Granty
26-02-2006, 10:15 PM
http://qrl.com.au/display.php?pg_id=1357
Rising Comets Test Premiers
MATT Parish’s assertion that the Central Comets now have a ‘very competitive squad’ was reinforced last night as the 2005 wooden spooners pushed star-studded North Queensland in a 20-14 loss at Mackay.
The Rockhampton-based Comets led last year’s premiers 14-4 at the halftime break, but fell just short at the line against a Young Guns squad containing Carl Webb, Steve Southern and Rod Jensen.
Charles Vis scored the winning try for North Queensland in the 76th minute, following up second-half efforts by Jensen (44th) and Southern (53rd).
Earlier the Comets had gained the ascendancy through tries to Odell Manuel, Jade Wogand and Jim McConachy.
Comets coach Parish said the deciding factor was his team’s poor handling in the second half.
“We dropped the ball at crucial times and you can’t do that against a side like the Young Guns,” Parish said.
“I thought we blew it. We went up to win and I thought at 14-4 up at halftime that we should have gone on with it.
“We spoke about it again after the game – the aim is not to get close, it’s to win games.
“I’d say we’ve improved the last few games and now we have to continue to improve.”
The Comets were not helped by a multitude of missed opportunities in the first half, with several balls dropped over the try line.
While Parish expects his team to be more competitive this season, he has admitted injuries to key players such as Tyron Haynes (hand) and Denny Lambert (hamstring) tested his side.
NORTH QUEENSLAND YOUNG GUNS 20 (Charles Vis, Rod Jensen, Jamie Frizzo, Steve Southern tries; Scott Smith, Mark Henry goal) beat CENTRAL 14 (Odell Manuel, Jade Wogand, Jim McConachy tries; Scott Porter goal).
Rising Comets Test Premiers
MATT Parish’s assertion that the Central Comets now have a ‘very competitive squad’ was reinforced last night as the 2005 wooden spooners pushed star-studded North Queensland in a 20-14 loss at Mackay.
The Rockhampton-based Comets led last year’s premiers 14-4 at the halftime break, but fell just short at the line against a Young Guns squad containing Carl Webb, Steve Southern and Rod Jensen.
Charles Vis scored the winning try for North Queensland in the 76th minute, following up second-half efforts by Jensen (44th) and Southern (53rd).
Earlier the Comets had gained the ascendancy through tries to Odell Manuel, Jade Wogand and Jim McConachy.
Comets coach Parish said the deciding factor was his team’s poor handling in the second half.
“We dropped the ball at crucial times and you can’t do that against a side like the Young Guns,” Parish said.
“I thought we blew it. We went up to win and I thought at 14-4 up at halftime that we should have gone on with it.
“We spoke about it again after the game – the aim is not to get close, it’s to win games.
“I’d say we’ve improved the last few games and now we have to continue to improve.”
The Comets were not helped by a multitude of missed opportunities in the first half, with several balls dropped over the try line.
While Parish expects his team to be more competitive this season, he has admitted injuries to key players such as Tyron Haynes (hand) and Denny Lambert (hamstring) tested his side.
NORTH QUEENSLAND YOUNG GUNS 20 (Charles Vis, Rod Jensen, Jamie Frizzo, Steve Southern tries; Scott Smith, Mark Henry goal) beat CENTRAL 14 (Odell Manuel, Jade Wogand, Jim McConachy tries; Scott Porter goal).