Round 1 Sunday wrap: Falcons celebrate win in inaugural match

The Sunshine Coast Falcons have celebrated their first win in the BMD Premiership, claiming their inaugural match 34-18 over the Brisbane Tigers.

Just 24 hours after fellow newcomers the Western Clydesdales made their mark on the competition, the Falcons followed suit with a dominant Round 1 victory at Totally Workwear Stadium.

The Falcons were particularly impressive in the opening stanza, piling on five tries to one, with a double to winger Makayla Henry.

The emotion of the day was evident when young hooker, Jordan Jackson, crossed in the 26th minute, with the former Harvey Norman Under 19 talent shedding a few tears.

For forward Holli Wheeler, it was a day the club will never forget.

“It was a pretty special moment for the club,” Wheeler said.

“You only get one chance at a first game in an inaugural season.

“We spoke about it before the game and (co-captain) Annette Brander touched on it, how special it would be to get the team off on the right foot and build the season from this game.

“It was really, really special and I’m sure the club is going to be proud of that effort.”

Brander’s other co-captain, Hayley Maddick, scored the team’s only try of the second half, with the Tigers coming out determined to keep the scoring to a minimum.

While the second half was a more subdued affair, the Falcons can also be proud of the goal line defence, with the Sunshine Coast holding out the hosts on repeat occasions.

Jillaroos forward Wheeler – who is doing fly in, fly out for this year’s BMD Premiership season – said the squad will continue to develop their skill in time, but their heart could not be questioned on Sunday.

“We’ve got a pretty solid squad,” she said.

“I was really impressed with the energy that we kept showing up with and the hunger and the want to compete.

“Skills and fitness, you can always work on. But that desire, you can’t coach it.

“To have that within the squad, we kept showing up and turning up. We were scrappy there in pieces and so were the Tigers but completion rate we can work on.

“The hunger is huge and something we can build on for the rest of the season.”

The Falcons will now turn their attention to their first home game against the Mackay Cutters next Saturday while the Tigers will travel to Bishop Park to take on the Norths Devils, who also fell short in Round 1.

For Saturday’s results, click here.

Watch replays of Round 1 of the BMD Premiership by subscribing to Qplus.tv.