Too Much to Bear

THE mental health of Bears supporters was the greatest concern for Burleigh coach Rick Stone after the Gold Coast club staged its third come-from-behind victory in a row.

Having trailed Redcliffe 16-4, Burleigh fought back for a 32-22 win at Pizzey Park on Sunday.

It followed a 28-22 victory against Souths Logan (from 10-22) and a 28-14 defeat of Wynnum (from 4-14).

Had the Bears not allowed the Dolphins a try at the very death it would have been the third week in succession that the opposition had scored all its points in the first half.

?There?s a bit of belief in the team, which is good to have,? Stone said.

?Mind you, the coach doesn?t like coming from behind every week. It might send us all a little crazy.

?Hopefully the boys won?t get the idea they can give the opposition whatever start they like and they?ll catch them.?

Stone theorised that only two seasons ago the Bears would have lost all three games. He believes mental discipline and a stable core of players are now the difference.

Surging from behind, Burleigh scored four tries in a 15 minute period, including two to Aseri Laing from Adam Hayden kicks.

Promoted to the starting pack this week Adam Hutchinson (pictured) was Stone?s pick for man-of-the-match, while Ryan Gundry and Ali Brown were also strong.

Redcliffe showed heart in defeat and while halves Shane Perry and Michael Roberts were contained, big men Nick Walker and Adam Starr were uncompromising in the middle.

Both teams had exceptionally high completion rates, particularly in the first half when there was barely an error from either side.

Burleigh faces North Queensland in Townsville next Saturday, while Redcliffe hosts Souths Logan at Dolphin Oval on Sunday.

BURLEIGH 32 (Aseri Laing 2, Balin Cupples, David Hicks, Adam Hayden, Adam Hutchinson tries; Reggie Cressbrook 4 goals) beat REDCLIFFE 22 (Mark Christensen, Shane Perry, Grant Flugge, Adam Starr tries; Greg Bourke 3 goals).