BRL A Grade Round 17 wrap

Round 17 of the In Safe hands Cup had 2016 premiers Redcliffe maintain their place at the top of the table with a win over 2015 premiers Ipswich.

The grand finalist from last year came together for the third time this year at Mathieson Park, Pine Rivers.

The Dolphins open the scoring with a simple shift of the ball to the right corner for Shaun Rees to score untouched after six minutes.

The Jets were next to score as halfback Mikaere Beattie strolled through the defence from 10m out.

They were threatening the Redcliffe line once again, but a sixth tackle grubber from Ipswich’s Peter Whittaker was collected by Josh Rudolph who travelled the 100m to score a try against the run of play.

Ipswich hit back just before halftime when Jayden Connors put a chip kick just over the Dolphins defensive line 12m out and regathered to cross the try line to see Redcliffe ahead 12-10 at the break.

In the second half, the Dolphins ran in three tries; two from forwards Hayden Hansen and Trai Fuller who hit short balls close to the line.

Redcliffe’s Kyle Van Klaveren then scored from a scrum feed from 70m out to put the contest out of reach of Ipswich 28-10.

The Jets scored late with Connors going over in the right corner before a Van Klaveren penalty kick on fulltime gave the Dolphins the three competition points 30-16.

“The young blokes stepped up again from Under 20s – actually two of them have received the player’s player award last two starts,” Redcliffe coach Daniel Green said.

“We mixed it up a little with three hookers out there. I just asked that they keep it simple and don’t get lazy and keep pressing forward.”

At Civic Park, Valleys took on Logan Brothers and the Diehards came out firing scoring three tries in the first 12 minutes.  Ryley Kajewski crossed twice and also Paul Ivan added his name to the try scoring list.

Logan Brothers then mounted a comeback, first up via Evander Cummins who shredded his way to the try line to post first points for the home side in the 21^st minute.

David Pritchard crossed in the left corner, then right on halftime Cummins again went over, retrieving a Connor Toia chip kick. Halftime had Logan Brothers ahead 16-14.

After halftime, Toia pulled off a one-on-one strip to motor to the try line at the southern end.

It took 15 minutes for Valleys to collect their first points of the second half, bringing the Diehards within two.

But then Jack Walters pounced on Valleys error on their own try line and Logan then led by eight – but not for long.

Valleys winger Stacey Everitt crashed over from dummy half to close the gap by two.

Troyden Watene thundered to the club house tryline and Valleys were back in front 32-28.

When Valleys half Joe Bond weaved his way over three minutes from time, it was enough to take the points for Valleys Diehards 36-28.

Wests Brisbane Panthers hosted Wynnum Manly in a battle between third and second, respectively.

The Panthers blew the Seagulls away in the opening 35 minutes with tries to Shaun Tupou, Mitch Hallinan, James Olds and Dom Biondi.

Wynnum’s Kelly Tate barged over just before halftime and Panthers led at the break 20-6.

Second half Seagulls Mitch Buckett opened the second half scoring from a cross-field kick. From this point on, it was try for try.

However, a further three tries from Wests flyer Olds to go with his first cross in the opening half had the Panthers take the three points and outright second on the In Safe Hands Cup.

RESULTS - IN SAFE HANDS CUP - ROUND 17        

Valleys Diehards 38 (Ryley Kajewski 2, Greg Miglio, Stacey Everitt, Joe Bond, Paul Ivan, Troyden Watene tries; Troyden Watene 5 goals) defeated Logan Brothers 28 (Evander Cummins 2, David Pritchard, Connor Toia, Jack Walters tries; Bradley Frith 4 goals).

Redcliffe Dolphins 30 (Kyle Van Klaveren, Shaun Rees, Hayden Hansen, Josh Rudolph, Trai Fuller   tries; Kyle Van Klaveren 5 goals) defeated Ipswich Jets 16 (Jayden Connors 2, Mikaere Beattie tries; Makaere Beattie 2 goals).

West Brisbane Panthers 38 (James Olds 4, Shaun Tupou, Mitchell Hallinan, Dominic Biondi tries; Kane Zalewski 5 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 20 (Lui Lockington, Mitchell Buckett, Kelly Tate, Jacob Paulo tries; Mitchell McMillian 2 goals)

Easts Tigers – bye