On the Scoresheet: Rays utility back Dave Feltscheer grabbed his 3rd NRC try
Photo: QRU / Holly Hope Photography

Macquarie University North Harbour Rays –

The Macquarie Uni North Harbour Rays have recorded their first win of the 2014 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship season with a nail-biting 32-29 win over Queensland Country at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.

The Rays led 24-8 at the break and looked to be doing it easy going into the second half, but a revitalized Queensland Country surged their way back into the contest and led 29-24 with only minutes left on the clock.

They were helped by some silly indiscretions at the breakdown and the sin-binning of tough-as-teak lock Ed Gower, and with a welter of possession and field position soon turned the 16-point deficit to a 24-all scoreline.

The home team then grabbed the lead 29-24 with a nicely-worked try from replacement backrower Jack de Guingand, setting the scene for a thrilling finish.

But the Rays worked their way downfield and from close range Gower, back on the field now, turned himself from villain to hero with a bullocking effort from close range.

Hamish Angus converted to give the Rays a 32-29 lead, but there was still more drama to come when after a succession of penalties to Queensland Country from referee Michael Lees the home side camped on the Rays tryline with time up.

Two tense scrums followed after the hooter had gone, but the bench men in Mitch Lewis, Dave Porecki and Nick Fraser held their ground and played out time.

Rays head coach Geoff Townsend was a relieved man after the match.

“We showed a lot of courage to close that one out in what were difficult circumstances,” Townsend said.

“I was talking to Haig Sare in the coaches box during that second half when we defended pretty much for 25 straight minutes and said that we will get one chance to pull this one out of the bag.

Sireli Tagicakibau revs up for a run for the Rays
Photo: QRU / Holly Hope Photography

“Well that’s the way it turned out and we worked out way back down the field and got in the position for Ed (Gower) to force his way over.

“We’re relieved but all the boys know that there’s still a lot of things that we need to iron out.

“Still it’s great to get that first win and force our way up the competition table.”

Villain cum hero Ed Gower said he knew that he had to do something once he returned from the sin binning.

“I’m thankful that the opportunity presented itself, but I knew I had to do something once I was back on,” Gower said.

“It’s an exciting way to finish the game but I reckon at the end of the day that we deserved to win that one.”

Another special hero was starting scrumhalf Matt Lucas who gave the Rays good tempo through much of the first 50 or so minutes.

But he said trying some 50/50 balls just after the break turned the course of the second half.

“That brought them back into the game a bit in my book but it was great to weather the storm that they threw at us,” said Lucas, who had a bit of a family reunion with brothers and family on the Gold Coast this weekend.

“Like Ed (Gower) said it was great to win but at the same time there are a fair few things that we need to work on.

“I don’t like to single guys out but I thought that Sam Ward made some great carries throughout and his defence was rock solid with some stinging hits. He’s a tough rooster.

“Dane Maraki also stepped up really well in the front row. He’s a tough bugger and I am glad he’s on our side.”

The Rays are back at home next week at Brookvale Oval when they take on the Perth Spirit at 5.30pm on Saturday, September 20.

Macquarie University North Harbour Rays 32 (Luke Holmes, Hamish Angus, Dave Feltscheer, Ed Gower tries; Hamish Angus 4 cons) defeated Queensland Country 29 (Todd Winkley 2, Jack de Guingand tries, 1 penalty try; Matt Brandon 3 cons)