Burleigh run
riot in first half to thrash Comets

Winger Trent Purdon and full back Reggie Cressbrook have spearheaded a nine try bonanza for the Burleigh Bears, the home side running out convincing 46-10 winners over the Central Comets in today's Queensland Cup encounter on the Gold Coast.

Man-of-the-match Purdon scored the first of his four tries after just two minutes. With a strong breeze in their favour, Burleigh scored again three minutes later before Purdon got his second four-pointer in the ninth minute.

Cressbrook, who posted a personal tally of 18 points, got the first of his two tries in the 24th minute as the visitors were conceding points both sides of the ruck. With plenty of room being found down the left side, more points followed for Purdon who notched up his hat trick in 39th minute.

At half time, the Bears held an unbeatable 38-0 lead.

With the wind at their backs, the Comets made a better show of it in the second half, out-scoring the Bears by 10-8 to give them something to build on in the coming weeks.

For the first 40 minutes, Burleigh were in sensational form, the reigning champions fast looking like the team to beat in 2005.

Burleigh Bears 46 Tries: T Purdon 4, R Cressbrook 2, M Griese, A Laing, R Gundry Goals: R Cressbrook 5/9 Defeated Central Comets 10 Tries: C Rothery, G Broadhurst Goals: R Craig 1/2

Pizzey Park, Gold Coast. Referee: Shane Spicer.