Beaten on the bell

Bundaberg’s James Courtice makes a run for it as Gladstone player Ryan Cook looks to intercept.

Mike Knott

INSPIRATIONAL captain James Courtice led from the front for Bundaberg in their annual challenge clash at Jubilee Park with Gladstone on Saturday.

But Gladstone scrum-half Aubrey Harnse drove a dagger into their hearts, landing a sideline conversion three minutes from the end to clinch a 26-24 victory.

Bundaberg had trailed by two points before young excitement machine Elijah Kiddie crossed in the left corner with seven minutes left on the clock and the conversion kick was successful.

But with the locals running on empty at the end of an out of season match against a side which is preparing for the start of theirs, fatigue cost them the match.

A turnover handed the visitors the ball on the halfway line, and they attacked to the right, finally plunging over despite Bundaberg digging deep to try and hang on.

Lion-hearted blind-side flanker Courtice did everything in his power to conjure a win and he said a draw would have been a fair result, and while it was disappointing to lose in such circumstances, he was proud of their effort.

“Our structure went well, but just a bit of defence out wide let us down at the end,” Courtice said.

“Both teams deserved to win – the scoreline swung both ways during the game.”

Courtice named evergreen prop and team co-coach Bruce Dalton as his Man of the Match.

“Bruce is unreal for his age (42) – he just doesn’t stop,” he said.

Courtice also said the hit-out provided him and fellow Wide Bay open representatives Andrew Filo, Tom Marland, Kiddie, Anthony Matthews and Jesse McMillan with valuable match fitness before their first match of the Queensland Country titles on March 12.

The six backed up for Wide Bay training in Kingaroy yesterday, while Bundaberg will play the away leg of the challenge in the Harbour City this Saturday.

Dalton was proud to be able to again play alongside his son Alex, who had also had an outstanding game in the number six.

He said that he had made a pledge to his other son Jack, who is now in year 11, to also play together with him before he retires, so he won’t be hanging up his boots just yet.

Dalton, who co-coached the team with Matt Leighton, also singled out halfback Kyle Galloway and Kiddie for special mention.

“Our fitness let us down a bit but that was to be expected, but we did all right with a lot of players playing out of position,” Dalton said.

“We dominated the scrum without our regular hooker, Andrew Prior, who injured his shoulder in the Wide Bay trials, but he hopes to be back next weekend.

“Our lineouts were also good, but the backs were where we had problems with players out due to injuries or other commitments.”

Another positive to come out of the match for Bundaberg was the superb debut of 18-year-old powerhouse forward Kurt Dempsey.

Spirits also ran high in a Golden Oldies clash between the two cities to kick off the program, with the game ending in a fitting 3-all draw.