Jai Smoothy seals an unbelievable win for the Falcons Colts

By Jordan Herbert

The Sunshine Coast Falcons unbelievably defeated the Townsville Blackhawks 12-10 after playing the majority of the second half with just 12 men in a tough game played at a wet and humid Jack Manski Oval on Sunday afternoon’s Anzac Day clash.

A two from two record for both teams meant this game would be a tough battle with both teams looking to keep their 100% record in tact – however a start riddled with errors from both teams made the start of the match very stop – start as each team tried to get their attack in order.

It was the home team who broke through the line first, a beautifully executed cut out ball from Blackhawks halfback Aaron Moore set up centre Jordan Lipp with his fancy footwork getting him over the Falcons line in the 7th minute of the game. The Blackhawks taking the first points of the afternoon. An unsuccessful conversion had the Blackhawks leading 4-0.

The wet weather was causing many handling errors from both teams in the first half, partnered with tough defence from both teams, saw only one try being scored in the first half and the Blackhawks headed into the break leading 4-0.

As the second half got underway it was clear this half was going to be just as tough as the first half to get over the try line however both teams continued to trade blows with neither team’s defensive line willing to break.

In the 50^th minute the Falcons put up a towering bomb with Falcons winger Gian Largiader flying through to try to make the catch. Unfortunately Largiader made contact with the Blackhawks fullback as he was in the process of trying to catch the ball and was sent off for the remainder of the match – leaving the Falcons to defend for 30 minutes with just 12 men.

With the Falcons down to 12 and working overtime in defence, it took a classy show and go from Blackhawks five-eight Jake Bourke in the 61^st minute for the Blackhawks to extend their lead to 8 – 0 with a successful conversion from Dylan White giving Blackhawks a 10-0 lead.

With just 7 minutes to go in the match a beautiful eyes up play from Falcons five-eight Lucas Bell who spotted the Blackhawks fullback and winger were deep in their half and put through a beautifully weighted chip kick for speedy winger Zachariah Miles to regather the ball and beat a few defenders to cross the line for the Falcons first points of the afternoon. A successful conversion from the ever reliable Jai Smoothy saw the Falcons come to life with just 6 minutes remaining in the game. Blackhawks 10 – Falcons 6.

A poor yardage kick from the Blackhawks on their next set gave the Falcons good field position to launch a last chance raid on the Blackhawks line and try to snatch an unlikely win. With the set nearly completed Falcons hooker Jai Smoothy put in a grubber on the line that ricocheted off some Blackhawks defenders legs and Smoothy scooped it up to score next to the posts to lock the scores at 10 all in the 78^th minute. Smoothy slotted the conversion to make it 12 – 10 to the Falcons with only 10 seconds remaining. Kane Jackson took the kick off and the hooter sounded.

The Falcons pulling off an unbelievable 12 – 10 win in front of a stunned Blackhawks home crowd.