Round 22
Northern Pride 20 l. Ipswich Jets 30

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

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

Jets Dent Northern's Pride
Mon August 18, 2008
Source: www.qrl.com.au

Ipswich Jets coach Kevin Walters says the 2008 season has been an amazing journey for his team.

Just how that journey ends is now the major focus for Walters and his support crew after the Jets concluded their most profitable home-and-away season in Queensland Cup history with a 30-20 victory over the Northern Pride.

The Jets overcame an eight point deficit to record their 16th victory of the season in front of more than 2,500 vocal spectators at Cairns' Barlow Park.

With the Pride needing a win to remain in the running for second spot and a home semi-final, the Jets landed in hostile territory.

The Pride appeared to be on its way to an important win when Josh Vaughan scooped up a low pass and sliced through to score in the 59th minute.

The try put the hosts in front 20-12.

Pride fans cheered every hit-up and tackle but the large contingent of home town supporters fell silent in the final 15 minutes after a whirlwind finish from the Jets.

Big prop Aaron Sweeney got the ball rolling for the Jets when he carried three defenders over the line to score near the posts.

The 65th minute converted try bridged the gap to two points. Just three minutes later, the Jets were in front following a neat try to interchange forward Adam Boettcher.

Ipswich's 24-20 lead soon blew out to 28-20 with seven minutes remaining when Smith Samau completed a swift backline movement.

The Donald Malone conversion put the icing on a memorable win for the Jets, who are now just one victory away from securing a berth in their first Queensland Cup grand final since 2002.

The Jets have never won a Queensland Cup premiership and they may very well get the chance to create history in their own backyard.

The QRL has confirmed the North Ipswich Reserve as the September 13 grand final venue.

The Jets have the first crack at securing their spot in the decider when they play the winner of the Souths Logan/Northern Pride clash in a fortnight.

But Walters isn't looking too far ahead and insists the Jets will be back working hard on the training paddock this week.

"We'll train and treat it as if we're playing a game next week," Walters said.

Walters, who is poised to make his mark in the English Super League next year, is on target for a fairytale finish to his two-year stint with Ipswich.

"It's (finishing first) all new to us but we're enjoying the journey," he said.

Walters will this week assess the fitness of key pair Brendan Marshall and Josh Lewis.

Marshall left the field in the opening minutes with a minor hamstring strain, while Lewis hobbled from the ground in the second half with a quad strain.

The early departure of the in-form Marshall forced Walters to reshuffle the backline. The change didn't hinder the Jets, who scored three of the opening four tries of the match.

Donald Malone began the scoring for the Jets in the 4th minute when he produced a 90m special against the run of play.

The Pride hit back shortly after through recalled five-eighth Stephen Sheppard, but the Jets were soon in the driver's seat when Samau and Michael Ryan scored quick-fire tries for a 12-4 lead.

Lewis missed all three conversions, which allowed the Pride to remain in touch.

When Greg Byrnes powered over for a try just before half-time and Chey Bird added the extras, Ipswich was forced to settle for a narrow 12-10 half-time lead.

Luke Millwood drew first blood for the Pride in the second half and when Vaughan followed suit, the Pride found itself eight points in front and on target for an important victory.

But the Pride self destructed at times late in the game, with basic errors punished by the fast-finishing Jets.

Although disappointed with the loss, Pride coach Andrew Dunemann said his team made vast improvements and was on track for a big finish to the season.

Dunemann, who felt the Pride was the better team for the majority of the contest, is keen for another shot at the Jets.

IPSWICH JETS 30 (Smith Samau 2, Donald Malone, Michael Ryan, Aaron Sweeney, Adam Boettcher tries; Donald Malone 3 goals) def NORTHERN PRIDE 20 (Josh Vaughan, Stephen Sheppard, Luke Millwood, Greg Byrnes tries; Chey Bird 2 goals) at Barlow Park.

Report Source: www.qrl.com.au

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