Queensland Cup players stake claim

[TITAN PETE]

Jake Dew | March 21st, 2011


VICTIMS of the Titans' Storm mauling will be looking over their shoulders after some inspiring efforts from fellow Gold Coast top squad members in the opening round of the Queensland Cup over the weekend.

Promising wingers Joe Vickery and Dom Peyroux did their NRL prospects no harm with strong efforts to help their respective Queensland Cup sides Burleigh Bears and the Tweed Seagulls to victories yesterday.

With Titans winger Kevin Gordon expected to miss at least a month after becoming the lone casualty of their heavy loss to Melbourne, Vickery scored a try and kicked three conversions in Burleigh's 32-10 defeat of the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles.

"Joe was really strong for us and we spoke to him before the game that there was a good opportunity to earn promotion with a good performance," said Burleigh coach Paul Bramley, who was also impressed by the workload of Kurt Sorensen and skipper Scott Smith.

"He scored a good try and was solid for us in a game we only secured in the final 20 minutes."

In Brisbane, Peyroux was solid for the Seagulls who had to play 70 minutes a man down after Titans speedster Shannon Walker was sent off for a high shot, before losing Will Matthews (hamstring) and Kayne Lawton (concussion) on the cusp of half-time.

Leading 12-0 at the break, Titans forwards Michael Henderson, who returned yesterday morning after being 18th man in their loss to Melbourne, and Ben Ridge made strong contributions as Tweed survived a late fight back from Souths Logan to hang on 2612.

But it was the character and contribution of his entire squad that Seagulls coach Ben Anderson said ensured they left Davies Park with the points.

"I asked the boys to show some character at half-time and to their credit every stood up," Anderson said.

"We tried to slow it down where we could and they scored three quick tries but the efforts were fantastic."

With Titans coach John Cartwright keeping close check on the Queensland Cup efforts, Gold Coast trio Brad Meyers, who returned from off-season knee surgery, Esi Tonga and Joseph Tomane were solid for Ipswich Jets as Easts Tigers escaped with an unlikely 16-16 draw in testing conditions at Langlands Park.

Playing his first match since last season's preliminary final defeat, Meyers played 35 minutes from the bench while Tomane crossed once and Tonga bagged a double.

[TITAN PETE]

Great to hear that they have all come through the match showing form but terrible to hear Walker was sent off for a high shot lets hope he doesn't receive too long of a suspension