Wynnum Manly face sternest test
IN A season that has had two byes already, plus a host of new faces – including himself – join the club in the off-season; Wynnum Manly FOGS Cup coach Adrian Rouse says his side are starting to gel as their encouraging season start continued on the weekend.
The Seagulls’ 24-18 win over Norths Devils sees them with three wins and a draw from five starts in a performance Rouse described as their finest of the campaign thus far.
“I thought it was our best effort this year, or at least the first half in particular,” he said.
“We’ve had so many new players come to the club so I feel like we’re just starting to turn the corner in terms of what’s expected, even if we’re still not quite at our best yet.”
The two byes so far haven’t helped their continuity, but Rouse is optimistic about his side’s continued evolution.
“It’s been hard to get that consistency, to gel with having weeks off,” he said.
“But we’re getting better and we now have a solid four weeks of matches to build on.”
A XXXX Rivalry Round match against unbeaten Redcliffe Dolphins is the next challenge for Wynnum, and Rouse expects a battle typical of such an occasion.
“If we’re not on our game against Redcliffe, we might be crashing back to Earth, they’re a quality side,” he said.
“They’re always physical, they’ve got their fast outside backs and it’s going to be interesting.”
In other FOGS Cup results last week, Wynnum’s opponents this weekend Redcliffe defeated Ipswich Jets 40-6 and Souths Logan Magpies were dominant in their 48-4 win against Carina Tigers.
This weekend’s games mirror Intrust Super Cup matches with XXXX Rivalry Round fixtures of Souths Logan v Ipswich, Easts v Norths along with the aforementioned Wynnum v Redcliffe, with new club Carina having a bye.
It was a point-scoring bonanza in the FOGS Colts Challenge at the weekend, with 259 points being scored in just four matches; highlighted by a remarkable Souths win.
A Ben Jackson field goal proved the difference as the Magpies survived an offensive onslaught to win 45-44 against the Toowoomba Clydesdales in an astonishing match. Jake Eden scored a hat-trick for the Magpies, with Samisoni Vaioleti and goal-kicker Jackson also getting doubles. Jazz Namana also crossed twice for the unlucky Clydesdales.
Wynnum kept second place on the competition ladder with a 32-26 victory over Norths, Tweed Heads Seagulls recorded season win number five beating Easts 48-18 and Burleigh Bears were too strong for Ipswich, winning 42-4.
Redcliffe and Sunshine Coast Falcons each had a bye, but all teams are back in action for this weekend’s special round, with Sunshine Coast facing Toowoomba, Wynnum against Redcliffe and Burleigh hosting local derby rivals Tweed Heads.
