Coach praises Magpies spirit
(FOGS and Colts teams listed below)
SOUTHS Logan Magpies FOGS Colts Challenge coach Steve Bretherton praised his side’s will to win after a hard-fought XXXX Rivalry Round 26-16 win against Ipswich Jets at Davies Park last weekend.
The Magpies were forced to overcome an injury to halfback and captain Ben Jackson as well as some stubborn Jets resistance to keep their top-four place safe and semi-final ambitions on track.
Bretherton was proud of his side’s spirit in dealing with the difficulties they faced.
“We lost Ben early into the second half so it was pleasing we kept on with the job and do what we needed to do to win,” he said.
Fullback Brandon Khuu added two tries to move to equal-second place in FOGS Colts leading try scorers table and Bretherton was delighted with the Sunnybank rugby convert’s development.
“He’s been a good pickup, when he came over he was sort of an unknown to us actually,” he said. “But the way he’s going with tries is great, and he’ll keep improving as he keeps picking the game up.”
The toughness and unity shown in their Jets win was more proof of the teamwork which Bretherton is so pleased to see.
“This is my third year coaching Souths at this level and this is the hardest-working group I’ve had, which makes my job a bit easier,” he said.
“We’ve got to keep improving though as the rest of the competition improves, especially with Mal Meninga Cup players coming into this level now.”
Next up for Souths is Easts Tigers, with the defending premiers keen to close the gap between themselves and the top four.
Elsewhere in FOGS Colts Challenge Round 10 action, Wynnum Manly Seagulls became the first team to defeat Redcliffe Dolphins this season, a 32-12 win at BMD Kougari Oval confirming the Seagulls are a definite title contender.
Burleigh capitalised on the league leaders’ defeat by moving within two competition points of Redcliffe in their 24-20 win against Tweed Heads Seagulls, while Norths beat Easts 34-24 and Sunshine Coast Falcons were white-hot in their 70-6 triumph over Toowoomba Clydesdales. Johannes Visser, Kyle Laybutt, David Oakes and Michael Gilmour all scored doubles in the win.
This weekend will also see Ipswich host Wynnum, Redcliffe face Norths and Tweed Heads take on Toowoomba, with Sunshine Coast and Burleigh each receiving a bye.
Meanwhile in FOGS Cup games, Wynnum ensured it was a miserable weekend for Redcliffe as the Seagulls replicated their Colts’ success in ending the Dolphins’ undefeated start through a gripping 34-30 win, Norths beat Easts 33-12 and Souths defeated Ipswich 36-14.
In Round 11, Carina Tigers will look for their first season win against Ipswich while Redcliffe will aim to recover against Norths. Easts will host Wynnum.
