The history of games involving the Ipswich Jets and the Northern Pride are littered with comebacks and last night another great chapter was written at the North Ipswich Reserve.
With the Ipswich Jets Colts singing the team song for the first time in 2014, the club’s Intrust Super Cup team took the field determined to get off to a good start.
The Jets have started slowly this season, finding themselves down 10-0 or worse five times out of seven games.
The Ipswich Jets coaches Ben and Shane Walker drilled into the Jets all week the danger of the Northern Pride’s forwards and specifically the hooker rotation of Cameron King and Pride veteran Jason Roos.
The Ipswich Jets didn’t heed the warning with the Pride scoring three first half tries – all to forwards – with Roos and King contributing two under the sticks and Ethan Lowe scoring to the right of the posts.
After 30 minutes, the Pride were in complete control with an 18-0 advantage.
Enter the Ipswich Jets second most capped player Brendon Marshall who on the end of a Wes Conlon flick pass, went over in the corner to open the Ipswich Jets account. Conlon converted to take the game to 18-6 at half time.
At half time, the calm Walker brothers spoke about composure and what the job ahead needed, which was quick play the balls and up tempo football at the Pride’s big forwards.
Summoning the great spirit of the Ipswich comeback in 2010 when the Jets trailed 16-0 at half time and went on to win 22-16, the Jets left the sheds knowing what had to be done.
The Jets started the half by regaining the ball after another smart restart. They then took the two points from an offside penalty to take the score to 18-8 with 25 minutes to go.
Last week the Pride had to worry about Cyclone Ita and this week it was Cyclone White and Marshall.
Javarn White took off and beat what seemed like every Pride player on his way to score. The spectacular 40m try and Wes Conlon conversion cut the margin to four points.
Not to be outdone, Conlon made sure Marshall went over for a double in the right corner when the Jets attacked the short side. It locked the score up at 18 all with 20 minutes to go.
With six minutes remaining and the game still locked at 18-18, Jets back-rower Sam Martin decided to get one back for the Jets forwards and score a long range try, turning Pride fullback Javid Bowen inside and out as he put on a huge step to score and put the Jets in front for the first time.
Conlon added the extras to see the Ipswich Jets up 24-18 with five minutes to go.
This game still had one last turn with the Jets dropping the kick off and having to defend their own line for three sets before the siren went.
Best for the Jets were Rod Griffin and Keiron Lander, with both punishing in defence.
Next week the Ipswich Jets will play the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Channel 9 TV game, while the Northern Pride will take on the Souths Logan Magpies.
IPSWICH JETS 24 (Brendon Marshall 2, Javarn White, Sam Martin tries; Wes Conlon 4 goals) def NORTHERN PRIDE 18 (Jason Roos, Ethan Lowe, Cameron King tries; Shaun Nona 3 goals) at North Ipswich Reserve.
Final teams
Ipswich Jets: 1. Javarn White 2. Kurt Capewell 3. Nemani Valekapa 4. Brendon Marshall 5. Tautalatasi Tasi 6. Josh Cleeland 7. Dane Phillips 8. Kurtis Lingwoodock 9. Kaliova Nauqe 10. Rod Griffin 11. Josh Seage 12. Sam Martin 13. Keiron Lander (c) 14. Tariki Peneha 17. Marmin Barba 19. Wes Conlon 22. Matt Parcell
Northern Pride: 1. Javid Bowen 2. Justin Castellaro 3. Brett Anderson (c) 4. Davin Crampton 5. Menmuny Murgha 6. Shaun Nona 7. Sam Obst 20. Ricky Thorby 9. Jason Roos (c) 10. Alex Starmer 11. Ethan Lowe 12. Tyrone McCarthy 13. Ben Spina 14. Cameron King 15. Blake Leary 16. Jack Svendsen 17. Sheldon Powe-Hobbs
