Granty
03-03-2008, 08:30 AM
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2008/03/03/11089_sport.html
Under-20s Cowboys look for opener
ANTONY STEWART
03Mar08
COWBOYS under-20 coach Grant Bell says he is extremely close to settling on a team line-up for the club's debut in the inaugural Toyota Cup competition.
The youth players had one final chance to impress over the course of two games at the weekend ahead of North Queensland's opening match against the Gold Coast.
On Friday they took on Townsville and Districts Rugby League premiers Brothers at Jack Manski Oval, pulling off an exciting 30-24 victory.
Then on Saturday night seven players turned out in a Cowboys combined team that beat Queensland Cup side the Mackay Cutters 24-22 at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
Bell said he had been encouraged by all the team's trial games during the pre-season.
"The trials have been good, they have given us a pretty good idea of where each of them are at and how the side has come together," he said.
"We're pretty close to coming up to a first 17 for the game against the Titans and we'll have some discussions about that during the week."
In a game where neither team could ever feel fully in control, forwards Shaun Maloney and Nathan Barraclough were stand-outs for the Cowboys against Brothers.
Hooker Roy Baira and back-rower Ashley Laffranchi impressed for the Brethren.
Bell said it was the type of rough-and-tough match his side needed before the two-week break ahead of round one at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast.
"It was a very physical contest from both sides, both teams were quite prepared to get into the match and play a bit which was good," he said.
"The result see-sawed throughout ... it was always a game that either team could come away with."
Under-20s Cowboys look for opener
ANTONY STEWART
03Mar08
COWBOYS under-20 coach Grant Bell says he is extremely close to settling on a team line-up for the club's debut in the inaugural Toyota Cup competition.
The youth players had one final chance to impress over the course of two games at the weekend ahead of North Queensland's opening match against the Gold Coast.
On Friday they took on Townsville and Districts Rugby League premiers Brothers at Jack Manski Oval, pulling off an exciting 30-24 victory.
Then on Saturday night seven players turned out in a Cowboys combined team that beat Queensland Cup side the Mackay Cutters 24-22 at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
Bell said he had been encouraged by all the team's trial games during the pre-season.
"The trials have been good, they have given us a pretty good idea of where each of them are at and how the side has come together," he said.
"We're pretty close to coming up to a first 17 for the game against the Titans and we'll have some discussions about that during the week."
In a game where neither team could ever feel fully in control, forwards Shaun Maloney and Nathan Barraclough were stand-outs for the Cowboys against Brothers.
Hooker Roy Baira and back-rower Ashley Laffranchi impressed for the Brethren.
Bell said it was the type of rough-and-tough match his side needed before the two-week break ahead of round one at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast.
"It was a very physical contest from both sides, both teams were quite prepared to get into the match and play a bit which was good," he said.
"The result see-sawed throughout ... it was always a game that either team could come away with."