The Emu’s have had a dream start to the 2008 competition. The St. George Frillnecks, though committed, were never in the hunt for the Round 5 match.

The Emu’s had worked hard through the week on their defensive lineouts and it paid dividends in increased ball possession.

The score line could have been considerably increased if last passes had found their mark.

Led by Coach McKinnon, the backline has really come together as a cohesive unit. Players are running the correct lines as decoys, allowing ball runners to break defenses and at times, without a hand being placed on them.

The young trio of Johnson, McNulty and O’Byrne has done all they can to impress selectors and hold their positions but any one of them is desperately needed to boost the playing ranks of the Under 20’s. The return of Barbarian tourist and premiership winger Matt Tully may see selectors reaching for the panadol.

With general play around the field in order, coaching staff will be concentrating far more on the technical skills of rugby.

Supporters should see this area of the game improve over the coming weeks.

U-20’s down 37-0

The courageous past performances of the Emu’s senior side seems to have rubbed off to the Under 20’s. Similar to their previous matches, Coach Mick McKenzie inspired his troops for the battle ahead.

This match against Highfields however, would see only eleven Goondiwindi players take the field for the fifteen-man game.

Knowing they were probably on a hiding to nothing did not deter these young men from their task in any way. Like many country teams before them, they were outnumbered and undersupplied when compared to their city counterparts, but they didn’t want to let their mates down.

Halfback Jeremy Beeston travels from his Brisbane school to play with the Emus.

He sustained an injury later in the game that required Corlis and Cairns to cover at the scrum base. It was indicative of the can-do attitude within the team.. Often, Tillack at fullback found himself defending against three attackers.

It was his last ditch efforts, be it a diving cover tackle or a touch finder from behind his own goal line that showed his dedication to the cause.

He directed his players around the park like a New York cop directs traffic. And the players responded. Highfields could only manage three tries for the first half.

Lee Harwood stamped his authority on the match through some bone-crunching hits and then in attack created multiple breaks through the opposing backline. Nathan Quinell duly supported him. Nathan played on despite being a toenail short by the end of the game.

Although the Pups were unable to trouble the scoreboard, they held Highfields to only 37 points.

The forwards were fantastic and certainly earned the admiration of their coach.

Junior Emus to play at Suncorp

On Saturday at Gold Park in Toowoomba, the Gundy Emus Under 9’s drew in a very tight game against Toowoomba Souths four tries to four.

After conceding a try early, the Emus hit back with a try to flying second row Ned Ladner, who ran around all defence to score in the corner.

Soon after forward, Wyatt Laidlaw crashed over to score another after good lead up work from teammates.

Props, Harkie Holcombe and Chris Balint and hooker, Braden Hohn gained many yards up the centre, which finally led second row Fergus Webster to score untouched after snaring some loose ball.

With Jacob Rice and John Goodfellow making great gains when they had the ball, they allowed outside backs of Clem Allen, Bailey Soper, Lachie Hunt and Charles Goodfellow plenty of room to move out wide.

Fergus White and Sandy Hickson, were outstanding in defence in the centres and nailed the opposition at every chance. They also attacked successfully and both crossed the line for tries.

All the boys are gaining a greater knowledge of the game at training on Thursdays under coach Mark Ladner, with his emphasis on fitness and skills. This Saturday they will be playing in Goondiwindi in the morning and at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night in the Qld v NSW at the half time break. Good luck Boys!!