A ROUSING second half fight back from Easts was not enough to overcome the powerful start of Wynnum Manly – with the Seagulls taking out a 32-24 win at BMD Kougari Oval today.
It was that favourite of rugby league clichés – a game of two halves – with home side Wynnum stamping their authority early; stunning the highly fancied Tigers with three first half tries – all of which featured the hand of XXXX man of the match Jake Granville.
A late addition to the side – he was busy throughout the half – setting up the first try by laying on a nice pass to forward Tanu Wulf who crashed over.
He was then in the mix with the second that came courtesy of Mitchell Frei, before going it alone for the third with a run from dummy half.
It could have been a different story for the shocked Tigers however – with Tim Glasby denied the opening try by the video referee.
They had another denied before the break due to obstruction and went into the sheds trailing 16-0.
It seemed the pattern of Wynnum dominance would continue in the second half when Seagulls five-eighth Ben Cronin crossed in the opening minutes – but a comeback was sparked by the play of new recruit Donald Malone.
The centre proved difficult to tackle near the sideline and ran in for his first try in Easts colours this year, before featuring again to throw the last pass to try scorer Richie Kennar as the visitors went back to back.
Another try to Easts thanks mostly to great footwork from Cody Walker saw the Tigers in again and the comeback was well and truly on.
Despite Easts later narrowing the margin to 26-24 – the home side were able to hold with Frei picking up his second try of the afternoon in the 76th minute to wrap up a thrilling match and win number two for the Seagulls.
WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 32 (Mitchell Frei 2, Matt Grieve, Ben Cronin, Tanu Wulf, Jake Granville tries; Kurt French 4 goals) def EASTS TIGERS 24 (Jarrod McInally, Donald Malone, Richie Kennar, Cody Walker, Tim Glasby tries; Cody Walker 2 goals) at BMD Kougari Oval
