Yeppoon focussed on Chargers win

In-form Rockhampton Brothers’ winger David Munns will be hoping his side can repeat their grand final win over minor premiers Yeppoon. Catch tomorrow’s Bully for a complete preview of this weekend’s A-grade Challenge Cup semi-finals.

CHRIS ISON CI--

YEPPOON Seagulls fullback Chase Bidgood is hoping the pattern of results against the CQU Norths Chargers in the reserve grade competition continues this season.

As it goes, it’s Yeppoon’s turn to win after their last-start 34-22 loss to the Chargers in the first round of the Rockhampton rugby league semi-finals.

Prior to that, Yeppoon ran out big winners over the Chargers in round 16 after losing their round seven match against the Chargers earlier in the season.

Although the pattern says the Seagulls are due for a win, they are facing a CQU Norths side that will be brimming with confidence.

The Chargers are coming off a dominating win in the local league grand final over Brothers, and Bidgood believes the Chargers will not be satisfied with their season unless they win the Challenge Cup final.

“It’ll be a tough game,” Bidgood said.

“They won the grand final, so they’ll be pumped up to do it again.”

Yeppoon have had two weeks to prepare for this weekend’s semi-final and Bidgood believes his side is in the right frame of mind.

Despite being minor premiers in the Challenge Cup competition, he said that they were not over confident considering their recent form.

“We were coming first in the local league and we missed out (on the final),” Bidgood said.

“We’re not going to let that happen this time.”

The Seagulls will be without dummy half and captain Bryce Walker after he was injured in their last start.

“He’s a big loss,” Bidgood said.

Bidgood will start at fullback on the weekend and is likely to spend some time in the dummy half role in Walker’s absence.

Putting the disappointment of missing out on the local league grand final behind them, Fitzroy-Gracemere are looking forward to their reserve grade Challenge Cup semi-final tomorrow afternoon at Gladstone.

Facing Gladstone Brothers, Fitzroys are confident having beaten the home side in their last start leading into the finals.

However, trying to beat the Gladstone side at home is a different story, one which the Sharks learned the hard way at their last attempt.

At Gladstone’s Marley Brown Oval in round six, Gladstone Brothers were runaway 42-0

winners.

The Sharks will need to reverse that result this weekend if they are to advance through to the finals.

After a slow start to the season, Fitzroy-Gracemere won nine matches on the run and looked like cruising into the local finals.

But their run came to an abrupt halt.

The Sharks were completely dominated by Rockhampton Brothers in the first week of the Rockhampton rugby league semi-finals despite finishing higher on the ladder than the Brethren.

“We were in cruise mode,” said Fitzroy-Gracemere captain Bill Weder. “We were preparing for the grand final and Brothers snuck under our guard.”

Weder is confident his players can bounce back after the loss and believes his side has learnt their lesson, albeit the hard way.

“We’ve definitely got a point to prove,” said Weder.

Weder is hoping Cameron Johnson can continue the form he has been displaying in recent weeks.

At halfback, Johnson’s energy and enthusiasm is vital if Fitzroy-Gracemere is to advance through the finals.

In under-20 finals action, it’s a Rockhampton grand final rematch with CQU Norths Chargers and Rockhampton Brothers.

The Chargers will be out for revenge after they were completely dominated by Brothers in the local league grand final.

Losing the match 56-10, the Chargers will need to make some major adjustments if they are to challenge Brothers.

Chief in their priorities will be keeping the ball away from fullback Anthony Raymond and centre Kayan Davies.