TOWNIES laid down a marker in the 2017 Mount Isa Rugby League Premiership with a hard fought win over reigning premiers Cloncurry in the final round of home and away matches.
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The game on Saturday was the tastiest fixture of a triple header at Alec Inch Oval with both sides showing strong form in this year’s premiership.
The game proved to be as tight as form would suggest with both sides swapping three tries each in the first half, both only converting one to leave matters locked at the break.
Townies were on the board in the third minute when Curry seemed to have landed the ball after a high kick but wasn’t called and Townies put the ball down to claim the try.
Curry were level with eight minutes when a couple of penalties gave them good position.
Townies hit back again before Curry’s lightning speed led to a second try and a 10-8 lead, the only time they were in front.
A try apiece led to the 14-14 scoreline at the half.
If Curry had scored first in the second half, matters might have changed.
But for ten solid minutes Townies held out stoutly in defence, keeping out set after set.
Then they broke away to put the first points on the board for the half.
A second try soon after seemed to break the hearts of the Eagles, but a stunning length of the field run and a try under the posts put them right back in it with 18 minutes to go at 24-20.
Marty Paulson slotted a penalty to make the gap six points and with four to go Town got the decisive winning try.
Final score Town 32, Cloncurry 20.
Normanton’s win over Starries later in the day meant they climbed over Cloncurry to end up minor premiers.
Now this weekend Normanton take on Cloncurry up in the Gulf in a repeat of last year’s grand final.
Only one of them can make it this year.
Townies meanwhile take on the improved Black Stars in Mount Isa.
Starries edged Wanderers out of the finals on points difference to snatch fourth place.
Game times have yet to be announced.