Game Wrap Trial 3 vs Gold Coast Titans Under 20’s
Monday, February 23, 2015
When Cyclone Marcia prevented the scheduled trial against the CQ Capras from going ahead in Rockhampton as planned some last minute rearranging allowed the Gold Coast Titans Under 20s to fly to Townsville to play against the Townsville & District Mendi Blackhawks in their final trial before season 2015 of the Intrust Super Cup begins.
On Saturday 21st February the team took to the field for the first time in dry conditions at Jack Manski Oval prepared to play attacking football. Although the humidity was extreme and heavy clouds threatened the rain held off and it was a high scoring affair.
The Titans were the first to cross the line through halfback Dan Schwass just after kick off, however the Mendi Blackhawks were quick to hit back with Neville Costigan busting through the defence to score under the posts in the 12th minute. From then on the Mendi Blackhawks dominated scoring another 4 tries before the half time break including an impressive runaway to Moses Pangai who expertly fended off the defence on his storm to the line.
The second half opened with a try to Cowboys contracted player Glenn Hall to take the score to 30-6 to the Mendi Blackhawks just after the break. Another try to Mendi Blackhawks winger Lenny Magey in the corner took the score to 34-6 with 20 minutes to go. The Titans went on to score two late tries through Deacon Fletcher and Jed Cartwright before Mendi Blackhawks Jonathon Reuben crossed the line for his second try right on the hooter. The final score was 36-16 to the Mendi Blackhawks.
“We need to improve our handling and there were some defensive lapses that need tightening up. Discovering these small things that we need to work on is what trials are for and it was a good to have a solid hit out.” Coach Kristian Woolf said.
“There were some signs of fatigue towards the end of the second half but I think the players got some valuable running in their legs during the game. I think the young Titans handled themselves well and we are very thankful that the staff and club allowed the trial to happen in Townsville.”
Blackhawks 38 (Tries: Neville Costigan, Jonathon Reuben 2, Tom Humble, Joe Mua, Moses Pangai, Glenn Hall, Lenny Magey; Conversions: Tom Humble, Kyle Feldt, Mitch Seri) defeated Titans – 16 (Tries: Dan Schwass, Deacon Fletcher, Jed Cartwright; Conversions: Dan Schwass 2)
