Round 9 Saturday wrap: Clydesdales, Bears lock in finals spots

"No one else has seen the hard work these girls have put in and the country spirit of these girls just keeps showing up every single week.

"We do not give up, we don't go away, we're proud. As a club, as team in the region they have made a huge impact for our sport."

Sargent said while the side had some big names during the season, he said everyone else had grown as players throughout the year and deserved credit for getting the club to this point.

At BMD Kougari Oval, Emma Barnes crossed for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the third minute, but from there the Falcons turned the tables and dominated the opening stanza.

Abigail Hills, Makayla Henry and Hayley Maddick dotted down to put the visitors in front 16-6 by the 17-minute mark.

Sarai Pule got the reward for the outstanding efforts of the forward pack, adding another in the 26th minute and the Falcons should have had more in the dying minutes of the half if not for some desperate Wynnum Manly defence.

A Jordan Jackson try put the Falcons ahead 28-6 shortly after the interval, but the Seagulls never stopped fighting, drawing within 14 with nine minutes remaining - and all the momentum.

But that would be the last time they cracked the Falcons with Sheridan Gallagher sealing it for the Sunshine Coast side, the win temporarily putting the side in the top four.

Falcons hooker Jordan Jackson said everyone knowing their role led to a clinical performance to take the game away from the Seagulls in the first half.

"I'm so proud of the girls. We dug deep the whole time and it was just great to see the girls put it all out on the field for each other. You can't ask for more than that," Jackson said.

"We obviously put on a good score at half time so it was about doing what we were doing to finish the game off. We just needed to keep the energy and intent up. 

"We had to keep working to that very last minute. It was great for us knowing (Wynnum Manly) would put up a fight. They're a hard team to play against.

Jackson said it had been "incredible" to be part of the Falcons' inaugural BMD Premiership season, even if the side missed the finals by the barest of margins.

"Being history making, it's amazing. being able to play alongside these girls for the first time in this season, it's an experience you can't every repeat, it's once-in-a-lifetime," she said.

The home-and-away season ends with top-of-the-table sides Norths Devils taking on Mackay Cutters on Sunday.

A Bridget Hoy hat-trick wasn't enough to get Tweed Seagulls the win, the Capras getting over the line thanks to a late Bree Spreadborough double.

Burleigh fought back from a 10-6 half-time deficit to beat a gallant Tigers team.

Main image: Western Clydesdales made the finals after a draw at Souths Logan. Photo: Benny Hassum