WITH his team down 26-0 and only 25 minutes gone in the game – even Sunshine Coast Colts coach Adam Booth would have been thinking ahead to the end of season trip.
However, the Falcons staged a remarkable comeback to turn around the deficit and went on to record an unlikely 32-30 win over the Tweed Head Seagulls in their elimination final.
“We were lucky to get away with that one – but I am happy with that,” Booth said.
“To get the two tries before half-time I think gave us a bit of momentum and belief – but it was tense.
“It went down to the final tackle – we had to defend well. They got a penalty on fulltime and they had one play.”
While the win itself was something to savour – the past few weeks have also seem the remarkable return of co-captain David Oakes – who has played in the Falcons’ past two wins after shattering his leg 10 weeks ago.
Oakes – who suffered a broken fibula, a grade one MCL tear and serious ligament damage in his ankles in the Falcons Intrust Super Cup game against Ipswich in round 18 – returned for the important round 26 win over Souths Logan – and also played last week.
“He is a big influence on the other players,” Booth said.
“He’s played a lot of Cup this year so he brings back a lot of experience. He’s getting better every week and he worked hard on his rehab.”
This weekend – the Falcons will travel to BMD Kougari Oval on Sunday to face the Wynnum Manly Seagulls – a team they have had some trouble with in the past.
However, Booth said their main focus would be internally – with the getting off to a good start to the game a high priority.
“We are going to focus on ourselves and make sure we get ourselves in order and have a good preparation,” he said.
“They are a good young side and will be hard to beat – so we know we can’t afford to get out to a slow start.
“The game is an early one – but we have to make sure we get off the bus ready to go.”
The other Colts final will see the Burleigh Bears host Redcliffe in the major semi-final, after the Dolphins defeated Wynnum Manly for the first time this season in the game that mattered the most, with their 26-10 victory.
The game at Pizzey Park will be played as a full day of rugby league – with the Brisbane and District Women’s Rugby League Division 1 and Division 2 grand finals to be played earlier in the day.
In FOGS Cup results, the Easts Tigers ended the Norths Devils season following their 30-8 victory in last Sunday’s elimination final. The Tigers now have this weekend off, and will await the results of this Sunday’s qualifying semi-final between Redcliffe and Wynnum Manly.
Team Lists for all Major Competition Week 2 Finals can be found HERE.
