The Capricornia Cyclones U/18 team competed in the Queensland Country Championships over the weekend of the 13th and 14th of february against Townsville and the hosts Mackay. All clubs from the Capricornia league had players selected, with Darcy Payne (Glenmore) named Captain and Daniel Clay (Gladstone) selected as Vice-Captain.
The first game the boys played was against the Mackay Crows on Saturday afternoon. Just prior to the start of the game, the rain began to pour making conditions slippery and difficult for the players. This made for a very physical game, a lot of congested football, with the team who was most desperate getting their hands on the ball. Whilst Capricornia seemed to be controlling the play, there were only a few points separating the teams at half time with Aaron Patton dominating the ruck supported well by Danny Hunt in the middle excelling in the tricky conditions.
In the second half, Capricornia put on a fantastic display of wet weather football. Working as a team, running in numbers, and fierce attack on the football allowed the team to increase their half-time margin. They ended up running out 42 point winners, with Hunt (BITS) best on ground for the game.
The second game of the carnival was against Townsville on Sunday, with both teams enjoying a win the day before. The result of this game would determine the overall winner of the carnival, with all members of Capricornia ready for the challenge against a strong Townsville team. The boys were up against it with Captain Darcy Payne (knee), Jack Williams (knee), Luke Lambert (Hip) and Liam Clay (Neck) all injured in the physical first game. This resulted in a limited interchange for the team, putting more responsibility on those left on the field.
Whilst the weather was perfect for football, the soaking rain from the previous day had left the ground saturated making conditions slippery once again for the players. The boys attacked the football with courage and worked tirelessly to have a small lead at the half time break. Jack Ford was working extremely hard around the ball with Leigh Cossons and Daniel Clay rebounding anything that came into the backline.
The team continued to produce a massive effort in the third quarter, constantly stopping the attack of a Townsville team looking to take control. With a four point lead going into the last quarter, the team prepared for one last effort, in an attempt to hold off the opposition and win the game. Unfortunately, injury and fatigue took their toll on the team, and with no interchange available the Townsville team managed to kick four unanswered goals in the last quarter to win the game.
All boys should be congratulated on an amazing, courageous effort given the trying circumstances. Jack Ford (BITS) was voted player of the carnival for Capricornia, being selected to play in this coming weekends’ games between North, South and Central Queensland. There were 10 players in all selected for the teams – a tremendous result for all the hard work the boys have put in on the training track over the past few months.
All will be striving to produce their best form to gain selection for the Country Kookaburras team who will play in the Queensland State Championships.
Last Modified on 02/03/2018 15:33