The rapid development of Beenleigh Pride’s Holcim Cup side has reached a special milestone with a victory over unbeaten defending premiers Goodna on Saturday.
Given confidence by a recent draw with Currumbin, the Pride had high hopes going into the match but it was the Eagles flying in the first half to lead 12-0.
But Beenleigh coach Nick Barnes was very happy with the opening stanza, having full faith his side’s fitness would eventually overcome the powerful presence Goodna has become known for.
Helen Uitualagi scored not long into the second half to turn the momentum, before middle forward Indee Brown crashed over and Esmee Kae “broke their spirit” and opened them up with a runaway try.
A penalty goal to take the lead settled the side before Brown completed a double and Raven Tihema-Mako added another to secure one of the most memorable wins of the debut season in the top grade.
Barnes said the players were ecstatic post game.
“They were pumped after that. They put a lot of energy into that game and in that last few minutes when Ravens scored that try to seal it, there were a lot of happy girls whooping and hollering,” he said.
“The girls knew (Goodna) won the competition last year. That’s the benchmark and they’ve been the strength since Round 1. They’re a tough team.”
Barnes praised prop Jayda Lofipo and two-try hero Brown for going blow for blow with Goodna and allowing the Pride to prosper in the second half.
“Both our props really took it to the Goodna forwards on the weekend to get us on the front foot,” he said.
“(Goodna’s) forwards really sort of took control of the game in the first half and we had to catch up and then second half we sort of got composed and just started playing territory, playing ball down their end of the field and that turned into points.”
The coach said the result “wasn’t too unexpected” having seen the way the less experienced players had grown this season, especially since the handful of BMD Premiership players in the side had joined the squad.
Barnes said the squad had worked particularly hard on their fitness since finally getting everyone together, while more players are soon due back from injury to bolster Beenleigh further.
“It’s really encouraging for those young girls to have got us to where we’re at and our experienced players are now able to join in and give more direction for games,” he said.
“A few of them played in the Harvey Norman Under 19s comp, but then it’s another big step again to play against women, especially the high level.
“Some of our forwards especially have had to really mature quickly to match it with some of the other forwards in the competition.”
Beenleigh is now into the top four of the Holcim Cup, while Goodna remains on top.
Round 10 will feature a double header at Bycroft Oval, Runaway Bay, with the hosts taking on Goodna at 3.30pm, following Ormeau taking on Valleys at 2.10pm Saturday.
South East region
2023 Brisbane Rugby League Premier A grade
Round 12 results
Valleys Diehards 32 def Nerang Roosters 0
Runaway Bay Seagulls 54 def Wynnum Manly Seagulls 4
Beenleigh Pride 22 def Goodna Eagles 12
Ormeau Shearers 20 def Currumbin Eagles 12
Ladder
Rugby League Gold Coast Men’s A grade
Round 8 results
Burleigh Bears 60 def Helensvale Hornets 0
Currumbin Eagles 20 def Runaway Bay Seagulls 12
Southport Tigers 32 def Tugun Seahawks 12
Ladder
North region
2023 FNQRL Open Women’s
Round 9 results
Cairns Kangaroos def Tully Tigers (forfeit)
Ivanhoes Knights Maidens 60 def Mossman-Port Douglas 0
Ladder
2023 Three Rivers Men’s Competition
Round 1 results
Hopevale 30 def Coen 16
Kowanyama 22 def Wujal Wujal 20
Ladder
2023 NQBE Mackay Men’s A grade
Round 9 results
Wests Tigers 44 def Whitsunday Brahmans 16
Mackay Brothers 26 def Souths Sharks 6
Mackay Magpies 44 def Carltons Devils 16
Sarina Crocodiles 22 def Moranbah Miners 16
Ladder
2023 Mackay Airport Women’s A grade
Round 5 results
Mackay Brothers 66 def Souths Sharks 0
Mackay Magpies 26 def Carltons Devils 0
Moranbah Miners 40 def Sarina Crocodiles 10
Ladder
2023 Rugby League Townsville District Men’s A grade
Round 10 results
Charters Towers Miners 18 def Centrals Tigers 16
Herbert River Crushers 14 def Norths Devils 12
Western Lions 27 def Burdekin Roosters 14
Ladder
2023 Rugby League Townsville District Women’s A grade
Round 10 results
Centrals Tigers 42 def Charters Towers Miners 4
Herbert River Crushers 16 def Norths Devils 4
Western Lions 24 def Burdekin Roosters 4
Ladder
Central region
2023 4BU/HITZ FM Bundaberg Rugby League A Grade Men
Round 11 results
Easts Magpies 28 def Wallaroos 20
Past Brothers 28 def Hervey Bay Seagulls 8
Wests Panthers 24 def Waves Tigers 6
Ladder
2023 Central Burnett Rugby League Men’s A grade
Round 8 results
Mundubbera Tigers 42 def Monto Roos 16
Gayndah Gladiators 90 def Eidsvold Eagles 0
Ladder
2023 Emerald Industrial Supplies Central Highlands Men’s A grade
Round 11 results
Dysart Bulls 38 def Middlemount Panthers 8
Springsure Mountain Men def Blackwater Crushers 0 (forfeit)
Clermont Bears 46 def Emerald Tigers 10
Peak Downs Pirates 40 def Bluff Rabbitohs 12
Ladder
2023 Rockhampton Men’s A grade
Round 11 results
Emu Park 28 def Norths Chargers 18
Brothers Rockhampton 42 def Fitzroy/Gracemere Sharks 10
Ladder
2023 Intersport Yeppoon Rockhampton Women’s A grade
Round 11 results
Brothers Rockhampton def Tannum Sands Seagulls (forfeit)
Wallaby RLFC 30 def Fitzroy/Gracemere Sharks 0
Emu Park 36 def Norths Chargers 0
Ladder
Wide Bay Open Women 2023
Round 9 results
Cherbourg Hornets 26 def Bundaberg Bears 12
Wondai Proston Wolves 20 def Fraser Coast Crushers 6
Ladder
2023 Rugby League Gladstone Men’s A grade
Round 8 results
Valleys 54 def Wallaby 0
Brothers Gladstone 36 def Tannum Sands Seagulls 8
Ladder
Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League Men’s A grade
Round 10 results
Caboolture Snakes 38 def Nambour Crushers 18
Maroochydore Swans 16 def Coolum Colts 8
Beerwah Bulldogs 18 def Noosa Pirates 6
Kawana Dolphins 34 def Caloundra Sharks 10
Ladder
Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League Open Women
Round 10 results
Caboolture Snakes 36 def Nambour Crushers 8
Noosa Pirates 14 def Beerwah Bulldogs 10
Kawana Dolphins 20 def Caloundra Sharks 8
Ladder
South Burnett Ken Mills Isuzu Men’s A grade
Round 7 results
Cherbourg Hornets 48 def Kingaroy Red Ants 16
Wondai Proston Wolves 34 def Murgon Mustangs 4
Ladder
Toowoomba Rugby League Hutchison Builders Men’s A grade
Round 10 results
Wattles Warriors 44 def Newtown Lions 6
Goondiwindi Boars 26 def Warwick Cowboys 16
Gatton Hawks 34 def Pittsworth Danes 16
Dalby Diehards 82 def Highfields Eagles 4
Oakey Bears 52 def Toowoomba Brothers 14
Toowoomba Valleys 35 def Southern Suburbs 22
Ladder
Toowoomba Sports Club Women’s A grade
Round 10 results
Highfields Eagles 26 def Dalby Diehards 20
Toowoomba Valleys 34 def Southern Suburbs 0
Ladder
Border Rugby League Men’s 2023
Round 9 results
McIntyre Warriors 12 drew with Texas Terriers 12
Inglewood Roosters 40 def Tenterfield Tigers 10
Stanthorpe Gremlins 30 def Eastern Suburbs 20
Ladder