Toowoomba smash Ipswich

TOOWOOMBA CLYDESDALES 40 defeat IPSWICH JETS 16

Weight of expectation still doesn?t appear to burden Toowoomba prodigy Michael Bond, after the 18-year-old submitted another strong performance in a 40-16 win against Ipswich at Clive Berghofer Stadium.

Touted as one of the game?s budding prospects since his early teens, Bond has endured the sort of scrutiny that can make many players buckle through the most testing years of their lives.

Yet the former Wavell State High star has thrived in the step up to Wizard Cup level, evidenced by a two-try effort in the romp against the Jets on Saturday.

Boasting a physique beyond his years, Bond has both strong running and ball-playing capabilities, making him a threat across the park.

?Michael?s a good young kid. Certainly he is exciting to watch,? enthused Clydesdales coach John Dixon.

Fellow teenager and Toowoomba centre Steve Michaels has also had a wow of a season and found himself on the scorer?s sheet for his tenth try of the year.

Up front the Clydesdales were led well by Darren Mapp, Sam Thaiday and Michael Ryan, while at the back Nick Parfitt enjoyed his best performance of the season.

Parfitt scored three tries and kicked six goals for an individual tally of 24 points, assisting the home side to rise to fourth on the competition ladder.

The local derby, played for the historic Bulimba Cup, opened with the two teams going tit-for-tat through the opening exchanges, including a brilliant chip-chase try to Ipswich half Ricky Bird.

Yet Toowoomba opened a comfortable buffer by halftime, with the forward pack willing and the outside backs exhibiting blistering speed.

Knee injuries to Mapp and winger Liam Campbell put a dampener on proceedings, although Mapp should figure in calculations for the depleted Brisbane Broncos next weekend.

Toowoomba faces Tweed Heads at Clive Berghofer Stadium next Saturday, while Ipswich hosts Norths at QLD Group Stadium the same night, with Jets coach Trevor Gillmeister sure to be plotting the downfall of his old club.

TOOWOOMBA 40 (Nick Parfitt 3, Michael Bond 2, Steve Michaels, Darren Mapp; Nick Parfitt 6 goals)

beat

IPSWICH 16 (Luke Walker 2, Ricky Bird tries; Steven West 2 goals)

Special thanks to the QRL website for another fantastic article.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT QRL.COM.AU

To discuss the Queensland Rugby League with other fans please follow this link to League Unlimited's QRL forum.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT LEAGUE UNLIMITED'S QRL FORUM