The U20s Rabbitohs squad have secured a gutsy 28-22 comeback victory over the 5th placed Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium tonight (Friday).
It was a tough start to the fixture for the Rabbitohs on unfamiliar ground as they struggle to contain the Broncos for the opening 17 minutes. Tries to Kotoni Staggs and Gerome Burns would push the Broncos out to an early lead but Gerome Burns could only find the conversion on one of the attempts.
The Rabbitohs would be under the pump until the 35th minute when centre Dylan O'Connor would find the try line in the far right corner. The kick would prove too difficult for Adam Doueihi. The young Rabbitohs heading into the sheds at half time trailing 10-4.
The second half would prove to be one of the best periods of football the young Rabbitohs have strung together this season, although the first 17 minutes of play wouldn't hint at the brilliant play that was to unfold.
Corey Allan would score in the 57th minute for the Broncos and push the home side out to a commanding 22-4 lead. It would take something special for the Rabbitohs to claim the two points from here.
Five minutes later the Rabbitohs found that special something and hit back through halfback Dean Hawkins. Adam Doueihi converted and the Rabbitohs smelt blood on the 62nd minute.
Josh Saunders introduction would change the momentum of the game and the big forward (who part-time works at a nice café on the corner of Pitt and Redfern Street) would crash over in the 65th minute to put the young Rabbitohs back in contention. Doueihi converted and the Rabbitohs were within six points of the Broncos at 22-16.
A Broncos error on their 20m line gifted the Rabbitohs a fine opportunity to equalize. It was an opportunity not to be lost to Tyrone Taukamo who brilliantly finished in the right corner. Adam Doueihi was handed a difficult conversion but made it look easy as he kicked the equalizer. 22-all after 71 minutes.
Souths would steal the lead through winger Jalen Reweti - scoring in the opposite corner to Taukamo only three minutes later to notch Souths 14th unanswered point. However, Doueihi couldn't manage the tough conversion angle.
A penalty against the Broncos would come at a crucial time and Souths would opt for the two - Doueihi making it look easy from 32 metres out to the left of the posts. Souths 28 - 22 Broncos,
Despite a late scare when Rabbitohs winger Tyrone Taukamo was caught in goal, the Rabbitohs would absorb some desperate Broncos attacking play to seal out the game at Suncorp Stadium.
A gusty performance and well deserved win for a Rabbitohs outfit that never lost belief. Well done!
Souths 28 (Dylan O'Connor, Josh Saunders, Dean Hawkins, Tyrone Taukamo, Jalen Reweti tries; Adam Doueihi 3 goals; Adam Doueihi penalty goal)
defeated
Broncos 22 (Kotoni Staggs 2, Gerome Burns, Corey Allan tries; Gerome Burns 3 goals)
