THE Queensland Outback Barbarians have continued their winning run, beating Canadian team Red Deer 53-7.
In what proved a far tougher and physical match than the score suggests, the Barbas were forced to put in a heavy defensive effort the keep the hard hitting Titans in check.
First points came when second rower Brendan McKeown (Bundaberg) showed tremendous determination off a superb pass from Ayden Pyper (Townsville) from the line-out. McKeown pushed off several defenders to go in about 15m right of the posts.
Despite the breakthrough, it took another eight minutes for the Barbas to get over the line. This time the flying fullback Pyper made a great break off a cohesive back line movement to go in about 20m right of the posts.
Fired up winger Jamie Deshon (St George) landed a triple, scoring one in the first half and two in the second. The first was off a ball from Pyper from the line out that saw Deshon sprint 40m to score under the posts.
A minute from half time, fly half Luke Anning (Hughenden) scored a push-over try sending the visitors in at the break 24-0.
Man of the match Deshon certainly made his presence felt on the field, but copped a 10 minute break from the referee early in the second period when he flattened the opposition's No10 with what was ruled a shoulder charge. With the Barbas down to 14 men, Red Deer took advantage of the overlap to score beside the posts.
Deshon responded in the best way possible. His two second half tries were both brilliant dashes down the left hand side, on the back of expansive back line movements.
By about the 60th minute the pressure was beginning to bear against the hard working Titans. Some terrific lead up work by the forwards saw breakaway Izak Holmes (Moura) score beside the posts taking the score to 41-7. The ball went to Brendan Ralph (Toowoomba) who passed to Rudi Wentzel (Gladstone) who scored under the posts. Just five minutes later a scrum win and swift backline movement saw Paul Tema (Gladstone) link up with Jack Poplawski (St George) who scored out wide.
Half back Shaun Arnold-Brown (Maleny) provided plenty of quality of quality ball from the base of the scrum. Other notables included stand-in captain Cameron Knights (St George), Andre Van Staden (Toowoomba), Paul Tema (Gladstone), Jackson Brown (Longreach), Angus Dunn (Mudgee), and Rob McKeown (Bundaberg) who all caused major headaches for the Titans. Titans No10 and coach Mike Berry was named that side's best.
Injury concerns include Tom Beattie (wrist), Khy Bregman (calf), and Jim Connors (shoulder).
The Outback Barbarians now have less than 48 hours to prepare for the Calgary Canucks at 6.30pm on Thursday. (10.30am Friday Qld time).
Barbas starting half back Rudi Wentzel said the team was primed for the Canucks.
“We’ve come a long way and we are going to make sure the final game in Canada is a big one,” Wentzel said. “We’re ready for this one.”
Point scorers. Jamie Deshon 3, Brendon McKeown, Ayden Pyper, Luke Anning, Isak Holmes, Rudi Wentzel, and Jack Poplawski tries; Brendon McKeown 2, and Ross Morrissey 2 conversions.