The Central Queensland Capras fought hard against the Burleigh Bears at Rugby Park, but despite some strong individual performances, the Bears came out on top with a 24-16 win. The game was marked by explosive moments on both sides, with the Bears capitalising on crucial errors and their clinical finishing.
The match kicked off with Burleigh seizing an early lead. Tristan Powell opened the scoring for the Bears in the 10th minute, followed by Josiah Karapani’s try just six minutes later, putting the Bears 10-0 up. Capras struggled to find their rhythm initially, but they responded in the 32nd minute with a try from Elijah Rasmussen to bring the score to 12-6 after Blake Moore’s conversion.
The Capras gained some momentum as halftime approached, with a brilliant try from Tevita Naufahu in the 37th minute, narrowing the deficit to 12-10 as they approached half time.
The second half saw the Bears retake control, with Sami Sauiluma scoring in the 41st minute, and Josiah Karapani adding another in the 50th minute to extend their lead. Naufahu again proved to be a key figure for the Capras, crossing for a second try in the 54th minute to bring the score to 20-14 before a conversion by Blake Moore, closed the gap to 4 points.
The Capras pushed hard for a comeback, but the Bears’ defence held firm. In the 72nd minute, Creedence Toia sealed the victory for Burleigh with a try that extended their lead to 24-16. Despite a late surge from the Capras, the Bears’ composure in the final stages ensured they secured the win.
Despite the loss, the Capras showed resilience, with standout efforts from Tevita Naufahu and Blake Moore. With crucial moments of individual brilliance, the Capras remain competitive as they look to bounce back in their next match.
