Blackhawks crush Capras despite trip from hell

Monday, June 15, 2015

Townsville & Districts Mendi Blackhawks’ flight bookings had the team arriving in Rockhampton with ample time for checking in to their hotel, lunch and a quick game of cricket before heading to Browne Park. The reality of their trip to face the CQ Capras saw them arrive with barely enough time to pull on their playing kit after flight cancellations played havoc with preparations.

Not that anyone watching the game would be able to tell that the visitors had just experienced a disruptive day of travel delays as Captain Dan Beasley crossed the line within the first 7 minutes. Beasley’s effort was followed by 3 more converted tries to Michael Parker-Walshe, Zac Santo and Kyle Feldt taking the Mendi Blackhawks to the break with a 24 nil lead.

The second half began in much the same manner as the first half with first points to the visiting side, this time to utility Noel Underwood who continues to do his job well in the centres in place of the injured Moses Pangai. Michael Parker-Walshe came up with his double just minutes before the Capras scored their only try of the match through Rajan Opetaia-Halls, taking the score to 34-6 with twenty minutes left to play.

The final two tries of the match came from rapid winger Zac Santo who racked up yet another hat-trick in Round 14 and surely cemented his place in the 2015 Intrust Super Cup leading try-scorer’s list. A penalty in the dying stages took the final score to 46-6 to the Mendi Blackhawks.

The game was peppered with handling errors due to the light rain falling and the resulting slippery surface at Browne Park. The greasy conditions produced mistakes from both sides but the Mendi Blackhawks were the team that were able to convert their chances into points.  The Capras defended valiantly for the majority of the game but were unable to prevent the visitors from crossing the line 8 times.

Coach Kristian Woolf said that his players were impressive in their ability to rise to the occasion given the challenging day they had endured on the way to Rockhampton, “Considering the difficult circumstances I was very happy with the way our players went about their business. Everyone was able to put a tough preparation behind them and start with game with excellent intensity.”

“While we still have plenty to improve on, we showed an enhanced attack with the stabilty of Rob Lui and Michael Parker-Walshe back together in the halves. Our defence was again excellent for the most part as it has been for the past few weeks.”

 

TOWNSVILLE MENDI BLACKHAWKS 46 (Daniel Beasley, Michael Parker-Walshe (2), Zac Santo (3), Kyle Feldt, Noel Underwood tries; Kyle Feldt (7) goals) def CQ CAPRAS 6 (Rajan Opetaia Halls try; IanWebster goal) at Browne Park, Rockhampton.