Sport
17 March, 2022
Narrow loss for Bulls in rugby league trial
THE Brisbane Valley Bulls had some encouraging signs in their 8-6 loss to the Rosewood Roosters in a C grade rugby league trial match in Rosewood last Saturday night.
Twelve players made their first appearance for the Bulls while there were seven returning players, with Brisbane Valley having trained twice with one full team run since the recent floods.
Bulls player-coach Craig Melville said it was the first hit-out for the returning players since last September, while some of the others were completely new to the game while others hadn’t played for two years.
“It was a very good hit-out for the team for the new players building new combinations,” Melville said.
“(It was a) good, tough game played very physically by both sides.”
The physicality took its toll as the visiting team lost five players to injuries in the first half, yet the game remained tight and low scoring as very little separated the two teams.
Rosewood scored two tries to one, with winger Luke Carseldine scoring a great try for Brisbane Valley after lead-up work from fullback Reece Reiser.
Melville said Reiser was a standout performer as he was outstanding under the high ball, while hooker Blake Dargusch was tough in the middle as he tackled his heart out.
Melville also impressed in the second half as he made four line breaks.
Considering the injury toll that affected his team, Melville said the Bulls showed a lot of spirit.
“They were very impressive in defence, turning the Roosters away on numerous occasions,” he said.
The Bulls will play one more trial match, against Brothers Ipswich at Ipswich on March 26.
