KEAS could be the dark horse come finals time after recording a big upset win over Cloncurry 20-14 in their clash at Rugby Park on Saturday night.
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The win gives Keas their first victory since November in the Mount Isa Irish Club Rugby Union Premiership, following several disrupted weeks with forfeits and an abandonment.
Keas came from behind after trailing at half-time to record a narrow six point win.
The match didn't start well for Keas, as they knocked on from the kick-off to ensure Cloncurry perfect starting field position.
Curry capitalised with a penalty through Mick Phillips, as they took an early 3-0 lead.
Despite the early setback, Keas had the better of field play, but weren't able to take advantage with points on the board as the Curry defence stood tall.
The intensity was immense, as both teams threw themselves at the contest and put their bodies on the line.
While no tries were scored in a dour first half of play, the game was proving to be a gripping contest as tensions overflowed on more than one occasion.
The highlight of the first half came through Keas inside centre Eli Sweeney, who busted through several tacklers gaining many a metre for his team.
But it was Cloncurry again who scored, as they took every opportunity to put points on the board.
Phillips converted a long 40m penalty to give his side a six-point buffer.
Keas were finally able to answer with a penalty of their own, as John Tamati kicked truly to register Keas' first score of the night.
The penalty was just rewards for Keas, after dominating the majority of play.
Phillips had another penalty attempt just before the break, but the long range effort sailed wide and the score remained 6-3 in favour of Cloncurry.
After the break, the Cloncurry defensive wall finally broke as the Keas dominance and effort were rightfully rewarded with three quick tries.
Allan Tripp was the standout for Keas, as his individual effort, a brilliant solo try, all but sealed the game for Keas.
Cloncurry registered a late try right on the full time siren to earn themselves a bonus point for losing by less than seven points.
Keas' coach Mark Wilkinson praised his sides performance, particularly the effort up front.
"The forwards were really aggressive and dominated," he said.
"We'll hopefully continue that form next weekend and we could be a threat in the finals...a real dark horse."
EUROS have held off a gallant Warrigals outfit to win a thrilling encounter 26-19 at Rugby Park on Saturday night.
With little to gain in the remaining two rounds of the Mount Isa Irish Club Rugby Union Premiership, Warrigals put in a gutsy, determined performance as they threw everything at the opposition in a high quality contest.
Preliminary final match ups have already been determined, but Warrigals were eager to gain momentum and hit the finals running.
They fell narrowly short, despite dominating the second half as they outscored Euros 14-7.
The Euros first half set up their eighth consecutive win, as they opened a considerable lead at the break.
Fullback Zemic Patuwai was in everything early, setting up several line breaks and threatening drives as Euros sprinted out of the blocks.
Lock Dan Reed turned Euros' early dominance into points, as he touched down to give his side a 5-0 advantage.
On the back foot, the Warrigals sprung into action as flanker Jeremy Biggelaar pounced on a loose Euros' possession to gift his side promising field position.
Warrigals capitalised out wide, as Matt Temple crossed to erase the deficit.
The referee put away the whistle as both teams showed a willingness to pass and run the ball, which ensured an entertaining game for the Rugby Park crowd.
It was the same formula of spreading the ball wide that led to the Euros' second try, as they earned themselves a territorial advantage after they pressured an attempted Warrigals' clearance from the in goal.
James George rewarded the Euros' efforts, as he crossed in the corner for a 12-7 lead, as Namu Vitime converted a difficult chance from the sideline.
Vitime was in the thick of the action soon after, as he shrugged off several would be tacklers to score a magnificent solo try down the right hand side.
Once again Vitime stepped up to the kicking tee, and duly knocked over the sideline conversion to gain Euros a healthy 19-5 buffer at halftime.
After the break Warrigals came out all guns blazing, as they brought a fierce intensity to the contest.
The pressure proved too much for Patuwai, as he fumbled behind the Euros' goaline to gift the Warrigals field position and an opportunity to sneak back into the contest.
But they failed to exploit the promising opening, as they knocked on following several attacking fuores which were denied by a stringent Euros' defence.
The Warrigals continued to dominate following the break, but they couldn't convert their ascendency into points as Euros appeared to take their foot off the gas.
Another spectacular bustling break from Biggelaar set up the Warrigals second try, as Temple crossed for his second to bring his side within striking distance.
The intensity lifted a gear, as both teams showed their desperation to ensure a thrilling finish to the match.
Noel Malua crossed for the Euros to all but seal the deal as they registered their tenth victory of the season.
A late Warrigals try on the buzzer proved bitter consolation but ensured a bonus point for losing by seven points or less.
The regular season wraps up next weekend in Cloncurry.