It’s going to take a lot to knock Pine Central Holy Spirit off their course, as the Hornets proved too strong for Pine Rivers Bears 26-6 in the Open 1 Northside Birsbane Second Division Rugby League game on Saturday afternoon.
The Les Hughes Complex at Bray Park was awash with a sea of Hornets supporters as the home side collected the two points on offer to maintain third spot on the congested ladder.
Five tries to one clearly summed up the difference between the two sides – and Hornets coach Justin Wallace has his team standing in good stead early on in the season.
Hornets five-eighth Fred Tuua was the home side’s best player on the park. The powerful pivot was instrumental in his side’s first try that saw Kyran Raki-Thomas take a superb pass and spin his way through three Bears defenders to plant the ball over the line.
Tuua again orchestrated his team around the park with his brilliant kicking game, eventually saw the nuggetty stand-off go in for a well-earned solo try of his own that brought cheers from the Hornets faithful on the hill.
At 10-0, the warning light was on for the Bears, however some astute positional changes by their coach Jon Levy saw replacement Trent Villis make some easy yardage up the middle for his side.
In the next play, some clever work by Bears winger Lachlan Shushames saw him use his strength to power over for the visitor’s first try.
A cracking sideline conversion right on the halftime hooter from Bears centre Jason Levy saw the Hornets go into the break leading 10-6.
Within two minutes of the second half commencing, the Hornets were in again. Tuua left the Bears reeling as his exceptional all-round game saw the Hornets extend their lead to 16-6 on the scoreboard.
But take nothing away from the Bears. Halfback Jake Laack, fullback Bailey Rogers and lightweight hooker Kye Dinte took it to the home side throughout the game. Laack’s superb kicking game in general play frustrated the Hornets in stages. However, the coolness of the home side’s demeanour ensured this game was not going to be lost.
Then, following a period of near faultless sets from the Hornets, another cracking try to Homai Takiari saw the replacement player slide in over the line to push the scoreboard even further out.
But with the Bears hanging on until the end in what was a brave effort from the visitors, Hornets Nathan McNamara would eventually kill off any hopes of a comeback, when the hard-working hooker pinched the easiest of tries from dummy half to seal the Bears fate.
Final Score: Pine Central Holy Spirt 26 Pine Rivers Bears 6.
