Bulimba Valleys moved into third place on the Southside 1 ladder with a convincing 34-6 win against Logan Brothers at the Balmoral Recreation Reserve.
Bulimba – who in the off season had lost the nucleus of their Premiership-winning sides from previous years – still boasted regular stalwarts in Adam Kambouris, Tai Betham and Jarrod Kendall who were superb in front of the small crowd.
What they did enjoy though, was a lesson in rugby league, as the Bulldogs showed why they have been a feared side for many years in what was a clinical display for the home side.
Greece international Kambouris is a step above this division. His on-field leadership and hunger for the Blue and White of the Bulldogs in this game, just goes to show what passion some of these players possess week in week out.
With only two minutes of play gone, the Bulldogs were off to a flying start courtesy of fullback Bryce Richards who sliced his way over the tryline after a clever pass from five-eighth Luke Bell.
It was a battle royale up front in defence by both sides as everything was thrown into the mix bar the kitchen sink. Bulldogs Bell, Tai Betham and Justin Taylor were devastating, with Logan’s Mofate Afoa and Ernest Lotomau dishing out their own medicine for the visitors.
Brisbane Representative player Betham was unstoppable. Easily the man of the match, it was the powerful props bullocking run that would set up the Bulldogs next try as he found Jarrod Kendall in support who raced in for the first of his two tries for the afternoon.
At 8-0, the Bulldogs looked confident early on, however Logan’s electrifying fullback Clint Toga; who’s blistering speed off the mark, saw him go in to score unopposed outwide right on the halftime hooter making it 8-6.
However, the Bulldogs made amends after that last try hiccup and it wouldn’t be long before the home side were in again early on in the second half, this time through Bell who crashed in to score.
Logan’s halves pairing of Fetu Mulitalo and Blake Anderson tried hard in patches to steer their troops around the park, but were being monstered by the Bulimba pack who were picking off player one by one in a solid showing of strength.
Repeated indiscretions by the Logan side saw two of their players dispatched to the bin and this is where the Bulldogs took full advantage of the 11 men Leprechauns.
Bell’s vision on his blindside found speedster Jamie Wetton who raced down the sideline to score the Bulldogs next try with the two man overlap.
Three minutes later and still boasting two extra players, the Bulldogs made no mistake in sending in second rower Justin Taylor as the nuggetty forward smashed his way through the tiring Logan defence.
With hooker Josh Few landing another superb goal, the Bulldogs were now in a commanding 24-6 lead.
With Bulimba injecting the hulking Tim Katipa onto the field, it was like letting a pitbull off a chain and his incredible strength saw the mammoth replacement smash aside the Logan defence and go into score.
The visitors however refused to lie down. Logan’s Mal Wilmer and Jaxon Ewe Edmonds were still punishing in defence. Just when Bulimba thought they would cruise to an easy victory, the Logan pack continued to frustrate the home side.
Logan nearly scored another try through centre Taihea Etimani, however, he was cut in half by a brutal tackle by Taylor and Bell.
Bulimba probably saved the best try for last however, with centre Jarrod Kendall scoring his second of the afternoon after a 60 metre burst upfield that saw the rangy centre go in under the sticks to seal a well-earned victory for the Bulldogs.
Final Score: Bulimba 34 Logan Brothers 6.
