Some brave resistance in the first half from the Gaters was not enough to stop a rampaging Banyo Devils from defeating the home side 58-12 at Jim Lawrie Oval last Saturday in the Open 3 Northside Rugby League Brisbane competition.
It was cracking lower division entertainment regardless of the scoreline in which the Devils ran in an amazing 10 tries to two.
Superbly led by halves Sebastian Rey and Justin Dean, the Devils pair orchestrated what was an outstanding kicking and passing game for which Gaters had no answer.
After four minutes of play, Rey set up the first try of the game with a beautiful cut-out pass finding Kale Gordon in support who went over beside the sticks.
However, with Banyo’s Greg Smith in the sin bin early on, Gaters took advantage of the 12-man Devils outfit and prop Matty Cowell strolled in for the easiest of tries to return serve.
The joy was short-lived for Gaters as Banyo piled on three consecutive tries in the 13th, 27th and 30th minutes of play including an absolute belter by five-eighth Justin Dean.
Dean used his strength to palm off two would be tacklers and step off his right foot to dive over under the sticks.
With halftime looming and Banyo leading 24-6, Gaters had the chance to peg back the scoreline with a try in the corner, but a superb tackle by Banyo fullback Brad Fuller saved what looked like a certain try.
The second period again was all Banyo. Some lacklustre defence by Gaters led to a quick try after the break to the rampaging Nicholas Bailey, whose opposite number was no match as he steamrolled his way over the line just three minutes after the resumption of play.
After some impressive footwork by Sebastian Rey, the outstanding halfback put a grubber in for himself and he picked up a tricky ball to regather and slice his way over for another Devils try.
At 46-6, Gaters nightmare outing could not end soon enough, but to the credit of the home side, they hung in there. Fullback Jordan Yeo, centre Chris Maliko and hooker Todd Meiers were the pick of the bunch.
But, just as the Gaters showed some promise with the ball, a loose carry would see Banyo prop Luke Gordon notch up the 50 for the visitors, when he scooped up the pill and galloped 30m to score a brilliant solo try.
Gaters capitalised on a wayward Banyo pass in the final minute of the game and scored a consolation try to add to their tally, but it was a dominant victory for Banyo.
Full results from all divisions of the Rugby League Brisbane competitions are available here
* Mike Simpson is the Rugby League Brisbane correspondent for the QRL
