Wynnum Manly Seagulls still soaring high
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Although it hasn’t shown in their results, the Wynnum Manly Seagulls have been forced to dig deep after being stricken by injuries to key players.
Coach Leon Cherry said their success so far this season had come as a bit of a surprise, and given the injuries he had thought it would be “a bit of a grind”.
“The big surprise has been the talent of players coming through, we have had many move up to the higher competitions,” he said.
“The quality of players here at Colts level has been a very high standard and is a bonus for the bigger picture.
“Our standout players have been our captain Rhys Melville, Braydon Mitchell, Jaylan Mawer and our leading points scorer Josh Marshman.”
The Seagulls are currently sitting in second place on FOGS Colts Challenge ladder and are three points behind first placed Burleigh Bears, who so far this season have left all the other teams in their wake.
“Burleigh have set the standard, they are a very good side and we realised that when we played them a couple rounds ago,” Cherry said.
“They only have to be beaten once and you have to hope you are in a position to get through them at the right time.”
Wynnum will travel to Redcliffe for their two v three clash against the Dolphins this Sunday.
“Our preparations will be the same ahead of this weekends clash but we will refine our strength and speed,” Cherry said.
While the Seagull were comfortable 24-10 winners of the Sunshine Coast last weekend, there were three Round 11 games decided by a two-point margin.
The Ipswich Jets defeated Toowoomba Clydesdales 28-26, the Devils also overcame Souths Logan 28-26 and Easts Tigers pipped Tweed Heads Seagulls by the same 28-26 scoreline in nail biting matches.
This weekend’s XXXX Rivalry Round (Round 12) matches will mostly be played on Sunday with the Devils hosting the Tigers and the Tweed Heads taking on Burleigh Bears.
However, the Souths Logan Magpies take on the Ipswich Jets on Saturday to being the round, while the Toowoomba Clydesdales will host the Sunshine Coast Falcons to conclude the weekend.