Hornets Nest By GRAEME LAWRENCE
THE Cudgen Hornets A Grade and under-19 sides completed their 2013 campaigns in the Bycroft Cup competition against the Tugun Seahawks last Sunday at Ned Byrne Field, Kingscliff.
The Tom Prichard coached Reggies, who stormed into fourth position, will contest their fourth finals series in the past five seasons, which includes two grand final appearances and a premiership.
The A Grade match was a scrappy affair in a game where the Seahawks always had the upper hand. While even the most ardent Tugun supporter might have been left wondering on more than one occasion on some strange refereeing decisions, the Hornets looked tired and once again continually gifted their opponents try-scoring opportunities with undisciplined ball handling. None tried harder than prop forward Dan Donovan and second rowers Jay Solley and Luke Spring, while fullback Jake Sands showed his class when the opportunity arose. Five eighth Dylan Sutton was both the hero and the villian in a mixture of clever and – at times – wayward ball passing.
The Hornets have certainly matured this season and have played some outstanding footy. A number of young players have been given the opportunity in the top grade and will be much improved from their experiences. Under the astute coaching of Troy McCarthy and along with some well needed R&R there is an air of expectation ahead for the 2014 season.
Meanwhile the Reggies scored an emphatic 48-18 win over the 2012 grand finalists as they wound up their preparations for their finals campaign. Mark O’Grady, Jarrod Cain and Steven Roberts were the pick of the best in a fine team effort. The Reggies is a side chock full of Cudgen juniors and with full back Scott Ella and lock forward Shannon Murphy providing the experience, they are a side that could spring some surprises in the finals.
The young guns in the under-19 side, while disappointing in their overall performance, have unearthed some exiting young talents. Prop forwards Nick Clark and Tahnee Whitfield, second rowers Jacob Spargo and Dylan Hawkey along with Chris Carlyon, Zenon Dorrough, Reve Van Zanten and Cooper Black will all provide Cudgen supporters with plenty of smiles in the seasons ahead.
The Reggies will play their elimination semi-final this Saturday at Pizzey Park Burleigh Heads against Runaway Bay with a 1.15pm kick-off.
GOLD COAST RUGBY LEAGUE – BYCROFT CUP RESULTS
ROUND 17
A GRADE
Burleigh 30 (tries: E. Mafi 2, K. Nilan, J. Gardiner, H. Allsop, S Davies; goals: H. Allsop 3 d Southport 10 (tries: M. Davies, J. Blanke; goals: C. Thomas).
Bilambil 36 (tries: J. Nash 2, T. Canning, L. McNamara, D. Lanston, J. Pleming, G. Lanston; goals: N. Black 3, T. Canning) d Runaway Bay 9 (tries: A. Calajich, S. Satogi; goals: M. Francis).
Tugun 40 (tries: J. Sykes 3, D. Backo, R. Parata, B. Clarke, R. Apanui, T. Batey; goals: K. Te Kiri 4) d Cudgen 10 (tries: J. Sands, J. Sleba; goals: J. Sands).
Currumbin 62 (tries: L. Byers 3, T. Cassidy 2, C. Gerhardt, M. Grundy, J. McCarthy, R. Smith, R. Worboys, D. Panui; goals: C. Gerhardt 9) d Tweed Heads 6 (tries: S. Piper; goals: M. Lloyd).
Ladder: Southport 26, Bilambil 24, Tugun 24, Burleigh 23 ,Currumbin 16, Cudgen 11, Tweed Heads 8, Runaway Bay 4.
RESERVES
Burleigh 26 d Southport 24. Tweed Heads 12 drew Currumbin. Cudgen 48 d Tugun 18. Bilambil 26 d Runaway Bay 12.
Ladder: Burleigh 30, Southport 26, Bilambil 24, Cudgen 20, Runaway Bay 16, Tugun 12,
Tweed Heads 5, Currumbin 3.
UNDER 19
Mudgeeraba 28 d Currumbin 26. Tugun 46 d Cudgen 12. Burleigh 34 d Southport 30. Runaway Bay 20 drew Bilambil.
Ladder: Burleigh 32, Southport 20, Runaway Bay 19, Tugun 19, Bilambil 17, Cudgen 11, Currumbin 9, Mudgeeraba 9.
POWRGARD CUP GRAND FINAL
A Division: Beaudesert 24 d Mudgeeraba 4. B Division: Parkwood 32 d Tweed Coast 28.
