The Pine Central Holy Spirit Hornets have celebrated their 40th anniversary in style defeating Murri Taipans 40-24 in an entertaining Open 2 Northside fixture on Saturday.
Les Hughes Sporting Complex played host to this heritage round clash which the club dedicated to their anniversary celebrations.
In unseasonal hot conditions, Pine Central delivered a firm underlining of the belief that when you play to your potential, you can do anything by piling on 30-points in a second half blitz.
However, the festivities were put on hold early on as the Taipans started brilliantly, shooting out to an 8-0 lead with two quick tries.
Hornets lock Takia Tikinau took command and got his side on the board with back-to-back tries snatching back the lead at 10-8.
Shortly afterwards, the Taipans were in again courtesy of Ansone Tovi who was outstanding in a losing side.
With the Hornets short on the left side, Taipans Izaak Acworth spotted a gap in the Hornets defence and crashed over to score right on the halftime hooter to see the visitors take a 16-10 lead.
A minute into the second half, the Hornets levelled the scores thanks to a dash out of dummy half by hooker Braydan Morton who found Scott Gay on his inside to score under the sticks.
Pine Central took the lead when five-eighth Anthony Braun used his power and strength to push his way over and score.
The game continued to sway, as the Taipans scored again, this time through the quick Gavin Duncan, before Keegan Blows pinched a soft try shortly after to keep the home side on top.
Joe Chong slotted a superb sideline conversion and from there the Hornets started looking more and more comfortable.
Anthony Braun had a hand in another try, combining with Brendan Jackson to bamboozle the defence and grab another four-pointer.
Tovi crossed for his second shortly after, but it would be the last points of the day for the Taipans, as the Hornets would close it out for all the supporters who had made the pilgrimage for the club's big day.
A slashing try by Braydan Morton right on fulltime saw the Hornets seal an incredibly important win in one of the clubs 40 proud years in local senior rugby league.
The Hornets were led superbly by Takia Tikinau, Anthony Braun and halfback Monikura Tikinau while the likes of Ansone Tovi, Rory Jacobs and Samson Slater all stood out for the Taipans.
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* Mike Simpson is a QRL correspondent covering Rugby League Brisbane
