The Sunshine Coast Falcons have started to find form at the back-end of the season and continued their good run against the Central Queensland Capras yesterday to record a 36-16 win.
It was their second win in a row; only the second time they have put back-to-back victories together since Rounds 5 and 6.
In a see-sawing start to the first half, the Capras drew first blood when centre Sam Smith latched onto a Reece Baker pass to run a straight line to score.
However, the Sunshine Coast hit back soon after thanks to prop Ryan Hansen who dove in under posts after a kick from Ben Hampton gave the side great field position.
Smith was in again for the visitors after that with a try that was almost a carbon copy of his first before Jaz Nahu-Main levelled the scores on more time when he found the try line.
A bust from David Oakes in the 34th minute following a Capras error was rewarded with a try and the Falcons had grabbed the lead for the first time.
With the halftime score at just 18-12, Falcons coach Glen Dreger knew his side had a tough game on their hands against the CQ side and that his team would have to compete well for the win.
“I thought in the first half we weren’t competing high for the footy and was something that the boys needed to change. Also being a bit more direct in their line,” Dreger said.
“Capras start games really well and I knew we had to just control the footy and work off some good defence, which we were able to do.
“I feel for Lionel (Harbin – Capras coach) and the boys, they have had a few injuries and have missed a lot of depth within their game.
“I give a lot of respect to them, they are a side that never give up.”
Dreger was pleased with the support play from the team throughout the match and was hopeful that this winning momentum would carry into this weekend’s Get in the Game Country Week match against Burleigh to make it three wins in a row.
“Our support play over the last few weeks has really picked up. The boys are all working together and supporting each other across the park,” Dreger said.
“With finals footy coming up, we know we aren’t going to get into the finals, but we still want to finish this year strong and it is pleasing to see that the boys are starting to play some of their best footy.”
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 36 (Young Tonumaipea, Travis Robinson, David Oakes, Ryan Hansen, Jaz Nahu-Main, Mboya Adams tries; David Oakes 3, Ryan Hansen 3 goals) def CQ CAPRAS 16 (Sam Smith 2, Matt Minto tries; Ian Webster 2 goals) at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Final teams
Sunshine Coast Falcons: 1. Ben Hampton 2. Rowan Klein 4. Hymel Hunt 3. Young Tonumaipea 5. Travis Robinson 6. Sam Wright 7. David Oakes 14. Jay Lobwein 9. Billy Brittain 10. Ryan Hansen 11. Paul Ivan 12. Jaz Nahu-Main 13. Tom Murphy (c) 20. Jon Platt 15. Johnny Vuetibau 16. Mboya Adams 17. Jye Ballinger
CQ Capras: 1. Reece Baker 2. Jake Ainsworth 3. Marco Delapena 19. Ha’Ofanga Rabakewa (for 5. Tarrant Mariner) 6. Matt Minto 7. Mark Johnstone 8. Gerard Tema 9. Ian Webster 10. Gavin Hiscox 11. Tyson White 12. Rajan Opetaia-Halls 13. Guy Williams (c) 14. Josh Mitchell 15. Nathan Young 17. Corbyn Kilday 18. Josh Johnston 20. Sam Smith
