A spectacular double to Samuel Dixon has helped Normanby Hounds defeat Pine Central Holy Spirit and maintain first place on the Northside 2 ladder.
Played in torrential rain at Bert Street Clair Oval, Graceville on Saturday, the Hounds picked up a 22-8 victory in high quality game which defied the conditions.
Normanby, playing out of their new home ground, were superb and got away to a terrific start when fullback Ben Loff chimed into the backline, sliding his way over to score beside the sticks.
It got even better for Normanby seven minutes later, when powerful centre Tau Fitzgerald latched onto a pass from halfback Liam Currie and raced away to score under the sticks unopposed.
The Hornets hit back almost immediately with an opportunist try out of nothing when centre Steven Ruka picked up a loose ball and had nothing but daylight in front of him.
With the pouring rain now seeing the small but enthusiastic crowd running for cover, the action was still happening on the field with both sets of forwards dishing out the punishment.
Normanby’s Michael Hinchcliffe and fellow bookend Harly Saal were outstanding for the home team, causing all sorts of headaches for the Hornets up the middle.
Pine Central could have pegged the score back just before the halftime hooter through prop Tom Ata-Tofa, but it was deemed a double movement by the referee right on the bell.
Normanby did however come out firing on all cylinders in the second half, with man of the moment Dixon scoring the first of his double in the 49th minute.
Dixon rolled the dice inches from the sideline, which saw the exhilarating flanker beating five defenders to tip toe his way down the sideline and score what was arguably the try of the game.
Pine Central were still in the hunt for points though and had a never-say-die attitude, which saw wrecking ball carries by forwards Keegan Blows, Nga-Moke Takiari and Livingston Tuigamala leading the way up the middle.
From this, the Hornets exciting halfback Alex Maseesee sold a ridiculous dummy and surged his way to the line adding some much-needed respectability to the scoreline.
In the dying stages, both teams were guilty of several dropped balls due to the slippery conditions, however both sides can hold their heads high displaying a high-quality game.
The last word however would belong to the incredibly talented Dixon.
The speedster stepped and swerved his way through four defenders, and then stood up the opposition fullback to complete his second stunning try of the game, killing off any hopes of a Hornets comeback.
That try, would see the home side put the last nail in the coffin for a well-deserved victory in appalling conditions.
Full results, standings and fixtures for all RLB senior competitions available here
