Round 6
Wynnum Manly Seagulls 26 d. Central Comets 18

2007 Wizard Queensland Cup Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Seagulls In Great Escape
Mon April 23, 2007
Source: www.qrl.com.au

Wynnum Manly has pulled a rabbit out of a hat, coming from 18-4 behind to beat the Central Comets 26-18 in a stunning performance at BMD Kougari Oval.

Sealed by a late try to Seagulls stalwart Jimmy Ahmat, the match will only serve to perpetuate the feelings of frustration for Comets coach Steve Anderson.

Indeed Central led for all but the final 11 minutes and seemed destined for its first victory of 2007, following a convincing first half performance.

Yet a glut of dropped ball and series of high tackles midway through the second half turned the face of the game, allowing the homeside to mount a valiant comeback.

Wynnum's most experienced players led the charge, with Ahmat narrowly shading winger Simon Phillips and prop Angus Martin for Man of the Match honours.

Phillips scored the try that put the Baysiders in front for the first time of the game, touching down in the 69th minute after forward Herewini Rangi unexpectedly put the ball to boot.

It was Rangi's first match against the Comets since leaving Rockhampton at the end of last season.

Central did not accept its fate laying down however and winger Aiden Te Puke threatened to snatch the game back with a gutsy intercept five minutes from time.

It was much to the Comets' chagrin that referee Nick Kalpakidis should step in and award an offside penalty to halt the movement, taking the penalty count to 7-3 in Wynnum's favour.

Soon after Ahmat crossed for the decisive four-pointer, picking up the scraps as Phillips stood in a two-man tackle and unloaded.

However that was not where the game was lost. It was spilled passes and poor ball control early in the tackle count which hurt the Comets most.

Paradoxically they started the match on fire, with teen centre James Munns opening scoring with a 50m run from a scrum just minutes into the contest.

Munns' effort was followed by others to Steve Farrelly (19th minute) and Michael Esdale (36th minute) as they went into halftime well up.

However the Seagulls were given a bake by coach Shane McNally at halftime, telling his troops their first grade spots were on the line. The threatening words did the trick and a different Wynnum side retook the park for the second half.

Next week Wynnum Manly flies to the tropics for a 5.30pm showdown against North Queensland on Saturday. Central faces Ipswich at Browne Park, Rockhampton the same night at 7.30pm.

WYNNUM MANLY 26 (Simon Phillips 2, Jim Ahmat, Tangi Ropati, Paoa Faamita tries; Denny Lambert 3 goals) d CENTRAL 18 (James Munns, Mick Esdale, Steve Farrelly tries; Nat Bowman 3 goals) at BMD Kougari Oval.

Report sent by: www.qrl.com.au

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