Dales Give Tweed Fauid For Thought

A SKINNY teenager studying for a diploma in church ministry stood tall in a brutal encounter at the Piggabeen Complex on Sunday, helping Toowoomba fend off fast-finishing Tweed Heads 32-24.

Tipping the scales at 75kg and playing just his second game of Wizard Cup, 17-year-old halfback Jacob Fauid was amongst the thick of it in a torrid battle between third and fourth on the table.

The former Wavell State High playmaker directed a first half blitzkrieg by the visiting Clydesdales, allowing them to lead 24-8 at halftime.

Although the Seagulls responded well in the second half, stern try-line defence by Toowoomba meant the margin could never be bridged.

“I thought Jacob set up the win really well,” Gee remarked.

“He took good options and his running and kicking was great. He put on three of those tries in the first half when we got on a roll.”

Certainly Fauid appears to be one of the rare players who has out-lived the hype of his schoolboy reputation and forged respect in the senior ranks.

While his astute kicking has long been a feature, he has exhibited a more mature, team-orientated game than years past, carrying on strong form from the pre-season to playing Colts for Aspley and now to State League with Toowoomba.

Another player in the same age bracket, David Taylor, also continues to impress, despite matching it in the front row with vastly more experienced rivals each week. Gee called Taylor the “most dominant forward on the park” against Tweed and suggested it was possibly his best display for the club yet.

Brisbane Broncos fans have already begun enthusing about the duo as long-term prospects, but despite being happy to give praise, Gee is also putting things into perspective for all his young stars.

“It’s true, many of these guys weren’t playing State League last year and they’ve done a good job,” Gee said.

“But they’re brought here with the expectation that they can play at this level at the very least. It’s not a bonus that they can do it.”

Courtesy of the win, Toowoomba has now opened up a six-point buffer on Tweed on the table. The Clydesdales are equal with Redcliffe and North Queensland on wins, but are third on for-and-against.

As could be expected, prolific speedsters Leon Bott (Toowoomba) and Nat Barnes (Tweed) both added to their try-scoring tallies for the year, each scoring two tries in the first half. Barnes now has 14 tries for the season, while Bott has 10.

It remains to be seen whether a knee injury to Tame Tupou will allow a member of the Clydesdales’ backline to be promoted to the Broncos next week. On the injury front Dane Carlaw made a successful return from knee injury, while Neville Costigan was again rested despite being named to start the match.

Tweed Heads hosts Souths Logan next Sunday, while Toowoomba has the bye.

TOOWOOMBA 32 (Joel Moon 2, Leon Bott 2, Fraser Anderson, Nick Parfitt tries; Nick Parfitt 4 goals) d TWEED HEADS 24 (Jay McDermott 2, Nat Barnes 2, Scott Ella tries; Brad Davis 2 goals) at Piggabeen Complex.