Round 10
Tweed Heads 25 d. Ipswich Jets 24

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

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

Tweed wins game of inches
Sun May 18, 2008
Source: www.qrl.com.au

Tweed Heads survived a late rally from second half specialists the Ipswich Jets to triumph 25-24 in today's thrilling Wizard Cup encounter at Ned Byrne Field.

The entertaining contest was not decided until the final play of the match in the dying seconds.

After 79 minutes and 50 seconds of fascinating rugby league, the result hinged on a mad scramble for the ball in the Tweed in-goal.

Much to the relief of Tweed coach Michael Woods, flying Jets winger Scott Ireland was just unable to ground an Ian Lacey grubber kick that had trickled over the dead ball line by a couple of inches.

Although his heart was pumping quicker than that of a desperate punter on Melbourne Cup day, Woods was just happy to be part of a top contest.

"It was great to be involved in a game that came down to a matter of inches in the final few seconds," Woods said.

In the first half, a thrilling finish seemed a long way off after the Seagulls had skipped away to an 18-4 lead. Tweed eventually went on to take a 24-14 advantage into half-time.

But, like they have done on numerous occasions this season, the Jets slipped into top gear upon the resumption of play.

Scott Ireland's 61st minute try and Trevor Exton's touch down in the 73rd minute levelled the score at 24-24.

"They (Ipswich) came out and played well in the second half. They completed 15 of 15 sets at one stage," Woods said.

"They put a lot of pressure on us. I was happy with our defence throughout that stage."

It took a 25 metre field goal from ice cool five-eighth Brad Davis to break the deadlock.

Davis' deadly accurate boot ensured the Seagulls continued their stunning surge up the ladder.

The Tweed had amazingly not won a game after six weeks but the 2007 premiers now sit just three points adrift of fifth spot.

Their form over the last three weeks is far superior to that of some of the teams above them on the ladder and it could be just a matter of weeks before the Seagulls find themselves back in the top five.

Despite the loss, Ipswich remains at the top of the ladder on percentages.

The Jets, who took the field without key trio Michael Ryan, Jason Bulgarelli and Isaak Ah Mau, play the Northern Pride in a top of the table showdown at the Briggs Road Complex on Saturday.

Following support from the Ipswich City Council, the Jets have announced they will throw the gates upon for the highly anticipated match between two of the Wizard Cup front-runners.

Report Source: www.qrl.com.au

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