The Northern Warriors claimed the Caelib Edwards Memorial Trophy with a 24-15 win over the Southern Battlers in the annual Southern Region north v south game at Outram on Friday.
The first half was played at an unbelievable tempo as both sides were eager to throw the ball around.
The Northern side had a strong opening five minutes before the momentum firmly swung in the favour of the Southerners, who camped in their attacking half for the majority of the first spell.
South threw attack after attack at the North defence but the Battlers were guilty of pushing the last pass instead of taking contact.
The opening try was scored by the Warriors after a turnover deep inside their own territory.
Numerous phases later, fullback Clayton Buchanan crossed to give his side the lead against the run of play.
After the try, South continued their barrage inside the North’s 22m. More key errors and a failure to recognise space out wide cost the Battlers, although they finally breached the defence through No 8 Andy Carruthers to make it 5-5 at halftime.
With substitutions flying around everywhere, the second half was a more even contest and both sides had plenty of time in possession.
South started strongly again but still could not find the balance of whether to unleash a pass or take contact.
North managed to get their hands on the ball more and opened the second-half scoring when replacement fullback Jared Hayes dived on a Liam Homer grubber kick over the line to break the deadlock.
South were reduced to 14 men shortly after, due to a yellow card which allowed the North to capitalise.
Consistent pressure from the North forward pack resulted in lock William Haywood stretching over the line to extend the score to 19-5 once the conversion had been kicked.
With a man in the bin, South managed to score through replacement prop Macrae Sanderson, who pirouetted his way over the line from close range.
Outside back Jeremy Gray was next to score for South to reduce the gap to four points, 19-15, as the conversion was again missed.
North had the final say as Hayes was on hand to score his double in the same way he scored his first, a dive on a loose ball in the in-goal after a grubber kick.
This time, it was prop Sam Wyber who provided the goods off the boot.
North v South
The scores
Northern Warriors 24
Jared Hayes 2, Will Haywood, Clayton Buchanan tries; Hayes con, Jacky Scott con.
Southern Battlers 15
Jeremy Gray, Andy Carruthers, Macrae Sanderson tries
Halftime: 5-5.
— Francis Parker
