Tweed crush Central sinners

A STINT in the sin bin for Central Comets skipper Wayne Barnett proved particularly costly on Sunday, with Tweed Heads scoring 20 points in a 10-minute period to record a 40-22 win at the Piggabeen Complex.

Following repeated infringements by the Comets, many for contact with the head and neck of attackers, referee Justin Eastwood pointed Barnett to the bin just moments before halftime.

A subsequent penalty goal to Brad Davis gave the Seagulls a 12-6 advantage at the break and when they returned for the second stanza they ran rampant with three converted tries.

It was a clear turning point in a battle that was otherwise evenly matched throughout.

?It was hard fought,? assessed winning coach Steve Murphy.

?We knew it would be really tough, watching the tape of their game against North Queensland the previous week.

?These teams always seem to be the ones that we struggle against, so it was pleasing to show some form. It was our best effort for a few weeks.?

Both teams will have concerns in the aftermath of the match, with Tweed centre Josh Vaughan and Central halfback Cheyenne Motu both on report for high tackles.

Vaughan has only recently returned from a suspension and has carry-over points accrued.

Tweed will also monitor the progress of David Strachan and Matt Pow. Three-quarter Strachan has medial ligament damage and did not play against the Comets, while back-rower Pow has experienced a recurring hip injury.

On the weekend James Wood came in as the late replacement for Strachan and was among Tweed?s best, scoring two tries, a feat matched by forward Selasi Berdie.

Up front the hard yards were made courtesy of Roy Friend, hard to overlook as a worthy man of the match.

For Central the loss officially ends its chances of making the top five, despite 2006 marking a great improvement on last season, not only in terms of wins, but more so in terms of week-to-week competitiveness.

Five-eighth Scott Porter has made a particular impact to the team and against the Seagulls he kicked three goals to move to 121 points, eclipsing Graham White?s season club record of 119pts in 1997.

Misi Taulapapa also had the numbers adding up for him, scoring for the fourth time in just five matches since coming to the Comets from the New Zealand Warriors.

Central has the bye next weekend and finishes the year with games at home against Ipswich, Norths and Easts. Tweed Heads travels to Langlands Park to play Easts next weekend and then finishes with clashes against Burleigh, Redcliffe and Wynnum Manly.

TWEED HEADS 40 (Selasi Berdie 2, James Wood 2, Ryan O?Connell, Nat Barnes, Andrew Cross tries; Brad Davis 6 goals) d CENTRAL 22 (Marty Hatfield, Misi Taulapapa, Marty Oborn, Herewini Rangi tries; Scott Porter 3 goals) at the Piggabeen Complex.

Source: qrl.com.au