WILLING ENCOUNTER: The Swans and the Toads go at it hard in yesterday’s clash at Woombye. John Mccutcheon
NAMBOUR coach Paul Green will have rugby union historians searching through the record books after naming referee Gavin Hawkins man of the match in yesterday's 31-24 win over Maroochydore at Woombye.
Green heaped praise on the whistleblower for deftly handling the fiery rivalry match with a performance the coach described as "exceptional".
"What Gavin did today was terrific," Green said.
"What we saw was a really good game. It was willing. It was hard. It was expansive - even in the wet conditions.
"It had a good forward battle in it as well, but through it all we had a guy who was managing the outcomes - not blowing his whistle excessively."
The veteran coach has been critical of referees because of week-to-week inconsistencies in the definition and enforcement of rules.
"Every coach gets frustrated with some of the things they see, but where I see something I think is exceptional, I think we need to mention it," he said.
Green said Hawkins could have been tempted to send players to the bin as emotions soared in muggy conditions at Woombye.
Maroochydore was in search of a vital win after a shocking start to its premiership defence, but slipped into a hole in the opening half, when it allowed in four tries.
The Swans fought back with a strong second-half display, but were unable to reel in the suddenly threatening Toads.
Green said the performance - which followed an impressive win over previously unbeaten University last week - was another good sign for his improving team.
"We scored tries through the forwards and the backs, so we're happy with the diversity in our game," he said.
"We are really happy with the way the game went and it is a good sign for how we are travelling at the moment."
In the weekend's other game, Noosa returned from the bye in good form to beat Caloundra 22-8.
TOADS 31
SWANS 24
Noosa were denied a try because they put the ball out of play at the ten metre line. 

 have retaken top spot on the 2014  ladder after beating  22 points to 8 in ,  yesterday. 

Caloundra opened the scoring six minutes in through a . Noosa would even up the scores seven minutes later, and take the lead by the end of the half. 10–3 Noosa at half time.

Caloundra almost scored a try in the first three minutes of the second half but the ball was lost forward by a Noosa player attempting to intercept a pass. Noosa would seemingly shut out the game with a . But Caloundra hit back three minutes later with a try of their own.

They couldn't capitalise, however, allowing Noosa to score one further try to take the score to 22–8.

In the round's other game,  defeated  31 points to 24.  had a bye.


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