Junior Development

[Hail Sezer]

Titans contracted Tony Francis’s exceptional 2021 season continued last weekend when he started at right centre for Burleigh against Tweed Heads in their final Hastings Deering’s Colts trial at Pizzey Park.

Tony Francis was at 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 Lihou 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.

Francis is very good. Not sure how or why the Broncos let him go. I hope he can work his way into A grade this year, he needs to be playing against men asap.

[mdrew]

Ballina Seagull stand out Dylan Watkins was part of the Ballina Coast High School U15 touch side that went undefeated in the Far North Coast U15 touch trials that were held in Tweed Heads on Tuesday.

As a consequence if his outstanding performances at the trials Dylan Watkins has been named in the Far North Coast U15 (he is still U14 eligible in 2021) representative touch side.

[ja4220]

Francis is very good. Not sure how or why the Broncos let him go. I hope he can work his way into A grade this year, he needs to be playing against men asap.

Yeah I remember seeing him in a Langer Cup Semi final a couple of years ago for Marsden against PBC. He pretty much brought Marsden back in to the game. Great talent.

[mdrew]

Titans contracted Jaylan De Groot also started at fullback in Round Two of the 2021 MM Cup competition for Tweed Heads against the Souths Logan Magpies but moved to the left wing in the second half.

In Tweed Heads 32 – 24 victory, Jaylan De Groot scored in the second half and also recorded a try assist in the opening minutes of the match. Jaylan De Groot scored in the 45th minute when after Thomas Weaver backed up a break out of dummy half by Blake Mozer, drawing the Souths Logan fullback before passing to the left to Jaylan De Groot who was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.

Jaylan De Groot’s try assist came in just the second minute of the match when he received the ball off Thomas Weaver on the left side of the field fifteen metres out from the line, taking the ball towards the defensive line before throwing a great cut-out pass to his left to put Keano Kini away down the left touchline and dive over to score in the left corner.

Jaylan De Groot also had a line break early in the match, when he was part of a set play down the left blind side from a Tweed Heads scrum feed forty metres out from the line. Thomas Weaver received the ball from the back of the scrum with Jaylan De Groot sprinting from the opposite side of the scrum to take Thomas Weaver’s held up pass before dummying to his left and sprinting thirty metres downfield only to be brought down ten metres out.

Jaylan De Groot’s safe hands came to the fore in the 48th minute of the match when Souths Logan kicked to his wing, Jaylan De Groot jumped high to take the ball above his head two metres out from his own line and as soon as his feet touched the ground he took off and was able to get the ball back to the twenty metre mark before finally being tackled.

A strong run in the 63rd minute by Jack Cullen almost produced a second try for Jaylan De Groot when he flew onto the ball in the twenty metre area, getting partially through the Souths Logan line before throwing a right arm off-load to Jaylan De Groot who was backing up on his left with Jaylan De Groot getting within metres of the line. Jaylan De Groot in fact was held down and awarded a penalty which Thomas Weaver then kicked to put Tweed Heads eight points in front with six minutes to go.

[mdrew]

Titans contracted Jack Cullen started in the front row in Round Two of the MM Cup competition against the Souths Logan Magpies on Sunday 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.

[mdrew]

Titans contracted Thomas Weaver started at halfback and captain yesterday for Tweed Heads in Round Two of the MM Cup against the Souths Logan Magpies and was perfect with the boot kicking six from six including a key penalty goal in the 63rd minute of the match to push the Seagulls lead out to eight points. Thomas Weaver’s first conversion was an outstanding kick from the left touchline as he converted Keano Kini’s try in just the second minute of the match.

Thomas Weaver also had a big hand in a couple of Tweed Heads tries in the second half. In the 41st Thomas Weaver put up a huge bomb from around forty metres out that spiralled to the Souths Logan left corner and was dropped by the left winger with Tweed Heads scoring through Campbell Watchairs from the play the ball.

Thomas Weaver then threw the last pass for Jaylan De Groot’s 45th minute try. Thomas Weaver backed up a break out of dummy half by Blake Mozer and then drew the Souths Logan fullback before passing to the left to Jaylan De Groot who was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.

Thomas Weaver also had a line break assist early in the match, when he was part of a set play down the left blind side from a Tweed Heads scrum feed forty metres out from the line. Thomas Weaver received the ball from the back of the scrum with fullback Jaylan De Groot sprinting from the opposite side of the scrum to take Thomas Weaver’s held up pass before dummying to his left and sprinting thirty metres downfield only to be brought down ten metres out.

As it has all this season, Thomas Weaver’s defence was outstanding once gain including a strong front-on tackle in the 6th minute when he took on Souths Logan second rower Vincent Sefo, with the second rower losing the ball in Thomas Weaver’s tackle.

Thomas Weaver also showed his exceptional intelligence in the 30th minute of the match. After Ezra Mam had converted EJ Finau’s try, Thomas Weaver raced to the halfway mark, kicking off as soon as possible, kicking the ball to where Ezra Mam usually stands. Ezra Mam was still trying to get back into position when Thomas Weaver kicked off with the ball going dead in the in-goal to get the ball back for Tweed Heads.

[mdrew]

Titans contracted EJ Finau started at left second row yesterday for the Souths Logan Magpies in Round Two of the MM Cup against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and was one of the Magpies best in their tough eight point loss. EJ FInau was in the match early, taking the second hit-up of the match, making twelve hard tough metres.

EJ FInau also produced a strong charge from the kick-off to Souths Logans first try scored by Princton Esera. From the kick-off EJ Finau, in the 15th minute, threw himself at the defensive line forcing his way forward.

Just a minute later, EJ Finau scored a strong try on the left side of the field. EJ Finau received the ball eleven metres out and ran straight over the top of Harrydon Wilson and dragged three Seagulls defenders over the line to put the ball down three metres in from the left corner post to put the Magpies in front in the match.

EJ Finau continued his strong match in the second half with a run that made ten hard fought metres to get Souths Logan with ten metres of the try line.

[mdrew]

Titans contracted Kaleb Ngamanu started for the Tweed Heads Seagulls at left centre in Round Two of the MM Cup yesterday against the Souths Logan Magpies and was outstanding once again in both attack and defence after a player of the match performance in Round One against Ipswich..

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.

[Bayside Titan]

Titans contracted Thomas Weaver started at halfback and captain yesterday for Tweed Heads in Round Two of the MM Cup against the Souths Logan Magpies and was perfect with the boot kicking six from six including a key penalty goal in the 63rd minute of the match to push the Seagulls lead out to eight points. Thomas Weaver’s first conversion was an outstanding kick from the left touchline as he converted Keano Kini’s try in just the second minute of the match.

Thomas Weaver also had a big hand in a couple of Tweed Heads tries in the second half. In the 41st Thomas Weaver put up a huge bomb from around forty metres out that spiralled to the Souths Logan left corner and was dropped by the left winger with Tweed Heads scoring through Campbell Watchairs from the play the ball.

Thomas Weaver then threw the last pass for Jaylan De Groot’s 45th minute try. Thomas Weaver backed up a break out of dummy half by Blake Mozer and then drew the Souths Logan fullback before passing to the left to Jaylan De Groot who was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.

Thomas Weaver also had a line break assist early in the match, when he was part of a set play down the left blind side from a Tweed Heads scrum feed forty metres out from the line. Thomas Weaver received the ball from the back of the scrum with fullback Jaylan De Groot sprinting from the opposite side of the scrum to take Thomas Weaver’s held up pass before dummying to his left and sprinting thirty metres downfield only to be brought down ten metres out.

As it has all this season, Thomas Weaver’s defence was outstanding once gain including a strong front-on tackle in the 6th minute when he took on Souths Logan second rower Vincent Sefo, with the second rower losing the ball in Thomas Weaver’s tackle.

Thomas Weaver also showed his exceptional intelligence in the 30th minute of the match. After Ezra Mam had converted EJ Finau’s try, Thomas Weaver raced to the halfway mark, kicking off as soon as possible, kicking the ball to where Ezra Mam usually stands. Ezra Mam was still trying to get back into position when Thomas Weaver kicked off with the ball going dead in the in-goal to get the ball back for Tweed Heads.

Sounds like he had a big game. Do you see him stepping up in Grades at all this year or do you think he will be held back to develop more ?

[mdrew]

Tom Weaver is still at school so I think that the Titans will take it fairly slowly with him, there is no reason to rush him this season, he has a lot of matches in front of him with the GIO and Langer school boy competition plus Thomas Weaver is in the South Coast Open school boy side.

I can see Thomas Weaver playing some Colts matches for Tweed Heads and as a 17 year old last year he played a number of matches in the NRRRL First Grade competition for the Cudgen Hornets.

Sounds like he had a big game. Do you see him stepping up in Grades at all this year or do you think he will be held back to develop more ?

[Hail Sezer]

For anyone who wants to watch the Tweed v Souths Logan MM game from the weekend:

https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2021/03/...weed-seagulls/

[mdrew]

Titans contracted Keano Kini started on the left wing yesterday afternoon for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Two of the MM Cup against the Souths Logan Magpies and like he did in Round One Keano Kini moved to fullback in the second half with Keano Kini scoring in just the second minute of the match in their 32 – 24 victory.

Keano Kini scored when he flew down the left touch line to dive over in the left corner, putting the ball down with his outstretched right arm after getting a gem of a pass from Jaylan De Groot.

Keano Kini also had a line break assist in just the 7th minute of the match. As he has all season, Keano Kini was the Seagulls first receiver from scrums, normally on the left side of the field. After receiving the ball, Keano Kini cut to his outside forcing the defender on his left to commit to the tackle and after driving into the line and drawing two defenders, Keano Kini threw a great ball to his left to put Kaleb Ngamanu into space down the left touchline.

Keano Kini’s speed and willingness to take the ball through the centre of the ruck was showcased once again in the 45th minute when he charged onto the ball just inside Souths Logan’s territory to the right of the play the ball. Keano Kini broke two tackles, making twelve metres before bouncing to his feet to generate a quick play the ball with Jaylan De Groot scoring due to the Souths Logan defence still back peddling from Keano Kini’s effort.

Once again in the 48th minute, Keano Kini took pressure off his forward pack when he took the second hit from the kick-off from Jaylan De Groot’s try, with Keano Kini breaking two tackles to get the ball out past the thirty metre line and then was awarded a penalty when the Souths Logan defence would not allow him to get to his feet for a quick play the ball.

Keano Kini continued his exceptional display in the 49th minute when he produced another line break when the got on the outside of his direct opponent on the left, breaking through the defensive line but unfortunately his pass back on the inside went to ground with a try potentially in the offing.

Keano Kini was literally every where and bobbed up once again in the 57th minute with yet another hit-up to the left of the play the ball, once again bring the ball out of his own territory, getting the ball up to the forty metre area.

Even with the game winding down and the Seagulls guaranteed the win, Keano Kini could not be kept out of the match. From a Tweed Heads scrum win on their own twenty, Keano Kini received the ball to the left of the scrum and literally ran around the Souths Logan right side defence to run twenty five metres downfield before cutting inside near the halfway mark to put a stamp on yet another impressive dare I say it, dominate performance.

[mdrew]

In Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition, Christian Kiri was named 18th man for Burleigh against the Souths Logan Magpies before moving onto the interchange bench for Round Two against the Ipswich Jets last Saturday night.

Christian Kiri came into the match in the second half, playing in the front row and making a number of strong runs, the most impressive of which came in the 52nd minute with an incredible run from a penalty restart for Ipswich being off-side from a kick-off. Christian Kiri charged onto the ball initially engaging the defence eight metres into his run, but Christina Kiri continued to pump to breaking away from the three defenders who initially had confronted him. Christin Kiri was eventually brought to the ground after making twenty one metres on the best hit-up of the match.

Christian Kiri produced another strong run in the 55th minute with a run that got Burleigh into the Jets territory. After making twelve metres, Christian Kiri was brought down but was awarded a penalty when the Jets defenders tried to slow the play the ball down too much.

[mdrew]

Keebra Park’s Delahia Wigmore was named to start at left centre for Burleigh last Saturday night in Round Two of the MM Cup 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.

[mdrew]

Titans contracted PBC student Bailey Martin started from the bench for Tweed Heads in Round Two of the MM Cup competition on Sunday afternoon against the Souths Logan Magpies coming on to play lock towards the end of the first half.

Bailey Martin made a key run out of his own twenty metre mark in the 34th minute and as a result of Bailey Martin’s quick play the ball, Kaleb Ngamanu made a further fifteen metres downfield from the next hit-up.

Bailey Martin was in the action at the start of the second half taking the hit-up off the kick-off and ‘bringing the out to the ten metre line, which was impressive considering the ball was dropped backwards off the kick-up and Bailey Martin literally got the pass after the ball bounced around and literally on the dead ball line. But for Bailey Martin’s speed, Tweed Heads may well have been trapped in the in-goal from the kick-off. Impressively Bailey Martin then backed up to take the 4th hit-up in the same set of six.

Bailey Martin showed some outstanding hands in the 49th minute when he received a pass from his right and got hit from his blindside as soon as he took the ball, but Bailey Martin was able to hold onto the ball and in fact maintain his balance and body control and even make a couple of metres with a giant Souths Logan forward trying to wrestle him to the ground.