A Scott Marsh sideline conversion clinched a thrilling 24-22 win for Banyo over Aspley Devils in the Rugby League Brisbane Open 3 men’s northside competition at the Bora Ring on Saturday.
Trailing the majority of the game, Banyo refused to throw in the towel that has Aspley moving into fourth spot on the ladder.
In what was a quality game of rugby league, Aspley wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, crossing in the corner in the third minute of play.
Aspley’s powerful backline was causing mayhem out wide early on and the Devils stretched their lead to 10-0, crashing over in the corner in the 15th minute.
Banyo eventually got on the board in the 26th minute courtesy of hooker Slade Smith, who lunged over from dummy half to score.
The home side were still being battered by Aspley forwards John Falaniua, Andrew Ratana and Keanu Enua, but they somehow weathered the storm.
However, it didn’t take long for Aspley to creep out even further on the scoreboard when the brilliant James Swann chimed into the backline, to score what was a fantastic solo try.
But Banyo refused to be out muscled by their opposition with forwards Rohan Coulta, Kelvin Beattie and Stumpy Lucas all paving the way for the home side.
With halftime looming, Banyo were gifted a penalty right in front of the sticks after a high shot caught the attention of the officials.
Half Bob Hayward stepped up to take the easiest of conversions to see Aspley going into the break leading 16-8.
Banyo’s resilience in the opening exchanges of the second half eventually paid dividends.
Exciting fullback Zach Wapau’s 40m burst up field off a scrum saw the long-striding custodian go in untouched beside the sticks only two minutes into the second stanza.
In what looked like a changing of the guard after the break, Banyo hit the lead for the first time in the 49th minute.
Replacement player Jamal Ware’s sneaky try from dummy half, saw the home side hit the front 18-16.
But it was Aspley’s playmaking halfback Agustinus Dorante causing the most problems for the home side, who was an absolute excitement machine.
The brilliant half was in everything, and his clever skills set up his side in good field position for their next try to regain the lead.
Aspley hooker Zach Rhind took advantage of the closeness to Banyo’s tryline, and he snuck under two defenders to plant the ball down from dummy half.
At 22-18, time was running out for Banyo to potentially snatch a late victory.
However, they sent the home crowd into a spin when centre Ben Mills defied the odds and inched his way over in the corner with millimetres to spare to level the scores.
Banyo captain Scott Marsh was left with the difficult task of landing the conversion from the sideline and the inspirational captain landed the goal to see the Devils sneak home in an absolute thriller.
