Beenleigh remain undefeated in the Open 1 South competition after claiming a remarkable win against a gutsy Logan Brothers outfit 26-16.
In absolute atrocious conditions, a storm just before kick-off had dropped copious amounts of rain onto Civic Park that resembled what looked like a swimming pool.
With play going ahead after some nasty lightning strikes in the area, the players from both sides turned on a stellar performance in front of a handful of hardy souls who braved the conditions on the sidelines.
Beenleigh on the back of a fantastic kicking game by halfback Rhys Gorman, were simply in full control throughout this match and Logan had no answer to Beenleigh’s well-rehearsed game plan.
Keeping it simple appeared the order of the day for the Pride as patience early on, saw their winger go in to score in the corner after finishing off a fantastic backline movement that saw the ball spread through seven sets of hands.
Gorman unable to increase the score was unsuccessful with the conversion in the rain soaked conditions.
The Pride stepped it up a gear once again and some quick thinking by halfback Gorman saw him tap on the ball to his blindside winger who stretched out amazingly to go in and score in the corner.
At 8-0, it appeared Logan looked a little rattled early on and after some ferocious hits by second Rower TJ Tuvale for Beenleigh, things were not looking too good for the Leprechauns.
The Pride would go in once again after some clever work from the scrumbase that saw a cut out pass catch the Beenleigh centre on the fly who stepped inside two Logan players to find a flying Rhys Gorman who slid under the posts.
Unfortunately Logan’s task of a comeback was getting harder as some lacklustre defence saw the Beenleigh centre scoop up a loose ball and race away untouched to go in and score once again for the Lions. At 20-0, there seemed to be some ominous signs of panic for Brothers.
At this stage the weather had started to clear and there was beginning to be less dropped ball. This saw Logan now making some easy meters after being under fire defensively throughout the match thus far. Prop Paeai Talakai and Lock Ron Maiava were two players who stood out for Logan, as did halfback Michael Dodi who was trying to steer his troops around the park.
It would be Dodi however who would put Logan on the board for the first time as he zipped his way through the Lions defence and crossed beside the posts.
On the stroke of halftime Logan scored once again as rampaging prop Talakai brilliantly charged onto the ball and crashed over to give some respectability to the scoreline at 20-10.
The second half got off to a flyer as the rain clouds and storms had passed and were replaced with sunny skies. With the track still wet, it did not stop Beenleigh’s speedsters from putting on a show and on numerous occasions would have gone in to score had it not been for some gutsy defence by Logan.
There was a big chance for Logan to hit back early on after five eighth Henry Cope burst through the middle and found centre Janson who was magnificently cut down in a copybook tackle that saw the ball jolted from his grasp. After a bunch of high fives from Beenleigh, their confidence was back.
The Pride again were simply devastating in attack throwing the ball around and topped it off with a fantastic try by the Lions fullback who zigged zagged his way through the middle catching the tired Brothers pack unawares to score a slashing try.
With the kick converted it was now Beenleigh leading 26-10.
However, the Logan supporters would be treated to one last try for the faithful who were now in full voice. Dodi again the orchestrator was pivotal in his role in the try as he masterfully cut out the ball to his centre Chong who juggled the ball, but some impressive handling from the chunky centre found his winger Tauketelata who magnificently slid into the corner sending a pool of water into the air to snatch the last try of the match. Beenleigh were able to cling on for a remarkable 26-16 win.
