Round 7 Saturday wrap: Bears deliver Cutters first loss

Author: Jorja Brinums QRL content producer
Timestamp: Sat 27 Apr 2024, 06:08 PM

Reigning premiers Burleigh Bears delivered Mackay Cutters their first loss of the season after coming out strong and not letting up.

Bears winger Ashleigh Werner was on fire, scoring a hat-trick in front of a big and boisterous crowd; one in the first half to help the Bears go into half-time up 14-4, and the final two in the second half to help deliver the 22-10 win.

Bears captain Zahara Temara said "oh man, it feels good to be back in the winner's circle", especially this close to State of Origin and the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons being named.

"We haven't had the best year and we know that," Temara said.

"We've faced a lot of adversity recently... we had a lot to play for with ANZAC Day this week and a few of our staff had passings as well.

"I'm just proud of the girls to be honest... I think it was just awesome for the girls to start playing together, playing for each other... sometimes that comes really naturally and sometimes it doesn't but out there it felt like we were all connected and that's a win for me, that connectedness.

"We'll take it."

Round 7 - Round 7 - Saturday 27 Apr

Full Time

Bears

Cutters

Venue: UAA Park, Gold Coast

Highlights Latest

Temara said the scoreline did not reflect how hard the game was.

"They were bloody hard, the Cutters, and they deserve to be on top," Temara said.

"We take a lot of learnings from them. They bloody gave it to us... the score doesn't reflect that but it was bloody close out there, with them coming back, and they had all of the momentum, and that's where we stayed calm.

"Of course, we still had a few errors but we never felt like we were losing it and that's what we haven't had this year. I think everyone put their hands up at certain moments... the backs were on fire and so were the forwards.

"I give it up to (Sophie) Buller, she had massive impact, and she was playing out of position today at hooker, and Sarina (Masaga), our young girl from under 19s, they were awesome."

Temara said it was hit-out for everyone in contention to play Origin.

"I got a lot of confidence out of that so if I am selected, I'll take that with me," Temara said.

Cutters captain Tahlulah Tillett said "it was a bit disappointing" to miss out on the two points, but her side would take learnings from the game into the next round.

"We let Burleigh come out to a really good start and they're a quality team so it was hard to come back... I was proud of our efforts in the second half, we fought our way back into the game, but we gave Burleigh that headstart in the first half and it was a bit too hard to come back," Tillett said.

"I think the biggest thing for us is we just need to make sure we control the ball and make sure we get to the end of our sets.

"We found ourselves in some really good positions early in the first half but we just gave away silly penalties and piggybacked them around the field. The great team that they are, they executed off the back of those.

"I think going into next week, at the back end of the season, we just need to be more disciplined and making sure we're completing and executing our sets."