Comets bring Pride down to Earth
THE Northern Pride's depth faces yet another big test after the Queensland Cup new boys limped out of Saturday's 28-16 loss to the Central Comets with a mountainous injury toll.
It was a black night at Rockhampton’s Browne Park for the Pride with Drew Campbell (knee), Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia (knee), Chris Afamasaga (sternum) and Cowboys recruit Matt Bartlett (shoulder) all in doubt for this week's home game against Tweed Heads.
See Northern Pride picture gallery.
The football gods seemed determined not to grant the Pride any favours in the round-17 clash.
The bad omens started before kick-off with halfback Chris Sheppard forced to the bench after pinching a nerve in his neck during the warm-up.
Pride coach Andrew Dunemann said Sheppard's composure was missed in the opening 15 minutes when his side had the Comets at its mercy.
"It really killed us not having him there," he said.
"If Shep was on I reckon we could have blown them off the park.
"We absolutely hammered their line but we just couldn't get over.
"We had no direction and lacked a bit of punch."
The Pride trailed 16-10 at the break but, with his bench ravaged by injury, Dunemann could do little in the second half to stop his side losing touch with the Comets.
Dunemann said his players did well to restrict the home side to 28 points.
"It could have been a cricket score," he said.
"In the end I didn't really have anyone to throw back in there.
"But full credit to the Comets. We could sit here all afternoon coming up with excuses but they played really well."
All the fit Pride players were forced to play big minutes with Dunemann praising the endeavour of forwards Alex Starmer, Ben Laity and Greg Byrnes.
Hezron Murgha, Gordon Rattler and To’oto’o-ulugia all crossed for the Pride, with Sheppard kicking two goals.
Saturday night's defeat has dropped the Pride to second on the ladder behind the Ipswich Jets.
Share this article
Under pressure: Nat Bowman looks for a passing opportunity for the Comets.
Maher goes into bat for Nash
QUEENSLAND cricket great Jimmy Maher has called on West Indies' selectors to retain fellow FNQ product Brendan Nash for the second Test against Australia in Adelaide.
Northern Pride player kicked man unconscious
A NORTHERN Pride rugby league footballer has been fined and faces club sanctions after a drunken fight in which he kicked a man unconscious then switched clothes with a mate to elude police.
Cairns Taipans players' fears allayed
CAIRNS Taipans' players are confident in the club's position this season despite a leaked Cairns Regional Council report painting a bleak picture of the financial future.
Jawai's Timberwolves notch a win
IT'S taken 14 games but Nathan Jawai has finally notched his first win with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Cairns Taipans' Boody is back
GARY Boodnikoff will be back in Cairns Taipans colours on Wednesday night, revelling in the atmosphere of the NBL's most ferocious derby.
