Round 13
Mackay Cutters 30 l. Wynnum Manly Seagulls 36

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

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

Seagulls Soar In The North
Sun June 15, 2008
Source: www.qrl.com.au

There must be something about the north that makes the Wynnum Manly Seagulls tick.

Coach Shane McNally isn't sure what it is, but he probably wouldn't complain if the Seagulls ended up playing a semi-final in North Queensland.

The Seagulls became the first south-east based Wizard Cup team to complete the road trip trifecta on Saturday when they edged out the Mackay Cutters 36-30 in Mackay.

Their six-point win followed away wins over the Northern Pride (26-16 in Cairns) and Central Comets (34-24 in Rockhampton).

Wynnum Manly's stunning form in the north is in stark contrast to their poor form at home.

The Seagulls have lost three out of their last four matches at Kougari Oval, a record that the Bayside club needs to set right if it is to seriously challenge for a semi-final berth.

But for now the Seagulls are just happy to enjoy their latest success in the north.

Saturday's round 13 victory over the Cutters gave the Seagulls a share of fifth spot.

The Cutters led 8-0 early, but couldn't sustain the pressure as the visiting Seagulls took an 18-14 lead into the half-time break.

Wynnum extended the lead to 30-14 midway through the second half.

"It was reasonably comfortable. But they're a fair side," McNally said.

"You only have to look at their last two games ? the Pride only beat them by six and they drew with the Tweed."

Queensland Residents back-rower Luke Dalziel Don was again outstanding for the Seagulls.

The long-striding forward crossed for two tries to take his season tally to 13.

Hooker Aoterangi Herangi also completed a double in the second half.

But the Seagulls most destructive player was Bronco Greg Eastwood.

"Greg Eastwood was outstanding for us," McNally said.

"From the outset he was great. He really showed he's an NRL player with the way he played."

While the victory allowed the Seagulls to edge a little closer to September action, the Cutters' prospects of playing finals footy hangs by a thread.

But the Queensland Cup newcomers can take heart from a competitive season. The Cutters have tested every side they have played this year, but the number of losses in the dreaded "L" column now appears insurmountable.

The Cutters face another tough contest when they travel to Ipswich to play the Jets on Saturday.

Wynnum Manly is at home to the Redcliffe Dolphins in a round 14 clash that will decide the winner of the Herald Cup.

WYNNUM MANLY 36 (Luke Dalziel Don 2, Aoterangi Herangi 2, Adam Brideson, Chris Muckert tries; Chris Birch 6 goals) def MACKAY CUTTERS 30 (Chris Giumelli, Sam Granville, Anthony Perkins, Keiron Lander, John Frith, George Gatis tries; Chris Giumelli 2, Todd Seymour goals) at Mackay Jnr Fields.

News Source: www.qrl.com.au

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