Brothers pick perfect time to win

Brothers playmaker Geoff Skippington proved dangerous in last weekend’s IRL Reserve grade final.

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BROTHERS Reserves could not have chosen a better time to post their first win of the Ipswich Rugby League season over Goodna than on Sunday.

The Brethren’s 24-14 upset of the minor premiers in the qualifying semi-final at the North Ipswich Reserve came after they trailed 8-4 at half-time.

A change in approach turned things around after the restart.

Brothers halves Geoff Skippington and Sam Kruger ran the big Eagles ragged with their precise passing and kicking games in the wet.

“We just had to get a bit smarter,” Brothers captain Skippington said.

“You’re not going to take them on up the middle. We just played with a bit of width and tried to work them over.”

Brothers will enjoy this weekend off to watch Goodna and Swifts do battle for the right to meet them in the decider.

Swifts had reasserted their credentials with a 56-6 thumping of Lowood on Saturday.

Bluebirds’ fullback Shawn Hill had a ball from the back, notching five tries as his team benefited from the trickle-down effect that flowed on from the club’s A-grade side getting all its players back.

In Division 2, Goodna provided the upset, beating minor premiers Springfield 26-16 to advance to the grand final.

Eagles prop Faio Tuluauau, who has played in the past two A-grade grand finals for Goodna, crossed for two tries.

Springfield must regroup for their clash with Swifts this weekend after the Bluebirds knocked out Brothers with a 14-10 win.