The Romano Group Seagulls utility back Brayden McGrady was impressive in his comeback from injury for the A-grade side on Saturday night, as the injury-depleted side suffered a tough loss to second-placed Runaway Bay.
The Seagulls, with just two front-rowers in the 17 and their middle men having to play long minutes, went down to the Bay 30-20 after leading 20-6 at half-time.
Coach Darryl Fisher wasn’t too downhearted with the performance considering the circumstances and the great news was the return of McGrady who had been out for more than a month with a rib injury.
He played right centre and scored three tries and will put himself right back into contention for Intrust Super Cup selection.
The Gulls had 13 players from the squad missing through injuries to several ISC regulars like Michael Burgess, James Wood, Shane Gilham, Talor Walters and Dane Clarke while the cornerstone of Fisher’s side – Mackenzie Reid, Shem Vaoa, Jackson Clarke, Josh Ralph and Josh Harvey – were unavailable.
The good news is that Harvey, Jackson Clarke, Vaoa and Reid should return next weekend.
“The Bay came home pretty strong and scored three converted tries in the last 15 minutes – all on the last tackle – as we tired a bit,” said Fisher.
“We had a lot of guys who had to play long spells in the middle and we had to throw back-rowers in to cover when we had to give them a spell.
“Jordan Aoni was outstanding and our only other regular prop, Shaun Hinton, really put in as well. And Will Johnstone had to play 80 minutes at hooker and did a heap of defensive work in the middle.
“One good thing is that it has conditioned a few of the team to playing extensive periods if we have to in the finals.”
Other than Hinton and Aoni, Sam Carson played well, winger David Sheridan showed some impressive touches while McGrady prove that he is a high-class performer at this level.
The Gulls finish the competition rounds with clashes against Southport (away) and Currumbin (home).
Runaway Bay 30 beat Tweed Heads 20 (McGrady 3, Hinton tries; McGrady 2, Bainbridge goals).
LADDER after round 15
| POS | TEAM | P | W | D | L | B | FOR | AGST | PD | PTS |
| 1 | Burleigh | 15 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 586 | 190 | 396 | 41 |
| 2 | Runaway Bay | 15 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 500 | 258 | 242 | 37 |
| 3 | Tugun | 15 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 384 | 281 | 103 | 34 |
| 4 | Tweed Heads | 15 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 353 | 256 | 97 | 33 |
| 5 | Bilambil | 15 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 372 | 321 | 51 | 31 |
| 6 | Currumbin | 15 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 305 | 462 | -157 | 27 |
| 7 | Southport | 15 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 284 | 405 | -121 | 22 |
| 8 | Ormeau | 15 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 160 | 771 | -611 | 15 |
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