Round 10
Northern Pride 16 l. Wynnum Manly Seagulls 26

2008 Wizard Queensland Cup Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats]

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

New faces lift Seagulls
Sun May 18, 2008
Source: www.qrl.com.au

A week after receiving a 50 point hiding, the Wynnum Manly Seagulls have exploded to life by beating one of the Wizard Cup's best teams on their own patch of dirt.

Wynnum Manly's 26-16 victory over the Northern Pride in Cairns justified coach Shane McNally's decision to make sweeping changes following the previous week's battering at the hands of the Tweed.

The Seagulls led the Pride 18-4 at half-time of Saturday's clash and went on with the job in the second half.

"I think blokes like Chris Muckert and Ben Czislowski, they played with a lot enthusiasm and that's what we were lacking a bit last week," McNally said.

Muckert was playing his first fixture match for the Seagulls after a series of frustrating knee problems.

The former Cowboys utility made a big impression upon his injection into the game from the bench.

Czislowski's comeback game from injury was also glittered with strong runs and big hits.

McNally, whose team has the bye next weekend, described the Seagulls' overall display as a "good solid performance".

"We were good. Matty Seamark ran the game pretty well," McNally said.

The Seagulls coach felt his side always had the game in control, despite the home side's early strike in the second half.

"I just felt the way we were playing we weren't in any danger," McNally said.

While the Pride has now lost its last two matches, McNally dismissed claims the Cairns based outfit had hit the wall.

"I thought they played very well," he said.

"We had to play some good footy to get through their line."

The only blemish on Wynnum Manly's memorable trip to Cairns was an injury setback to prop Fili Sofa.

The replacement forward suffered a suspected broken ankle in the first half and may require surgery.

"It's unfortunate. He was just starting to play some good footy," McNally said.

For the Seagulls, classy back-rower Luke Dalziel Don continued his purple patch of form.

Dalziel Don, one of the front-runners for a spot in the City forward pack, scored one of the Seagulls' four tries.

Report Source: www.qrl.com.au

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