CARINA went down to North Ipswich at the weekend in a close back-and-forth battle this past weekend.
Both teams started well, adjusting to the cool conditions that come with a Friday night match. As the game flowed, attacking chances went back and forth, each team trying to find the others weaknesses.
It wasn’t until 20 minutes into the game that North Ipswich found the line spectacularly for the first time, after taking advantage of a few straight attacking sets. Carina fought back, but with a few blown opportunities in attack, North Ipswich were the ones to go over again. Carina was now behind two tries to none.
As the clock ticked down for halftime, Carina found the play they were searching for, and with a great backline movement, they went over for their first try of the game. As the halftime whistle went, the game was set to be a thriller for the second half.
In the early minutes of the second half, North Ipswich found the line two more times, definitely giving them more confidence in their lead. As Carina continued to chase the score, they were not going to hand the win over easily, and with another smooth back line play, Carina went over the line once again. The score now sat at 18 – 10 to North Ipswich.
The battle continued, both teams testing defence and trying attack, the only difference was a few too many mistakes on Carina’s behalf in the last 10 minutes of the game, resulting in North Ipswich to finish off ahead on the scoreboard, taking a well-earned two points with a 18-10 victory over Carina.
Although it was a loss for Carina this past weekend, they have really stepped up into Division 1 quite professionally.
Even with the daunting memory of the 2013 Division 2 grand final loss still fresh, they have definitely been working hard, even proving themselves over 2013 grand final rivals, Aspley, taking out both games against Aspley so far this season with very convincing and high scoring wins.
Carina coach Mark Potts is extremely happy with the team and their progress so far.
“I think our biggest achievement so far this year has been the ability to step up from Division 2 and be really competitive and shake some cages of the more established Division 1 teams,” he said.
“From my own personal perspective and that of my coaching team; Mick, Bridgey and Lockie, who have been around footy all their lives, are blown away by the way the ladies turn up every week and put in 100%.
“Their eagerness to learn and the effort they put in is easily matched to any men's team I have played in.
“The Carina women have developed their own culture, which is in many ways similar to the men, but with commitment many of the men don't possess,” he said.
Carina’s developing talent has already been proved this year, with three of their players; Jessica Potts, Jessica Gracie and Kellye Hodges making the South East Queensland team, with Hodges also been selected for the next level, getting the chance to pull on her first Queensland jersey for the state title match against New South Wales in July. Congratulations Kellye!
Division 1
Burleigh defeated Aspley 34-4
Souths Logan defeated Beerwah 30-4
Points: Souths Logan 17, Beerwah 13, Burleigh 11, North Ipswich 7, Carina 5, Aspley 1
Division 2
Toowoomba defeated Wynnum 28-4
Waterford defeated West Inala 30-16
Capalaba defeated Pine Rivers 48-16
Burpengary defeated Swifts 52-0
Points: Burpengary 12, Waterford 12, Toowoomba 12, Pine Rivers 8, Swifts 8, Wynnum 6, West Inala 4, Capalaba 2.
Upcoming fixtures for Round 10
Division 1
Saturday, June 21:
Burleigh v Beerwah at 5.15pm at Pizzey Park
Sunday, June 22:
Souths Logan v Carina at 3.50pm at Davies Park
North Ipswich v Aspley at 5pm at Cribb Park
Division 2
Saturday, June 21:
West Inala vs Pine Rivers at 12pm at JC Greenfield complex
Waterford v Toowoomba at 12pm at Noffke Farm Park
Burpengary v Wynnum at 2.30pm at Burpengary Sports Ground
Sunday, June 22:
Swifts v Capalaba at 4.30pm at Boonah Road, Purga
