Sport
2 May, 2025
Danes hold on against Bears
In a fixture much debated about for non-footballing reasons, the Pittsworth Danes proved their mettle on the field with a clean sweep over Oakey across all three grades on Sunday.
Men’s A Grade
Pittsworth defeated Oakey 30-26. The lead changed six times in the match and both teams are to be congratulated for putting on a quality game with few errors. Oakey started the better with halfback Ash Taylor, who had the ball on a string, putting his team in front 14-6 after 30 minutes.
The 30th minute saw the try of the match. Taylor scooted to the left of the ruck 20 metres out from the Danes goal line and kicked across the ruck to find Oakey five-eighth Dylan Chown, who raced through to place the ball down underneath the posts. Pittsworth scored just after to make the score 14-12 at half time.
There was a strong wind which had favoured the Danes in the first stanza, but Taylor used it to the Bears’ advantage with excellent short kicks that suited his flyers in Marcus Spence and Tony Clevin.
The second half was not one for the faint-hearted.
Oakey’s John Maila was tremendous in both defence and attack and the Danes players were aware of his presence all game. Pittsworth dug deep and one of their best, winger Stewart Free, scored when Liam Short broke the line in the 46th minute for Free to swoop on the inside to score under the posts. Pittsworth 18-14.
Taylor set up Richard Murray for Oakey to regain the lead 20-14 after 50 minutes. Then it was Pittsworth’s turn when Harry Cooke scored out wide to put Pittsworth in front. Jordan O’Shea kicked the sideline conversion into the wind to make it 24-20 with 17 minutes remaining.
The Danes took advantage of a couple of rare Bears turnovers with player of the match Cooper Bowyer scoring a tremendous solo try to get Pittsworth to a 30-22 lead. Oakey stayed in the match when Taylor put Kaleb Cooper over (30-26) but Pittsworth held on for the win. It was a tremendous match which was well officiated by referee Mark Kuhn.
Oakey played consistently and will upset teams this season. Taylor played 80 minutes in one of his best performances since returning from the NRL,
Richard Murray and Maila kept turning the Danes around, and Clydesdale Marcus Spence played well.
Oakey has a big home game against Gatton this Sunday.
Pittsworth Danes 30 (Thomas O’Sullivan, Cooper Bowyer, Harrison Cooke, Stewart Free, Alex Kahler tries Jordan O’Shea 5 goals) defeated Oakey Bears 26 (Josiah Alberts 2, John Maila, Dylan Chown, Marcus Spence tries Tony Clevin 3 goals)
Open Women
Pittsworth women, returning to the competition for the first time in three years, recorded their first win of the season.
Pittsworth Danes 10 (Amelia O'Toole, Lucy Lloyd-Morgan tries Natalya Franklin goal) defeated Oakey Bears 0
Reserve Grade
Pittsworth Danes 42 (Matthew Butler 2, Patrick Quinn 2, Tyrelle Woodbridge, Matthew Butler, Jed Garratt, Luke Hill, Ryan Cattarin tries Jake Johnston 5 goals) defeated Oakey Bears 16 (Jacob Lingwoodock, Cameron Creevey, Zacharie Benson tries, Cameron Moodie 2 goals).
- Andrew O’Brien
TRL Media
