TOWN has sent a strong message to its rivals after a convincing 62-26 win over Cloncurry Eagles in round four of the Lewie Fire Mount Isa Rugby League Premiership.
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Utility Ronald Francis notched up four tries for Town, who remain unbeaten, in a high-scoring match where the Eagles started on the front foot.
The Cloncurry side dominated field position early on with a great kicking game display from its halves putting the team in likeable field positions.
Eagles centre Jeffrey Wilson was first to break the deadlock after finishing off an attacking combination through the hands to make it 4-0.
Four minutes later fullback Dylan Johnny earned his team’s second try after running untouched for 70 metres off his own line break.
Town finally got into the game when front-rower Daniel Hannant barged over the try line from close range to make it 6-0 with a Tom Krosch conversion.
After Hannant’s latest heroics, it was all Town from here with Krosch levelling the score to 10-10 after converting his own try from picking up a loose ball.
Cloncurry Eagles poor discipline and missed tackles came into play with consecutive penalties being awarded to the opposition, who took advantage again moments later.
Town player Francis scored his first of four tries of the night with some good fortune with the bounce of another loose ball to extend the score out to 20-10 in the 20th minute.
Five minutes later, centre Tyler Donald joined the growing list of Town try scorers with second-rower Ronald Francis converting a goal to make it 26-10.
Francis picked up a short drop-out kick by the Eagles to score his second try while a try to fullback Tyronne Turaga stretched the lead out to 26 points at the half-time interval.
Town continued to put the foot down scoring five second half tries to secure the win courtesy of a completed brace to Hannant, Francis, Lachlan Miller, Angelo Marimo, and Paul Costello.
Cloncurry fought bravely up until the final whistle through tries to Clifford Johnny and Keenan Butcher while Wilson got a second try for himself in the 73rd minute.
Town captain Travis Willets said the game was one on defence and praised his side for their great show of squad depth.
“It was defence basically,” Willets said.
“Everyone did their bit for the team. I though Ronnie Francis had a standout second game for us with four tries. He’s just come from a station in Camooweal.”
Cloncurry Eagles coach Ronald Major admitted his side lacked physicality in the forwards tonight.
“We had about five forwards out,” Major said.
“It wasn’t our strongest team; we’ve only got a young side. We need to improve in our defence and a bit more running with the forwards.
Earlier in round four, Wanderers is still without a loss this season after cruising to a 92-4 win against Brothers including hat-tricks to fullback Darryl Avery and winger Matt Toby.
Despite the big win Wanderers player coach Anton Saltmere gave credit to his opponents, who lie at the foot of the MIRL ladder.
“Brothers being part of the competition is great,” Saltmere said.
“I saw a couple of things that worked well for them (in the game). The supporters are back and they’re getting a few extra people down here. They’ve got a young side but a few old fellas in there too so I think they’ll build. We didn’t go away from our structure and it showed in the end.”
Brothers assistant coach Sam Retchford was in praise of his opponents but is keen to make improvements.
“We’ve come up against a good side,” Retchford said.
“Hopefully next time we come around to them it’ll be a lot different. Our biggest thing for what we can take out of it is being a team and sticking in there. Our kicking is letting us down at the moment. If we can also cut down on the penalty side of things then we’ll be right.”
In Normanton on Saturday afternoon, Normanton Stingers came away as the big victors defeating Black Stars 78-6 in their first home game of the season.
Stingers coach Sorren Owens named the four-try haul from Fred Pascoe as the highlight for the game while five-eighth Glendon Connolly, front-rower Corwynn Owens, and second-rowers Craig Logan and Dwayne Savo were also standouts.
The first ever competitive women’s League Tag match took place at Alec Inch Oval on Saturday night with Town taking down the All Stars 16-10, in what was described by NRL Game Development Officer Laurie Taylor as a huge success.
TOWN 62
Tyronne Turaga – 1 try
Tyler Donald – 1 try
Paul Costello – 1 try
Tom Krosch – 1 try, 3 goals
Daniel Hannant – 2 tries
Ronald Francis – 3 goals
Angelo Marimo – 1 try, 1 goal
Lachlan Miller – 1 try
Ronald Francis – 4 tries
CLONCURRY 26
Dylan Johnny – 1 try
Keenan Butcher – 1 try, 2 goals
Jeffrey Wilson – 2 tries
Allan Aitkens – 1 goal
Clifford Johnny – 1 try
WANDERERS 92
Darryl Avery – 3 tries
John Bathern – 2 tries
Matt Toby – 3 tries
Anthony Saltmere – 1 try, 13 goals
Callum Bartram – 1 try
Dan Goddard – 2 tries
Donald Simmons – 1 try
Brenton Stonier – 1 try
Tyler Bastian – 1 try
Adam Kleier – 1 try
BROTHERS 4
Andrew Walden – 1 try
LEWIE FIRE MIRL PREMIERSHIP ROUND 3 RESULTS
Wanderers 92-4 Brothers
Normanton Stingers 78-6 Black Stars
Town 62-26 Cloncurry
LADDER
Townies 5
Wanderers 5
Normanton 4
Cloncurry 4
Black Stars 0
Brothers 0