Burleigh Bears vs Tweed Heads HPC Round 15 Game Report ✍🏼 Michael Nunn
When the UAA Burleigh Bears and Tweed Head Seagulls play there is more at stake than two competition points in the Hostplus Cup. It’s two neighbours that wouldn’t put the
When the UAA Burleigh Bears and Tweed Head Seagulls play there is more at stake than two competition points in the Hostplus Cup.
It’s two neighbours that wouldn’t put the bins out or check the mail when you’re on holidays and both think they have the best lawn.
The Bears and Seagulls have played each other 44 times, and the Bears have the advantage 26 to 13 with three draws.
The last time they clashed the outcome was one of those three draws in round three.
The Bears forward pack was like the Avengers had assembled, with Va’a Semu making his comeback and Zane Musgrove up front playing the role of two Hulks.
The Bears took the lead with two of the most well-constructed and beautiful tries.
It started in the centre with Musgrove’s run providing momentum. Then the halves on the same side combing Guy Hamilton and Josh Rogers went to work, Lachlan West comes round from the back gives it to his centre Lee Turner Rau who passes it on to Troy Leo to score his 75th try for the Bears in game 98.
The Bears second try wasn’t lacking in beauty either.
Musgove’s offload got it started again, captain Sam Coster settles it, three markers all doing nothing, so Teague goes off and finds support.
Bears go right for a look then use the whole field to go left- Hamilton, Rogers, quick hands for Turner Rua, to his winger Leo and back inside for West to run around under the posts.
At half time and 12-0 Bear’s coach Luke Burt couldn’t have a single complaint after the Bears kept momentum even after their starters were replaced.
The Bears had turned the Seagulls away and the second half only looked promising.
It took nine minutes into the second half for Tweed’s interchange forward Max Bradbury to find the Tweed’s first try and from there the momentum shifted and it never changed back.
Jack Smith got on the end of a kick and the Seagulls were down by two with 26 minutes to go.
Then fullback Tim Carson scored on the left-hand side going between two Bears in Philip Coates and Kane Bradley and the Seagulls were flying at 14-12.
When hooker Romano Cook dived over under the posts and Shannon Gardiner finished the second half carnage the Tweed had amassed five tries and 26 points to win 26-12.
The Bears hadn’t scored since the 14th minute of the game.
The Bears next assignment can’t come quick enough with a drive up the Range to Toowoomba to play the Western Clydesdales.
