Seagulls won't give in/Jets vs Burleigh

[DIEHARD]

Seagulls won't give in

TWEED Heads Seagulls coach Ben Anderson has declared his side will `keep fighting' despite their finals dream copping potentially fatal blow against the Northern Pride at the weekend.

The ninth-placed Seagulls must now win at least six of their remaining seven matches to even stand a chance of qualifying for the play-offs after going down to the eighth-placed Pride 32-18 on Saturday at Ned Byrne Field, Kingscliff.

"It looks pretty daunting when you read it like that but everyone always said this was going to be a re-building year," said Seagulls coach Ben Anderson.

"But in saying that, we are not giving up for the year by any means.

"We will keep fighting."

As has been the case so often in 2010, the Seagulls had every chance to win the match but blew an 18-12 lead mid-way through the second half on the back of simple mistakes and poor discipline.

Anderson said plans were already in place to ensure the Seagulls' re-building phase would continue into 2011.

"We are hopefully going to have all players signed up before the finals, which this year didn't happen until January," he said.

"We are hoping to have our own gym set up at Seagulls next year and be back at Piggabeen Sports Complex permanently, playing and training.

"The big thing this year is we have struggled with a reserve grade side so we haven't had the depth other sides have.

"Me and Matty (assistant coach Matt Geyer) are committed to the club for the next couple of years.

"This is all part of a bigger plan at the same time."

The Burleigh Bears brushed off a late surge from fellow Titans feeder club Ipswich to continue their finals charge on Saturday.

After leading 14-0 at half-time, the Bears stretched out to a 24-6 lead with tries to fullback Nick Parfitt and flyer Matt Ovington.

But the Bears then went to sleep and Ipswich fought back to be trailing by just two points 24-22 with six minutes left.

Parfitt and halfback Brent McConnell combined to seal the match and the Bears' eighth win.

With skipper and hooker Scott Smith still to return from injury, the fifth-placed Bears are well situated for their first foray into the finals since 2005.

Titans centre Esi Tonga showed some promising signs in his comeback for the Jets after nearly 12 months out of the game with shoulder and chest injuries.

Source: http://www.goldcoast.com.ay