Frenchville thrash Goats

FRENCHVILLE Pioneers handed reigning Central Queensland Rugby Union premiers Gladstone Goats a 50-12 drubbing at Marley Brown Oval on Saturday night.

It was all the visitors as they ran in waves with the overlap creating havoc for the Goats' defence.

Pioneers streaked to a 50-0 lead before some salvage work added some respectability to the scoreboard. Goats players Steve Ball and Adam Edmistone scored tries. Ball said his team was simply outclassed and there were no excuses.

"Frenchville were harder and faster and they just smashed us," Ball said.

Isaac Wilson at fullback, Cassius Paitai and number eight Tiki Matebau stood up to the relentless Pioneer pressure. Pioneers' coach Lance Robb was very pleased with his side's efforts while Shawn Atkinson had a big day out with three tries. Goats' mentor Bernie Tamakehu said despite the loss, he wasn't overly disappointed with the loss.

"With a number of new players in the team I saw promising signs for the season, particularly with the two halves," Tamakehu said. "The defence let us down and this will obviously be a focus at training."

While Ball offered no excuses, the fact remains Goats had six regular A grade players not available because of the long weekend. "It's traditionally a bye weekend and guys had planned to do other things because of the long weekend," Ball said.

The likes of Adam Conway and Craig Henderson are among just a few set to return in next Saturday's home match against Colts.

Meanwhile the reserves match had a premature end due to a serious leg injury to Goats player Kirk Parker dislocating an ankle and breaking his leg. Ball said it was just shocking news.

"It was his first game this year and we had to call players to play and he was one of those who said yes," Ball said.

SCORES

A GRADE: Frenchville 50 d Goats 12

RESERVES: Frenchville 15 d Goats 12