Blackhawks outclass Bears

Monday, May 11, 2015

The Townsville & Districts Mendi Blackhawks expected a close encounter with the Burleigh Bears in Round 9 of the Intrust Super Cup and for the first fifteen minutes the home side got what they expected as they buckled down to defend their line against a hefty Bears forward pack. The scores were locked at 6 all after six minutes but it was to be the last time the visitors crossed the line as the Blackhawks ran an attacking masterclass at Jack Manksi Oval.

The home side ran in a total of 14 tries in 80 minutes amassing 78 points and handing the Bears their biggest ever loss in the Intrust Super Cup. The Blackhawks defense was again impenetrable with the only try scored against them resulting from a kick. At half time the Blackhawks were leading 38-6 and fitness appeared to be their main advantage as the side put on another 40 point during the second stanza.

Cowboys contracted outside backs Kyle Feldt and Zac Santo scored five tries between them with Feldt clocking up a hat-trick. Doubles also went to winger Jonathon Reuben and interchange hooker Nathan Norford whose fast footwork late in the game was too much to handle for the fatigued Bears’ defenders.

Glenn Hall, Anthony Mitchell, Robert Lui and Michael Parker-Walshe also made it onto the scoreboard alongside local boy and interchange player Corey Jensen who crossed for his maiden Blackhawks try just prior to half time.

Despite the lopsided score line the Blackhawks have no doubt that the Bears will not experience another such loss in the near future. Coach Kristian Woolf said, “They are a proud club with a long history and a talented line up. They are just as likely to come out firing from the loss and put 50 points on the next side they come up against. It certainly wasn’t the type of scoreline we were expecting.”

“As far as our players go, I was pleased with our completion rate at 85% and I think the boys kept focus and played out the full 80 minutes which is what we train for every week. We are looking at tough road trip this weekend to face Tweed at Piggabeen so we now switch our focus to that game.” Coach Woolf said.

TOWNSVILLE MENDI BLACKHAWKS 78 (Kyle Feldt 3, Glenn Hall, Jonathon Reuben 2, Anthony Mitchell, Corey Jensen, Michael Parker-Walshe, Robert Lui, Zac Santo 2, Nathan Norford 2 tries; Kyle Feldt 4, Robert Lui 7 goals) def BURLEIGH BEARS 6 (Ryley Jacks try; Tyler Chadburn goal) at Jack Manski Oval, Townsville.