Capras overtake Falcons after close clash in Monto

The Monto State School opened in 1926 and it was the Capras that began the Falcons' education in the fifth minute.

The Capras worked down the field, until they were in good ball areas for a kick that put the Falcons' back three under pressure.

Jack Madden put up the bomb and sweating on the error was Jessie Jennings, who has been a prolific try scorer this year with eight tries in 14 games.

It was another kick that brought the Falcons' first try, when Kane Jackson jumped on a short kick from Daniel Atkinson and had the Falcons back to just two points behind the Capras.

The Sunshine Coasts then found points again at the end of the first half when Falcons fullback-turned-five-eighth Luke Polselli came right and found his second rower Thomas Rafter.

He gave his winger Blake Wilson some space and that space turned into Wilson’s seventh try and gave the Falcons the lead for the first time in the match.

The first half had shown this was going to be a game where points were not freely on offer and defence and penalties would prove to be gold in Monto.

That continued into the second half, with the Capras and Falcons looking for a way to get through. The kicking game of Madden and Atkinson would be pivotal in winning ground.

The Falcons saw a defensive struggle was underway and as soon as a penalty was awarded within kicking distance, Atkinson took the two points and a four-point lead for the Falcons with 26 minutes to play.

The Capras then scored the first try of the second half when Brandon Roberts was on the end of some chaos. The Capras looked to have all 13 players in their backline when they went right and it was Roberts who took advantage of time created inside him.

The Falcons switched off and Roberts was able to run around under the posts, gifting his side an easy conversion and the lead.

It was more of that chaos that helped the Capras score again on the right - Bailey Butler went close under the posts but the big front rower couldn’t get an arm out.

The Capras came right and again quick hands and what looked like disorganised  play led to Curtis Dansey-Smaller scoring.

The Capras' defence was tested in the last five minutes with the Falcons going into touch and dropping the ball over the line in their search for six points and a draw.

But it was too much for the Falcons to overcome and the Capras came away with a 16-10 win.

The win saw the Capras leapfrog the Falcons on the ladder, as they moved into clear second on 23 points.

Central Queensland will next week take on the Mackay Cutters in Mackay as they continue to push for a top two finish to the season.

The Sunshine Coast meanwhile will play host to the PNG Hunters next Sunday.