Bulls boss happy with draw

Ipswich Knights midfielder Stu Hinks concentrates on moving the ball upfield during his team’s 0-0 Reserve grade match against Ipswich City.

Sarah Harvey

IF stand-in Ipswich City captain Norbert Duga was ecstatic, he wasn’t showing it after Saturday night’s 0-0 draw.

Although many in the Bulls camp were stoked at salvaging a draw against the skilful Knights, Duga calmly reflected on the game.

“It could have gone either way in the end but we definitely played well,” said Duga, filling in for regular skipper Mark Fancourt.

“We dug deep. There was lots of team spirit.”

During the game where light rain fell, Bulls coach Trent Abel clapped every time his back three – Chris Denman, Chris Speranza and Nick Love – repelled another Knights attacking raid.

Abel was also impressed how Duga got heavily involved, trying to help nullify dangerous Knights attackers Trent Griffiths, Peter Hinks, Ben Hunt and Phil Brown.

“That’s the best I’ve seen Norbert play,” Abel said.

Duga was a Knights junior until 2003, joining the Bulls and playing most of his senior football with the club.

“We’ve come up to this division before and had a tough time,” Duga said.

“We’ll give it another crack this time.

“We fought hard and every point is a valuable point.

“We’ve kept pretty much the same side from last year so hopefully we can stay in the league and build from there.”

Knights skipper Stephen Hughes conceded the Bulls played with traditional local derby toughness.

“I don’t know what their game plan was – it seemed to be just get 10 men behind the ball and defend as hard as you can,” Hughes said.

“We’re very disappointed.

“At the end of last year we weren’t scoring goals. So hopefully we’re going to get that out of the road early.

“We’re unhappy with the draw. It feels like a loss.”