Round 1
Aspley Broncos 12 l. North Qld Young Guns 22

2007 Wizard Queensland Cup Index [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Australia > Queensland > State/Metropolitan Level Competition: Wizard Queensland Cup

Bowman inspires Young Guns victory
Mon March 19, 2007
Source: www.qrl.com.au

The 'Bear' awoke at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night as Paul Bowman helped inspire the North Queensland Young Guns to a 22-12 victory over Aspley in his first game back from serious neck injury.

Trailing 12-0 in a dour defensive battle with just 20 minutes left at Suncorp Stadium, North Queensland kicked home down the straight to score four unanswered tries and steal the match.

Having his first run since last July, 31-year old Bowman had some nice touches in the opening hour but saved his best for a dynamic finish.

It was an unusual affair for the veteran of 12 State of Origin matches, making his debut in the Wizard Cup after more than a decade playing with the Cowboys. He made it a memorable occasion though, scoring the Guns' first try of the night from a grubber in-goal, just as it seemed his side would be held scoreless for the night.

Five minutes later he ran onto a sweetly timed pass from the highly impressive Jackson Nicolau and burst into a gap. Although unbalanced on his feet and looking unfamiliar in the clear, Bowman drew in the defence and passed for Joe Clarke to score

Still trailing 14-12, North Queensland carried the momentum to score its third try in eight minutes when Ben Farrar crossed from a Shane Muspratt rightside offload, breaking through minimal defence from Michal Ennis.

After dominating for so long, Aspley didn't deserve to go home a loser and hooker Ian Lacey protested loudly when referee Clayton Sharpe adjudged him short of the line in the 72nd minute. A try in the centre of the park would have all but wrapped up the game at that stage, yet the decision stood and the Broncos coughed up the ball next play.

Bowman then enforced his side's upper hand by chasing a downfield kick and driving back Aspley dangerman Denan Kemp, who had scored a 70m runaway try ealier in the evening.

There was one anxious mopment in the closing stages when the Young Guns surrendered the ball 12m out through otherwise strong Karl Johnson.

Yet North Queensland made amends, sealed the deal and made for a deceiving scoreline by scoring on the last play of the game, Kiwi Test hooker David Faiumu running over injured John Te Reo and setting up the hard-running Muspratt

One man breathing a heavy sigh of relief would have been Young Guns fullback Michael Rose, who although undoubtedly talented, had a horror night under the high ball and almost gifted the Broncos several tries.

That said, he was tested by one of the best in the business, with halfback Brent McConnell brilliant in his Aspley debut and unlucky to be on a losing side.

Round Two sees North Queensland host Souths Logan at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday at 5.30pm. Meanwhile Aspley plays Redcliffe at Dolphin Oval the same day at 2pm.

NORTH QUEENSLAND 22 (Paul Bowman, Joe Clarke, Ben Farrar, Shane Muspratt tries; Ben Farrar 3 goals) d ASPLEY 12 (Tame Tupou, Denan Kemp try; Michael Ennis 2 goals) at Suncorp Stadium. Referee Clayton Sharpe.

Report sent by: www.qrl.com.au

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