Bundy heads north seeking revenge

Thomas McNeill of Gladstone and Elisha Kiddie of Bundaberg in action.

Mike Knott

AFTER having victory snatched from its grasp in the dying minutes by Gladstone at home six days ago, Bundaberg wants revenge in the return duel in the Harbour City tomorrow.

Despite being out of season, the Rum City players blew out the cobwebs and played their hearts out in the stifling conditions.

But after leading 24-19 with three minutes to go, fatigue was a telling factor as they conceded a try in the corner. Then their hearts sunk as Aubrey Harnse's side-line conversion sealed the result.

Veteran prop and co-coach Bruce Dalton, who had a whale of a game, said the team had responded well to the loss and trained strongly on Wednesday night.

But he regretted that he and his teenage son, Alex, would be unable to play tomorrow, because they travelled to Brisbane yesterday to settle Alex into university.

“But we'll still have a full team to go up. After it was so close last week all the boys are keen to return the favour,” Dalton said.

The team's other co-coach, Matt Leighton, missed Wednesday's session because he was working out of town, but he will take the reins tomorrow and he too is quietly confident.

“We've also got a few out with work commitments – some who work on Saturday can't get time off. Jesse McMillan is out and so is one of the Kiddie twins,” Leighton said.

“Andrew Filo could also be doubtful. He was injured last Saturday but intends playing at this stage.”

Leighton said Dalton left big shoes to fill.

“But I'm hoping Adam Bush and Karl Nielson, who also played prop last week, will step up and play additional minutes,” he said.

Leighton is also looking to captain James Courtice to set the standard again, and he is excited about the young talent the team has, including hulking forward Kurt Dempsey, who made an impressive senior debut in last week's game, Jonathan Dimes and former Sunshine Coast Stingrays under-19 representative Kyle Galloway.

“We are determined to bounce back. Playing a team that is so evenly matched, we are really keen to go up there and turn the tables around,” Leighton said.

Players would also buoyed by playing in the new Rugby Bundaberg jerseys, he said.

The Bundaberg Rum Ruckers will also make the trip for a Golden Oldies clash with Gladstone.