By Andrew McKaysmith
The Bull Shark’s QRU Premier Colts 1 team head into Round 9 with a spring in their step after handing a rugby lesson to Norths at Bond rugby HQ last weekend.
A 64-17 scoreline suggests the contest was anything but close, however, the difference could have been much more as Bond put 45 points on the score board well before the first half was over.
The victory over Norths removes any doubt that coach Will Cotterill’s collective is a very good rugby side, yet wins were proving elusive and three matches during the season were decided by 3-points or less.
Coach Cotterill said that things were coming together, and he expects the side to improve beyond their classy win against Norths.
“It’s been getting better and better and closer to clicking, even the week before, the loss against Wests, if you look up possession and territory and all the opportunities we created to score, we should have won that game by 20 or 30 points,” he said.
“It’s very disappointing to lose that off the back of what was a good performance, we just dropped too many balls, and we didn’t finish the job.
“I was hoping the game against Norths was the game where things clicked.”
The contest against Sunnybank on Saturday at Oldmac oval looms as a vital clash for the Bull Sharks as the next week they face a Brothers outfit to whom they lost by 50 points in Round 1.
Sunnybank is coming off a loss against Easts and is expected to provide a serious challenge, yet Mr Cotterill senses an opportunity for the Bull Sharks.
He said Sunnybank had started the season with some big wins, but in recent weeks a series of losses proved they were vulnerable.Â
“They are above us (on the ladder), and they had a very good start to the season… then slowly they started to crack a little bit,” he said.
“They’re vulnerable, but they are still a very talented group of players so we will be up for a tight game.”
Another challenge for the Bull Sharks this weekend will be replacing two of their gun players; Jack Winchester (Premier Grade) and Matt Minogue (injured).
Mr Cotterill said the loss of key personnel gives Colts 2 players a chance to prove themselves in the division's first-grade competition.
“Colts 2 squad is very strong, and they have been performing very well, and they are at the top of the ladder,” he said.
“There is a couple of those guys stepping up to Colts 1, and this is their chance to shine.”
Catch the Bull Sharks QRU Premier Colts 1 in action this Saturday 25th May, against Sunnybank Rugby Union Club at Oldmac Oval, 470 McCullough Street Sunnybank.
Premier Colts 2 KO 11.10am
Premier Colts 1 KO 12.30pm
Premier 2nd Grade KO 1.50pm
Premier 1st Grade KO 3.20pm