Crushers in nail-biting first round win against premiers Maroochydore
Five-eighth Taylor Hyland is all smiles after slotting the penalty to clinch the match 28-26.
It was a great start to the season. But an extraordinary second half lapse almost cost the Nambour Crushers their dream return to the the Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League A Grade competition on Sunday.
The Crushers beat the fast finishing Premiers Maroochydore 28-26 at Crushers Park – but only just – thanks to a penalty in front on full time. The Swans had staged a remarkable turnaround to level the game 26-all with a conversion to come and just six minutes to go. This was after Nambour had led 20-nil at half time and 26-6 at the 50-minute mark.
Luckily the Swans John McLaughlan missed his final conversion attempt. Then, to compound their misfortune Maroochydore were penalised right in front of the posts.
The Crushers escaped on the siren courtesy of the boot of five-eighth Taylor Hyland.
A relieved skipper Marty Cordwell, who had to be rushed back into the game late in the second half to quell the tide, said the Crushers were lucky not to blow it.
“We just over way too much footy at the end of the game,” he said. “The way we started, we earned the right to play footy but we lost it right at the back there. They came home strong and towards the end of the game they were the better team. We had to hang on and we did, so that's all that matters.”
Cordwell said the new halves pairing of Hyland and halfback Liam Aspin led the team around well.
“I just think our two new halves this year are going to lead the way. We've got a couple of good Falcons boys come back into our team and a couple of good outsides back in Charlie Renouf and Whit Payne, so everyone's just got to do a job into next week and hopefully we'll play a little bit better. We needed a win to start the year well and I think that from here we can only build and that's the aim. One week at a time.”
Tryscorers were Carter Wedd, Marty Cordwell, Luke Whitpaine, Charlie Renouf and Taylor Hyland. The Crushers next game is against Caloundra at Caloundra at 6pm on Saturday April 1. Their next home game is Sunday April 16 against Caboolture at 3pm.