Just like the semi-final last year, it all looked lost for Wynnum Manly throughout their round one clash against the Ipswich Jets.
Wynnum were behind for the close to the full 80 minutes, yet somehow they found a way – this time through a brilliant last ditch play which saw Daniel Ogden score his second try to seal another bit of heartbreak for the Jets courtesy of the Seagulls.
The Jets had a late line up change with Broncos’ contracted player Daniel Vidot coming into the Ipswich line-up for Kurtis Lingwoodock.
The game started in hot conditions with both sides guilty of plenty of dropped ball and wrong options.
It was the Jets who first took the points on offer through Nemani Valekapa who had made several dangerous runs down his left side. Wes Conlon failed to convert but in the 30th minute the Jets had broken through for a 4-0 lead.
Just before half time Marmin Barba bought up his 200th Intrust Super Cup point through his 30th try, this time Conlon converted to send the Jets to half time up 10-0 and starting to gain some confidence.
The confidence was eroded after half time when Wynnum’s new recruit Patrick Templeman ran straight through the Jets’ defence to score under the posts and have Wynnum back in the contest at 10-6.
The Jets suffered an injury blow to Barba who had to be carried off the field. Wynnum were able to take advantage of a Jets’ line up in disarray and Brendan Gibb scored for the Seagulls to lock up the game at 10-10.
The Jets had an answer in Conlon who rolled the dice and went for the intercept with Wynnum attacking; the result was a 100m try to Conlon who converted try to see the Ipswich Jets flying at 16-10 with 25 minutes to go.
Ogden then stood up and scored out wide after some quick hands saw the full back join the backline movement to finish off his side’s good work.
The Jets were now in front 16-14 with nine minutes to play after goal-kicker Matt Seamark again uncharacteristically pushed the conversion wide.
The error riddled last nine minutes saw Wynnum stay in the contest and give themselves the best chance of winning when the cross field kicked found that man Ogden.
The Seagulls had inflicted another round one loss on the Jets, who haven’t started a season with a win since 2010.
The Seagulls will play the Easts Tigers next week while the Jets will be at home again to the Intrust Super Cup new boys the Townsville Blackhawks.
WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 18 (Daniel Ogden 2, Patrick Templeman, Brendon Gibb tries; Matthe Seamark goal) def IPSWICH JETS 16 (Wes Conlon, Marmin Barba, Nemani Valekapa tries; Wes Conlon 2 goals) at North Ipswich Reserve
Final teams
Ipswich Jets: 1. Wes Conlon 2. Marmin Barba 3. Chris Walker 4. Nemani Valekapa 5. Carlin Anderson 6. Josh Cleeland 7. Dane Phillips 8. Daniel Vidot 9. Matt Parcell 10. Rod Griffin 11. Sam Martin 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Kieron Lander (c) 14. Josh Seage 15. Troy O'Sullivan 16. Billy McConnachie 17. Liam Capewell
Wynnum Manly Seagulls: 1. Daniel Ogden 2. Peter Gubb 3. Matthew Grieve 4. Mitchell Buckett 5. Greg Eden 6. Patrick Templeman 7. Matthew Seamark (c) 8. Ben Shea 9. Alehana Mara 10. Aaron Rockley 11. Jon Grieve 12. John Te Reo 13. Mitchell Frei 14. Brendan McKinnon 15. Brendon Gibb 16. Tanu Wulf 17. Stephen Coombe
