Bears vs Falcons HPC Finals Week 1 Game Report ✍🏼 Michael Nunn

The UAA Burleigh Bears will rue a game they had in their grasp before the Sunshine Coast Falcons fought back to claim a 20-14 victory.

Burleigh started with a serious finals look in their eyes, racing to a 12-0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes through two tries to Troy Leo. They had the Falcons under pressure, controlled the football and made their opponents work defensively.

It was the kind of start the Bears wanted, and at half-time they still held the advantage, leading 14-4.

Burleigh did not do a lot wrong. They finished with 54 per cent possession and used it well, forcing Sunshine Coast into plenty of tackles and taking some of the attacking force out of a side capable of making teams pay with the ball.

Then came the Falcons’ response.

Two tries in the opening 18 minutes of the second half dented the Bears and changed the momentum of the contest.

Suddenly, the 10-point half-time lead was gone, and the game became a battle of field position, defence and patience.

Jordan Scott was excellent in the middle for Burleigh, repeatedly putting his body on the line and providing the defensive steel needed in a contest that became increasingly physical.

Zane Musgrove was just as influential with the ball in hand.

The powerful middle forward churned out 183 metres, giving the Bears the go-forward they needed and helping them continue to ask questions of a Falcons defence that had already been made to work.

The problem for Burleigh was that, despite having enough football and doing enough things right to win, they could not find another try.

That proved decisive.

The Falcons eventually edged six points clear and, when the final siren sounded, Sunshine Coast had completed the comeback.

For the Bears, it was a frustrating finish to a game that had promised so much.

The Bears will be looking to welcome back Guy Hamiliton and Mason Teague for the must win game next week.

The Bears will now play the Townsville Blackhawks on Sunday at UAA Park.