Gaters steal thriller over Carina

A penalty goal after the siren delivered a dramatic 26-24 victory for Gaters over Carina at Leo Williams Oval on Saturday night.

With the score locked at 24-24 inside the final two minutes it looked as if the match was headed for a draw.

However, a penalty on the Carina line moments before the buzzer gave Gaters a chance to steal victory.

Centre Kieran Turner stepped up to nail the goal from out wide.

It capped a remarkable escape against a Carina side that had the running for the majority of the match.

Carina held a 24-12 lead with 20 minutes to play before being run down.  

In a frantic final five minutes, they also had an opportunity to seal the match with a penalty goal attempt from in front.

Unfortunately halfback Isaac Kaufmann’s kick sailed wide.

The visitors then worked the ball downfield before receiving a get-out-of-jail penalty of their own.

It was comfortably slotted by Turner in what proved the final play of the match.

For Carina, it was defeat in the most heartbreaking fashion, leaving the club without a win in the first five rounds.

They held an 18-12 advantage at halftime with the experienced Scott Greenhill scoring following some resolute defence at the other end.

Carina then extended their lead to 24-12 when fullback Brett Ferguson stuck his head through the line in the 50th minute.

But Gaters finished with a flurry to pull it out of the bag.

Skipper Nathan Turner carried defenders over the line before a surprise Marlon Doak cross field kick found a flying Shaun Rees in the right-hand corner.

Doak, a former Australian touch football representative, was a constant threat for Gaters.

He crossed for a first-half double which included an intercept and a stunning leap above the pack.

In the other Round 4 catch-up fixture, Easts Tigers held off a fast-finishing Redcliffe Dolphins in a similarly thrilling 22-18 victory.

The Tigers consolidated fourth position on the ladder ahead of their clash with Valleys next week.

RESULTS (Round 4 catch-up fixtures)

EASTS TIGERS 22 (Whetu Austin, Leon Ellia-Niukore, Kurt Hatfield, Mackenzie Reid tries; Brandon Downey 3 goals) def REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 18 (Hayden Hansen, Tom Geraghty, Mitchell McMahon tries; Jordan Mitchell 2, Nick Ritter goals) at Burpengary Sports Ground.

GATERS 26 (Marlon Doak 2, Shaun Rees, Nathan Turner tries; Kieran Turner 5 goals) def CARINA 24 (Scott Greenhill 2, Brett Ferguson, Ronnie Alovili tries; Isaac Kaufmann 4 goals) at Leo Williams Oval, Carina.

LADDER

NEXT WEEKEND (ROUND 6)