By CHRIS CHARD
NORTH Devils captain Matty Smith landed a field goal after the siren to break the hearts of the Tweed Heads Seagulls in an epic 31-30 Intrust Super Cup Rugby League clash at Piggabeen sports field on Sunday afternoon.
Playing at their re-vamped home ground for the first time, the Seagulls made the worst possible start, with Norths flyer Daniel Ogden going over under the posts in just the second minute.
A long range intercept try to Tweed half back Marmin Barba got the Tweed on the scoreboard, however it was soon forgotten as the Devils scored three tries in 10 minutes to put themselves out to an imposing 20-4 lead.
With the match getting away from the home side Tweed lock Chris Binge barged over for the Seagulls’ second try in the 35th minute, before centre Blake Anderson crossed in the shadows of half time after some more great work by Binge to get the Seagulls within a converted try at the break.
The second half was a see-sawing affair, with both sides mixing punishing defence with some well-crafted tries.
When Tweed full back Tom Merritt’s 77th minute try was converted out wide by Barba, the match looked destined to end in a draw, before a frantic few final minutes saw the Devils camped deep in Tweed’s territory.
With no time left on the clock, the ball was funnelled to Smith who then managed to slot the winning point, much to the jubilation of his team-mates.
Norths coach Andrew Wynyard spoke of his pleasure of leaving Piggabeen with the two competition points, but admitted to not having absolute faith in his captain’s final play.
“My confidence level in the kick going over was about 15 percent,” laughed a relieved Wynyard after the match.
“Full credit to the Tweed, they were down on troops today but played a great game of footy.”
In the losing sheds Tweed coach Aaron Zimmerle felt that his side was valiant in defeat, but showed a lack of control in the game’s dying moments.
“If we’d played out the final set and kicked long they wouldn’t have had a chance to kick their field goal, but that just comes with experience, something we’ve lost a lot of through injury,” Zimmerle said.
“A draw today would have been a good reward for the guys, but we’re still confident that we can be a part of this year’s finals series.”
In this weekends games Tweed Heads play the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Intrust Super Cup and the FOGS Colts challenge.
The Seagulls have to win two of their remaining three games to qualify for the ISC finals, and with this weekend’s match their final home game for the season they will be desperate to record a victory.
This will not be an easy task however, with coach Aaron Zimmerle’s side beset by a number of injuries and coming up against an opponent fresh from the week off.
In the Colts, the Seagulls are unable to make the finals, but will be hoping to claim another big scalp in the second placed Dolphins after an impressive victory on the weekend.
Intrust Super Cup: Norths Devils 31 d Tweed Heads 30.
FOGS colts Challenge: Tweed Heads 48 d Norths Devils 18.
As the finals loom, the Tweed Coast Weekly will follow the region’s State League Rugby League team, Tweed Heads Seagulls each week.
