Hornets defeat Rhinos

Rhinos Josh Harris and Joe Ravueta get set to pounce on a loose ball.

Gary Nichols

CUDGEN halfback Craig Field turned back the clock to inspire his side to a hard-fought 44-30 victory over the Rhinos on Saturday night.

The Hornets’ playmaker dominated proceedings in the second-half marshalling his troops and creating opportunities against a tiring Rhinos defence.

Field’s attacking wizardry came off the back of a powerhouse performance by his forwards led by veteran front-rower Robert Kelly who has been slaying rival defences all season.

The Rhinos went to the break with a 24-14 lead but injuries and lack of possession proved their downfall in the final wash-up.

Rhinos captain coach Xavier Sullivan said his players were simply “off their feet” in the last quarter of the game.

“We only had one fresh reserve in the second-half and all we seemed to do was tackle,” an exhausted Sullivan said after the game.

“I honestly thought we were the better side on the night but to their credit they grinded out a win and shut us down when they had to.”

Once again the Rhinos succumbed to a 10-minute period after the break with the home side running in 22 unanswered points. And Field was relishing the mountain of possession having a hand in all four tries.

“We talked about it at the break, not conceding points early in the second-half, but we let ourselves down again,” Sullivan said.

“I have to give credit to their forwards. Last time we took to them and today they took to us.

“They’ve obviously done their homework and they also managed to shut down Joe (Ravueta).

“And you just can’t ball-watch a player of Craig Field’s class.”

The Rhinos got off to the perfect start when halfback Todd Cameron split the Cudgen defence wide open to score out wide and Luke Worthing made no mistake with the conversion.

However the Hornets hit straight back after a pin-point accurate cross-field kick by Field found his winger unmarked.

Both sides continued to attack and further tries to Ravueta, Cameron and Sullivan saw the visitors go to the break with a commanding lead.

But for the Rhinos it was a case of the walking wounded in the second stanza and they simply ran out of puff.

Although disappointed with the loss Sullivan was quick to praise his side – most who have never experienced semi-final football.

“Overall I’m ecstatic with the way the season has gone. We are only a young side and to make the semi-finals is a fantastic achievement,” he said.

“The guys have stood up every week and I can’t ask for anything more. I couldn’t be more proud of them, they’re like a family to me.”

Apart from Field and Kelly, Cudgen winger Josh Sleba was dangerous out wide and for the Rhinos Todd Cameron, Luke Worthing and Josh Harris were standouts in a losing side.