WYNNUM Manly has grabbed their third win in a row by defeating Burleigh 24-10 in slippery conditions at BMD Kougari Oval.
Light rain was consistent throughout the contest but the defending premiers managed to hold onto the football and grind out a good win.
It didnt come as easily as their 46-6 win over the Central Queensland Capras a week ago, but the fact that they had to fight for it was especially pleasing for coach Jon Buchanan.
It was good after last week. I know that might sound a little bit strange but grinding out a really tough win against a side that has been in some good form was good for us, he said.
We knew Burleigh would be nice and physical and they were. I thought we controlled the ball really well in those conditions.
It probably wasnt the way we would like to play on a dry track but youve got to play to the conditions and I thought we did that really well today.
Winger Nat Barnes picked up three tries while centre Matt Grieve scored the other two for the home side in the five tries to two win.
After taking a six-point lead into the break Wynnums ability to complete their sets proved the difference in the second half as it allowed them to build and sustain pressure.
Burleigh on the other hand had some momentum going into the break but an inability to hold onto the football constantly thwarted their second-half opportunities.
The win sees the Seagulls hold onto second spot on the ladder ahead of their grand final rematch with Redcliffe at Dolphin Oval next Sunday.
Buchanan was pleased that his side has managed to string some wins together and move up the ladder in recent weeks but knows they will need to turn up with their best again next week if they wish to keep their roll going.
The competition is so tight, you can drop two games and be back in seventh or eighth, he said.
I know it is a cliche but you take each week as it comes and just keep grinding away and doing the little things right and the rest takes care of itself.
Redcliffe are a good footy side they are a lot better footy side than where they are sitting at the moment.
Were looking forward to it. Redcliffe at Redcliffe; it doesnt get much tougher than that so well be up for it.
Despite walking away empty handed, Bears coach Carl Briggs was upbeat after the match and is looking forward to returning to Pizzey Park next week.
Weve had three away games in a row and weve taken four points out of a possible six, so were pleased with that, he said.
We would have liked todays result to be a bit different but well take a lot out of it and take that into the Tweed game next week.
At half time we thought we had them on the ropes, which we did. Weve come out in the second half and at one stage we had completed 4/15 and you cant build any pressure with that.
A little bit more composure with the ball and the score line could have been and should have been different.
WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 24 (Nathanael Barnes 3, Matt Grieve 2 tries; Matt Seamark 2 goals) def BURLEIGH BEARS 10 (Dan Kerr, Tyron Haynes tries; Jordan Rankin goal) at BMD Kougari Oval.
