Round 17
Ipswich Jets 10 l. Tweed Heads 38

2006 Wizard Queensland Cup Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Australia > Queensland > State/Metropolitan Level Competition: Wizard Queensland Cup

Fortress Tweed Difficult to Penetrate
Mon July 17, 2006
Source: QRL

TWEED Heads has built a fortress that will be hard to scale for other teams eyeing this years finals, consolidating fifth spot in a comprehensive 38-10 victory over Ipswich at QLD Group Stadium.

On the same day that nearest rival Burleigh faltered in its run to the playoffs, the Seagulls came out full of fire to take an early 28-4 advantage over the Jets.

Coach Steve Murphy also opted to unleash Andrew Moroney back on the competition; the Tweed strongman playing his first game since rupturing a pectoral muscle in Round One.

Although the match petered out in the second half, the win provided adequate momentum to distance the coastal side from recent indifferent form.

It wasnt much of a spectacle, but what was more important than the quality was the two points (for winning), noted Murphy, who hadnt won a match in over a month.

Our record away from home hasnt been too flash and weve identified that as something we want to improve.

We didnt complete much in that second half, but I was impressed by the quality of tries in the opening period.

As could be expected, prolific Nat Barnes was among those sniffing out the four-pointers, adding another two to take his seasons tally to a league-best 18. Also on the scorers sheet was forward Tom Prichard, earning just reward for a tremendous game.

Tainting the match somewhat was a knee injury to Tim Maccan, playing at lock after figuring for most of the season as a halfback.

Amid a spectacular year in FOGS Cup, Paul Rolls assumed the number seven jersey and combined well with Brad Davis in setting up the win.

Coach Murphy would not deny that the unexpected inclusion of Moroney on the interchange had a significant psychological effect, using him along with another strike-weapon, Matt Pow.

Theres no doubt that Andrew leads by example and gives those around him confidence, said Murphy.

Hes done everything to get his injury right and get back to play for us. Hes been in hyperbaric chambersyou name it.

Together with Matty Pow he gave us starch and impact off the bench out there against the Jets.

While Tweed Heads is favoured to hold onto fifth spot, or maybe even advance to fourth, it is no easy run home for the southerners. The coming rounds hold clashes against Central (home), Easts (away), Burleigh (home), Redcliffe (away) and Wynnum Manly (home).

Ipswich has an arguably tougher job if it is to avoid this years wooden spoon. Four points behind Wynnum Manly on the table, the Jets have only four games remaining, with the bye next weekend.

TWEED HEADS 38 (Nat Barnes 2, Ryan OConnell, Paul Rolls, Cory Bond, Tom Prichard, Dean Allen tries; Brad Davis 5 goals) d IPSWICH 10 (Brendon Marshall, Joel Reithmuller tries; Josh Costello goal) at QLD Group Stadium.

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