Sport
15 April, 2021
Goldstars looking to finish strongly
BHP Premiership: Round 2 - NQ Goldstars v CQ Capras After a strong performance last week in the opening round of the BHP Premiership, the North Queensland Goldstars will be looking for the points this week against the Central Queensland Capras.
Last week, playing in Cairns the Goldstars took the game up to the more favoured Valley Diehards, pushing them strongly for the first half before running short on gas leading to a string of unforced errors.
The Capras opened their 2021 campaign with a convincing away win against the Panthers in Brisbane. After trailing at half-time the Capras ran out the stronger more disciplined team to record a 26-16 victory.
North Queensland Allstars Coach Gavin Lloyd is expecting another strong performance from his team.
“Our performance in Round 1 was good, we were up against a side loaded with a lot experienced players, if we can bring the same intensity to this game, we are a fair chance,” he said.
Lloyd is looking for an improvement in the Allstars ball security and execution this week.
“The last 15 minutes last week we made 7 errors and ended at one stage defending 10 sets.”
One of the success stories from round 1 was Jordii Mahendrarajah on debut. The 18 year-old had a blinder running well and also pulling off 27 tackles for the game.
The Capras Coach, Amanda Ohl is expecting a tough game again. Chelsea Baker their captain and former Harvey Norman Queensland Maroon representative scored a double against the Panthers and has come though training unscathed this week.
“Last week was out first real hit out for the year and we pulled up with a few sore bodies."
“Emmaley McMurdy sustained concussion during the game, we are still awaiting clearance so Emmaley may be named in the team later this week,” Ohl said.
The Capras team along with the Goldstars are drawn from a massive geographic area, covering Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, west to Longreach Bundaberg and Rockhampton. The tyranny of distance makes training difficult and does present a few hurdles with regard to gelling as a team.
Ohl is looking for improvement in her squad’s performance each week.
“The game will be a tough one, they will try to man-handle us with their size, but I think we have the covered,” she said.
The Central Queensland Capras will play the North Queensland Goldstars this Saturday at Browne Park in Rockhampton, kick-off 4:55pm.
