Close contests excite every rugby league fan and the Souths Logan Magpies and Central Queensland Capras game was exactly that, with the Magpies eventually winning 24-22 at Browne Park in Round 22 of the Intrust Super Cup.
The halftime score saw the two sides separated by just a converted try 12-6 in favour of the Capras, and as the second half kicked off, Souths Logan knew it was important to get the second half off to a good start.
When the Magpies received a favourable bounce to their centre Marion Seve, they then went on and scored three unanswered tries to keep their finals hopes alive and down a gallant CQ side who scored in the last minute of the game thanks to Reece Baker, only to see the conversion attempt waved away.
“It was so important we had a good start in the second half. It was a good try and we went from there,” Magpies coach Josh Hannay said.
What the scoreline will not tell you is that the Magpies were dominant in their defence and their only downfall was their own inability to kick conversions.
“The Capras scored one try from an intercept and another from not defusing a high ball,” Hannay said.
“I thought our defence was really good, but by missing those conversions was what kept the Capras in the contest.
“The Capras are a side that throw a lot of footy at you and the boys did a good job at containing them.”
The Magpies had a poor loss to the Sunshine Coast Falcons in Round 21, but Hannay was pleased with his side being able to turn it around this weekend.
“We were very disappointed from last weekend. (We) were are missing key personnel, (but) they were still able to find a way to win,” Hannay said.
The Magpies have bye this weekend to hopefully regain some players when they take on the improving Mackay Cutters in Round 24.
“Hopefully we can get some players back and give a boost to the side when we travel to Mackay.”
The Capras will travel to the Sunshine Coast this coming weekend to take on the Falcons.
The final team line-ups and full scoring details for this game can be viewed via QRL Live
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 24 (Nikau Taukiri Te Rupe, Marion Seve, Cameron Booth, Derek Stowers, Jack Walters tries; Scott Doyle, Benjamin Jackson goals) def CQ CAPRAS 22 (Aleki Falepaini, Chanel Seigafo, Gavin Hiscox, Reece Baker tries; Matt Minto 3 goals) at Browne Park.
