Brisbane hit back in Round 2 of the SEQ Division’s Under 16s pre-season challenge, with wins in all three games.
In Round 1, it was the Gold Coast teams who shined with both Coast teams picking up wins, but this past week, it was all about the young Brisbane sides.
The picturesque Anzac Park at Rosewood played host to the matches and despite the recent lengthy dry spell, a lush surface greeted the players and supporters.
The SEQ Region also paid tribute to the events which occurred in Christchurch by offering a minute of silence as a mark of respect prior to the last match between Brisbane Green and Ipswich.
Game 1: Brisbane Red v Gold Coast White 2pm
Brisbane Red crossed for an early try and a 4-0 lead, extending this advantage with another slick effort after 15-minutes.
Gold Coast White created some opportunities late in the half, but could not convert and at halftime Red led 10-0.
An early second half try to the Coast made it interesting, but Brisbane hit back straight away for a 16-6 advantage.
A consolation try to White in the final stages saw the final score line of 16-10 to the Brisbane Red outfit.
Brisbane Red 16 (Christopher Barbieri, John Radel, Jodeci Tiraha tries Matthew Bennett 2 goals) def Gold Coast White 10 (Carsen Patu, Kruz Rimene tries Jordan Stewart-Lewis goal)
Game 2: Brisbane Blue v Gold Coast Yellow 3pm
The early signs from Brisbane Blue were ominous as they raced in two creative tries for a 12-0 lead over Gold Coast Yellow after 15 minutes. Another try extended this gap to 16 – 0 at the halftime break.
Gold Coast’s defence was more disciplined in the early exchanges of the second stanza, but mid-way through the half Blue crossed again to stretch the lead to 20-0.
Another try, this one also converted by five-eighth Ezra Mam, and a try to Yellow saw the score-line 26-4 for Brisbane.
Two further converted tries gave Blue a commanding 38-4 victory over a disappointing Gold Coast outfit, winger Jonathan Van Aswegen crossing for a double.
Brisbane Blue 38 (Jonathan Van Aswegen 2, Daniel Ah-Chong, Ezra Howe, Ezra Mam, Gavin Sims, Natiana Winikerei tries Ezra Mam 4, Mustafa Kaya goals) def Gold Coast Yellow 4 (Tuvalli-Afoa Khan-Pereira try)
Game 3: Brisbane Green v Ipswich 4pm
Just like in the first two games, Brisbane managed quick-fire points in the early exchanges, with Green jumping to an 8-0 lead after 15 minutes.
Another Brisbane try extended this margin, but a good effort from the junior Jets saw Brisbane lead only 12-6 at the half-time break.
After desperate defence from both sides restricted the scoring in the second half, it was an exciting try to Ipswich winger Hinckly-Tonny Samuelu that narrowed the gap to 12-10 with eight minutes remaining.
In a frantic final few minutes both teams were desperate for a win, but it was a Brisbane Green try as the final hooter sounded that secured an exciting 16-10 victory.
Brisbane Green 16 (George Aumua Terry, Campbell Gray, Isaiah Iongi, Alize Tanielu tries) def Ipswich 10 (Zachery Alley, Hinckly-Tonny Samuelu tries Zachery Alley goal)
Round 3 at Redcliffe RLFC, Saturday March 23
Ipswich v Gold Coast Yellow, 2pm
Brisbane Blue v Gold Coast White, 3pm
Brisbane Red v Brisbane Green, 4pm
