SOUTH WEST REGION

SOUTH WEST GO HOME HAPPY
                                                                                           By Milton Bristow

Townsville, 24 May 1998:
Commonwealth Bank Open State Championships, finals day ..........

With the score tied 6-6 at half-time of the play-off for 7th place against Metro East, South West coach Roy Nott delivered to his team of triers one of the more quotable pep-talks, highlighting a handicap faced by remote regions:

“We’ve got 25 minutes to show these people - a country side beating a city team,” he cajoled. "Those guys have got more players in one school than we have in the whole region”.

With just three minutes left and Metro East leading 12-6, Roy’s rallying call appeared to have failed. But then halfback Craig Thurston became the hero of the hour when he raced 70 metres untouched and scored under the posts.

Anthony Crosland converted for a thrilling 12-12 draw as the siren blew. Since they had scored the first try, South West was awarded the match.

The thrilling win saw South West achieve their best finish at an Opens carnival in many years. The pride displayed by the coach and his team was palpable.

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