THE Dyno Nobel Queensland Outback Barbarians have made it six from six, defeating Alabama team the Birmingham Vulcans 58-5.
In another scoreline that didn’t reflect the intense physicality of the game, the Outback Barbarians used its superior skills to take control of the game from about the 20th minute.
Block busting centre and man of the match Colby Mason (Townsville) ran riot on Kreb Field, running in four tries and gifting a fifth to hooker Mark Neilsen (Townsville).
The Vulcans made much of the early going, scoring wide out but failing to add the extras or capitalise on penalty opportunities.
The deficit scoreline was just the wake up call the tourists needed. No.10 Andrew Kennedy (Burdekin) sent a wide, looping pass to Mason, who scored under the posts. The pair linked up again about seven minutes to put Mason in the corner.
After the mandatory water break at the 25 minute mark, the Outback Barbarians went on with the job in the hot and humid conditions.
A high tackle on Dudley Miles (Cairns) saw a Vulcans’ player sin binned after a high tackle.
The Outback Barbarians seized the opportunity to shift the ball across the backline and giving Mason his third.
Despite the 17-5 scoreline the home side continuing to test the tourists. However, it was Kennedy who was again the difference, sending a flying Dudley Miles in beside the posts and a 22-5 lead at the break.
After the break the Outback Barbarians backline swung into top gear, with Mason running in under the posts.
The forwards then controlled a number of phases. When the ball went to Kennedy he slipped a cut out pass to Dudley Miles who ran around the defense to score in the corner.
From the kick off the ball was recovered by fullback David West (Gladstone), who broke through the defense, only to be pulled down just short of the line. The Vulcans knocked the ball on trying to recover the ball. The ensuing scrum pressed close to the line with flanker Joe Dawson (Cunnamulla) crashing over the line.
After the second water break, the Outback Barbarians forwards controlled the ball. Replacement flanker Sam Schmidt (Newcastle) reached out and scored. Jesse Meinicke (Mackay) converted from the sideline.
The Vulcans regrouped once again but were repelled from the Outback Barbarians try line by some scrambling defense.
A relieving downfield kick proved a winner for the tourists. A scrum and some quick backline passes saw Mason over the line. A charity pass gave to Mark Neilsen gave the hooker his first try of the tour.
Hard working back rower Luke Wolter (Fraser Coast) was in not long after off the back of some impressive pick and drives to deliver a 53-5 scoreline.
Play seesawed in the final period. Replacement centre Sam Fairweather (Fraser Coast) broke the line, running 40m and chipping forward over the sideline. The tourists regained the ball from the lineout. A rolling maul saw Mark Neilsen grab his second try.
The win makes it six in a row for the undefeated tourists on their seven match 2018 US tour. It was the first time the Birmingham Vulcans has taken on an overseas touring team in the club's 51 year year history.
The Queensland Outback Barbarians final game is against the Little Rock Stormers on June 13.
Outback Barbarians 58 (Colby Mason 4, Dudley Miles 2, Mark Neilsen 2, Luke Wolter, Sam Schmidt and Joe Dawson tries) d Birmingham Vulcans 5.
- Queensland Country Life’s Mark Phelps is traveling with the Outback Barbarians.