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Diehards open In Safe Hands Cup with derby win

Round 1 of the In Safe Hands Cup was headed by the local derby between the West Brisbane Panthers and the Valleys Diehards at Emerson Park, with the Diehards posting a convincing 36-12 victory.

The first 40 minutes were scrappy from both sides. A heavy shower prior to kick off didn’t help with handling and with rustiness in the first round it was expected in some cases.

However, both sides were guilty of pushing passes and attempting offloads to team mates they had not played with but resulted in a lot of scrum packing practice.

After a frustrating first 18-minutes, the first points came by the way of a penalty to the Panthers as they took the early 2-0 lead.

Valleys back rower Jordan Rikki crashed over close to the line for the first try, minutes later bench player Foisa Peni scored a similar try to that of Rikki. At halftime the was score 8-6 in favour of the Panthers.

After the break, Valleys metre eater Joe McGuire returned to the field and with his first touch put backrower Ethan Richards over under the crossbar.

Replacement hooker Liam Horne chanced his hand from dummy half to score and from there the flood gates would open for the Diehards.

Three minutes later, a Harry Freebairn grubber sent towards the upright left the ball idle in the in goal after a Panther error and Beau Cordtz touched down.

Minutes later, winger David Fauid finished off an 80-metre break and the Diehards had jumped out to a 30-8 lead.

Wests finally put their first points of the second half on the board in the 70th minute after a trade mark Kyle Van Klaveren waltz up the middle of Emerson Park, before linking with Luke Pollock.

Pollock was tackled 15-metres out and awarded a penalty. Quick thinking with a quick tap and Pollock crossed.

It would be the last points for the Panthers, while Valleys fullback Jayden Baker took the ball from the back of a scrum 10m out and weaved his way over the line to put the contest to bed, 36-12.

Over at Dolphin Stadium, the Tigers took on the Dolphins and blew them away in the first half. Redcliffe stormed back in the second half, but it wasn’t enough as the Tigers secured a 40-26 win.

Finally at Noffke Farm Park, the Seagulls took on the Magpies. Souths were able to grind out a four tries three 18-16 victory, as new coach Darren Ferricks got the chocolates over the defending champions and his former club.

In Safe Hands Cup Round 1 results

Diehards 36 (Jayden Baker, David Fauid, Beau Cordtz, Ethan Richards, Liam Horne, Jordan Rikki tries; Luke Archer 3 goals, Jack Miers 3 goals) defeated Panthers 12 (Luke Pollock, Foisa Peni tries; Kahn Ahwang 2 goals)

Tigers 40 (Rhys Jacks 2, Connor Jones, Curtis Dansey-Smaller, Rahkeem Audu, Jack Walters, Jack Peoples tries, Brandon Downey 6 goals) defeated Dolphins 26 (Zev John 2, Sam Leach, Kyle Foxwell, Harry Smith tries; Oscar Carter 3 goals)

Magpies 18 (Llikena Vudoga, Josateki Lalagavesi, Hayden O’Hara, AJ Tuimavave tries, Hayden O’Hara goal) defeated Seagulls 16 (Jack Goodsell, Reece O’Brien, Sam Elliott tries; Matt Milson 2 goals)

Pos Team PD Pts
1 Diehards +24 3
2 Tigers +14 3
3 Magpies +2 3
4 Seagulls -2 1
5 Dolphins -14 1
6 Panthers -24 1

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