Hurting after last week’s loss to the Burleigh Bears, the Ipswich Jets had that look in their eye.
Unfortunately it was the Sunshine Coast who next came up against the Jets, with the Falcons travelling to the North Ipswich Reserve for the round five Intrust Super Cup clash.
During the week, the Jets have trained with a quiet resolve and determination to make sure they start the game well, something they haven’t done the last three weeks, letting teams get a jump on them and then having to chase.
The Ipswich Jets addressed the issue with Intrust Super Cup centurion Keiron Lander’s try minutes into the game when he chased a kick and grounded the ball in wet, greasy conditions.
Soon the kid on the scoreboard was busy again with Kurt Capewell scoring after some smart passing from the Jets inside men created the extra man for big winger, who stepped inside and ran it round closer to the posts. At long last, the Jets had the start they wanted with a 12-0 lead after 17 minutes.
Still chasing redemption, the ruthless Jets slipped the boot in further when Sam Martin went through and found Tasi Tasi, who linked with the ageless Brendon Marshall who touched down and brought up his 300th career point.
The Ipswich Jets’ fans have come to expect a bit of Wes Conlon or Marmin Barba attacking flair each week and this week they didn’t disappoint with a 100m intercept effort from Conlon burning off everyone.
With brother Ben watching from the stands, Barba looked to outdo Conlon with his own effort just before half time. After breaking the line twice in the previous two sets, Marmin represented the attacking genes of his family with a great try.
At half-time the Jets entered the sheds up 26-0 and the message from coaches Ben and Shane Walker was very simple, ‘26 points is great but the really impressive aspect is the 0 on the other side of the scoreboard’. It was reiterated that the 0 was to be maintained.
However, the Sunshine Coast showed tremendous heart and enthusiasm in the second half, making sure they won plenty of respect with three tries that started to have the Jets contemplating the Bears’ comeback from last week.
The Jets scrapped in two tries from Barba and Conlon in a disappointing second half that didn’t reach the heights expected for the Jets who failed to capitalise on a great first half.
Next week the Jets will host the international Hunters from PNG at the North Ipswich Reserve, while the improving Sunshine Coast Falcons will play the Burleigh Bears.
IPSWICH JETS 38 (Marmin Barba 2, Wes Conlon 2, Kurt Capewell, Brendon Marshall, Keiron Lander tries; Brendon Marshall 5 goals) def SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 16 (Max Fesolai, Ellery Tusa, Jaz Nahu-Main tries; Ryan Hansen, Jacob Samoa goals) at North Ipswich Reserve
