Clydesdales off the beaten track

Toowoomba will have to overcome history and deep mental scarring if it is to make this year?s Queensland Wizard Cup grand final, following a 44-22 loss to Burleigh on Saturday.

Despite leading at halftime and fielding one of the most accomplished forward packs seen at State League level, the Clydesdales capitulated for the second time this year at the hands of the Bears.

Not even the late addition of Sam Thaiday (pictured) and Neville Costigan could prevent the loss, leaving fifth place open once more to a late challenge by Wynnum and Tweed Heads.

History shows that throughout the first nine years of the Queensland Cup, no team outside the top three at the end of the fixture rounds has ever won the premiership.

In fact, not one team from outside the top three has contested the final at all.

Mathematically Toowoomba would still be a chance to finish third, were it not for the fact that Redcliffe and Norths meet in Round 22, with a draw or win to either side rendering speculation null and void.

Conversely, Burleigh has been assured of two bites of the finals? cherry even if the Bears lose all their remaining games. A fantastic for-and-against and an upcoming bye for Redcliffe are the clinchers in the equation.

The Gold Coast club?s latest win came after Toowoomba led 16-10 at halftime at Clive Berghofer Stadium.

Seemingly hoping to match Burleigh?s bustling style, the Clydesdales promoted hard-hitting backrower Derricke Watkins to the starting line-up alongside Costigan and Thaiday. Aggressive Ian Lacey played hooker in place of Michael Ryan yet again, while Darren Mapp and captain Anthony Seibold rounded out the pack.

Testament to the strength of the forwards, 2005 Country representatives Nick Kenny and Neale Wyatt shifted to the interchange bench.

However the flow of the match bore a striking resemblance to Toowoomba?s Round 17 loss to fellow contenders Norths, when the Clydesdales fell behind 42-22 after leading 18-12 at the break.

Burleigh welcomed the return of Reggie Cressbrook from ankle injury and the prolific fullback picked up from where he left, scoring a try and kicking six goals.

Prop Shane O?Flanagan was also a standout and scored a double to take his tally to four tries in two matches. O?Flangan, Cressbrook and Ali Brown are the only remaining members of Burleigh?s breakthrough premiership in 1999.

Next weekend Burleigh takes on Norths at Pizzey Park on Saturday, while Toowoomba plays Souths Logan at Brandon Park on Saturday afternoon.

BURLEIGH 44 (Shane O'Flanagan 2, Reggie Cressbrook, Trent Leis, Aseri Laing, Adam Hutchison, Jeremy Lateo, Nick Shaw tries; Reggie Cressbrook 6 goals)

beat

TOOWOOMBA 22 (Nick Parfitt, Michael Bond, Stuart Kelly, Darren Mapp tries; Nick Parfitt 3 goals)

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