Wet game delivers early pointers

Match practice is a valued commodity and therefore the Webbers Retravision Capricorn Cougars and Berserker were not about to let the rain alter their plans too much.

A trial game had been set down for Elizabeth Park, but heavy rain ensured organisers had to make a change of plan with the match finally staged at McLeod Park.

The action produced plenty of goalmouth incident and near misses as players were caught out by the slippery turf and surface water.

A nervous moment for the Cougars occurred as big defender Dai Thomas and speedy forward Jamie Morris were forced from the field with minor injuries.

Both had looked good during their minutes on the park as did fellow imports Anthony Hartnell and Fergus McIntosh.

While the playing condition was making life difficult for even the most gifted technician, there were plenty of moments of interest for both coaches to look back on.

Both goalkeepers in the first quarter excelled and centre back Ben McMaster was solid without yet forming an understanding with Thomas.

Joe Burke is getting used to playing a wing back role and while his general play was good, he was prone to drifting out of position.

Eduardo did not look out of place during his spell and Gladstone’s Matt Smillie showed some good touches in the middle of the park while Tristan Fraser missed the game through sickness.

For Berserker, Roy Bob and Craig Porter were as assured as when they were members of the Cougars squad.

Berserker showed early signs of form, but by the end of the second quarter it had started to go the way of the Hyundai QSL team as local products Jessie Thompson, Justin McMullen and Michael Cay all found the Berserker net.

Cougars coach Brad Smith said the selection process had yet to begin.

“Read nothing in to positions as it’s the first game and I’m giving everyone a chance to play in the positions they want to play,” he said.

A report will be in tomorrow’s Morning Bulletin.