Hornets Nest By GRAEME LAWRENCE
THE Cudgen Hornets can all but kiss their chances of participating in the Gold Coast/Tweed Rugby League finals series goodbye after a disappointing performance against the Currumbin Eagles at Galleon Way, Currumbin, on Sunday.
With only two rounds remaining, the Eagles jumped ahead of the Hornets to all but seal fifth spot for the finals series.
The Hornets clash with Southport Tigers next weekend and the finish the season proper against the Tugun Seahawks.
To upset either of those sides the Hornets will have to improve considerably on their last weekend’s performance. However, allowing for the dominance of the Eagles, and considering that only one side was really playing finals-style footy with 20 minutes to go, there were only two points separating the two sides. But, the Eagles had dominated possession and field position and even the keenest Hornets supporters could tell that they were running low on petrol.
In a miserably dark afternoon amid the odd light shower of rain and with the lights on, the Eagles put the sword to a tiring Hornets defence and crossed for four tries in the final stages to run out convincing 32-10 winners.
The one shining light for the Hornets was the outstanding performance of fullback Jake Sands.
Sands fielded numerous high kicks under pressure and scored a magnificent 70-metre solo try when he made the normally impregnable Eagles defence seem non-existent.
It was one of the rare good moments for the Hornets as their problems seemed to begin with poor dummy half service and consequently the dominant Eagles defence contained them for long periods of play well within their own territory. No-one tried harder for the Hornets than second-rower Jay Solley, five-eight Mark O’Grady and half-back Shaun Nipperess.
The Hornets Reggies showed that they could well be a nuisance side in the final series as they claimed an emphatic 40-8 victory.
In a side brimming with Hornets juniors (12 in all), the Reggies scored some wonderful tries and are firmly entrenched in the top five.
Once again Shannon Murphy and Scott Ella stood tall and were well supported by Jacob Ziebell, Jackson Hardy and Jay McAllie.
Meanwhile, the under-19s continued their, let-them-go-and-then-chase-them-down approach, as they played out an exciting 26-all draw after being behind by 16 points just prior to the half-time break. Unfortunately, their chance of playing finals footy is purely mathematical.
Next weekend, the Hornets travel to Southport to do battle with the current competition leaders. It will be a tough assignment for the young Hornets who have matured considerably over this season. In their last clash the Hornets prevailed in a tough match so coach Troy McCarthy will be looking for a return to that type of form.
Bycroft Cup round 15 results
SOUTHPORT TIGERS 24 (M. Davis, K. Paki-Paki Hemopo, S. Mulligan, T. Cannard tries C. Chapman 4 goals) d TUGUN SEAHAWKS 18 (J. Sykes 2, R. Reid, C. Hodges tries; V. Batavia goal).
CURRUMBIN EAGLES 32 (T. Cassidy 2, D. Panui, J. Gill, J. Whitely, M. Cook tries; C. Gerhardt 4 goals) d CUDGEN HORNETS 10 (J. Sands, S. Nipperess tries; J. Sands goal).
BURLEIGH BEARS 22 (E. Mafi 2, W. Wahini, S. Davies tries; H. Allsop 3 goals) d BILAMBIL JETS 18 (J. Armstrong, J. Springer, C. Rowston tries; N. Black 3 goals).
TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS 50 (C. Piper 2, L. Dumas, M. Lloyd, M. Baber, M. Lindsay, S. Gillett, S. Saville N. Thomas tries; M. Baber 7 goals) d RUNAWAY BAY SEAGULLS 20 (B. Midson, F. Arkell, J. Mackin, M. Francis tries; T. Johnanson 2 goals).
First grade ladder
Southport Tigers 24
Bilambil Jets 22
Tugun Seahawks 20
Burleigh Bears 19
Currumbin Eagles 12
Cudgen Hornets 11
Tweed Heads Seagulls 8
Runaway Bay Seagulls 4
Round 16
Tugun Seahawks v Tweed Heads Seagulls; Sunday August 4, 3pm at Boyd Street, Tugun.
Runaway Bay Seagulls v Burleigh Bears; Sunday August 4, 3pm at Bycroft Oval, Runaway Bay.
Currumbin Eagles v Bilambil Jets; Sunday August 4, 3pm at Galleon Way, Currumbin.
