By DAVID ARNOLD
CABOOLTURE Snakes came home strongly to defeat the Northern Outlaws 26 to 18 in their Rugby League clash at Beerwah on Saturday night.
The game started well for the Outlaws with Riley McDowell exposing the Sharks’ defence to score after just four minutes of play.
Caboolture struck back quickly and led 10 points to four after 13 minutes.
Ben Ashford scored in the corner after 26 minutes and the lead was reduced to just two points favouring the Snakes.
When Tom Whyte scored for the Outlaws in the 35th minute, things looked good approaching the long break.
Caboolture had different ideas and scored in the remaining seconds to lead 14 to 12.
Errors were proving costly yet coach Anthony Zipf was still confident as the second half began.
However 30 seconds in Caboolture scored again to increase the lead out to eight points.
Billy Rogers, playing his first game for the Outlaws since being seriously injured in April, came off the bench and his impact was immediate scoring in the 52nd minute to breathe new life into the Outlaws.
With Shaun Wilson converting the try, Caboolture had their lead reduced to just two points with plenty of time remaining.
Caboolture never relinquished the lead, scoring again twice in the remaining minutes to secure the points.
Although disappointed with the result, Zipf was quick to acknowledge the efforts of Waydon O’Donnell and Peter Nye who backed up after playing earlier.
With some key players due to return next week the main objective is to secure the points in what will be a crucial game against Nambour in Gympie.
Also it would be remiss of me if I didn’t mention Zipf’s playing efforts. Well done.
Earlier in the day the mighty Noosa Pirates took on the might of Caboolture in a must-win clash for both teams if they were to keep their finals chances alive.
In a see-sawing game both teams gave their all with the scoreline showing how tight things were, the Pirates holding a slender two-point lead at the break, 12 to 10.
The lead changed hands in the second-half and with 14 minutes remaining the scores were locked at 16 points a-piece.
A penalty to the Pirates gave them the opportunity to regain the lead which Seaton Reid did after his long range kick went over the uprights.
Tense moments ensued for the remaining four minutes of play with Caboolture heart-breakingly dropping the ball metres from the line with just eight seconds to play.
Final scores saw the Noosa Pirates winners at 18 to 16.
Try scores for the game were Aaron Locke, Ben Swann and, making his return after two seasons away, Blair Ryan.
Coach Scott Christensen was delighted with his team’s efforts.
The boys have improved greatly throughout the year so far and the possibility of playing finals football now seems very real.
On a sad note, it is with regret that Brock Dalgleish has retired from playing Rugby League.
Plagued with serious injuries culminating with a fractured eye socket of late, Brock has decided to hang up his boots.
A young player with great skills and toughness, Brock gave 100 per cent every time he played.
Both the Pirates and Outlaws players, committees and supporters wish him well in his future endeavours.
Coming up on 31 July, a sportsmen’s evening will be held at Pirate Park.
Cost is $100 per person which includes a two-course meal and drinks.
The evening’s entertainment will be provided by league legends Paul Sironen and Steve Walters.
For tickets contact Anthony Zipf on 0408 563 083 or Lexie Mawn on 0412 559 268.
