Courtesy of the Gladstone Observer
BROTHERS have demolished Valleys to claim the Gladstone District Rugby League premiership, running out big winners 52-22.
The result never looked in doubt, Brothers leading for the whole match and piling on points from the outset.
Two tries to Valleys in the early going where the only sources of joy for the side but, even then, last year's premier was chasing the dominant Brothers.
"It was our best match all year. The boys dug in deep and were outstanding," Brothers coach Steve Southern said.
"We have just wanted it more all year and they are all keen as."
An even start during the first five minutes of the match was broken by a soft piece of play when Robbie Congoo threw a dummy from the ruck and dived over to open the scoring at the eight-minute mark.
Brothers were in for a second time after 11 minutes, Jackson McEwan on the end of a good backline play.
Lachlan Tanzer missed the conversion horribly for the score to remain at 10-0.
Only two sets later, Valleys made their way onto the scoreboard after Algon Congoo beat multiple defenders to put Ha'Ofanga Rabakewa over in the corner.
When Valleys looked to be on the attack again, Assan Munro came out of the defensive line and intercepted a pass, running 80m to extend Brothers' lead to 16-4.
Valleys went straight back on the attack though after forcing a drop-out off the restart, erasing the intercept one set later when Aaron Hall scored an easy try and Aaron Watson converted.
The match became more of a grinding affair for the remainder of the half, the style expected of the two sides.
An amazing pass from Trent Iselin put Tanzer over the line with five minute left.
Iselin held the ball up and attracted defenders before delicately dishing it out for his fullback.
Brothers added to the lead once more with two minutes to go in the first half.
A scrum play gave McEwan his second, following an error from Rabakewa from a high bomb.
Valleys' desperate effort to finish the half was foiled, the score at the interval 26-10.
The match was all but over with 35 minutes to play.
Iselin scored after some broken play and Tanzer converted again to give Brothers a 22-point lead.
The situation became worse for Valleys, Pryce Trevor scoring with half an hour left to put the lead beyond four converted tries.
Errors from Valleys gave Brothers another try.
This time big Vince Mellor made the most of a hole and celebrated with a little pass to one of the members of the crowd.
Brothers never let up in the last quarter of the match, with another try to Robbie Congoo and another to Jamie Frizzo.
Valleys also scored consolation efforts to Shaun Collins and Algon Congoo.
RESULTS:
- Brothers 52 Valleys 22
- Tries: Brothers: Jackson McEwan 2, Robbie Congoo 2, Lachlan Tanzer, Vince Mellor, Pryce Trevor, Assan Munro, Jamie Frizzo, Trent Iselin
- Valleys: Shaun Collin, Algon Congoo, Ha'Ofanga Rabakewa, Aaron Hall
