By PETER ROWE
Is there anyone capable of stopping the Willagee freight train? The Fuel to Go & Play Premiership game of the round lived up to its billing at George Burnett Park as the reigning premiers toughed it out to end the Lions good run of form.
“We just didn’t get out of the blocks early and they punished us,” Lions coach John Crawford said after the game.
“It was disappointing. They ran through us in the middle and then on the edges. We just didn’t aim up.”
Bears Coach Nelson Davis was pleased with the victory but knows his side can do better.
“It was good to get that win but we need to be better in defence and with our discipline,” he said.
“We talked about it at halftime. Too much of Instagram fancy moments and we had to be prepared to get in the trenches when needed.
“And in the second half we did. We muscled up and it was much better.”
Big prop Malakai Chan Boon was best on ground for the Bears, closely followed by second rower Phil Suwali and Matty Landsdown.
“Mali was a leader out there and set up a try, Phil did everything asked of him – and he scored – and Matty’s kicking was superb,” Davis said.
Iverson Mapu-Satiu also got a mention, coming off the bench and making an impact.
“The issue I have is trying to fit all these good players into the team, “ Davis added.
Meanwhile Crawford, while disappointed, was still positive.
“We still have believe we can compete,” he said. “Our older heads know we can, it’s just getting some of the younger guys to buy in.
“We have a new halves combination and that will take time to bed in – and it’s still round three.
“I told the boys we beat them (Willagee) by the same scoreline early last season. There’s plenty of football to go.”
Sam Javapro and Simeon Oi gave the Lions early hope as they clawed back the deficit, but Manfred Kelly extended the lead to 10 points at the break.
Big second rower John Leota crashed over six minutes into the second half to stretch the lead further and three minutes later centre Tommy Fifita added another on the right edge, off the back of a big forward push.
When Billy Judge danced his way across and then through a poor Bears defence the Lions saw a chance.
That opportunity lasted barely five minutes as a big run from Iverson Mapu-Satiu put the game beyond reach.
As tempers boiled over punches flew and Javapro and Bears lock Rangi Thompson were both sent off by referee Ben Grainger before Kobi Aiesi, off a tap penalty, set up a move that saw Michael Fotu, another big middle, power his way across to score.
Hohepa Taiatini scored late consolation try for the home side as the Bears continue their unbeaten run.