Southside squares ledger

Craig Ross

Monday, June 2, 2008

SOUTHSIDE survived a late scare to continue its impressive run of Cairns and District Rugby Union A grade victories with a 27-24 triumph over Brothers at Stan Williams Park on Saturday.

In a gripping contest that came five weeks after Brothers’ 27-25 victory when the teams last met, Southside withstood a stirring Brothers finish to grab a valuable bonus-point victory.

Click here for pictures from the weekend's matches

Leading 27-10 with six minutes remaining, Southside appeared set for a comfortable win before the home side hit back with two tries to Kele Degei within three minutes, helping the side roar back into contention.

The match ended with Brothers threatening Southside’s tryline, a knock on seconds before fulltime cruelling the Brethren’s hopes of snatching a late win. Despite the late scare, the win was a deserved one for Southside which had led 10-3 at halftime and then kicked clear again in the second half after Brothers had levelled 10-10 in the 51st minute through a converted Mark Gwynne try.

Momentum appeared to be shifting Brothers’ way until powerhouse tries to giant centre and coach Otto Suavai in the 60th and 68th minutes, and anotherto skipper Penani Moevao in the 72nd minute, gave Southside a
17-point advantage.

Moevao, who was outstanding in defence for his side, said it was Southside’s effort in defence which secured the win.

Brothers, whose fighting spirit earned a valuable bonus point, were well served by Gwynne, lock Dan Hanna, flanker Kevin Casey, pivot Daniel Lyngcoln and halfback Patrick Williams.

In other matches, JCU Mariners stand alone at the top of the premiership ladder after beating fellow heavyweights Barron Trinity 20-5 at Smithfield on Friday, while Port Douglas won 39-14 at home over Wanderers on Saturday.

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