BRL finals puzzle falls into place

The In Safe Hands Cup season finished last weekend with the competition placings unresolved until the final hooter of the season sounded at 4.55pm on Saturday afternoon at Kev McKell Oval.

With three teams finishing in equal second – for and against became the deciding factor.

Redcliffe – who had the bye – had already claimed the minor premiership two weeks ago and Logan Brothers were out of finals contention.

All that remained was the final four placings.

A loss for Easts and a win to the Jets would see Ipswich finish in fifth, but this was not to be as Logan Brothers forfeited to Easts mid-morning due to depleted playing numbers. Therefore, the Tigers secured fifth place.

The result between Ipswich and Wynnum Manly was still important for the Gulls as they could improve on their for and against to claim a second place finish and therefore, a home final.

Ipswich struggled with numbers due to call ups to the Intrust Super Cup squad while in contrast, Wynnum Manly fielded a strong 17 which included Daniel Ogden who requires one more try to become the highest try scorer in Queensland Intrust Super Cup history. He showed off his skills crossing the line with four tries against the Jets.

From the first try to Kelly Tate in the opening two minutes, it was all the Seagulls who piled the points on to take a halftime lead 30-0.

It took 48 minutes for the Jets to open their account with a try to Rendy Mam-Gibuma.  Isimeeli Hafoka crossed minutes later for Ipswich to give some hope of a comeback.

However, Ogden then scored his second, third and fourth try to leave the home side stunned and they eventually suffered their worst defeat going down 58-8.

The Seagulls had moved into second place – but were made to sweat on the result of the Panthers v Diehards game.

If Wests posted a win or a draw, they would leap frog Wynnum Manly into second place; but if the Diehards won by more than 17 points, Valleys would move to second. If they won by less than 16 points, third place would be their final position on the ladder.

Valleys looked on their way to that home semi-final spot after Greg Miglio scored two minutes after kick off. Halfback Callum Klein then went over untouched and this was followed by Tom Collins scoring in the left corner. Ryley Kajewski got in on the act and put the Diehards up 18-0 at halftime.

In the second half, Ethan Marrinan put Wests first points on and when a cross-field kick from Kane Zalewski found Jamie Olds, who turned it back inside for Kennedy Pettybourne to score out wide, the Red and Black faithful sensed a comeback.

But it was not to be and both sides slogged it out with Valleys winning 18-10. The final result left the Panthers in fourth place and they will host the fifth placed Tigers, and third-placed Valleys will take on the Seagulls at BMD Kougari Oval.

Next week’s games:

Elimination Final: West Brisbane V Easts 3pm at Kev McKell Oval
Qualifying Final: Wynnum Manly v Valleys 6pm at BMD Kougari Oval

Results – In Safe Hands Cup – Round 21 (August, 19-20, 2017)

Wynnum Manly Seagulls 58 (Daniel Ogden 4, Cody McIntosh 2, Mitchell Buckett 2, Hayden Crowley, Beniah Bowie, Mitchell McMillian, Kelly Tate tries; Daniel Ogden, Mitchell McMillian 4 goals) defeated Ipswich Jets 8 (Rendy Mam-Gibuma, Isimeeli Hafoka tries)

Valleys Diehards 18 (Tom Collins, Greg Miglio, Callum Klein, Ryley Kajewski tries; Troyden Watene goal) defeated West Brisbane Panthers 10 (Kennedy Pettyborne, Ethan Marrinan tries; Kane Zalewski goal)

Easts Tigers defeated Logan Brothers on a forfeit

Leading Point Scorers:
Kyle Van Klaveren (Redcliffe 196)
Brandon Downey (Easts   102)
Paora Kemp (Wynnum Manly 86)

Try Scorers:
Bernard Mosby (Ipswich 13)
Curtis Johnston (Redcliffe 11)
David McKenna (Easts 11)

Goals: 
Kyle Van Klaveren (Redcliffe 80)
Kane Zalewski (West Brisbane 40)
Brandon Downey (Easts 31)

Field Goals: 
Kane Zalewski (West Brisbane 1)