Easts Celts Seniors were defeated in an exciting contest against Souths in the Quarter Final game of the Queensland League contested this afternoon.

Taking the field with 14 players, Easts matched it with Souths in a tense first half. The Easts side quickly settled into the tempo of the game in which the wind played a big factor & favoured the "Bowhill Road end". The Easts back seven combined well and in his final game for the Celts, James Duffy in the midfield was collecting possessions at will. As the half progressed, both teams failed to convert scoring opportunities and frustrations surfaced; Souths were reduced to 14 with a player sent off shortly before halftime, where the scores were locked at 1-all.

The arm wrestle continued into second half where scores were few and far between. A rare goal scoring opportunity from the penalty spot for Souths was denied by a brilliant diving save by goalkeeper James Forbes. With Easts trailing by 1 point late into the half, an attack by Souths saw a cross rebound from the goal post into the Easts net for a gamebreaking goal.

With time expiring, Easts needed a quick reply and focused on all-out attack. Some inspirational passing combinations and solo runs by Easts players ensued, highlighted by Shane Farmer, who was desperately unlucky not to net a vital goal with seconds remaining. However, the scores eluded Easts, and at the final whistle, Souths 1-7-10 had prevailed over Easts Celts 0-4-4.

Competitive for the entire game, all 14 Easts Celts players put in a wholehearted effort and produced some great passages of gaelic football.

Scorers: Steve Ryan 0-2, James Duffy 0-1, Neville Whiteley 0-1

EASTS TEAM: 1. James Forbes, 2. Adrian Dowell, 3. Dave Ryan, 4. Brad Small, 5. Chris Woods, 7. Daniel Kim, 8. James Duffy, 10. Steve Ryan, 11. Shane Farmer, 13. Paul Ryan, 14. Neville Whiteley, 16. Mick Jones, 17. Mark Ram, 18. Nathan Ram

GB 1/9/02

Easts Celts Seniors clinched the 2002 QGFA Toowoomba Cup with a hard fought victory against Souths at the Commonwealth Oval (Griffith Park), Toowoomba.

Kicking against a strong cross-wind, and buoyed on by enthusiastic support from the sidelines, Easts played arguably their best first half of the season so far, scoring the first goal of the game through Gus from close range. This was followed soon after with a screamer by Nev Whiteley from an accute angle.

Easts had the better of general play, and were winning most of the loose and contested ball. Souths had most forward thrusts repelled by a resolute Easts defence & Mark Ram made telling goal saves which ensured Easts went into halftime with a handy 6 point lead.

The second half was a tighter affair, and the possession and scoring flows evened up. As the half progressed, Souths surged and produced a couple of goals through goalline scrambles to cut Easts lead. With the game up for grabs in the frantic final minutes, Easts managed to get first hands on a fiercely contested ball and post late points to steady and win the match and the Toowoomba Cup, 2-12-18 to 4-4-16.

Man of the Match: Nathan Ram

Scorers: Shane Farmer 0-4, James Duffy 0-3, Ronan Harper 0-3, Owen Ryan 1-0, Neville Whiteley 1-0, Dov Hirst 0-1, Niall O'Malley 0-1

GB 1/7/02