In the Empire Strikes Back, Darth Vader tells Luke you don’t know the power of the dark side.
Just like Vader, Ipswich Jets coaches Ben and Shane Walker might be saying you don’t know the power of the Jets side after the crucial win against the Central Queensland Capras in Rockhampton.
The Jets struck back from last week’s loss to the Souths Magpies with a convincing effort which showcased all the aspects of their game that have been missing at times over the last few weeks.
The Ipswich Jets welcomed Jet number 554 Daniel Vidot who was a late inclusion from the Broncos, while the Central Queensland Capras had the services of Corey Oates for the night.
The Central Queensland Capras kicked off the scoring in the 13th minute with Rhys Williams crossing in the left corner after some great lead up work by the Central Queensland half Shannon Rupapere.
The Jets went about their work probing for an opening, keeping the ball alive and finding a flying Javarn White who went straight up the middle to score under the posts which Brendon Marshall converted to take the Jets out to 6-4 with 20 minutes to go in the first half.
The Jets continued to trouble the Capras and half Dane Phillips scored next, jinking through and exposing some Central Queensland defence that wouldn’t have pleased their coach Jason Hetherington. The try and conversion extended Ipswich’s lead to 12-4.
The Capras kept finding unprepared forwards on the fifth and with the indecision the Ipswich Jets’ Carlin Anderson pounced with an intercept and 50m run to score which saw the Jets go to the break 18-4 after a successful conversion by Marmin Barba.
In the first half the Ipswich Jets had taken a while to settle into the game with the Capras starting at their traditional frantic pace. The Jets weathered the storm and then found their attacking and defensive rhythm.
The Capras started the second half in the worst possible way with a drop ball early in the tackle count. The Jets attacked to the right, then back for Matty Parcell to take off and step past Capras fullback Reece Baker to score and take the Jets to 24-4.
From the kick off, Vidot took off cross field and found Barba who ran down the left hand wing to link with White who completed a double. Barba converted to take the lead to 30-4.
In the space of 25 minutes the Ipswich Jets had gone from 4-0 behind to 30-4 ahead in a blistering display of ball movement and support play.
With 31 minutes left in the game the Capras weren’t lacking for time to stage a comeback. Oates scored after a mistake from the Jets and Ian Webster converted to make the score 30-10.
Baker did some great lead up work, and took advantage of a rushing defence and dummied to then pass to Smith Samau to score and with nine minutes to go the Ipswich Jets led 30-14.
Ipswich closed out the win with an intercept try from Barba.
Next week the Ipswich Jets will play traditional rivals the Easts Tigers at Langlands Park while the Central Queensland Capras will play Tweed Heads at the Tweed.
IPSWICH JETS 34 (Javarn White 2, Carlin Anderson, Dane Phillips, Marmin Barba, Matt Parcell tries; Marmin Barba 4, Brendon Marshall goals) def CQ CAPRAS 14 (Smith Samau, Rhys Williams, Corey Oates tries; Ian Webster goal) at Browne Park.
Final teams
CQ Capras: 1. Reece Baker 15. Russell Webber 3. Sam Madden 4. Smith Samau 5. Rhys Williams 6. Ian Webster 7. Shannon Rupapere 8. John Clayton 20. Corey Oates 10. Peter Gallen 11. Andrew Dale 12. Guy Williams 13. Gavin Hiscox (c) 14. Tom McKenzie 16. Arlin Paki 17. Mitch Zornig 18. Marlon Doak
Ipswich Jets: 1. Javarn White 2. Kurt Capewell 3. Nemani Valekapa 4. Brendon Marshall 5. Carlin Anderson 6. Josh Cleeland 7. Dane Phillips 8. Kurtis Lingwoodock 9. Troy O'Sullivan 10. Rod Griffin 11. Daniel Vidot 12. Sam Martin 13. Keiron Lander (c) 14. Billy McConnachie 18. Marmin Barba 19. Wes Conlon 22. Matt Parcell
