EUROS once more showed they would be the side to beat for the title when they subdued Warrigals 21-12 in a tough battle in the Mount Isa Irish Club Rugby Union Premiership at the Cloncurry Showgrounds.
Warrigals came ready to play but were unable to capitalise on some early chances after a delayed kick-off to the match.
Cody Saltmere and Gian Guerra were looking dangerous with five-eighth Brendan Ballie influential in the opening few minutes.
However as their undefeated status shows, the Euros defence is not easy to crack and led by captain Simon Ishmael, hooker Marc Kerikeri and the determined Dan Reed the side secured possession and drove upfield.
With backline stars of their own, Euros put Warrigals on the back foot as centre Timmy Daniels slipped a pass to winger Neville Rainey who shot into space.
The Euros forwards arrived in numbers at the ensuing breakdown and several incisive drives allowed space to be created out wide.
Half-back Maren Huntly shifted the ball and centre Kaine Manihera proved to hard to stop as he skewered over out wide.
Namu Uitme made it 7-nil with a superb conversion from the touchline.
The Dingoes refused to let their tails drop between their legs and a fired up forward pack shunted Euros off the ball to win a scrum feed against the head inside its opponents 22-metres.
Several phases later, powerful second-rower Mick Scotney was on hand to capitalise on an astute kick from Ballie.
Calling the shots, Ballie put in a cross-field chip for winger Travis Willetts to pluck out of the air and when Willetts found Scotney on his inside shoulder, the big forward could not be stopped.
A penalty to Euros put them into Warrigals territory and methodical play from the forward pack took the ball close the line.
Unable to halt the pick and drive, the Warrigals defence was punctured when front-rower Harely Hema knifed over from short range.
Uitime had his kicking boots on and made no mistake with the conversion from touch taking Euros out to a 14-5 lead after a quarter of the game gone.
Both teams spread the ball wide in an attempt to find a gap in the defence.
Guerra streaked down the touchline only to be pulled down metres from the line for Warrigals while Manihera continued to display his strength with a break in midfield.
After the break, the match became a slog-fest. Both sides counter-punching and searching for a decisive blow.
The knockout blow came from Euros. After repeatedly pounding the Warrigals line, the pressure told.
In their desperation to move up quickly in defence, Warrigals were caught flat-footed when Zemic Patuwai put in a chip behind the Warrigals line and the ball sat up for the faster of the Hema brothers.
Winger Ashley beating the cover to give Euros a 21-5 lead.
Once more showing some bite, Warrigals hit back when Guerra raked a booming kick down field. From the Euros lineout inside the 22-metres, Warrigals forced an error.
Euros' clearing kick was charged down and Biggelaar was on hand to fall on the ball and give the Dingoes a sniff at 21-12 down.
Despite throwing everything at Euros, Warrigals could not find a way through. Denied by some desperate cover defence.
EUROS 21 (Kaine Manihera Harley Hema Ashley Hema tries Namu Uitime 3 cons) bt WARRIGALS 12 (Mick Scotney Jeremy Biggelaar tries Brendan Ballie con)
Email a friend