The Romano Group Seagulls’ completed the competition rounds in fourth place with a heartening 40-12 win against Currumbin after injuries depleted the senior squad to the extent where two under-20s Colts players had to back up from their earlier clash to give coach Darryl Fisher a full 17-man squad.
And didn’t the two replacements do well!
Centre Jaxson Paulo and back-rower Darius Farmer each scored two tries in impressive performances. They are only 18 years old and are part of the Gold Coast Titans’ elite performance group.
“They are big, strong and really impressive,” said Fisher after the satisfying team performance that sends the side into Sunday’s elimination semi-final against Bilambil with confidence.
The other impressive part of the day was the successful return from injury of second-rower Jackson Clarke, the former Titans under-20s player who had been absent for a month. He was one of the team’s best and will benefit from the hit-out before the finals.
With prop Josh Hervey missing, halfback Jack Cook stepped up as captain and led the side well while Macauley Dawson, who has been a consistent performer in several positions this season, was strong.
Kobi Annand, a real mainstay of the A-grade side this season, was also prominent.
“With the changes we had, we weren’t going to be the perfect team but I was really happy with how we played,” Fisher said.
“Normally you would bring up some Colts player during a season but we’ve had a large squad and the depth has been handy. We struggled to get a team to train during the week but we came out and performed pretty well.
“It was good to see Ash Hunter play his first season off the bench too.”
The A-grade will play their semi-final against Bilambil at Piggabeen at 3pm on Saturday, following Tugun v Southport in reserve grade (1.30pm) and Beaudesert v Currumbin under-19s at noon.
Tweed Heads 40 (D Parrish 2, J Paulo 2, D Farmer 2, S Gafa tries; K Annand 3, J Paulo goals) beat Currumbin 12 (H Wood, J Crocker tries; B Gills 2 goals).
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