Rugby League News
28 August 2008
Results favoured the Noosa Pirates last weekend, enabling the Pirates to clinch second position on the SC & GRL ladder and host the all-important major preliminary semi final at Pirate Park this Sunday against Maroochydore Swans.
Firstly, the Pirates had to account for the Bribie Island Warrigals at Bribie Island last Saturday night.
The Warrigals were a different outfit from the team comprehensively beaten by the Pirates two weeks ago.
And they really stretched the Pirates in an entertaining and hard-fought game which the Pirates won by 30 points to 12.
Captain coach Noel Goldthorpe rested a few of his players who were suffering some niggling injuries.
Their replacements, in young Chris Fisher and Bede McPherson, stepped up into the top grade and performed very well.
The Pirates’ book ends Trent Heathwood and Jared Greaves again put in a full 80 minutes while Michael Fisher, Angus Stewart, Russell Britten and Nat King continued with their good form leading into the semis.
The back line is fast and classy and a fantastic try was scored by Matt McCook after great work by wing Daniel Pockran.
Aaron Fuller and Dale Gilbert showed they are the speedsters of the competition while Brad McCarthy did no wrong at the back. Matt Achillies again showed his toughness out wide while Goldthorpe showed he is all class and has troops running like a well-oiled machine.
Defensively, the Pirates are very strong and if they can get their share of possession and for once get on the right side of the referee’s call then they will be very hard to beat.
This Sunday is a new ball game and, with quality players like Anthony Zipf and Brendan Williams returning, and if Rod McIntosh, Terry Carroll and Dean Campbell can overcome their injuries, the Pirates will really test the classy Swans.
If they win they will take on title favourites Caboolture Snakes the following week for the major semi final. The winner of that game advances straight into the grand final.
The Bribie game, even though it was hard and tough, was the game the Pirates needed in order to steel themselves for the money games now at hand.
This final series will be the hardest yet and any team on their day can win it.
Final score: Noosa 30 (Trent Heathwood 2, Dale Gilbert, Matt McCook, Brad Mcarthy tries; Noel Goldthorpe 5 goals) def Bribie Island 12
The Reggies continued their winning steak with a hard-earned 24-points-to-12 win over the Warrigals.
The Reggies were hoping Nambour would beat Kawana to steal third spot but that did not eventuate and the Reggies now play the knockout semi this Saturday night at Nambour.
The boys are travelling along nicely and still have a few boys to return from injury and on form can and will beat Nambour.
Bad luck for hard working full back Barry Mann who suffered a broken ankle during the game.
Baz has been in great form for the Reggies all season and will be sorely missed. All players, supporters and committee members wish Baz a quick and successful recovery.
Final score: Noosa 24 (Sam Walls 2, Varro Deacon, Shane Coxon and Justin Wallace tries; Sam Walls 2 goals) def Bribie 12
The Under 18’s just can’t take a trick.
Expecting a full side this week against Bribie, the boys had illness, a traffic accident and then injuries in their latest setback. The boys were down 18 to 4 when the game was called off due to lack of troops.
They have done it tough all season and it is a credit to them and coach Greg Murphy for making the semi final series. I just hope they can muster the numbers when they take on the Swans at Nambour on Saturday evening.
The club is very proud of the boys and the courage they have shown this season.
Well, the business end of the season and the Pirates have all three grades in the finals.
A great achievement by all involved. The Under 18’s play Maroochydore at 4pm and the Reggies play Nambour at 5.30pm this Saturday in Nambour for the elimination final while the A Grade play host to Maroochydore at 3pm on Sunday at Pirate Park.
In the early games Bribie Island play Caloundra at 11.40am while Kawana takes on Caboolture in the Reggies at 1.10 pm.
Make sure you can get to Nambour on Saturday to cheer on the 18’s and Reggies and then turn up at Pirate Park on Sunday for the big one Noosa v Maroochydore. It just does not get any better than this.
Make sure to listen to Goldy and Big Al on the Zinc locker room show every Saturday morning from 8am for all the latest on the rugby league scene.
Don’t forget the club house is a great venue for any function, so if you are looking for a venue then give Sue a ring on 0409 055470, you will be pleasantly surprised.
Remember, Rugby League Football, the greatest game of all.
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