Outstanding individual efforts and great team play in Round 2 of the Holcim Cup helped produce another exciting day of rugby league.
The first game at Pathion Park was a tightly-contested affair, where the Burleigh Bears and West Brisbane Panthers could not be separated in their 8-8 draw; however the second match-up gave Souths Logan Magpies the opportunity to show their class in the competition with a big 44-4 win over a spirited Easts Tigers outfit.
Each week, QRL.com.au will publish a Holcim Cup team of the week made up of outstanding performances by players in the competition each round.
The team will be selected by Queensland Rugby League Football and Digital staff, in consultation with Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons coaches Jason Hetherington, Karyn Murphy and Nat Dwyer, who are closely following each rounds’ action.
Round 2 Holcim Cup team of the week
1. Tamika Upton - Souths Logan Magpies
The Central Queensland product was on fire in Round 2, proving elusive out the back for the Magpies on her way to crossing for four outstanding tries. Upton showcased her great speed and agility.
2. Shae-Yvonne De La Cruz – Souths Logan Magpies
With her speed and footwork, the Papua New Guinea representative proved a handful for the opposition and she also scored a try during her side's victory.
3. Teaghan Hartigan - Burleigh Bears
Some strong defence characterised a good all-round performance from the Fiji international player who had plenty of involvements for her team.
4. Romy Teitzel - West Brisbane Panthers
One of a contingent of North Queensland players who have made the move to the southeast to take part in the competition, Teitzel has impressed with the Panthers and provided key input into their attacking plays.
5. Hayley Maddick – Souths Logan Magpies
The speedy outside back was a try scorer for the Magpies by doing what good backs do best; following up on a break by her team mate Steph Hancock to accept the offload to go in for a well-crafted try.
6. Tarryn Aiken - West Brisbane Panthers
The Tweed Seagulls half slotted straight into her new team for Round 2, featuring in some telling involvements for the Panthers. Aiken took on the line with great tempo and was also able to break through for a try of her own.
7. Tayla Eldridge – Easts Tigers
Possessing a good width of pass, Eldridge tried hard for an inexperienced Tigers team and combined well with her second rowers to provide some spark across the park.
8. Steph Hancock - Souths Logan Magpies
The powerhouse forward continues to impress in the Holcim Cup competition. This weekend, as well making some strong runs for her side, Hancock also showed off her play-making skills with a try assist any halfback would be proud of, regathering her own bomb before slipping a pass away to her winger to score a great try.
9. Brittany Breayley - Burleigh Bears
The Jillaroos and Maroons representative was effective out of dummy half for the Bears and her defence was always key to keeping things controlled the middle.
10. Laken Paitai – Burleigh Bears
The young Bears forward makes her second appearance in the team of the week after putting in another strong showing up front. Highly energetic with some strong defence and good carries.
11. Chante Temara - Burleigh Bears
While small in stature, the Burleigh forward plays a big-hearted game each week and is not afraid to put her body on the line to make important tackles for her side. The Queensland Under 18 representative is also someone to contend with when she has the ball and can produce some creative play.
12. Tazmin Gray - Burleigh Bears
In her second game back from injury, Gray provided great spark for her side in both attack and defence. The Maroons forward scored all of Burleigh's points, bagging two impressive tries.
13. Brianna Clark - West Brisbane Panthers
There were plenty of strong involvements from the Mackay local, who played some aggressive football and made important carries with the ball. The Maroons squad member was strong in defence.
14. Therese Aiton - Souths Logan Magpies
The former Queensland Interstate Challenge representative was busy in attack and provided plenty of options for the players around her.
15. Elsie Albert - Souths Logan Magpies
It was another eye-catching showing from the PNG Orchids captain, with the hard-to-tackle forward adding to her try-scoring tally after making an impressive mid-field break to outpace defenders and get the ball down for her team.
16. Courtney Hodder – West Brisbane Panthers
The Panthers fullback was fearless on the field, getting heavily involved in the play for her side.
17. Jessikah Reeves - Easts Tigers
The youngster tried her best to lift her side with some bone-rattling defence. The Queensland Under 18 representative also proved a handful to bring down for the Magpies opposition.
