Tight finish in TDRL clash

The TDRL match of the round was played at Jack Manski Oval on Saturday night with Brothers hosting competition powerhouses the Herbert River Crushers. 

In what can only be described as one of the matches of the year and worthy of a grand final, Brothers and Herbert River battled out an 18 all draw. 

It was an exciting and often fiery match from start to finish with both sides throwing everything they had at each other to ensure they grabbed the competition points on the night. 

However, a late try to Herbert Rivers Todd Cockburn set up a final conversion attempt for halfback Mitchell Seri from the sideline to win the game.  Seri came within centimetres of hero status but he could only watch on in anguish as his attempt struck the upright and was waved away. 

It was a ferocious and intense first half with some big collisions and exciting attacking play from both sides as Brothers held a slender 12–10 lead going into the break. 

The opening to the second half saw some defensive brilliance from Brothers who managed to withstand wave after wave of the Crushers’ onslaught after losing their way with some silly errors and poor discipline. 

Brothers had all but sewn up victory 15 minutes from fulltime thanks to hooker Nathan Norford who showed great strength and desire to muscle his way over from close to the line, on his way to man of the match honours. 

The conversion extended the lead to 18–10 with only minutes remaining before Herbert River centre Anthony Perkins barged his way over to give the Crushers some small hope. 

From the ensuing set Herbert River then threw caution into the wind and scored a miraculous try with Cockburn scoring out wide after some clinical ball movement from the Crushers halves. 

It was then up to Seri to steal victory, however the score line was a true indication of the match. 

Brothers stalwart Roy Baira was placed on report for a high shot and could find himself facing a lengthy suspension at the judiciary after already serving a five week ban earlier in the season for a high shot in round one against the Crushers. 

ROUND 8  

A GRADE

BURDEKIN 24 (Tries: Thomas Bhana 1, Kurt Perry 1, Brad Hunt 1, Xavier Miller 1, Tremone Power 1, Goals: Mason Eaton 2) DEF CHARTERS TOWERS 14 (Tries: Sean Munns 1, Connor Carey 1, Matty Martel 1, Goals: Adam Shaw 1)

CENTRALS 22 (Tries: Caleb Foster 1, Tremayne Bowie 1, Chippie Korostchuk 2, Goals: Addo Waianga 3) DEF NORTHS 16 (Tries: Yamba Bowie 1, Gene Murray 1, Andrew Walters 1, Tries: Matthew Bonnano 2)

BROTHERS 18 (Tries: Joncio Hardwick 1, Nathan Norford 1, Roy Baira 1, Goals: Nathaniel Bowman 3) DREW WITH HERBERT RIVER 18 (Tries: Anthony Perkins 2, Drew Chinotti 1, Kieran Quabba 1, Goals Mitchell Seri 1)

RESERVE GRADE

BURDEKIN 26 (Tries: Jake Henaway 2, Falton Kennedy 2, Aiden Lampton 1, Goals: Aiden Lampton 2, Leon Heron 1) DEF CHARTERS TOWERS 22 (Tries: Robert Dallachy 1, Matt Cadona 1, Jordan Baker 2, Rawiri Ponga 1, Goals: Thomas Meehan 1)

NORTHS 26 (Tries: Brian Messa 3, Jamie Faint 1, Clinton Pearson 1, Graham Tranby 3) DEF CENTRALS 22 (Tries: Darren Crooks 1, Justin Greenaway 1, Matthew Painter 1, David Nawia 1, Goals: Wesley Barry 3)

BROTHERS 18 (Tries: Blake Carter 1, Angelo Townson 1, Halvor Harris 1, Aiden Ketchup 1, Goals: Lester Hero 1) DEF HERBERT RIVER 12 (Tries: Shane Craven 1, Matthew Elford 1, Mitch Whittington 1, Michael Skipper 1)

UNDER 18

CHARTERS TOWERS 28 (Tries: Brandon Reed 1, Dylan Hastie 1, William Exhahros 1, Locky Payne 1, Jake Paterson 1, Goals: Tremayne Jones 1, Shaun Johnson 1, Connor Moxham 2) DEF BURDEKIN 10 (Tries: Joel Rickards 1, Clinton Drogan 1, Goals: Nathan Swindley 1)

CENTRALS 40 (Tries: Shawn Bowen 3, Maleek Leo 1, Andrew Barnes 1, Thomas Taia 1, James Ghee 1, Theo Royal 1, Goals: Nathan Barnes 4) DEF NORTHS 6 (Tries: Justin cassidy 1, Goals: Kyle Brock 1)

HERBERT RIVER 18 (Tries: Jason Tabel 2, Karl Spano 1, Damien Fighera 1, Goals: Dylan Bagganio 1) DEF BROTHERS 14 (Tries: Diego Laka Laka 1, Luke Ford 1. Ben Shiels 1, Goals Zac Parker 1)