CRUSHERS FIGHT HARD AGAINST BURDEKIN

The Herbert River Crushers VS the Burdekin Roosters in Ingham. Photos credited: Donna Macarone

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The Herbert River Crushers hosted the Burdekin Roosters in Ingham on Saturday. In the A-Grade game, the Burdekin had jumped away to lead 16 nil before hooker Kurtis Solari crossed with 10 minutes to go.

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With captain and fullback Dylan Gaggiano's conversion the score was 16 - 6.  With seconds to go secondrower Jaia Poppi crossed in the corner and the Crushers went to the break 16 - 10 down. An intercept try saw the Roosters go up 20 - 10 before a try to newcomer frontrower Trent Veikuso and Gaggiano's conversion saw the Crushers down by 4 with 22 minutes to go.

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Burdekin then scored a try in the corner after their player wrapped around to take the lead to 8 points. Despite valiant efforts by the Crushers the Roosters closed out the game to win 24 – 16.

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In the Reserve Grade the Roosters had come out strong to lead 2 - 4 at halftime with the Crushers solitary try to Captain halfback Ben Stanford. The Crushers came out the strongest in the second half and after tries to secondrower Michael Stack, Stanfords second, centre Riley Dickson, interchange back Hezekiah Nona and 2 goals to Nona and one to secondrower Wyatt Tetley the Crushers led 26 - 22 with 13 minutes remaining.

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The Burdekin scored soon after to lead 28 - 26 with 9 minutes. Sack then scored his second try and with Nona's conversion the Crushers were up 32 - 28 with 4 minutes left.  From there the Crushers held on to victory.

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In the Under 19s the Crushers had jumped to a 16 - 10 lead at halftime with tries to centre Antonio Eseli, with a double and interchange back Frederick Pearson and 2 goals to five eighth Hezekiah Nona. Unfortunately the Roosters came out too strong in the second half and ran away winners at 44 - 16.  

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The Crushers play Norths Devils at home on Sunday.

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(Contributed with thanks by Peter Reitano)

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