BRL In Safe Hands Rd 19 wrap

Redcliffe are set to be crowned the BRL 2017 In Safe Hands Cup minor premiers. With their win over Easts last weekend, and guaranteed points in their Round 21 bye – the 2016 premiers will be too far ahead for second-placed West Brisbane Panthers to catch them.

In Round 19, the Tigers got the early jump on the Dolphins at Suzuki Stadium after two minutes when quick hands found David McKenna who went on to score a classic wingers try.

However, Redcliffe were back in the game when Mitch Wilson sent a high ball into the air, resulting in a handling error 10m out by Wests. Wilson then pounced before offloading to Kyle Van Klaveren, who was in support. He converted his own try and the visitors took the lead 6-4.

They were in again when Trai Fuller charged onto an Easts chip kick, collecting the Steeden on the half-volley before scampering 80m to go under the crossbar.

Minutes later, hooker Hayden Hansen provided a short ball to Sheldon Pitama who muscled over, again under the black dot.

Two minutes from the break, the Tigers hit back after a backline shift to the right, with Connor Jones going over in the corner. Halftime saw Redcliffe lead 18-8.

The Tigers needed to score first in the second half and they did when halfback James Salter sliced through the Phins defence to cross.

Redcliffe had not completed a set in their first six sets in the second half and the Tigers took control of the game for that period. McKenna again collected a try to put Easts up 20-18.

However, the Phins were back on top when Josh Rudolph muscled over in the left corner, while Christian Hazard, returning from injury, was next to score after he weaved his way across the chalk.

When Aaron Whitchurch, also returning from injury, scored out wide, the win and minor premiership was Redcliffe’s 34-20.

In a crucial game for both Valleys and Wynnum Manly at Emerson Park, it was the home side who grinded it out the better to claim the win.

Diehards left winger Tom Collins scored first in the grand stand left corner, while Liam Herrington crash over from dummy half after an 80m break; giving Valleys a 12-0 lead at halftime.

The Seagulls scored shortly after the break when Mitch McMillan crossed in the left corner, however that would be the only joy for Wynnum Manly in the match.

Paul Ivan combined his strength and height to put the ball over out wide and the Diehards won the game 18-4.

The win put the men in blue equal with the Seagulls on the ladder, however they have a better for and against.

The season was on the line for Ipswich when they travelled to Frank Lind Oval to take on the Panthers.

Jets centre Chastyn Bowen opened the scoring in the left corner; but the Panthers hit back when Troy Swift charged onto a Luke Strasser short ball to go over.

A blind side move to the left put Panther and Queensland Rangers winger Paul Ulberg over to add four more points.

A cheeky Jets chip kick and regather by Isimeeli Hafoka had the Panthers stunned; Hafoka kicked forward again and this time fullback Ono So’Oialo regathered to cross.

Three minutes from the break, Nathan Gaulton went over again for the Jets for a 18-12 lead.

Panthers playmaker Strasser spotted a gap in the Jets defence and offloaded to Michael Pearsall to cross. Moments later, Pearsall again crossed again after Ulberg made a bust down the left wing.

Kennedy Pettybourne pulled out a classic fend to score and put the Panthers up 26-18.

Ipswich bullet Bernard Mosby didn’t have far to travel to bring the Jets closer after a Tu’u Maori offload; closing the gap to 26-22 to the Panthers.

Wests John Matters and Ulberg then put two more pies in the bank for their side to take the win and outright second on the table.

RESULTS - IN SAFE HANDS CUP - ROUND 19          

August 5-6, 2017

Valleys Diehards 18 (Tom Collins, Liam Herrington, Paul Ivan tries; Troyden Watene 3 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly Seagulls 4 (Mitchell McMillian try)

West Brisbane Panthers 38 (Paul Ulberg 2, Michael Pearsall 2, Kenendy Pettyborne, John Matters, Troy Swift tries; James Olds 5 goals) defeated Ipswich Jets 22 (Ono So’Oialo, Bernard Mosby, Chastyn Bowen, Nathan Gaulton tries; Tu’u Maori 3 goals)

Redcliffe Dolphins 34 (Trai Fuller, Josh Rudolph, Kyle Van Klaveren, Sheldon Pitama, Christian Hazard, Aaron Whitchurch tries; Kyle Van Klaveren 5 goals) defeated Easts Tigers 20 (David McKenna 2, James Salter, Connor Jones tries; Matt Richards 2 goals)

Logan Brothers – bye

Minutes silence before Panthers v Ipswich game for the passing of West Mitchelton Member Paul Smith