitions try scoring tally.
With his try last weekend for Ballina in their Group One U13 Round Thirteen 46 - 12 victory over the Clarence Coast Magpies, second rower Harrison Clements has now scored sixteen tries over the course of the season.
Ballina Group One U!3 centre Kai Dalli scored twice for the Seagulls last weekend in Round Thirteen of the Group One U13 competition in Ballina's big 46-12 win over the Clarence Coast Magpies.
He has now scored sixteen tries over the course of the 2021 Group One U13 season.
Casino RSM standout five eight Makiah Torrens scored fourteen of his teams twenty two points last weekend in Round Thirteen of the Group One U13 34-22 loss against the Kyogle Turkeys.
With his two tries and three goals in the match, Makiah Torrens has now scored eighteen tries and kicked twenty two goals on the season.
With his try (and two conversions) last weekend in Round Thirteen of the Group One U13 competition last weekend, Ballina second rower Jett Flatley has now scored thirteen tries in the 2021 season.
Jett Flatley and his team mates defeated Clarence Coast 46-12 in the match.
Titans partnered school Marsden State High School has been awarded the Langer Cup Premiership on for and against in front of fellow Titans partnered school PBC.
With the lockdowns the Langer Cup competition will in a couple of weeks will move directly to semi-finals with Marsden to take on Ipswich and Keebra Park will battle PBC.
What a great achievement that three of the semi-final teams have formal partnerships with the Titans being PBC, Keebra Park and Marsden.
Titan Leeton Smith scored a try and kicked two conversions for the Marist Rams last Friday night in Round Thirteen of the Group One U16 competition but his side went down 26-24 against the Kyogle Turkeys.
With his try last weekend in Round Thirteen of the Group One U13 competition South Grafton Rebels second rower Noah Reti has now scored 36 tries to have a strike rate north of 300%.
The 2021 season to date for Tino Fa’asuamaleaui:
How good is Tino Fa’asuamaleaui? Well in early 2021 he was named the second best Under 21 Player in the NRL, with fellow 2021 Titans recruit David Fifita topping that impressive list.
In late May 2021 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was named in the front row in the Queensland State of Origin side for Game One of the series that was held in Townsville.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played sixty six minutes, running for ninety two metres (forty post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.05 seconds and made thirty two tackles at a tackling efficiency of 86.47%.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui moved to lock for Game Two of the 2021 State of Origin series, playing thirty nine minutes in two stints on the field. In that time Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for eighty one metres (thirty five post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.11 seconds and made twenty four tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.31%.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was initially named to drop back to start from the bench in Game Three but in fact started the match at lock and had an early match try assist when he cut back to the area behind the play the ball before producing a right arm offload to his right centre to score.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played forty four minutes in Game Three, running for 101 metres (thirty nine post contact), made a line break, broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.47 seconds and made thirty six tackles.
In total in the 2021 State of Origin Series, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in his three matches played 152 minutes, ran for 274 metres (115 post contact), broke five tackles and made ninety two tackles of his own at a tackling efficiency of 87.62%.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui made his first appearance in a Titans jersey in the Titans final 2021 NRL trial against the New Zealand Warriors at Lismore and what an appearance it was including scoring the Titans first try of the match with a forty five metre charge to the try line that including a strong right arm fend of Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
In his time on the field Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for 139 metres (fifty five post contact), made a line break to score his long range try, broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.09 seconds and made twenty five tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88%.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui made his first “official appearance” in a Titans jersey in Round one of the NRL 2021 competition when he started at lock against the New Zealand Warriors.
In his first NRL appearance for the Titans Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played sixty four minutes, ran for 149 metres (fifty nine post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 2.86 seconds and made thirty two tackles.
Round Two saw Tino Fa’asuamaleaui line up once again at lock against the Brisbane Bronco’s. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played fifty four minutes of the match running for 139 metres, a team leading fifty nine of which were post contact, played the ball at an average speed of 3.04 seconds and made twenty six tackles, more than a few of them monster hits on the Bronco’s forwards.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also started at lock in Round Three away to the North Queensland Cowboys, producing yet another impressive performance in his fifty six minutes on the field. In that time Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for 183 metres, a team leading eighty six of which were post contact, broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.4 seconds and made twenty eight tackles at a 96.55% tackling efficiency.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also started in the front row in Round Four against the Canberra Raiders, playing an impressive seventy one metres and finished leading the Titans in three categories, being running metres (201 metres), post contact metres (sixty nine metres) and tackle breaks (seven).
In addition to those team leading statistics, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui made a line break, played the ball at an average speed of 3.38 seconds and made thirty nine tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.86%.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also started in the front row in Round Five against the Newcastle Knights playing sixty five minutes in the front row. In that time Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for 103 metres (fifty four post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.07 seconds and made nineteen tackles.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui continued his run of starting in the front row for the Titans in Round Six against the Manly Sea Eagles, playing fifty seven minutes. In that time Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for seventy eight metres (thirty three post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.69 seconds and made twenty eight tackles at tackling efficiency of 96.55%.
After missing Rounds Seven and Eight, Round Nine saw Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was back in the Titans side for the Round Nine match against the Wests Tigers starting in the front row and playing fifty eight minutes. In that time Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for 102 metres (thirty six post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.73 seconds and made thirty one tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.94%.
In the 2021 NRL Magic round being Round Ten, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui started in the front row once again against the Penrith Panthers, playing sixty minutes across two stints on the field.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for 109 metres, a team leading forty eight of which were post contact, broke three tackles, played the ball at ana average speed of 3.52 seconds and made a team leading forty one tackles at a tackling efficiency of 91.11%.
In Round Eleven’s home game against the Canterbury Bulldogs, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui moved to lock for the home match and scored when he burst onto a Jamal Fogerty pass, rounding the fullback to get the ball down adjacent to the left upright.
Playing sixty five minutes, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for 156 metres (fifty one post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.55 seconds and made thirty seven tackles at a tackling efficiency of 94.87%.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui started at lock in Round Twelve against Cronulla playing seventy minutes, making 165 running metres (forty five post contact), made a line break, broke five tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.57 seconds and made twenty eight tackles at a tackling efficiency of 90.32%.
After missing Round Thirteen due to Queensland State of Origin Game One commitments, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui came off the bench against the Sydney Roosters in Round Fourteen and scored next to the posts in the Titans second half fight back that ultimately fell short of victory.
Playing forty seven minutes, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for 145 metres (fifty two pot contact), broke six tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.19 seconds and made twenty one tackles at a tackling efficiency of 91.3%.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was back in the starting side in the front row in Round Fifteen against the Manly Sea Eagles, playing sixty eight minutes. In that time Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for 147 metres (fifty three post contact), broke four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.29 seconds and made a team lading twenty nine tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui continued in the front row in Round Sixteen against the Canberra Raiders, playing forty eight minutes in the Titans big win. In his time on the field, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for 105 metres (fifty three post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.09 seconds and made twenty four tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.31%.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui then moved to lock for Round Seventeen against the Parramatta Eels, playing fifty six minutes. In that time, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for 141 metres (seventy post contact), played the ball at ana average speed of 3.78 seconds and made thirty three tackles at a tackling efficiency of 94.29%.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui continued at lock in Round Nineteen against the St George Dragons playing fifty six minutes in the Titans victory. In his two stints, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for 123 metres (fifty one post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.8 seconds and made twenty six tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui continued at lock in Round Twenty against the Canterbury Bulldogs and crashed over from dummy half to score under the posts in the 12th minute of the Titans big win.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui played fifty nine minutes of the match, running for 165 metres (seventy two post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.06 seconds and made twenty seven tackles at a tackling efficiency of 96.43%.
Round Twenty One against the North Queensland Cowboys saw Tino Fa’asuamaleaui continue at lock playing sixty six impressive minutes. In those minutes Tino Fa’asuamaleaui ran for 175 metres (seventy five post contact), broke four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.64 seconds and make twenty six tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui continued at lock in Round Twenty Two against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs.
The 2021 season to date for David Fifita:
In late May 2021 David Fifita was named in the second row for the Queensland State of Origin side for Game One of the series that was held in Townsville.
David Fifita played sixty five minutes, running for 110 metres (thirty eight post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.48 seconds and made twenty two tackles at a tackling efficiency of 84.62%.
David Fifita dropped back to start Game Two of the 2021 State of Origin Series on the bench. After coming off the bench, David Fifita played fifty three minutes, running for seventy fivbe metres (twenty post contact), broke at tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.83 seconds and made sixteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.89%.
David Fifita was also named to start on the bench for Game Three however he missed the match due to a one match suspension.
In early February 2021 David Fifita was named to start in the second row in the Indigenous All Stars side for their match against the Maori All Stars. David Fifita started the match at right second row before moving to left second row in the second quarter. In fact David Fifita, in his sixty two minutes on the field, alternated between both sides of the field on a number of occasions.
In his time on the field, David Fifita led his Indigenous All Stars team in a number of categories including runs (fifteen), run metres (141 metres), tackle breaks (six) and post contact metres (sixty nine). David Fifita also made twenty eight tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
David Fifita made his first appearance in a Titans jersey when he started in the right second row position in the Titans final 2021 NRL trial against the New Zealand Warriors at Lismore. In his time on the field David Fifita ran for 103 metres (fifty four post contact), broke a team leading five tackles, including knocking Sean O’Sullivan backwards twice, played the ball at an average speed of 3.41 seconds and made twenty one tackles at a tackling efficiency of 95.45%.
David Fifita made his first “official appearance” in a Titans jersey in Round one of the NRL 2021 competition when he started at right second row against the New Zealand Warriors.
In his NRL debut for the Titans, David Fifita played seventy minutes, ran for 116 metres (forty three post contact), broke a team leading five tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.22 seconds and made twenty six tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
Round Two of the 2021 NRL saw David Fifita start at left second row against his former team in the Brisbane Bronco’s where he had a night out scoring a try in each half as the Titans recorded a strong 28 – 16 vicotry.
David Fifita’s first half try came when he ran into a Tyrone Peachy double pump pass receiving the ball ten metres out from the Brisbane line. Davuid Fifita initiated contact with Tesi Nui before spinning counter clockwise to break the tackle and rumble ten metres to score ten metres in from the left corner post.
David Fifita’s try in the second half came whe he received the ball early from Jamal Fogerty approximately twenty metres out, running through an Anthony Milford tackle and over Jermaine Isaako to score once again around ten metres in from the left corner post.
David Fifita played sixty five minutes of the match and in addition to scoring twice, he ran for 136 metres (forty post contact), had a team leading two line breaks, broke eight tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.53 seconds and made twenty tackles.
David Fifita understandably also started at left second row in Round Three away to the North Queensland Cowboys and once again produced a dominant display, including scoring in the second half when he backed up a David Peachey break to score five metres to the left of the uprights.
David Fifita played the entire eighty minutes of the match, running for a team leading 187 metres (sixty nine post contact), made a line break, offloaded the ball on four occasions, broke a team leading eleven tackles and made twenty five tackles on his own for a tackling efficiency of 96.15%.
David Fifita also started at left second row in Round Four against the Canberra Raiders. In his eighty minutes on the field, David Fifita ran for 153 metres (forty nine post contact), broke four tackles, offloaded on three occasions, played the ball at an average speed of three seconds and made thirty four tackles at a tackling efficiency of 97.14%.
Dvid Fifita also started at left second row in Round Five against the Newcastle Knights and had a big day out scoring his career first NRL hat trick.
Put simply David Fifita’s first try was a bullocking effort when he tapped the ball ten metres out after the Titans were awarded a penalty and simply refused to be stopped as he dragged four Knights defenders over the line.
David Fifita’s second try was a result of a great line but David Fifita who surged through a gap twenty metres out, running over the top of Kaylan Ponga and easily shrugging off Tyson Frizell to score.
David Fifita completed his hat trick in the second half when he ran onto a great ball from Jarrod Wallace and beat Ponga once again to score in the left corner from thirty five metres out.
Playing all eighty minutes in the match, David Fifita ran for 168 metres (forty one post contact), made a team leading three line breaks, broke a team leading eight tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.13 seconds, offloaded the ball twice and made twenty six tackles.
David Fifita also started at left second row for Round Six against the Manly Sea Eagles once again playing the entire eighty minutes. In that time, David Fifita ran for 154 metres, a team leading forty of which were post contact), made a line break, broke five tackles, played the ball at an average speed and made sixteen tackles at a taclking efficiency of 94.12%.
David Fifita continued at left second row in Round Seven against Souths Sydney, scoring an amazing first half hat trick, with David Fifita’s first two tries being outstanding individual efforts that really do defy words and his third being a run to the line after receiving an offlaod.
As usual David Fifita played the entire eighty minutes, running for 106 metres (twenty one post contact), broke an equal team leading eleven tackles, offloaded on one occasion, played the ball at an average speed of 4.04 seconds and made thirty tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.75%.
Round Eight saw David Fifita once again start at left second row in his first match back at Lang Park against the Brisbane Bronco’s, once again playing all eighty minutes, running for ninety four metres (thirty two post contact), broke two tackles, offloaded twice, played the ball at an average speed for 3.69 seconds and made thirty four tackles at a tackling efficiency of 91.89%.
David Fifita continued at left second row in Round Nine against the Wests Tigers once again playing the entire eighty minutes and recording a try assist when he drew the Wests Tigers fullback to send Phillip Sami over in the left corner.
David Fifita also ran for 146 metres (fifty two post contact), made a line break, broke a team leading eight tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.98 seconds, off-loaded on a team leading five occasions and made twenty one tackles at a tackling efficiency of 91.3%.
After missing Rounds Ten and Eleven due to suspension David Fifita was back starting at left second row in Round Thirteen against Cronulla, playing all eighty minutes. David Fifita ran for 125 metres (thirty six post contact), broke an impressive team leading sixteen tackles, made seventeen tackles of his own and played the ball at an average speed of 3.92 seconds.
After missing Round Thirteen due to Queensland State of Origin Game One commitments, David Fifita came off the bench against the Sydney Roosters in Round Fourteen.
Playing thirty five minutes, David Fifita ran for 117 metres (fifty post contact), broke a team leading twelve tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.07 seconds and made nine tackles at a tackling efficiency of 100%.
David Fifita was back in the starting side at left second row in Round Fifteen against the Manly Sea Eagles scroring late in the first half when he scored from a Tyrone Peachey grubber kick.
In his eighty minutes on the field David Fifita ran for a tem leading 162 metres, a team leading fifty five of which were psot contact, broke a tema leading eight tackles, made a line break, played the ball at an average speed of 3.29 seconds and made fifteen tackles.
David Fifita continued at left second row in Round Sixteen against the Canberra Raiders scoring the Titans opening try of the match when he broke four tackles from twelve metres out from the line.
Against Canberra, David Fifita played forty nine minutes running for 142 metres (forty five post contact), broke a team leading fourteen tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.05 seconds and made thirteen tackles.
David Fifita also started at left second row in Round Seventeen against the Parramatta Eels and was one of the Titans try scorers when he was on hand to retrieve a Tyronne Peachey grubber kick then had been knocked down by Parramatta.
Playing fifty eight minutes, David Fifita ran for sixty seven metres (twenty six post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.7 seconds and made twenty tackles at a tackling efficiency of 95.24%.
David Fifita was named to continue at left second row in Round Nineteen against the St George Dragons however he started the match from the bench coming onto the field to play right second row in the 20th minute and had to wait only three minutes to score a powerful when after receiving the ball near mid-field broke tackle after tackle to get the ball down in the right corner.
David Fifita also had a 44th minute try assist when he burst between two defenders and was then able to get a right arm flick pass away to Greg Marzhew who got the ball down in the right corner from close range.
In the match, David Fifita played fifty seven minutes, ran for 160 metres (fifity three post cotact), made a team leading two line breaks, made a team leading thirteen tackle breaks, played the ball at an average speed of 4.78 seconds and had a 100% tackling efficiency whilst making fifteen tackles.
David Fifita was then named to start at left second row in Round Twenty against the Canterbury Bulldog but like in Round Twenty David Fifita ended up starting the match from the bench and like the previous round he was devastating when he came onto the field.
Playing fifty seven minutes, David Fifita ran for 175 metres, a team leading eighty nine metres of which were post contact, played the ball at an average speed of 3.48 seconds and made fourteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 87.5%.
Round Twenty One against the North Queensland Cowboys saw David Fifita once against named to start at left second row but once again moved to the bench late, playing right second row when he came on just after the twenry minute mark.
David Fifita scored once again in the match when in the 32nd minute he burst onto an AJ Brimson pass, spinning clockwise after engaging Jack Granville and then reached out to get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.
Playing 56 minutes, David Fifita ran for 137 metres (fifty four post contact), broke a team leading seven tackles, played the ball at an average speed to 4.12 seconds and made sixteen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
David Fifita was named to start from the bench in Round Twenty Two against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs.
The 2021 season to date for Will Evans:
Will Evans first hit-out of the 2021 season came when he lined up at left centre for the Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts squad that took on a Titans U19 side at Burleigh Juniors with the Bears going down 32 – 20 to the Titans in a match where no conversions were attempted.
In his second stint on the field in the second half, Will Evans moved to the opposite side of the field, operating at right centre.
Will Evans started 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 Will Evans started on the wing for Burleigh in their Queensland Cup trial against the Easts Tigers.
Will Evans then started on the wing for Burleigh Second’s side in their final 2021 Queensland Cup trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Will Evans heavily contributing to an early Burleigh second half try. Just prior to Shallin Fuller scoring Will Evans grabbed an intercept with Tweed Heads on the attack and was able to bring the ball all of the way back to the halfway mark.
In Mid-March 2021 Will Evans was part of the Burleigh Bears Nine’s squad that won the Gold Coast Nine’s Annual Competition with a 22 – 20 Final victory.
Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Will Evans start at fullback for the Burleigh Bears when they took on the Easts Tigers with Will Evans scoring the Bears opening round victory.
Will Evans try came in the 50th minute and was a bit of an unusual one. Will Evans was on the left side of the field when Cameron Brown who was near mid-field spotted some room in Will Evans’s direction. Cameron Brown threw the long pass on the direction of Tony Francis but the pass fell short with Tony Francis looking to trap the ball with his right foot but the ball squirted into the path of Will Evans who picked it up ten metres out. Upon collecting the ball Will Evans veered to his right and dive over between two defenders to get the ball down five metres in from the right corner post.
In addition to his try Will Evans also recorded a try assist in the 60th minute when he took the ball down the blindside on the right side of the field, taking the ball to the line and throwing a cut-out pass that put Ronin Rio in enough space to dive over in the right corner.
One skill that I have not often seen to date from Will Evans is his kicking but all that changed in the 59th minute when he put in a right foot kick from the forty metre mark into the right corner. Once he took possession of the ball, the Easts fullback ran across field but Will Evans had chased his own kick hard, engaging the fullback three metres away from the line. Will Evans smartly held the fullback off the ground and then marched him back into the in-goal.
Will Evans also started at fullback in the Round Two local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and constantly was a headache for the Seagulls defence with a number of line breaks, the first of which came in the 2nd minute when Will Evans took the ball down a short left blindside, dummying to his let before cutting back inside beating a defender to make fifteen metres.
Will Evans almost made a second line break of the match in the 23rd minute when he raced the ball back to the twenty metre for a Burleigh tap restart and after running to his right, made thirteen metres before being dragged down by the back of his jersey, if the tackle had not been made, Will Evans would have made significantly more ground downfield.
Will Evans also started at fullback in Round Three against the Western Mustangs, scoring in the Seagulls thirty point victory. In the 16th minute Will Evans moved into dummy half with Burleigh on the attack and the play the ball a metre out from the line and a metre in from the right touchline. Will Evans picked the ball up from the play the ball and went to his right to force the ball down a matter of centremetres from the right corner post.
Will Evans also recorded a try assist in the match when in the 27th minute he broke away down the right touchline and as the Western Mustangs defence converged on him, Will Evans kicked back towards centre field with Cameron Brown flying through to retrieve the ball on the bounce and run twenty metres untouched to score under the posts.
Will Evans continued at fullback in Round Four against the Norths Devils.
With Burleigh Colts on a bye weekend, Will Evans started on the right wing for the Burleigh GCRL First Grade side and was one of the Bears try scorers in their Round Three 30 – 28 victory over the Mudgeeraba Redbacks.
Will Evans scored in the 51st minute when he dived over from close range to get the ball down with his right hand just prior to going into touch. Will Evans also recorded a try assist in the match when after making a break down the right touchline he positioned his right centre well, drawing the fullback and getting the pass away back inside.
In Round Four of the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade competition, Will Evans moved up to the Burleigh side, starting 88 – 0 rout against Southport on the right wing, recording two try assists.
Will Evans first try assist came in the 23rd minute when he fielded a Tigers kick on the full just metres out from his own line and raced down the right touchline sixty metres. As the cover defence converged, Will Evans kicked back towards centre field with the ball bouncing ideally for Taine Tuaupiki to run onto and score next to the right upright.
Will Evans second try assist came in the when he backed up a long break by Taine Tuaupiki, receiving the ball and then producing a good right arm off-load of his own to his right for his halfback to race away to score.
Will Evans also started on the right wing in Round Five against Runaway Bay, scoring once again in Burleigh’s 26 – 18 victory with his try coming in the 29th minute when he was on the end of a Burleigh backline movement to his side of the field, with Will Evans receiving the ball ten metres out and scoring untouched in the right corner.
Will Evans also started on the right wing in Round Seven against the Currumbin Eagles and then after missing a number of matches Will Evans moved to right centre for Round Eleven against the Mudgeeraba Redbacks.
Will Evans was also named to start in the centres in Round Eight against the Tugun Seahawks before transitioning to start at fullback in Round Eleven against the Runaway Bay Seagulls.
The 2021 season to date for Joseph Vuna:
Joseph Vuna was named to start from the bench for his first NRL match with the Titans, and fifth NRL match overall, in Round Thirteen against the Melbourne Storm.
Playing twenty seven minutes, Joseph Vuna ran for sixty six metres (twenty three post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.61 seconds and made fourteen tackles.
Joseph Vuna also started from the bench in Round Fourteen against the Sydney Roosters, playing eighteen minutes. In that time Joseph Vuna ran for sixty metres (twenty five post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 4.13 seconds and made nine tackles.
Round Fifteen against the Manly Sea Eagles saw Joseph Vuna drop back to the Titans extended bench.
In early March 2021, Joseph Vuna started in the second row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Queensland Cup side in their final 2021 trial against the Burleigh Bears.
Joseph Vuna was set to make his Queensland Cup debut in Round One of the 2021 season when he was named to start in the second row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Central Queensland Capra’s however Joseph Vuna was a late scratching from the match.
Joseph Vuna was once again named to start in the second row for the Seagulls in Round Two of the 2021 Queensland Cup against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls but unfortunately was once again a late scratching.
Joseph Vuna was also named to start in the second row for Tweed Heads in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies and made a strong tackle on the Magpies front row who ran the ball back from the kick-off.
Joseph Vuna played sixty three minutes in the match, running for thirty six metres (twelve post contact) and made nineteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 90.48%.
Joseph Vuna continued at right second row in Round Four 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 tackling efficiency of 91.3%.
Joseph Vuna started once again at right second row in Round Five against the Redcliffe Dolphins was one of the Seagulls try scorers in the 28 – 16 victory. Joseph Vuna scored in the first half when he ran into a gap five metres out, receiving the ball from Toby Sexton, with Joseph Vuna getting the ball down midway between the goal posts and corner post in the right side of the field.
Playing forty one minutes, Joseph Vuna ran for fifty five metres (twenty one post contact), made a line break for his try, played the ball at an average speed of 4.63 seconds and made fifteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.75%.
Joseph Vuna also was named to start at right second row in Round Six against the Ipswich Jets however he started from the bench, playing a total of seventy minutes, running for forty two metres (twenty post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.71 seconds and made twenty one tackles.
Joseph Vuna was also named to started at right second row in Round Seven against the Northern Pride, playing the entire eighty minutes, running for eighty nine metres (thirty four post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.55 seconds and made nineteen tackles.
Joseph Vuna was also named to start at right second row in Round Eight against the Easts Tigers and once again played the entire eighty metres, running for 157 metres, including a team leading sixty six post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.69 seconds and made fourteen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
Joseph Vuna was heavily involved in Tremain Spry’s second try of the match which came in the second half. With Easts running the ball, Darius Farmer smashed the Tigers halfback front on with the ball immediately coming loose, Joseph Vuna swooped on the ball, running around forty metres before getting away on overhead pass to his right to an unmarked Tremain Spry who easily scored under the posts.
After his stint in the NRL, Joseph Vuna started at lock in Round Eleven against Redcliffe once again playing the entire eighty minutes of the match. In that time Joseph Vuna ran for seventy nine metres (thirty two post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 2.99 seconds and made twenty five tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.59%.
The 2021 season to date for Lochlyn Sheldon:
The Gold Coast locals first 2021 hit-up came when he started from the bench for the Burleigh Queensland Cup side against the Titans at Burleigh in mid-February scoring late in the match when he was on hand to pounce on the ball after ricocheted into his path in the in-goal as Burleigh surged late to record a two point victory.
A week later Lochlyn Sheldon started from the bench for Burleigh in their Queensland Cup trial against the Easts Tigers. Lochlyn Sheldon then started in the second row for Burleigh Second’s side in their final 2021 Queensland Cup trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
In Round Six of the 2021 Queensland Cup competition Lochlyn Sheldon was named on the bench for Burleigh to make his debut against the Norths Devils, however late in the week, Lochlyn Sheldon dropped back to be 18th man.
Lochlyn Sheldon made his deserved Queensland Cup debut in Round Eleven against PNG, starting the match at right second row. Playing thirty four in his debut, Lochlyn Sheldon ran for fifty two metres (twenty three post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.87 seconds and made nine tackles at a 90% tackling efficiency.
Lochlyn Sheldon was also named to start from the interchange bench for the Round Thirteen local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls. Playing twenty minutes, Lochlyn Sheldon ran for thirty six metres, broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.72 seconds and made eleven tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
Lochlyn Sheldon then continued off the bench in Round Fourteen against Wynnum Manly playing twenty three minutes, running for thirty one metres (ten post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.2 seconds and made eleven tackles at a tackling efficiency of 91.67%.
Lochlyn Sheldon continued off the bench in the previously postponed Round Twelve against the Easts Tigers playing thirty one minutes, running for eighty eight metres (twenty nine post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 2.96 seconds and made seventeen tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
Lochlyn Sheldon also started from the bench in Round Fifteen against the Souths Logan Magpies.
In Mid-March 2021 Lochlyn Sheldon was part of the Burleigh Bears Nine’s squad that won the Gold Coast Nine’s Annual Competition with a 22 – 20 Grand Final victory.
In 2021 Lochlyn Sheldon was part of the Burleigh Bears GCRL First Grade side for the pre-season competition, playing in the second row in those rounds, including in Round Two against Runaway Bay.
In Round Two of the 2021 Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade Pre-season competition Lochlyn Sheldon started at right second row as Burleigh defeated Runaway Bay with Lochlyn Sheldon one of the Bears try scorers in their solid pre-season victory.
Lochlyn Sheldon scored in the second half after Bears fullback Taine Tuaupiki chimed into the Burleigh backline as the ball was spun to the right, Taine Tuaupiki skipped to his outside immediately upon receipt of the ball 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 untouched score after a twenty metre run, ten metres to the right of the uprights.
Lochlyn Sheldon continued in the second row in Round Three of the GCRL First Grade Pre-season competition as Burleigh took on the Currumbin Eagles.
In Round One of the Gold Coast Rugby League First Grade season proper, Lochlyn Sheldon started at right second row and scored when he ran int oa gap from ten metres out as the Bears defeated Tugun to get their season off to a winning start.
Lochlyn Sheldon also started at right second row in Round Two against the Helensvale Hornets and also in Round Four as the Bears routed Southport 88 – 0 and continued in the second row in Round Five against Runaway Bay.
In April 2021, Lochlyn Sheldon was named in the 2021 Gold Coast Vikings First Grade South East Queensland Chairman’s Challenge initial squad and started Round Two of the Challenge in the second row as the Gold Coast Representative side defeated Brisbane Red 34 – 28.
The 2021 season to date for Titans contracted Tristian Powell:
After spending the 2020/21 off-season training with the Titans NRL squad Tristian Powell’s first 2021 match 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.
During a Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts bye week, Tristian Powell moved to the Burleigh Gold Coast Rugby League side, starting at lock in Round Three against the Mudgeeraba Redbacks.
Tristian Powell maintained his place in the Burleigh First Grade side for their Round Four match against the Southport Tigers with Tristian Powell starting in the front row and scoring twice as the Bears routed Southport 88 – 0.
Tristian Powell scored in the 71st and 76th minutes with both tries in many respects similar in nature. In the 71st minute, Tristian Powell, after the ball had been thrown around by the Bears close to the try line, took it upon himself to charge at the line from five metres out, spinning counter clockwise after he had engaged the defensive line near the try line to get the ball down whilst being tackled by three defenders five metres from the right upright.
In the 76th minute, this time from eight metres out, Tristian Powell beat two defenders to once again get the ball down near the right upright.
Tristian Powell was impressive from the opening kick-off taking the ball from the kick-off into the Southport line with vigour and then in the 3rd minute, Tristian Powell made another strong charge from four metres out, only to be tackles centremetres short of the line.
Tristian Powell also started in the front row in Round Five against Runaway Bay once again scoring a double in Burleigh’s 26 – 18 victory. Tristian Powell’s match started with him taking a strong hit-off the kick off and only got better from there.
Tristian Powell scored his first try of the match in the 17th minute when he ran straight at the defence from five metres out, a crash line if you will, and after absorbing the initial contact got the ball down under the posts.
Tristian Powell scored his second try in the 69th minute that came once again from a hard straight run from close range, on that occasion from ten metres out. After engaging the defensive line, Tristian Powell spun clockwise to gain separation before getting the ball down three metres to the right of the uprights.
Tristian Powell also started at lock in Round Seven against the Currumbin Eagles before moving into the front row for Round Eleven against the Mudgeeraba Redbacks.
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.
After two weeks with the Burleigh GCRL First Grade side Tristian Powell started in the front row in Round Eight against the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Bears tough two point last minute loss.
The 2021 season to date for Jojo Fifita:
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 Jojo Fifita starting the match on the left wing in his first match in a Titans jersey.
Jojo Fifita made his rugby league debut in Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition when he started on the right wing for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Souths Logan Magpies.
Jojo Fifita’s first hit-up in rugby league came in just the 2nd minute of the match when he took the ball one metre out of his own line to the right of the dummy half, making thirteen metres up field.
Jojo Fifita made his first rugby league line break in the 12th minute when he flew onto a cut-out pass to his wing, with Jojo Fifita taking the ball on the halfway mark and literally flying down the right wing, running over one defender and easily outpacing the cover defence. When he got to the fullback, Jojo Fifita was able to position is inside support well to get the ball away to Klese Hass on around the twenty metre mark.
In the 25th minute, Jojo Fifita showed that he is willing to do the hard work of bringing the ball out of his own territory when he made twelve metres from a hit-up off to the left of the dummy half to get the ball out to the thirty metre mark.
When the second half started Jojo Fifita was back in the action almost immediately with a bullocking run of twenty metres out of dummy half, with at least 60% of those metres post contact with Jojo Fifita not stopped until he got fifteen metres inside Magpies territory.
In the 45th minute, Jojo Fifita took the second hit-up off the kick-off to Ediq Ambrosyev’s try and was even under heavy pressure able to get the ball out to the twenty metre mark, breaking three tackles and making nine metres.
Late in the match with Tweed Heads chasing the match, Jojo Fifita almost scored a late try. Souths Logan were bringing the ball out of their own territory when Charlie Murray produced a one on one steal and was able to find space to throw a long pass to his right that found Jojo Fifita is space and but for a diving tackle that halted Jojo Fifita by just one leg, he would have dived over in the corner.
Jojo Fifita moved to the left wing in the Round Two 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.
Jojo Fifita also was named to start on the left wing in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins however he was a late scratching.
The 2021 season to date for Tannah Boyd:
Tannah Boyd’s first 2021 hit-out came in mid-February when he started at halfback for the Titans in their first trial against the Burleigh Bears. Tannah Boyd put in a confident display including kicking five goals from seven attempts in the two point loss.
In the 18th minute, Tannah Boyd got the Titans onto the front foot with a great grubber kick from thirty metres out which pulled up just two metres short of the dead ball line, forcing the Burleigh fullback to take the ball dead with Beau Fermor closing quickly.
Tannah Boyd also ran the ball well in the match including a half break in the 51st minute down the left side of the field. Defensively Tannah Boyd was solid throughout including forcing a dropped ball with a scything low tackle in the second half and then in the 72nd minute he was able to twist Burleigh hooker Cole Geyer onto his back and hold him up directly under the goal posts.
The following week Tannah Boyd started from the bench for the Titans in their final 2021 NRL trial against the New Zealand Warriors at Lismore. Tannah Boyd played at half, operating on the left side of the field in the final quarter of the Titans 12 all draw, running for fifteen metres (four post contact), played the ball at an average speed to 3.44 seconds and made six tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.
Tannah Boyd then started from the bench for Burleigh in their final 2021 Queensland Cup trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls coming on in the halfback role and midway through the second half recorded a try assist when he put in a short grubber kick to the right corner for Andre Niko to secure after a Tweed Heads bobble enabled the winger to dive on the ball.
In the match Tannah Boyd showed his effort and intensity is always there when towards the end of the match a pass that he threw to Kurtis Rowe could not be taken, Tweed kicked the ball through from the drop and looked certain to score, but Tannah Boyd somehow got back to retrieve the ball and then incredibly made thirty metres the other way (the referee deemed that Tweed Heads to their advantage) to put Burleigh back onto the attack.
Round Two of the 2021 NRL season saw Tannah Boyd named on the Titans extended bench for their match against the Brisbane Bronco’s.
Tannah Boyd moved into the Titans starting side at five eight for Round Three of the 2021 NRL season as the Titans took on the North Queensland Cowboys and performed well on the left side of the field, rekindling his left side Keebra Park partnership with David Fifita in the Titans 42 – 8 victory.
In the Round Three match against the North Queensland Cowboys, Tannah Boyd played sixty eight minutes, running for fifty one metres (ten post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 4.13 seconds and made twenty two tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88%.
Tannah Boyd also started at five eight in Round Four against the Canberra Raiders, once again playing the entire eight minutes of the match. In that time, Tannah Boyd ran for fifty six metres (thirteen post contact), broke a tackle, offloaded the ball on one occasion, played the ball at an average speed of 4.24 seconds, made twenty two tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88% and kicked on seven occasions, making 219 metres.
Tannah Boyd also was named to start at five eight in Round Five against the Newcastle Knights however he was a late scratching from the match.
In Round Eight Tannah Boyd was named on the Titans extended bench for their match against the Brisbane Bronco’s.
Tannah Boyd was also originally named on the Titans extended bench for the Round Nine NRL match against the Wests Tigers but started the match at five eight, scoring a try when he chased through and dived on a grubber kick in the in-goal.
Playing the entire eighty minutes, Tannah Boyd ran for ninety five metres (ten post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.02 seconds and made thirteen tackles.
Tannah Boyd also started at five eight in Round Ten, being the NRL Magic round against the Penrith Panthers, once again playing all eighty minutes. In that time Tannah Boyd ran for forty four metres (eight post contact), had a line break assist when he put Beau Fermor into a gap that subsequently led to AJ Brimson scoring, played the ball at an average speed of 4.22 seconds and made twenty one tackles at an 84% tackling efficiency.
Tannah Boyd also started at five eight in the Round Eleven home game against the Canterbury Bulldogs with Tannah Boyd having an outstanding match in the Titans 30 – 20 victory.
Playing the entire match, Tannah Boyd ran for seventy eight metres (twenty seven post contact), had a line break assist, broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.74 seconds, made twenty tackles at a tackling efficiency of 86.96% and kicked on five occasions accounting for 176 metres.
Tannah Boyd continued at five eight in Round Twelve in Coffs Harbour against Cronulla, recording a try assist in the opening minutes with a deft right foot grubber into the in-goal for Brian Kelly to score.
Playing the entire match, Tannah Boyd ran for eighty metres (ten post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.6 seconds, made fifteen tackles and kicked on six occasions, making 104 metres.
Round Thirteen against the Melbourne Storm saw Tannah Boyd named on the Titans extended bench.
As a result of Tannah Boyd not being in the Titans final squad for the Round Two NRL match after being named on the Titans extended bench, Tannah Boyd moved down to the Queensland Cup starting for Burleigh at half in a wet Round One match away to the Souths Logan Magpies.
Tannah Boyd’s elite kicking skills were in display in the match including a great high bomb to the right corner in just the 4th minute of the match which was dropped by Souths Logan with Corey Denniss on hand to clean up and cross wide out.
Burleigh only had the chance for Tannah Boyd to put up the kick as a result of a Souths Logan drop out when Tannah Boyd put up a bomb to the left corner which had to be forced dead by Souths Logan.
Tannah Boyd’s outstanding kicking continued in the 21st minute of the first half when forty metres out from the line Tannah Boyd kicked to the right corner with the kick pulling up in the Souths Logan in-goal which was impressive taking into account the wet and windy conditions and forced Cory Oates to take the ball dead.
Tannah Boyd played the entire eighty minutes of the match, running for seventeen metres (three post contact), had a try assist noted above, made twenty tackles at an impressive 100% tackling efficiency at made 301 metres from eight kicks.
Tannah Boyd started at half for Round Three against the Easts Tigers, playing seventy six minutes in Burleigh’s loss. In his time on the field, Tannah Boyd ran for eighteen metres, made twenty two tackles at an 88% tackling efficiency, kicking four times for 105 metres and putting up three bombs.
Round Four saw Tannah Boyd initially named to move to the bench 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%.
Tannah Boyd once again was named on the bench in Round Five against the PNG Hunters but in the end started the match at five eight, playing the entire eighty minutes. In that time Tannah Boyd ran for ninety three metres (nine post contact), had a line break assist and a try assist both in relation to Beau Fermor, broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.01 seconds and made fifteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.8%. Tannah Boyd also kicked on twelve occasions making 287 metres.
Tannah Boyd started at five eight in Round Ten against the Redcliffe Dolphins, scoring in the 51st minute when he backed up on the inside to score wide on the right. Tannah Boyd also recorded a 2nd minute try assist with a deft right foot grubber to the Burleigh left corner.
Playing all eighty minutes, Tannah Boyd ran for 120 metres (nineteen post contact), made a team leading two line breaks, broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.44 seconds, kicked on six occasions for 123 metres and made seventeen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 89.47%.
Tannah Boyd continued at five eight in Round Eleven against PNG, kicking four conversions in Burleigh’s 40 – 6 victory. Playing sixty five minutes in the match, Tannah Boyd ran for fifty six metres (nine post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.64 seconds and made twelve tackles.
The 2021 season to date for Jayden Campbell:
Jayden Campbell was deservedly named to make his NRL at fullback against the Melbourne Storm in Round Thirteen of the 2021 NRL season to become Titan No. 166.
Playing the entire eighty minutes, Jayden Campbell ran for 164 metres (thirty six post contact), made an equal team leading five tackles breaks, played the ball at an average speed of 3.34 seconds and made eleven tackles.
After originally being named on the Titans extended bench for Round Fourteen against the Sydney Roosters, Jayden Campbell started once again at fullback after AJ Brimson was ruled out. Playing all eighty minutes, Jayden Campbell ran for 188 metres (fifty post contact), broke six tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.59 seconds and made two tackles.
Jayden Campbell was also named to start at fullback in Round Fifteen against the Manly Sea Eagles with the young man scoring his career first NRL try when early in the match he chased through and dived on a Tyrone Peachey grubber kick in the in-goal.
The match also saw Jayden Campbell record his first two try assists of his NRL career with both coming in the first half and both coming from right foot grubber kicks. The first found Greg Marzhew in the right corner and the second rebounded off a Manly played for Patrick Herbert to score.
Playing the entire eighty minutes, Jayden Campbell ran for ninety seven metres (twenty post contact), broke five tackles and played the ball at an average speed of 3.37 seconds.
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.
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 in Round Eleven against the Canterbury Bulldogs.
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 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.
Jayden Campbell continued at fullback in Round Eight against the Easts Tigers and once again was outstanding including scoring once again and also recording a try assist and two line break assists.
Jayden Campbell scored when he looped around the back of the Tweed Heads movement to the right, receiving an “out the back” pass from Toby Sexton flying straight through a gap twenty five metres out. Jayden Campbell produced a prodigious left foot step to easily beat the fullback and run around to score under the posts.
Jayden Campbell’s try assist came when he chimed into the Seagulls backline as they spun the ball to the right, with Jayden Campbell taking the ball into the line and passing to his right to put Tremain Spry into a big gap twenty metres out, with Tremain Spry then producing a right foot step to beat the Tigers fullback to score.
Jayden Campbell also had a line break in the match. After receiving the ball five metres out from his own line, Jayden Campbell literally running around the Easts left side defence, flying down the right touchline making seventy five metres before being brought to ground twenty metres from the line.
In addition to everything else, Jayden Campbell ran for a team leading 264 metres (thirty two post contact), broke a team leading six tackles, playing the ball at an average speed of 3.16 seconds and made three tackles, missing none.
Clarence Coast Magpies halfback Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas was one of the Magpies try scorers last weekend in Round Thirteen of the Group One U16 competition was they defeated Casino RSM 16-10.
Grafton Ghosts fullback Kyron Nipperess had a good match for the Ghosts last weekend in Round Thirteen of the Group One U14 competition, scoring two tries and kicking a conversion in a Nail biting 27-26 win against the Ballina Seagulls.
Tear a way Clarence Coast Magpies front rower AJ Hickling was one of the Magpies try scorers last weekend in Round Thirteen of the Group One U15 competition as they defeated Casino RSM 16-10.
Tear a way Clarence Coast Magpies front rower AJ Hickling was one of the Magpies try scorers last weekend in Round Thirteen of the Group One U15 competition as they defeated Casino RSM 16-10.
With his try last weekend in Round Thirteen of the Group One U13 competition, Ballina's Dylan Watkins has now scored twenty five tries.
Dylan Watkins started at five eight for Ballina with the Seagulls going down 27-26 against the Grafton Ghosts.
The 2021 season to date for Kobi Walpole:
Kobi Walpole started Round One of the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition for the Cudgen 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 fraction 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.
Kobi Walpole also started on the left wing in Round Two 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.
Kobi Walpole continued on the left wing in Round Four in the local derby against the Bilambil Jets and scored once again in the Hornets victory. Kobi Walpole scored in the 15th minute when he got into dummy half and burrowed over to the left of the play the ball from less than a metre out from the line.
Kobi Walpole also started on the right wing in Round Five against Byron Bay with Cudgen going down in a tough encounter. Kobi Walpole then dropped back to the bench for Round Eight against the Kyogle Turkeys and Round Ten against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.
Beau Hartmann was outstanding yet again last weekend for the Grafton Ghosts in Round Thirteen of the Group One U13 competition scoring a double for the Ghosts as they defeated Ballina 27-26 in a nail biter.
With his two tries, Beau Hartmann has now scored eighteen tries.
Young South Grafton Rebel Samuel Petch has been one of the better performers in the Group One U15 competition in 2021, and is currently near the top of the competition’s try scoring and overall points scoring list.
Samuel Petch started in the second row in the opening ten rounds of the competition in the second row before moving to five eight in Round Eleven against the Ballina Seagulls and also started at five eight in Round Twelve against the Marist Rams before starting from the bench in Round Thirteen against the Marist Rams.
Through the opening twelve rounds, Samuel Petch scored twelve tries and kicked twenty four goals.
Samuel Petch had an impressive Round One match, scoring four tries and kicking four goals against Casino RSM. Samuel Petch also scored three doubles which came in Round Four (Ballina), Round Seven (Marist Rams) and Round Eleven against the Ballina Seagulls. Samuel Petch also scored in Round Six against Casino RSM and Round Nine against the Clarence Coast Magpies.
With the boot through the opening thirteen rounds, Samuel Petch kicked five goals in a Round Four match against the Ballina Seagulls and kicked four gaols in Rounds One and Seven against Casino RSM and the Marist Rams respectively.
Casino RSM hooker Jykoven Torrens was outstanding once again last weekend in Round Thirteen of the Group One U13 competition scoring a double against the Clarence Coast Magpies.
Clarence Coast Magpie Grant Brown prior to last weekends Group One U13 Round Thirteen match had played fullback or hooker but against Casino RSM he was named at hooker and had a heck of a match scoring twenty two points from fie tries and a conversion in a 58-22 win.
This young man is a heck of a talent regardless of position.
It is not just in the Langer Cup that Titans partnered school dominate the semi-final line-up.
In the Year Seven Bronco's Old Boys Cup both PBC and Marsden are in the semi-finals, in fact they play each other in SF1.
In both the Renouf Shield and Hancock Cup Semi-Finals, PBC, Keebra and Marsden have made the semi-finals in both.
The Walters Cup semi-finalists are not set yet but it is almost certain that PBC, Keebra and Marsden will all make it as well.
Last year Titans partnered school won every school boy rugby league competition and it is hard not to see the same thing happening once again this year.
This shows what an outstanding job Jamie McCormack has done.
Looks like the GPS school boy rugby competition will be back in a fortnight which is great news for Titans Kaleb Ngamanu and Syris Schmidt who will be able to play a couple more games for the TSS First XV in their last season. Both are in their third year in the TSS First XV.
Titans contracted Nicholas Hilton, Brock Lennox and Nayte Saaga will be back at TSS in 2022.
RavShamrock
13-08-21, 07:55 PM
It is not just in the Langer Cup that Titans partnered school dominate the semi-final line-up.
In the Year Seven Bronco's Old Boys Cup both PBC and Marsden are in the semi-finals, in fact they play each other in SF1.
In both the Renouf Shield and Hancock Cup Semi-Finals, PBC, Keebra and Marsden have made the semi-finals in both.
The Walters Cup semi-finalists are not set yet but it is almost certain that PBC, Keebra and Marsden will all make it as well.
Last year Titans partnered school won every school boy rugby league competition and it is hard not to see the same thing happening once again this year.
This shows what an outstanding job Jamie McCormack has done.
Sounds huge and I’m having trouble getting my head around this TBH because it really sounds like such a phenomenal development platform for our club. (Is it unparalleled or am I being naive?)
Anyway a big standing O to you Jamie well done Sir we salute you :salute:
Grafton Ghosts Group One U14’s Sonny Kilduff has been a constant points scorer this season and through the opening twelve rounds has scored five tries and kicked six goals.
Sonny Kilduff scored a double in Round Seven against Ballina and he also scored against the Marist Rams in Round One, Casino RSM in Round Four the Clarence Coast Magpies in Round Five.
He has kicked two conversions twice, the first time coming in Round Three against the South Grafton Rebels and on the second occasion against the Clarence Coast Magpies in Round Five.
The 2021 season to date for Andrew Stubbs:
In June 2021 the winger from the Bilambil Jets was part of the Titans U18 Northern Rivers squad that played a Titans U17 JTS squad at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
Andrew Stubbs played the 2021 season with the Bilambil Jets in the NRRRL U18 competition starting Round One on the left wing against the Murwillumbah Mustangs. Andrew Stubbs also started on the left wing in Rounds Two, Three and Four against Tweed Coast, Northern United and Kyogle respectively.
After missing Round Five, Andrew Stubbs started from the bench in Round Six against Casino RSM.
Andrew Stubbs was back in the Bilambil line-up in Round Twelve against the Tweed Coast Raiders starting the match at fullback.
The 2021 season to date for Darcy Townsend:
In June 2021 the young lock from the Cudgen Hornets was part of a Titans U18 Northern Rivers squad that played the Titans U17 JTS squad at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
Darcy Townsend played the 2021 season with the Cudgen Hornets in the NRRRL U18 competition starting Round One at lock against the Tweed Coast Raiders with the solidly built young man scoring in the 12th minute with a bizarre try. With Cudgen attacking within a metre of the line on the left side of the field, the Cudgen dummy half put in a grubber kick towards the posts with the ball bouncing off a defender, right into the arms of Darcy Townsend who was following the ball through and was able to bring the ball around to score under the posts.
After Cudgen had a Round Two bye, Darcy Townsend also started at lock in Round Three against Casino RSM with Darcy Townsend scoring in the 28th minute when he charged onto an inside pass forty five metres from the line and then showed exceptional speed to get to the Casino RSM fullback before easily beating him by veering around him to the left to cross under the posts.
Darcy Townsend also started at lock in Round Five against Byron Bay and continued there in Round Seven against the Marist Brothers Rams with Darcy Townsend recording a try assist in the 5th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball, taking the ball to the line before popping a good short ball to his left to Bailey Roberts who crashed over from six metres.
Round Eight against the Kyogle Turkeys, saw Darcy Townsend shift to the bench against the Kyogle Turkeys. Darcy Townsend certainly made the most of his time on the field when he came on, including scoring in the 41st minute as a result of him charging onto a short ball from his right from Jett Forbes to fly through a gap and then easily round the Kyogle fullback to score under the posts.
In Round Ten against the Murwillumbah Mustangs Darcy Townsend moved to left second row and had a strong game including a try assist in the 50th minute when he got a great right arm off-load away eight metres from the line to Cooper Camby who was able to get the ball down in the left corner.
Darcy Townsend made his deserved NRRRL First Grade debut off the bench for the Hornets in Round Eight in a 62 – 0 Cudgen victory over the Kyogle Turkeys.
The 2021 season to date for Jye Brady:
In June 2021 the lock/second rower from the Bilambil Jets was part of a Titans U18 Northern Rivers squad that played the Titans U17 JTS squad at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
Jye Brady played the 2021 season with Bilambil Jets in the NRRRL U18 competition starting Round One in the second row against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Jye Brady scoring in the 47th minute when he burst through a gap on the right side of the field after receiving an off-load from Kai Smallwood. A Mustangs defender grabbed hold of Jye Brady while he was still twelve metres from the line but Jye Brady just carried the defender all of the way to the line to get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.
Jye Brady moved to the front row for Round Two against the Tweed Coast Raiders before starting Round Three at lock and scoring twice against Northern United.
Jye Brady’s opening try against Northern United came in the 17th minute when Jye Brady ran into a gap on the right side of the field and after receiving a double pumped pass Kai Smallwood, Jye Brady ran twenty metres to score.
Jye Brady completed his double in the 47th minute when he received a long cut out pass once again from Kai Smallwood to score comfortably.
Jye Brady moved to the second row for the Round Four local derby against the Cudgen Hornets and also started in the second row and scored once again in Round Five against Kyogle with his try coming in the 11th minute with an eight metre run to get the ball down twelve metres in from the right corner post.
Round Six against Casino RSM saw Jye Brady drop back to start from the bench and he also started from the bench in Round Nine against the Byron Bay Devils and in Round Ten against the Marist Brothers Rams before moving back into the Jets starting side at right second row in Round Eleven against the Ballina Seagulls and also started at right second row in Round Twelve against the Tweed Coast Raiders.
The 2021 season to date for Ty Kilpatrick:
In June 2021, Ty Kilpatrick was a member of the Titans U17 Northern Rivers Academy side that drew 28 all with a Titans JTS U16 side at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans NRL fixture against Manly.
In Round One of the NRRRL U18 competition, Ty Kilpatrick started in the front row for the Cudgen Hornets as they got their season under way with a solid victory.
Ty Kilpatrick also started in the front row in Round Two against Casino RSM and had an impressive second stint on the field in the second half. Not long after returning to the field in the 42nd minute, Ty Kilpatrick made three tackles in a row and then in the 53rd put a great shot in the Casino left second rower.
Ty Kilpatrick continued in the front row in Round Four in the local derby against the Bilambil Jets as well as in Round Five against Byron Bay. Round Eight against the Kyogle Turkeys, saw Ty Kilpatrick shift to the bench against the Kyogle Turkeys.
Ty Kilpatrick moved back into the starting side in the front row for Round Ten against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.
The 2021 season to date for Glenn McGradey:
Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Glenn McGradey start at fullback for the Tweed Heads Seagulls when they took on the Souths Logan Magpies. Glenn McGradey was the Seagulls primary goal kicker in the match, kicking four from four including an outstanding conversion from the left touchline to convert Brenton Daley Holten’s try in the left corner.
Glenn McGradey almost got his name on the try scoring list in the 62nd minute when he dummied then went himself from dummy half close to the line, but ultimately was held up after fighting hard to get the ball down.
In just the 2nd minute of the match, Glenn McGradey produced a great play to prevent a Souths Logan 40/20 when jumped from the field of play to bat the ball back into play with his right hand and then he was able to get back to retrieve the ball on front of the oncoming Magpies chasers.
Glenn McGradey was also named to start at fullback in Round Two in the local derby against the Burleigh Bears 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.
Glenn McGradey started at fullback in the Seagulls final 2021 Colts trial against the Burleigh Bears and highlighted some impressive skills in his time on the field.
Glenn McGradey is just a smart rugby league player and that was on display as early as the 5th miunte of the match. After Tony Francis had scored for Burleigh Glenn McGradey had shaped to kick long from the kick-off but as he was moving to the ball, instead put in a short kick to his left as the Burleigh players were backing away thinking that Glenn McGradey was going to kick off long. Tweed Heads front rower Solomon Torrens picked up the short kick just as it corssed the ten metre line.
Just two minutes later, Glenn McGradey showcased his skill set when he set up Tweed Heads opening try of the match. From a scrum win just ten metres out from the Burleigh line, Glenn McGradey received the ball off the back of the scrum on a wide right blindside. Glenn McGradey got on the outside of his direct opponent and forced the Burleigh defender to his right to come out of the line. It was then just a small matter of Glenn McGradey producing a right arm out of the back off-load to put Seagulls centre Nathan Shpar over to score.
Glenn McGradey was at it again in the 17th minute, working once again down a short right blind side. Glenn Mcgradey was able to work the numbers and once again off-load utilising a right one armed out of the back off-load to put right winger Troy Duckett away down the right touchline.
Glenn McGradey’s exceptional hands were on display in the 31st minute when he moved to his left and forward at full speed to retrieve a hard low stab kick to the right corner by Cameron Brown, Gleen McGradey just made it look so easy.
Glenn McGradey also made a huge thirty metre pass to his left look easy with the ball hitting right winger Kalani Skipps on the chest but somehow the pass was called forward, but it was the effortless and accurate pass that stood out.
Glenn McGradey also started at right centre in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins, scoring a second half try and kicking two conversions.
Glenn McGradey was named to continue at right centre in Round Four against the Ipswich Jets however ended up starting the match on the right wing and kicked two conversions in the 24 – 12 victory.
Glenn McGradey moved back to fullback for Round Five against the Northern Pride and kicked six conversions from seven attempts as the Seagulls defeated Ipswich 40 – 18.
Glenn McGradey moved to five eight for Round Six against the Easts Tigers with the move proving a success on the back of a 30 – 18 Seagulls victory with Glenn McGradey scoring two tries and kicking three conversions.
Glenn McGradey continued at five eight in Round Seven against the Norths Devils, finishing the match with an individual points haul of twenty four points from to tries and eight conversions from nine attempts.
Glenn McGradey continued at five eight in Round Eight against the Mackay Cutters.
The 2021 season to date for Jedd Windle:
In June 2021, Jedd Windle was a member of the Titans U17 Northern Rivers Academy side that drew 28 all with a Titans JTS U16 side at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans NRL fixture against Manly.
Jedd Windle’s first appearance for the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side came in Round Two when he started from the bench against local rivals the North Coast Bulldogs at Nambucca Heads. Jedd Windle moved into the starting side in the second row in Round Three against the Greater Northern Tigers.
Jedd Windle was then named on the Northern Rivers Titans extended bench for their Round Four match in Lismore against the Central Coast Roosters. Jedd Windle then started from the bench in Round Five against the Newcastle Knights.
Jedd Windle played for the Byron Bay Devils in the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition scoring his first try of the season in Round Five when he rumbled his way over to get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post against the Cudgen Hornets.
Jedd Windle also scored in Round Six against the Marist Brothers Rams after starting the match at right second row. Jedd Windle’s try came in the 52nd minute of Byron Bay’s win when from eight metres out and to the left of the play the ball Jedd Windle charged through two defenders to get the ball down fifteen metres from the right upright.
From the right second rwo position, Jedd Windle also scored in Round Ten against the Tweed Coast Raiders, when in just the 3rd minute, Jedd Windle charged onto the ball from ten metres out after Byron Bay had spun the ball to the right from the left touchline with Jedd Windle getting the ball down mid-way between the goal post and corner post on the right side of the field.
Jedd Windle also started at right second row in Round Thirteen against Casino RSM.
Jedd Windle made his deserved NRRRL First Grade debut in Round Four, starting at right second row as the Devils accounted for Northern United 64 – 4 and made his second appearance off the bench in Round Eleven against the Kyogle Turkeys before also being named on the bench for Round Thirteen against Casino RSM.
Jedd Windle also played rugby in 2021, playing for the Lennox Head Trojans in the Far North Coast U18 competition, starting Round One against Casurina Beach at No. 8.
Round Three saw Jedd Windle move to open side flanker (No. 7) and scoring agaisnt Wollongbar/Astonville and he continued at No. 7 in Round Four, scoring once again, on this occasion against Lismore.
Jedd Windle moved positions once again in Round Five, starting the match at blindside flanker (No. 6) against Casino with the position change having no impact on Jedd Windle crossing the line as he scored for the third match in a row.
The 2021 season to date for Byron Jones:
In Round One of the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition Byron Jones started in the second row for the Murwillumbah Mustangs as they took on the Bilambil Jets.
Byron Jones moved to lock for Round Two as the Mustangs had a big win over Norther United 62 – 0.
After Murwillumbah had a number of byes in consecutive weeks, Byron Jones started at lock and captain in Round Six against the Kyogle Turkeys recording a line break assist in the 41t minute when he put a great ball to his left to put Ryan Foran into a gap near the halfway mark. In the 55th minute Byron Jones added a big tackle to his match highlights when along with Chad Jones he smashed the Kyogle No. 10 with the ball flying loose as a result.
Round Seven against the Byron Bay Devils saw Byron Jones continue at lock for the Mustangs as well as in Round Eight against Marist Brothers Lismore. Against the Rams Byron Jones scored in the 14th minute of the Mustangs victory when he took the hit-up after a Brandon Williams 40/20. Byron Jones took the ball from the restart eighteen metres out from the line, beating two defenders to get the ball down under the posts.
After Murwillumbah’s Round Nine match against the Tweed Coast Raiders was postponed, Byron Jones moved to the right second row position for Round Ten against the Cudgen Hornets and scored in the last minute of the match near the right corner after good work on his inside by Brandon Williams.
Byron Jones continued at right second row in Round Twelve against Northern United and recorded a 14th minute try when Brandon Williams threw a good pass to Byron Jones who had run an outside shoulder route to score untouched mid-way between the corner post and goal post on the left side of the field.
Byron Jones continued at right second row in Round Thirteen against the Ballina Seagulls.
Byron Jones made his NRRRL First Grade debut in Round Three when he came off the bench for Murwillumbah against the Lower Clarence Magpies.
The 2021 season to date for Cooper Wolfe:
In June 2021, Cooper Wolfe was a member of the Titans U17 Northern Rivers Academy side that drew 28 all with a Titans JTS U16 side at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans NRL fixture against Manly.
Round Three saw Cooper Wolfe make his first appearance for the 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.
Cooper Wolfe started Round One of the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition in the front row for the Murwillumbah Mustangs as they took on the Bilambil Jets and also started in Round Two agaisnt Northern United, even though he was wearing the No. 20 jersey.
After Murwillumbah had a number of byes in consecutive weeks, Cooper Wolfe started from the bench in Round Six against the Kyogle Turkeys coming into the match around the 16th minute, taking his first hit-up shortly after when he charged onto the ball after Ryan Foran’s opening try of the match.
Cooper Woolf once again produced a strong run in the 31st minute when he took the second hit-up from the second half restart and then in the 37th minute, Cooper Wolfe made sixteen metres to get to within thirty metres of the try line.
After missing Round Seven as a result of playing for the Titans U17 Northern Rivers Academy side, Cooper Wolfe started Round Eight against Marist Brothers Lismore from the bench.
After Murwillumbah’s Round Nine match against the Tweed Coast Raiders was postponed, Cooper Wolf started from the bench in Round Ten against the Cudgen Hornets.
Cooper Wolf was promoted to the starting line-up in the front row in Round Twelve against Northern United and celebrated the promotion by scoring next to the right upright in the 29th minute barging over after receiving on off-load from Riley Lack.
Cooper Wolf was to maintain his starting front row position in Round Thirteen against the Ballina Seagulls however the match was a Covid 19 lockdown casualty.
The 2021 season to date for Chad Jones:
Chad Jones started Round One of the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition 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.
Chad Jones also started in the front row in Round Two as the Mustangs had a big win against Northern United.
After Murwillumbah had a number of byes in consecutive weeks, Chad Jones started in the front row in Round Six against the Kyogle Turkeys, scoring a try and also converting the Mustangs final try of the match from directly in front of the posts.
Chad Jones scored in the 22nd minute of the match when, after receiving the ball eight metres out from the line to the right of the play the ball, he cut back towards his left and carried four defenders over the line with him and then Chad Jones took the hit-up from the kick off after his own try. Chad Jones added a further strong charge in the 48th minute to get the ball to near the halfway mark.
In the 55th minute Chad Jones added a big tackle to his match highlights when along with Byron Jones he smashed the Kyogle No. 10 with the ball flying loose as a result.
Round Seven against the Byron Bay Devils saw Chad Jones continue in the front row for the Mustangs. After Murwillumbah’s Round Nine match against the Tweed Coast Raiders was postponed, Chad Jones was back in the front row for Round Ten against the Cudgen Hornets and started from the bench in Round Twelve against Northern United producing a great line break and try assist in the 52nd minute when he burst through the middle of the Northern United defence and showed good pace to get to and draw the fullback to get the ball away to his right to his support who ran fifty metres untoucherd to score under the posts.
Chad Jones was due back in the starting side in the front row in Round Thirteen against the Ballina Seagulls however the match was a casualty of a snap Covid 19 lockdown.
The 2021 season to date for Cooper Camby:
In June 2021 the centre from the Cudgen Hornets was part of a Titans U18 Northern Rivers squad that played the Titans U17 JTS squad at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
Cooper Camby played the 2021 season with the Cudgen Hornets in the NRRRL U18 competition starting Round One at left centre against the Tweed Coast Raiders and was one of the Hornets try scorers in their big victory.
Cooper Camby’s try came in just the 4th minute of the Round One match when he ran through a gap down the left channel from five metres out in get the ball down five metres in from the left corner post.
Cooper Camby continued at left centre in Round Three against Casino RSM, scoring a double in Cudgen’s 40 – 18 victory.
Cooper Camby’s opening try came in the 9th minute when he ran into a gap on the left from six metres out, with Copper Camby spinning counter clockwise right on the try line to gain separation from the fullback to get the ball down nine metres in from the left corner.
Cooper Camby scored his second try of the match in the 18th minute when initially he was defending twenty metres from his own line. The Casino RSM halfback put in a grubber kick to the left side of the field with Cooper Camby taking the ball over his right shoulder and then outpaced the defence to run eighty metres down the left wing and then was able to bring the ball around to place the ball under the posts.
Cooper Camby also started at left centre in Round Four against the Bilambil Jets, scoring a double once again in Cudgen’s victory against their closest rivals.
Cooper Camby’s opening try came in the 5th minute when he was on the end of a Hornets passing movement to the left and received the ball in space and was able to comfortably run ten metres to score in the left corner. Cooper Camby added his second try in the 38th minute when he was put into a gap by Harvey Moase and ran twenty metres to score easily.
Cooper Camby continued at left centre in Round Five against the Byron Bay, once again scoring a double. Cooper Camby’s opening try came in the 6th minute of the match when he burst thirty metres down the left touchline and was able to hold off the Byron Bay halfback with left arm, maintaining his balance to get the ball over the line in the left corner.
Cooper Camby scored his second try in the 45th minute when after receiving the ball, Cooper Camby stepped off his left to beat one defender before a second left foot step beat another. As he ran at the fullback, Cooper Camby looked to his left to his support but instead he dummied in that direction with that deception fooling the fullback and then Cooper Camby brought the ball around to score under the posts.
Cooper Camby continued at left centre in Round Seven against the Marist Brothers Rams and in Round Eight against the Kyogle Turkeys where in the 48th minute Cooper Camby made a fifty metre break down the left touchline.
Cooper Camby continued at left centre in Round Ten against the Murwillumbah Mustangs and scored in the 50th minute when he received a great right arm off-load from Darcy Townsend eight metres from the line and Cooper Camby was able to get the ball down in the left corner.
Cooper Camby also continued to play for PBC in 2021, playing primarily in the Langer Reserve competition and had an exceptional match in Round Four against Marsden State High School when from his left centre position he was one of PBC’s try scorers when he was able to reach out to get the ball down.
Cooper Camby also started at left centre in Round Six against Keebra Park with Cooper Camby scoring PBC’s opening try of the match in just the 2nd minute of the match when after PBC, on the last tackle, spun the ball to their right, the ball came back to Cooper Camby on the left around eight metres out. Cooper Camby was confronted immediately by a defender and subsequently put in a short grubber kick for himself, regathering the ball just short of the line and getting the ball down near the left corner.
The 2021 season to date for Matthew Bollard:
In June 2021, Matthew Bollard was a member of the Titans U17 Northern Rivers Academy side that drew 28 all with a Titans JTS U16 side at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans NRL fixture against Manly.
Matthew Bollard started Round One of the 2021 NRRRL U18 competition at fullback for the Murwillumbah Mustangs as they took on the Bilambil Jets.
Matthew Bollard also started Round two at fullback 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.
After Murwillumbah had a number of byes in consecutive weeks, Matthew Bollard started in the centres in Round Six against the Kyogle Turkeys.
After missing Round Seven as a result of playing for the Titans U17 Northern Rivers Academy side, Matthew Bollard started Round Eight against the Marist Brothers Rams on the left wing and was one of the Mustangs try scorers in their 28 – 10 victory.
In the 26th minute Mustangs halfback Brandon Williams ran the ball to the line to the left of the play the ball. Right at the line, thirty metres out, Brandon Williams put in a stab kick towards the left corner which was scooped up by Matthew Bollard just in front of the Rams and Matthew Bollard was then able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.
After Murwillumbah’s Round Nine match against the Tweed Coast Raiders was postponed, Matthew Bollard was back on the left wing for Round Ten against the Cudgen Hornets and in Round Twelve against Northern United when to right centre with the move paying dividends with Matthew Bollard scoring twice.
Matthew Bollard’s first try came in the 20th minute when he charged onto a pass from ten metres out to go straight through a gap to put the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.
Matthew Bollard scored his second try in the 35th minute wheh he chased through a Riley Lack chip kick to retrieve the ball in front of the Northern United fullback with Matthew Bollard then being able to run around to put the ball down under the posts.
Round Thirteen against the Ballina Seagulls saw Matthew Bollard named to start on the left wing however the match was cancelled due to a snap Covid 19 lockdown.
The 2021 season to date for Juwan Compain:
In Round Twelve of the 2021 Queensland Cup competition, Juwan Compain was named to start from the interchange bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Souths Logan Magpies, but he was a late scratching.
Juwan Compain did however come off the bench for his first Queensland Cup match of the 2021 season and career third match against the Sunshine Coast Falcons. Playing twenty eight minutes, Juwan Compain ran for forty five metres (seventeen post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.31 seconds and made eight tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.89%.
Juwan Compain was initially named to continue off the bench in the previously postponed Round Twelve against the Souths Logan Magpies but he ended up starting the match at left second row and playing the entire eighty minutes.
Juwan Compain was outstanding running for 144 metres (thirty post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.32 seconds and made twenty four tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.89%.
Juwan Compain deservedly continued at left second row in Round Fifteen against the Central Queensland Capra’s.
In 2021 Juwan Compain was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Hastings Deering’s Colts squad and started in the left second row position in their final 2021 trial against the Burleigh Bears. Juwan Compain made some strong runs over the course of the match with one of his best being a strong effort down the left where he made ten metres, many of which were post contact in the 33rd minute.
Round One of the 2021 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition saw Juwan Compain start at left second row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls when they took on the Souths Logan Magpies.
Juwan Compain was in the match early taking just the third hit-up of the match after Souths Logan kicked off. In the 5th Juwan Compain showed his class with an impressive cut out pass to his left near the halfway mark after he took the ball to the line to send left winger Brenton Daley-Holten away down the touchline.
Juwan Compain continued his strong early match involvement in the 11th minute with a hit-up, getting the ball to near the halfway mark before a good right arm offload, his second of the match.
Juwan Compain also started at left second row in Round Two 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 ball 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.
Juwan Compain also started at left second row in Round Three against the Redcliffe Dolphins being named the Seagulls best in the match, running for 141 metres (seventy eight post contact) and made twenty seven tackles whilst playing the entire match.
Juwan Compain also started at left second row in Round Four against the Ipswich Jets as well as in Round Five against the Northern Pride.
Juwan Compain continued his run of starts at left second row in Round Six against the Easts Tigers, match that saw him lead the Tweed Heads Seagulls in running metres. Juwan Compain once again started at left second row in Round Seven against the Norths Devils and was one of the Seagulls try scorers as they racked up fifty points in their big victory.
Juwan Compain continued at left second row in Round Eight against the Mackay Cutters and also in Round Nine against Wynnum Manly. Juwan Compain then moved to lock for the Round Eleven local derby against the Burleigh Bears.
The 2021 season to date for Jye Davis:
In June 2021 the five eight from Lismore Marist Brothers was part of a Titans U18 Northern Rivers squad that played the Titans U17 JTS squad at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters with Jye Davis starting the match at five eight and drawing praise for his performance from Titans Development Staff.
Jye Davis started the season as part of the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad, coming into the side at five eight in Round Three againt the Northern Tigers and made the most of his opportunity by scoring in the 63rd minute of the match.
Jye Davis moved back to the bench in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters and scored once again in the 42nd minute before also coming off the bench in Round Five against the Newcastle Knights.
Jye Davis played the 2021 season with the Marist Brothers Rams in the NRRRL U18 competition starting Round One at halfback against Northern United, contributing a try and a try assist to the Rams first up victory.
Jye Davis scored in the 55th minute when whilst he was defending on the left side of the field, Jye Davis took an intercept and ran seventy five metres down the left touchline to score in the left corner.
Jye Davis recorded a try assist in the 15th minute when he ran the ball down a short left blindside, drawing the defence in before popping a short ball to his left to put Lachlan Watts over in the left corner.
Jye Davis moved to five eight in Round Two against Casino RSM, scoring once again in the 32nd minute when he barged over the line from three metres out down a short left blindside.
Jye Davis continued his run of scoring in each round in Round Three against Kyogle corssing twice from five eight. Jye Davis’s opening try came in the 22nd minute when after receiving the ball eighteen metres out, Jye Davis stepped off his left to get the through the defensive line before getting down low to force his way over next to the right upright.
Jye Davis completed his double in the 41st minute when he bobbed up on the right side of the field, breaking four tackles to get over the line mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the right side of the field.
Jye Davis also started at five eight in Round Four against Ballina as well as in Round Five against the Tweed Coast Raiders, a match which saw Jye Davis cross in the 48th minute. After receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball, Jye Davis produced a weaving ten metre run that saw him beat four defenders to score fifteen metres out from the right goal post.
Jye Davis continued his outstanding season at five eight in Round Six against the Byron Bay Devils, with the outstanding five eight prospect scoring in the 42nd minute when he stopped a gap in the Devils line and raced into dummy half, running to his left from eighteen metres out and was able to beat three defenders to score next to the left upright.
Jye Davis continued at five eight in Round Seven against the Cudgen Hornets and in Round Eight against the Murwillumbah Mustangs where he recorded a try assist when in the 42nd minute, whilst operating on the right side of the field, Jye Davis popped a good short ball to his right from eight metres out to put right second rower Henry Lee into a gap and over the line.
Jye Davis continued at five eight in Round Ten against the Bilambil Jets and was heavily involved in Henry Lee’s 38th minute after Henry Lee had run a straight crash line from ten metres out down a right blindside after Jye Davis had cut from the openside back to the right blindside.
Round Twelve against Casino RSM saw Jye Davis continued at five eight.
In early 2021 Jye Davis also took part in the Northern Country Lismore Diocese Rugby League Representative trials.
The 2021 season to date for Jake Elmore:
In June 2021 the front rower from Lismore Marist Brothers was part of a Titans U18 Northern Rivers squad that played the Titans U17 JTS squad at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
Jack Elmore started the season as part of the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad, starting Round One of the competition in the front row against the Wests Tigers.
After missing Round Two, Jack Elmore came off the bench in Round Three against the Northern Tigers as well as in Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters.
Jack Elmore played the 2021 season with Marist Brothers Lismore in the NRRRL U18 competition starting Round One at lock against Northern United, with the powerful young man scoring in the 38th minute when he barged over running straight from a pass he received two metres out to get the ball down next to the left upright.
Jack Elmore moved to the front row in Round Two against Casino RSM before moving back to lock in Round Three against Kyogle. Jack Elmore continued at lock in Round Four against Ballina and showed some skill with a short grubber kick into the in-goal to force Ballina into a drop out after they had to take the ball dead.
Jack Elmore started Round Five against the Tweed Coast Raiders at lock before moving to right second row in Round Six against Byron Bay as well as Round Seven against the Cudgen Hornets and in Round Eight against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.
Jack Elmore scored in the 16th minute of the Round Seven match when he charged onto a pass to the left of the play the ball that occurred a metre from the line with Jack Elmore fighting his way over next to the left goal post.
Jack Elmore moved to the front row for Round Ten against the Bilambil Jets but was back at lock for Round Twelve against Casino RSM.
In early 2021 Jack Elmore also took part in the Northern Country Lismore Diocese Rugby League Representative trials.
The 2021 season to date for Harry Sivewright:
. In June 2021 the fullback/centre from Lismore Marist Brothers was part of a Titans U18 Northern Rivers squad that played the Titans U17 JTS squad at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
Harry Sivewright started the season as part of the 2021 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad, starting Round One of the competition at right centre against the Wests Tigers before moving to the right wing in Round two against North Coast Bulldogs.
Harry Sivewright maintained his spot on the right wing for Round Three against the Northern Tigers and scored his first try of the competition when he crossed in the 13th minute. Harry Sivewright moved back to the centres for Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters before starting Round Five against the Newcastle Knights at fullback.
Harry Sivewright played the 2021 season with Marist Brothers Lismore in the NRRRL U18 competition starting Round One at right centre and scoring a hat trick and kicking a conversion against Northern United.
Harry Siveright’s opening try came in just the first minute of the match after 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 right 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.
Harry Sivewright also started at right centre in Round Two against Casino RSM as well as in Round Three against Kyogle, with Harry Sivewright scoring in that match as well.
After missing Round Four, Harry Sivewright once again started at right centre in Round Five against the Tweed Coast raiders before starting Round Six against Byron Bay at fullback.
Harry Sivewright continued at fullback in Round Seven against the Cudgen Hornets and in Round Eight against the Murwillumbah Mustangs. Round Twelve however saw Harry Sivewright move to five eight against Casino RSM.
Harry Sivewright made his NRRRL First Grade debut in Round Twelve when he came off the bench against Casino RSM.
In early 2021 Harry Sivewright also took part in the Northern Country Lismore Diocese Rugby League Representative trials.
Tall long striding Marist Ram Sione Tonga has been one of the best ball runners in the 2021 Group One U14 competition to date this season.
Sione Tonga started for the Marist Rams at fullback from Round One against Grafton through to Round Ten against Casino RSM. Round Twelve however saw Sione Tonga moved to lock against Kyogle before moving once again in Round Thirteen against South Grafton, starting at five eight against the Rebels.
Through the opening twelve rounds, Sione Tonga scored five tries with those tries coming in Round Three (Casino RSM), Round Seven (South Grafton), Round Eight (Clarence Coast), Round Nine (Ballina) and Round Ten against the Kyogle Turkeys. Sione Tonga also converted his own try in Round Eight against the Clarence Coast Magpies.
The 2021 season to date for Cooper Love:
In June 2021 the hooker from Lismore Marist Brothers was part of a Titans U18 Northern Rivers squad that played the Titans U17 JTS squad at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
Cooper Love played the 2021 season with the Marist Brothers Rams in the NRRRL U18 competition starting Round One at hooker against Northern United and scoring in the 35th minute when he dived over untouched from dummy half to the left of the play the ball from less than two metres out down a very skinny and unattended left blindside.
Cooper Love also had a try assist in the 26th minute when he put in a right foot grubber kick out of dummy half into the in-goal with Harry Sivewright the beneficiary of a great bounce to score ten metres in from the right corner post.
Rounds two and Three against Casino RSM and Kyogle saw Cooper Love once again start at hooker and score in both matches.
Against Casino RSM Cooper Love scored in the 35th minute with a four metre dart out of dummy half to his right, with the craft hooker getting the ball down under the posts.
Against Kyogle Cooper Love scored in the 6th minute with a smart piece of individual brilliance. Cooper Love moved into dummy half the the play the ball forty metres from the line and two metres in from the left touchline. When the ball was played Cooper Love exploded down the short left blindside catching the Turkey’s defence totally off guard and from there Cooper Love was too quick for the cover defence score a great individual try down the left touchline.
Cooper Love also started at hooker against Ballina in Round Four as well as in Round Five and Six against the Tweed Coast Raiders and Byron Bay respectively with Cooper Love scoring in both of those matches as well.
Against Tweed Coast Cooper Love scored in the 51st minute with a two metre dart out of dummy half to his left enabled him to get the ball over the line.
Against Byron Bay Cooper Love scored in the 62nd minute once again with a run out of dummy half to his right from three metres out. The match also saw Cooper Love record a 56th minute try assist with a great short ball to his right to put Henry Lee over after Cooper Love had drawn in the defence after running out of dummy half to his right.
Cooper Love continued at hooker in Round Seven against against the Cudgen Hornets and in Round Eight against the Murwillumbah Mustangs as well as in Round Ten against the Bilambil Jets where he scored in the 14th minute when after receiving an offload from Jye Davis eighteen metres out and in the open side of the ruck, Cooper Love cut back down the blindside and then was able to bring the ball around closer to the goal posts.
Round Twelve against Casino RSM saw Cooper Love come off the bench for the Rams and scored in the 44th minute of the match. Cooper Love, who moved into the dummy half role when he came on, found himself at dummy half seventy metres from the line and after picking the ball up ran to his right before cutting back to the area behind the play the ball and got through the the defensive line before offloading to his right to a support and then continued to back-up and received the ball back when his team mate drew the fullback with Cooper Love racing away to score on the right side of the field.
The NSW Covid lock down has spelt the end of the Group One JRL regular season but the competition is hoping to play a finals series in a couple of weeks, regardless their were some outstanding performances including South Grafton's Noah Reti finishing on top of the Group One U13 try scoring list with a staggering 36 tries to finsih with a strike rate of in excess of 300%.
Well done to Ballina's Dylan Watkins who finished the Group One U14 competition as the leading try scorer with 26.
Titan Leeton Smith finished the abridged Group One competition as the second leading try scorer with ten tries.
Titans contracted Michael Roberts finished the NRRL U18 regular season as the competition's equal leading try scorer with eight tries alongside Damon Coldwell and Cooper Camby.
Great effort by Titans contracted Josiah Pahulu to finish as the U17 Division One Ipswich Rugby League's second leading try scorer.
The 2021 year to date for Titans contracted Bailey McConnell:
The young Titans contracted half made his first appearance in a Titans jersey for the Titans U17 side that played their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour in January 2021 starting the match at half, with the Titan emerging for the match with an impressive victory with Bailey McConnell directing the Titans around field behind a dominant forward pack in a 32 – 20 victory.
Bailey McConnell was one of the Titans try scorers, with his try coming in the second half. Bailey McConnell received the ball down a short right blindside, putting in a grubber kick from around ten metres out. Bailey McConnell followed his own kick through and was perfectly placed to dive on the ball in the in-goal when the Newcastle left winger could not handle the ball cleanly.
Bailey McConnell was heavily involved from just the second minute of the match when got the ball away to his left for Seth Nikotemo to score the Titans first try.
Bailey McConnell’s first tackle of the match belied his size when he got in and under the ribs of the Knights five eight lifting his feet off the ground and driving him backwards in a great front on tackle.
Bailey McConnell also produced an outstanding cover defending tackle early in the second half. After the Knights right winger broke down the right touch line, Bailey McConnell came across in cover defence, taking the Knights defender around the legs and knocking him into touch before he could pass back inside.
In June 2021 Bailey McConnell started at halfback and operated on the right side of the field for a Titans U17 side that played a Titans Northern Rivers U18 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.
Bailey McConnell was outstanding over the course of the match, operating on the right side of the field and recorded a first half try assist when he put up a bomb towards the left corner, with the ball coming down two metres from the line and Titans left second rower Will Semu leaping above the defence to take the ball on the pull and crash over five metres in from the left corner post.
To round out an outstanding 2020 season, Bailey McConnell was named in the 2021 Gold Coast Rugby League U16 Cyril Connell Cup training squad and when the split occurred Bailey McConnell was named in the Burleigh Cyril Connell Cup squad.
Bailey McConnell started at halfback 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 with Burleigh going down narrowly in the trial, 24 – 16 at Langland’s Park in Brisbane.
In Round One of the 2021 Cyril Connell Cup, Bailey McConnell started at half and captained the Bears side as they took on the Souths Logan Magpies. Whilst Burleigh went down in the match Bailey McConnell was Burleigh’s best constantly in and around the action.
Bailey McConnell also started at halfback in the Round Three local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls. Burleigh may have gone down in the match 33 – 6 but that should not discount an outstanding performance from Bailey McConnell and for me he was clearly the Bears best in the match and without him I believe that Burleigh may well have lost by a much greater margin.
In addition to just an outstanding overall match, Bailey McConnell produced a few pieces of really smart play, the first of which came in the 11th minute with Burleigh defending ten metres out from their own line. Tweed Heads had Burleigh back peddling and Keahn Skipps ran at the line with a lot of space behind the line. When Skipps kicked through Bailey McConnell slide to his right connecting the ball with his right foot and keeping it in front of him. Consequently Bailey McConnell retrieved the ball and made a couple of metres downfield to take all of the pressure off Burleigh’s defence.
Just a couple of tackles later, Bailey McConnell took the ball on the right side of the field, dummying to his outside and then stepping back inside to beat a defender to get the ball out to the halfway after a ten metre run.
In the 14th minute Bailey McConnell recorded his first line break assist of the match when he held the ball up perfectly after going into the defensive line to put second rower Max Murphy into a gap on the right side of the field.
Bailey McConnell created his own space in the 23rd minute with a great show and go, once again on the right, to slice through the line ten metres from the try line but was finally put to ground less than a metre out.
Bailey McConnell almost scored from a smart piece of individual brilliance in the 28th minute. Initially the ball from the dummy half to Bailey McConnell went over his head with Burleigh attacking ten metres out, Bailey McConnell raced back to the twenty taking possession and darting to his left where he dummied in that direction slicing through the line and it was only a desperate diving tackle that stopped Bailey McConnell from scoring.
Bailey McConnell made a line break of his own in the 64th minute when he darted from his right side of the field over to a short left blind side, dummying to his outside to beat one defender who was desperately trying to keep hold of Bailey McConnell’s jersey. After getting away from that defender, Bailey McConnell passed back inside to his left but unfortunately his support runner could not reel the ball in with a lot of open space in front of him.
Halftime did not slow Bailey McConnell down as in the 37th minute he once again produced another outstanding individual effort. Tweed Heads were on the attack less than ten metres from the line and Keahn Skipps grubbered into the in-goal. Bailey McConnell sensed the threat and raced back and to his left getting to the ball a metre away from the dead ball line with Seagulls chasers flying through. Bailey McConnell continued to his left beating the attempted tackles of three Seagulls players in the in goal and impressively was able to get two metres into the field of play before being stopped.
It was a case of history repeating itself in the 57th minute when again Keahn Skipps grubbered into the in-goal from close range and once again Bailey McConnell darted to his left to get to the ball after it had travelled two metres into the in-goal with Seagulls chasers pouring through. As he did earlier in the match through shear effort Bailey McConnell was able to get the ball two metres back into play.
Bailey McConnell’s shear effort and intensity was on display in the 42nd minute when he kicked deep into Seagulls territory from the halfway line, Bailey McConnell chased his own kick hard and brought dangerous Seagulls fullback Lewis Symonds down with a great individual low tackle just twelve metres out from his own line.
Bailey McConnell’s all-out effort was also highlighted in the 62nd minute when he charged downfield after Burleigh kicked off, getting downfield in front of the defensive line and putting a hit on Seagulls opposite number Keahn Skipps, then from marker Bailey McConnell took on and put to the ground Seagulls centre Tevita Tau’a’alo.
The tackle that Bailey McConnell made on his opposite number Keahn Skipps was not the first time the two had come together as in the 57th minute from a Tweed Heads scrum win, Bailey McConnell put his right shoulder into his opposite number putting him on the ground after forcing him back two metres.
Even with the game well and truly over at 33 – 6 down and when I mean over I mean after the final siren, Bailey McConnell just could not be kept out of the game. Tweed Heads were awarded a penalty with the final siren sounding and let one of their front rowers take a penalty kick for goal directly in front of the posts.
The front rower missed the kick with the ball travelling under the posts, Bailey McConnell reached up to take the ball on the full and instead of just submitting to the tackle, darted to his left getting to ten metres out before the defence converged. Even that was not enough for Bailey McConnell as he tried to off-load to a support player, the ball went to ground and Bailey McConnell jumped up off the ground to retrieve it.
Even though the play did not work and Burleigh lost 33 – 6, Bailey McConnell’s effort after the final siren says a lot of good things about Bailey McConnell as a player and also about why the Titans snared him and got his name onto a contract.
Round Five against the Ipswich Jets saw Bailey McConnell once against start at half and captain the Bears in a match that was played at Cbus Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Titans v Newcastle NRL match.
Burleigh were under pressure in the opening minutes but a big 5th minute tackle by Bailey McConnell changed the momentum of the match. The Jets five eight tried to step him but Bailey McConnell hit him front on dumping him backwards. Bailey McConnell continued his strong defensive match in the 25th minute when he produced another strong front on tackle on the Jets five eight directly in front of the posts.
Bailey McConnell was at his play making best in the 10th minute of the match when operating on the left side of the field he threw a good “out the back” pass to put Seagulls fullback Andrew Brennan into space and he subsequently scored on the left.
Bailey McConnell showcased his backing up skills in the 17th minute when he backed up a break by Kenneth Stevens to get an inside offload before being dragged down thirty metres out.
Bailey McConnell made his own break in the 32nd minute when he was operating on the left running across field before producing a show and go to break the line and get to within three metres of the line before being brought down. Due to his quick play the ball, Burleigh scored from the play the ball.
Bailey McConnell showed his toughness in the 34th minute when he took an Ipswich kick off on the full and instead of passing the ball off to one of his forwards, Bailey McConnell took the line on himself, breaking three tackles to get the ball to thirty three metres out from his own line.
In the 39th minute, after running to his left after getting through the line with a dummy, Bailey McConnell, even whilst being tackled was able to get an offload away to front rower Sam McAllister.
Bailey McConnell’s kicking skills were highlighted in the 45th minute when he put in a raking right foot kick from fifty metres out with the ball coming to a stop one metre out from the line and one metre in from touch. Of course Bailey McConnell was the first Burleigh player downfield making the tackle with the Ipswich fullback still inside his own ten metre area.
At the Burleigh Presentation Event post the Cyril Connell Cup, Bailey McConnell received the 2021 Burleigh Bears Cyril Connell Cup Coaches Award.
2021 also saw Bailey McConnell once again represent PBC in school boy rugby league, starting Round One of the Langer Cup Reserve Grade competition against Ipswich State High School at halfback.
Bailey McConnell was also outstanding in a beaten side in Round Six against Keebra Park SHS, recording two line breaks amongst an overall impressive match.
Bailey McConnell’s opening line break came in the 9th minute of the match when, whilst operating on the left around twenty metres from the line, Bailey McConnell ran at the ball before dummying to his left and subsequently sliced through the Keebra Park line. Bailey McConnell was then able to draw the fullback but his support to his left could not handle the pass with the try line beckoning.
Bailey McConnell also broke the Keebra Park defensive line in the 21 minutes when once again he sliced through the Keebra Park right sided defence. Once he was through the line, Bailey McConnell got the ball away to Jett Forbes and then stayed alive to get the ball back from the fullback and make a further fifteen metres down field.
Hail Sezer
26-08-21, 09:54 AM
Keano Kini was very good for PBC last night in their win over Keebra. Best on ground IMO.
Hail Sezer
31-08-21, 09:35 AM
Congrats to three Titans contracted juniors who made the Aus Schoolboys side - Tom Weaver, Jack Cullen, and Ryan Foran.
All were part of that Tweed MM state title winning side and are at PBC.
lonegull
31-08-21, 11:01 AM
Congrats to three Titans contracted juniors who made the Aus Schoolboys side - Tom Weaver, Jack Cullen, and Ryan Foran.
All were part of that Tweed MM state title winning side and are at PBC.
Great news
Mr Bods
31-08-21, 11:06 AM
Congrats to three Titans contracted juniors who made the Aus Schoolboys side - Tom Weaver, Jack Cullen, and Ryan Foran.
All were part of that Tweed MM state title winning side and are at PBC.
Are we any hope of getting Deine Mariner away from the Drongoes and playing for the beautiful city ??
Hail Sezer
31-08-21, 11:12 AM
Are we any hope of getting Deine Mariner away from the Drongoes and playing for the beautiful city ??
Doubt it. They signed him when he was still in NZ, and then brought him over and put him into PBC for a few years to get some development before joining their full-time squad. Has no real ties to the Gold Coast otherwise.
They've extended him long term already and he's going full-time with them from next year. Great footballer.
Mr Bods
31-08-21, 11:44 AM
Yeah close to no hood then
I see a bench player from Keebra is Drongoes tied too
Bayside Titan
31-08-21, 11:58 AM
mdrew... What do you think of the squad mate ??
TitansState
31-08-21, 02:39 PM
Yeah close to no hood then
I see a bench player from Keebra is Drongoes tied too
Thought that starting prop for keebra was one of their best, can't remember his name but I believe the commentary said he was Tigers-linked...
Hail Sezer
31-08-21, 03:13 PM
Thought that starting prop for keebra was one of their best, can't remember his name but I believe the commentary said he was Tigers-linked...
Herman Tofeano
Great offensive player, leaves a bit to be desired defensively. Still, IMO he was very unlucky not to make Aus Schoolboys. Been very good all year.
Was running through PBC’s middles with ease
Whats Doing
01-09-21, 06:28 PM
Hi MDrew.
I saw Michael Roberts from PBC and he has the goods. They said he was James Roberts brother. He really has great skills and hope he learns from his brothers errors as he has a big future for the Titans if he is dedicated
Hail Sezer
01-09-21, 06:38 PM
Hi MDrew.
I saw Michael Roberts from PBC and he has the goods. They said he was James Roberts brother. He really has great skills and hope he learns from his brothers errors as he has a big future for the Titans if he is dedicated
He was brilliant today wasn’t he WD.
Shifting him to 5/8 has proven a master stroke for PBC
Whats Doing
01-09-21, 06:43 PM
He was brilliant today wasn’t he WD.
Shifting him to 5/8 has proven a master stroke for PBC
Sure was brilliant today. First time I have seen him. Scored 2 tries, set up 2 tries and kicked a goal and was probably MOM
Brock Priestley started for PBC at right second row in their Langer Cup Grand Final win over Marsden and over the weekend made his Colts debut for the Tweed Heads Seagulls off the bench and celebrated by scoring a second half double.
After a Covid 19 enforced hiatus, Iszac Fa’asuamaieaui was named to start from the bench for Burleigh in Round Sixteen of the Colts competition against the Ipswich Jets last weekend with Iszac Fa’asuamaieaui scoring in the 45th minute when he was able to charge over from six metres out with Iszac Fa’asuamaieaui getting the ball down next to the right upright.
Iszac Fa’asuamaieaui made a line break in the 74th minute when he charged twenty metres down the left channe to get within ten metres of the try line. Iszac Fa’asuamaieaui was able to get to his feet quickly with Burleigh scoring from the play the ball.
After a Covid 19 enforced hiatus, TJ Devery was named to start from the bench for Burleigh in Round Sixteen of the Colts competition against the Ipswich Jets last weekend and was one of Burleigh’s try scorers in the Bears 78 – 20 victory.
TJ Devery scored in the 66th minute when he ran an inside shoulder route off a Cameron Brown pass whislt operating on the left side of the field with TJ Devery initially receiving the ball ten metres from the line and crashing over next to the left upright.
TJ Devery also recorded a try assist against Ipswich in the 68th minute when he threw a good short ball to his right to put Isaac Matalavea-Booth over next to the right upright.
After missing significant time through injury it was great to see Damon Somerville start on the right wing for the Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts side in their Round Seventeen victory against Ipswich last weekend with Damon Somerville celebrating has return with a double.
Damon Somerville only had to wait until the 5th minute to cross the line. The play that led to Damon Somerville’s opening try started inside Bureigh territory when Tuvalli Khan-Pereira burst through the Ipswich left sided defensive line. It initially looked as if Tuvalli Khan-Pereira was going to pass to his inside but at the last minute passed to his right to Damon Somerville. Damon Somerville skipped out of a tackle metres from the right corner post and then was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.
Damon Somerville’s second try came in the 50th minute and it will be one of the easier ones that he scores. Tuvalli Khan-Pereira did well on the inside, drawing in the Ipswich left winger and passing to Damon Somerville who jogged over from seven metres out, putting the ball down under absolutely no pressure.
The match also saw Damon Somerville record a try assist in the 23rd minute for Cameron Brown. In fact Cameron Brown started the movement from just inside his own territory when he threw a cut-out pass to his right to put Tuvalli Khan-Pereira into a gap. Tuvalli Khan-Pereira subsequently got the ball away to Damon Somerville who then passed inside to Cameron Brown who raced away to score under the posts.
Damon Somerville also made a line break in the 38th minute when from a Burleigh scrum win, Damon Somerville looped around to the left side of the field, breaking through the line before getting the ball away to Cameron Brown who subsequently off-loaded to Tony Francis who made twenty metres down the left touchline.
Damon Somerville has moved to left centre for the rescheduled Round Thirteen match against the Sunshine Coast Falcons this weekend.
On Tuesday afternoon Titans contracted Sam Stephenson started at fullback for PBC in their Hancock Cup semi-final win against Marsden State High School with Sam Stephenson scoring the match winning try in the 46th minute.
With PBC down by four points with just minutes to go, Sam Stephenson received an off-load eight minutes from the running to his left as soon as he took possession. Sam Stephenson was initially held by one leg just metres from the line and even when being held by one leg shrugging off one defender before diving forward to get the ball down adjacent to the left upright. The subsequent PBC conversion put PBC in front 10 – 8 and they held on from there.
After a Covid 19 enforced hiatus Tuvalli Khan-Pereira started at right centre for Burleigh Colts in Round Sixteen against the Ipswich Jets last weekend.
In addition to scoring in the 59th minute of the match, Tuvalli Khan-Pereira also recorded three try assists in Burleigh’s big 78 – 20 victory.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira scored in the 59th minute when Damon Somerville was tackled four metres short of the line. As he was being tackled, Damon Somerville dumped the ball back with Tuvalli Khan-Pereira picking the ball up and cutting back towards centre field before straightening his run to beat two defenders on his way to the line with Tuvalli Khan-Pereira getting the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira’s first try assist came in the just the 5th minute for Damon Somerville. The play that led to Damon Somerville’s opening try started inside Bureigh territory when Tuvalli Khan-Pereira burst through the Ipswich left sided defensive line. It initially looked as if Tuvalli Khan-Pereira was going to pass to his inside but at the last minute passed to his right to Damon Somerville. Damon Somerville skipped out of a tackle metres from the right corner post and then was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira’s recorded his second try assist in the 50th minute when after receiving the ball around sixteen metres out, Tuvalli Khan-Pereira was able to draw in the Ipswich left winger and pass to to right to put Damon Someerville over for one of the easiest tries that he will ever score.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira recorded his third try assist in the 55th minute when he backed up a break by Samuel Shannon from deep inside his own territory with Tuvalli Khan-Pereira taking an off-laod from Samuel Shannon. Tuvalli Khan-Pereira broke away drawing the Ipswich fullback before passing to Tyler Mahon who raced away to score under the posts.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira also was heavily involved in Cameron Brown’s 23rd minute try. In fact Cameron Brown started the movement from just inside his own territory when he threw a cut-out pass to his right to put Tuvalli Khan-Pereira into a gap. Tuvalli Khan-Pereira subsequently got the ball away to Damon Somerville who then passed inside to Cameron Brown who raced away to score under the posts.
The 79th minute saw Tuvalli Khan-Pereira also heavily involved in Daniel Shannon’s try under the posts when he chased through a Cameron Brown chip kick to take the ball and off-load to his inside (when he was facing his own try line) to Tyler Mahon who could have scored himself but instead passed to Daniel Shannon who get the ball down under the posts.
Tuvalli Khan-Pereira also made a line break in the 70th minute, surging thirty five metres down the right channel before being ankle tapped from behind.
Yesterday afternoon Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki also started at left in Keebra Park’s Walters Cup semi-final victory over Ipswich State High School and in addition to scoring an outstanding solo try, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki was outstanding in attack throughout.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki scored in the 38th minute when after receiving the ball thirty metres from the line, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki burst down the left touchline bumping off the Ipswich SHS right winger before cutting inside and then straightening up and breaking three more tackles on the way to getting the ball down mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the left side of the field.
Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki’s impressive match started in the opening set of six in the match with a twenty metre line break down the left channel. Then in the 9th minute, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki, from a scrum made a 25th metre burst which took the ball out to thirty five metres from his own try line.
In the 17th minute, Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki continued making metres when he made a bumping run of fifteen metres before producing a great right arm off-load near halfway. Then in the 18th minute Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki produced a winding run back to his right, breaking four tackles along the way.
Yesterday afternoon Titans contracted Ray Puru started at fullback in PBC’s semi-final victory over Wavell State High School in the Walters Cup and produced a great solo try for PBC.
In the 35th minute Ray Puru flew onto an off-load around the halfway mark, immediately cutting towards the left wing. Ray Puru was chased by the Wavell SHS fullback who got to Ray Puru just short of the line. Ray Puru however was not held and immediately got to his feet and dive over to score three metres in from the left corner post.
Ray Puru had made an earlier line break in the 11th minute when from a kick return, he ran to his left making twenty metres down the left touchline before being rounded up.
Whilst Ray Puru was outstanding running the ball, he was also solid defensively including in the 46th minute with the game still on the line, Ray Puru was involved in holding up the Wavell SHS fullback.
After a Covid 19 enforced hiatus, Titans Development contract holder Tony Francis was named to start at left centre for Burleigh in Round Sixteen of the Colts competition against the Ipswich Jets last weekend however Tony Francis started the match at left centre, scoring a try and kicking three conversions from as many attempts including two outstanding left foot conversions from the left touchline including the conversion of his own try.
Tony Francis scored in the 71st minute after a line break by Blake Campbell. Blake Campbell was in fact over the line when he passed to Tony Francis to score in the left corner.
Tony Francis also had a 48th minute line break when from right on his own try line, he intercepted an attempted cut-out pass and was able to make seventy metres down the left touchline before being tackled from behind by the Ipswich cover defence.
Tony Francis’s solid match included a strong run in the 44th minute with a strong sixteen metre effort that got Tony Francis to within two metres of the line.
Tony Francis has also named to start on the left wing in the rescheduled Round Thirteen match against the Sunshine Coast Falcons this weekend.
In the 2021 Langer Cup Grand Final yesterday against Marsden State High School, PBC’s Titans contracted Ryan Foran was named to start at left second row for PBC and scored a second half double to lead PBC to a 22 – 18 victory.
The first of his two tries came in the 42nd minute when Ryan Foran ran out of dummy half down a short left blindside from close to the line. Initially Ryan Foran was held up short of the line but was able to twist clockwise and get the ball down in the left corner.
Ryan Foran completed his double in the 47th minute when he charged over down the left channel from twelve metres out to score seven metres in from the left corner post.
Ryan Foran was also solid defensively in the match, including in the 32nd minute when he stopped the Marsden SHS hooker from scoring with a great try saving tackle.
Impressively when the Titans NRL pre-season starts in November Ryan Foran will be part of the squad.
After the Covid 19 enforced hiatus, Titans contracted Isaac Matalavea-Booth was named to start in the front row for Burleigh Colts in Round Sixteen against the Ipswich Jets with Isaac Matalavea-Booth scoring a double in Burleigh’s big 78 – 20 victory. Isaac Matalavea-Booth was in the match from the opening minute after taking the opening tackle of the match in conjunction with Sam McIntyre.
Isaac Matalavea-Booth’s opening try came in just the 9th minute of the match when he rumbled onto a pass from his left from Blake Campbell. Just prior to the try line, Isaac Matalavea-Booth spun counter clockwise to gain separation from defenders to get the ball down next to the left upright.
Isaac Matalavea-Booth scored his second try of the match in the 68th minute when he ran off a good short ball from his left from TJ Devery ten metres out to easily get the ball down five metres from the right upright.
Isaac Matalavea-Booth recorded his try assist in the 62nd minute when after charging forward and making fourteen metres Isaac Matalavea-Booth was able to off-load to Lachlan Adamson who was able to dive over from close range.
It was not just the two tries and his try assist that highlighted Isaac Matalavea-Booth’s performance in the match, he was simply outstanding all around the ground, including a strong run in the 4th minute of the match, with Isaac Matalavea-Booth getting away a right arm flick off-load near halfway to keep Burleigh in the front foot early in the match.
Isaac Matalavea-Booth has also been named to start in the front row in the rescheduled Round Thirteen match against the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
In the 2021 Langer Cup Grand Final yesterday afternoon against Marsden State High School, Titans contracted Michael Roberts was named to start at five eight for PBC and was the best player on the field, scoring a double including the match winning try, setting up another and also kicking a key conversion of a Ryan Foran try in the 48th minute from the left touchline to lock the scores up at 18 all.
The first of two Michael Roberts tries came in the 22nd minute when whilst operating on the right side of the field, Michael Roberts was able to get on the outside of his immediate defender eighteen metre out and then after dummying to his right outpaced the Marsden SHS cover defence to crash over five metres in from the right corner post.
Michael Roberts broke an eighteen all tie and sealed the match for PBC in the 56th miue of the match and the try was certainly worth the wait. With Marsden SHS on the attack, one of their forwards spilled the ball around ten metres out from the line, Michael RObers swooped onto the bell just five metres out from his own line. Michael Roberts immediately burst downfield dummying to his left to take one defender out of the equation before accelerating downfield.
Just inside Marsden SHS territory the Marsden SHS fullback came across in an attempt to effect the tackle but a straight left arm fend from Michael Roberts sent the Marsden SHS spralling and Michael Roberts was able to run the remaining thirty five metres unaccosted to dive over midway between the corner post and goal posts on the right side of the field.
Michael Roberts try assist came in the 28th minute when once again he got on the outside of his direct opponent on the right side of the field. Once on the outside of his opponent, Michael Roberts drew in the Marsden SHS left winger and then threw a great right arm flick pass to put Jett Forbes over in the right corner.
Congratulations to Tom Weaver, Jack Cullen and Ryan Foran for making the Australian School Boys Merit side and also great that the three will start the NRL pre-season with the Titans NRL side in November.
Congratulations also to Jamie McCormack who identified the three years ago and got then on scholarships well before they were able to sign official contracts when they were 15 years old.
Titans contracted stand out Jaylan De Groot last weekend when the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition recommenced, started at fullback for Tweed Heads and was one of their try scorers in their but 48-16 win over the Northern Pride.
After the Covid 19 enforced hiatus, Carsil Vaikai was named to start in the front row for Tweed Heads in last weekend’s Round Sixteen against the Northern Pride with Carsil Vaikai scoring in the 6th and 71st minutes of the Seagulls 48 – 16 victory.
When the 2021 GPS First XV rugby season recommenced last weekend, Titans contracted Syris Schmidt started at No. 10 (fly half) for the TSS First XV in Round Seven against Toowoomba Grammar School and was easily the best player on the field, scoring a try and also showcasing outstanding goal kicking skills in TSS’s big away victory.
Syris Schmidt scored in the 13th minute when he was able to negotiate his way through a crowd of players to get the ball down ten metres from the left goal post. Syris Schmidt also had a line break assist in the match in the 53rd minute when he popped a good ball to Nicholas Hilton who was able to charge twenty five metres downfield.
As noted Syris Schmidt was perfect with the boot, including an outstanding 12th minute try from the right touchline. Syris Schmidt kicked another conversion from the right touchline in the 43rd minute and Syris Schmidt proved what an outstanding goal kicker he is in the 55th minute when he slotted a conversion through from the left touchline.
Such was Syris Schmidt’s performance that he was named at fly half in the Courier Mail’s GPS Rugby First XV Team of the Week.
Last week a City U17 representative side was named to play a Queensland Country U17 side.
Titans contracted Seth Nikotemo, Arama Hau, Josiah Pahulu and EJ Finau have been named in the squad.
The 2021 Langer Cup season for Keebra Park’s De’Ontae Perese:
Round One of the 2021 Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League competition saw De’Ontae Perese initially named to start at five eight for Keebra Park against Marsden State High School however on game day moved to right centre.
De’Ontae Perese then started at five eight in Round Three against Ipswich State High School, scoring in the 47th minute when De’ontae Perese received an off-load six metres from the line and put the ball down under the posts.
DeÓntae Perese then dropped back to the bench for Round Four against St Mary’s College Toowoomba playing in the right centre position when he came on.
De’Ontae Perese made the most of his opportunities in the match scoring one try and coming close to a second.
De’Ontae Perese’s try came in the 38th minute when from twelve metres out De’Ontae Perese darted out of dummy half down a short right blindside and was simply too quick for the St Mary’s defence to crash over ten metres in from the right corner.
As noted above De’Ontae Perese almost scored another try when he chased through a short grubber kick with the referee adjudging that he did not get the ball down cleanly.
De’Ontae Perese also produced a smart piece of play in the 50th minute with a great one on one strip deep inside his own territory from a St Mary’s scrum win.
The Round Five local derby against PBC saw De’Ontae Perese move back into the Keebra Park starting side at right centre and in the 33rd minute produced an exceptional right arm flick off-load to put Levi Jones over in the right corner to kick off Keebra Park’s stunning second half comeback.
De’Ontae Perese moved to start at five eight in Round Six against Wavell State High School.
After the competition was suspended for a number of weeks due to a Covid 19 lock down, De’Ontae Perese was named at five eight for Keebra Park State High School in their semi-final against PBC State High School.
De’Ontae Perese was as good as any Keebra Park player on the field, scoring a great solo try and and recording a try assist for Keebra Park’s other try.
De’Ontae Perese scored in the 37th minute. After receiving the ball ten metres out and to the right of the play the ball, De’Ontae Perese dummied to his right before stepping through the PBC defensive line to dive over adjacent to the left upright.
De’Ontae Perese’s try assist came in the 32nd minute when after receiving the ball on the left around ten metres from the line, he threw a great cut out pass to his left which landed on the chest of Elijah Lui who raced over to get the ball down in the left corner.
In this weekend's Ipswich U17 Division One semi-final, Titans contracted Larry Siala will start in the second row for Norths Blue as they take on the Springfield Panthers.
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