Mustangs get the win over the Falcons

Jordan Herbert

QRL Match Report and Stats

The Sunshine Coast Falcons have lost their round 3 clash in a nail-biting last-minute finish to the Western Mustangs at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Hot, greasy, and wet conditions saw some classic wet weather footy from both teams, the game was full of errors and drop ball, but the early momentum went to the Western Mustangs being first to open the scoring in just the first six minutes of play through their centre Declan Ryan (4). The Mustangs came to play scoring another 4 pointer just 3 minutes later. Momentum was all going the way of the Western Mustangs as they strolled over for their third try of the game through their fullback.

A try before halftime is exactly what the Falcons needed and they got that just 7 minutes before the break, through their barnstorming 2nd rower Mitchell Jennings.

But the Mustangs weren’t finished their scoring in this half just yet, another try just 4 minutes before the halftime siren sent the Falcons into the sheds trailing by 14 points at 20-6.

The Mustang started the second half just the way they left the first, scoring a try within the first 4 minutes.

However the Falcons fought back and went over for a much needed try at the 43rd minute, through interchange player Kahn Sutherland-Chan (16). Momentum was slowly starting to swing back the Falcons way especially when Harry Dwyer stormed over for his first try on the 50th minute mark. Gaining momentum and with the Mustangs under pressure their hooker Ky Rashleigh (9) was sent to the sin bin and Harry Dwyer took full advantage crossing over for his second.

When one Mustang player returned to the field from the sin bin another was sent at the 65th minute mark, Kelly Shadblow (10)

Harry Dwyer then crossed for his third of the day to give the Falcons the lead for the first time in the match.

With just seconds to go the Falcons seemed to have the game all locked up until a late intercept got the Mustangs back into good field position and a perfectly placed kick for the Mustangs winger Joshua Truscott (2) to score in the North West corner at the death to break the hearts of the Falcons 32 – 28.
A good display of goal kicking from Western Mustangs halfback Matthew Wilson kicking 4/6 and the Falcons winger Ryan Hargreaves kicking 4/5.

Key players for the Falcons were lock Harry Dwyer who scored a triple for his team in a disappointing loss and also Declan Ryan, and William Johnson both scoring doubles for the Western Mustangs.