Round 12
Wynnum Manly Seagulls 4 l. Ipswich Jets 24

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

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

New blood inspires Jets
Mon June 9, 2008
Source: www.qrl.com.au

Ipswich hooker Michael Ryan says the injection of a host of new faces provided the spark for the Jets in Saturday's 24-4 victory over the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

Having lost back-to-back Wizard Cup matches, a severely understrength Ipswich team looked at long odds to snap the losing streak against the Seagulls at BMD Kougari Oval.

But the new-look Jets lifted a gear to cement their spot in the top three.

"It was good to just get a bit of enthusiasm back because that's what we've been missing the last couple of weeks," Ryan said.

"Seven (players) out has basically done us some favours I reckon today. It gave us a mobile pack and allowed us to work the conditions better."

Ryan was simply all class from dummy half. The former Bronco scored a late try under the sticks to put the icing on a wonderful outing.

"It's good to get a bit of room in the middle there but the old legs will feel it tomorrow," the father of two said.

Ryan's only blemish came in the 63rd minute when he threw a wayward pass that was intercepted by the flying Chris McQueen.

"I hit him sweet, didn't I?" Ryan quipped.

But Wynnum Manly never troubled the scoreboard attendant again in a frustrating afternoon for Seagulls fans.

The Seagulls' attack was strangled by a surging Jets defensive line which regularly pinned the home side down in their own half.

To make matters worse for the Seagulls, star halfback Matt Seamark left the field midway through the first half with an ankle injury that could sideline him for some time.

Along with Ryan, tireless prop Aaron Sweeney and first-game halfback Luke Gray were outstanding for the Jets.

Gray and five-eighth Todd Riggs ran a good show for the Jets, who have an embarrassment of riches in the halves given Ian Lacey and Josh Lewis were unavailable with representative commitments.

Riggs has played halfback, five-eighth, hooker and even wing for the Jets this season.

But he is clearly of great value to Ipswich at five-eighth.

With the two points safely locked away, the Jets can now enjoy the bye - and the Ipswich Cup festivities - next weekend.

But following the Ipswich Cup, the Jets will get back to business in their quest to win a maiden Queensland Cup title.

Ryan said he was pleased to see the team's tenacious defence return on Saturday.

"For some reason we're back on the ball. We went off it there for a couple of weeks when we lost our way," said Ryan, who praised fringe players Adam Boettcher, Dale Robertson, Luke Walker and Dan Fullarton for their admirable performances.

"We're coming into the right end of the season now and we pride ourselves on defence and our attack will just come."

IPSWICH JETS 24 (Scott Ireland 2, Troy O'Sullivan, Luke Walker, Michael Ryan tries; Scott Ireland, Gavin Cooper goals) def WYNNUM MANLY 4 (Chris McQueen try) at BMD Kougari Oval.

News Source: www.qrl.com.au

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