Published On: 30 April, 2018Categories: General

The Seagulls’ Mal Meninga Cup under-20s have failed to make the competition’s final after going down 40-22 to South Logan Magpies with the score no where near a true indication of the match.

Tweed Head led 22-16 with 19 minutes remaining but the Magpies ran in four converted tries in a 14-minute period soon after to secure a place in the decider against Norths Devils, meaning Magpies teen sensation David Fifita will face a handful of possible future Brisbane Broncos teammates.  Norths held out Mackay 32-24.

The two fixtures were held back-to-back at Davies Park, highlighting the cream of the crop in Queensland’s junior ranks.

Fifita has been the talk of the competition after his starring role for Australia at the Commonwealth Championships this year and several subsequent standout performances.

Many have speculated he is a future Bronco forward in the waiting, and NRL coach Wayne Bennett was an interested spectator at the southern end of the field.

However, Fifita was well contained in the semi by a Tweed side that was big on tenacity and line speed.

Fullback Fanitesi Niu scored two of the last four tries for Souths, his second effort capping off an entertaining 75m backline movement.

Tweed was exceptionally well serviced by halves Tom Dearden and Toby Sexton, while fullback Glenn McGrady was a constant threat and prop David Butler took on all comers.

In the absence of Fifita’s usual punch, much smaller forward colleague Cruise Ten was a standout for Souths Logan and did not stop trying all game, while half Tanah Boyd was his usual strong self.

SOUTHS LOGAN 40 (Fanitesi Niu 2, Tanah Boyd 2, Leevai Sutton, Cruise Ten, Jett Trembath tries; Tanah Boyd 6 goals) def TWEED HEADS 22 (Tom Dearden 2, Caleb Hodges, Toby Sexton tries; Toby Sexton 3 goals) at Davies Park.