Bulldogs bite back after full time

THE Ipswich Rugby League season couldn’t have got off to a better start than it did at Daniel’s Park on Saturday night.

Unless you’re a Northern Suburbs supporter.

West End scored after the full-time siren with Vinny Stephan’s conversion handing them a 22-20 victory.

It was new halfback, former Central Queensland Comet Ray Garrett who sealed the win and broke Tigers’ hearts when he took a pass to finish the move he had started after the bell.

In Garrett and young prop Tim Spark the Bulldogs unveiled a couple of players who look set to mark their mark this season while second-rower Andrew Sheean, in his first game back after a year and a half out following a knee reconstruction, produced some telling defence.

Norths skipper Chris Scanlan was frustrated after seeing his team come from 12-10 down at half-time to be in front after 80 minutes before failing to shut down their opponents’ last throw of the dice.

“We should have done better,” Scanlan said.

“I thought we did (do enough to win).

“We defended well against them on our line numerous times.”

Despite the loss, there were positives for Norths with coach Kerry Theuerkauf only using a fraction of his interchanges, giving forwards Brendan Scanlan, Tim Newton and Stephen Kafer plenty of game time to improve their fitness.

“I was pleased with our defence,” Chris Scanlan said.

“And our young halfback Robbie Peters played well.”

Scanlan’s frustration was also due to his new assignment as centre.

“It is going to take some time getting used to,” the former halfback/lock said.

Scanlan had no doubt where his team needs to improve.

“Just the commitment to finishing our sets,” he said.

“Getting the stats sheet right up with things like our completions.”

While frustrated with the result, Scanlan was impressed by West End.

“They manned up in defence as well as we did,” he said.

“If they can continue to do that they’ll be a force.”

In the other weekend IRL game, Fassifern led Swifts at half time at Hayes Oval before Swifts finished the stronger to win 26-19.