Parfitt Fuels
Clydesdales Comeback

An incredible 26 point haul from Nick Parfitt helped the Clydesdales to a 46-26 victory over Norths at Bishop Park today.

After trailing on the scoreboard for the majority of the match, the Clydesdales hit their straps in the second half to collect the points in a high quality game.

The home side had a perfect start to the match, notching two tries to Fifita Moala and Glen Turner in the first ten minutes. The ten point deficit stood for the next fifteen minutes as both sides settled in to the conditions. An intelligent grubber from dummy half by Adrian Vowles got the Clydesdales on the scoreboard, which sparked a mini-comeback for the team.

Veteran recruit Paul Green kicked a mammoth 40/20 just minutes later to keep the visitors on the attack. Rampaging young forward Ben Czislowski continued his great form by collecting a try to give the Clydesdales a 2 point lead.

Norths captain Andrew Hamilton grabbed the lead back for the home side just minutes later, as both sides went on the attack before the half-time break. Both fullbacks crossed for mesmerising tries in the five minutes leading up to half-time, with the score at 20-18 to the Devils at the break.

Devils fullback Quentin Laulu-Togagae collected his second try of the match just three minutes after half-time, giving the home side a 26-18 lead. The fierce pace continued throughout the remainder of the game, but a persistent Norths side failed to capitalise on any opportunities, and didn?t score again in the match.

The Clydesdales comeback began in the seventh minute of the half, through interchange player Matt Ballin. They hit the lead for the second time in the match just ten minutes later through talented centre David Stagg, who made a mockery of some soft defense.

Tempers between the two big forward packs flared in the sixtieth minute of the game.Sam Thaiday and Adrian Vowles copped the forefront of the frustration, but still managed to score the visitors a penalty. Just ten minutes before full-time, Nick Parfitt sealed the game with his second try of the afternoon to bring the score to 34-26.

The foot never came off the accelerator, with two late tries blowing out the scoreline to an impressive 46-26 victory. Grant Booker collected a well-earned try five minutes out from the end, while Nick Parfitt grabbed a hat-trick with another great try just before the siren.

Nick Parfitt, not surprisingly, received the Players? Player award for his outstanding performance. Along with scoring three tries and seven goals, he was always dangerous in attack and made some crucial tackles.

David Stagg, Neale Wyatt, Adrian Vowles and Ben Czislowski also contributed with stand-out performances.

The win takes Toowoomba up to 20 competition points, as the congestion on the Queensland Cup ladder continues to show. With for and against set to possibly determine finals positions, the late flurry of tries will no doubt be recognised as extremely important by everyone at the Clydesdales.

Toowoomba Clydesdales 46 (Parfitt 3, Vowles, Czislowski, Ballin, Stagg, Booker tries; Parfitt 7 goals) defeated Norths Devils 26 (Laulu-Togagae 2, Fletcher, Moala, Hamilton tries; Turner 3 goals) at Bishop Park, Nundah.

Half-time score: Devils 20-18

Penalties: Toowoomba 6-4.

Refereee: Tony Maksoud.