West Brisbane Panthers treated their Frank Lind Oval faithful to an upset, knocking off first-placed Ipswich Jets 36-12 on Saturday afternoon.
Following their win over Logan Brothers last week, the Panthers have now beaten two top three sides in the space of a fortnight.
Ipswich were without a number of regulars including fullback Jordan Tighe, five-eighth Haydan Lipp (Intrust Super Cup debut) and centre pairing Tu’u Maori and Richard Pandia.
But the Jets’ absentees took nothing away from the performance of the improving Panthers, who mixed long-range enterprise with hard fringe running close to the line.
“Sean Loxley our number seven had a very strong game, Tim Tanielu came off the bench and played lock and both out front rowers Mitch Betros and James Leaval had very strong games as well,” coach Wayne Weekes said.
However, he still lamented inconsistency.
“I thought we were very good in the first twenty and the last thirty but we had a period in the middle where we dropped off and let them back in the game.”
“Our intensity to knock off Logan last week was fantastic but weren’t as consistent in those areas.”
West Brisbane surged to a 14-0 lead but had their advantage cut to just two when Peter Whittaker scooted and Gerico Cecil crashed over.
But the home side took a 20-14 margin into the break courtesy of a chip and chase on the stroke of halftime.
They then held Ipswich scoreless in the second half despite losing winger Ricky Tagaloa to the sin bin.
Weekes was impressed with how his side handled the Jets’ unorthodox play.
“The best way to combat it is to move up in a line, hold your line and try not to bite out when they move it around,” he said.
“They are difficult to play but they did have quite a few missing, so we have to be realistic as well.”
In other results, Logan Brothers bounced back from their loss to the Panthers with a 26-12 victory over Valleys Diehards.
Gaters and Easts turned on a see-sawing thriller at Tapout Energy Stadium.
Marlon Doak looked to have sealed the game for the Gaters with a field goal under immense pressure, putting his side ahead 25-24 with fewer than five minutes to play.
However, the Tigers had the final say, pouncing on a loose pass to steal a 28-25 result the death.
Wynnum Manly Redland City played out a similar thriller against Normanby, holding off a determined Hounds outfit 22-20.
At Dolphin Oval, Redcliffe secured a comfortable 38-10 victory over Carina with Evander Cummins and Josh Rudolph scoring doubles.
RESULTS
Saturday 27 June
LOGAN BROTHERS 26 (David Faamita 2, Ihaka Watene, Joe Richards, Alex Taumaoe tries; Ono So’Oialo 3 goals) def VALLEYS DIEHARDS 12 (Zach Lister, Joshua Minniecon, Zach Blair tries) at Emerson Park, Grange.
WEST BRISBANE PANTHERS 36 (John Matters 2, Jardii Nean, Ricky Tagaloa, Luke Pollock, James Leavai, Tim Tanielu tries; Luke Pollock 4 goals) def IPSWICH JETS 12 (Peter Whittaker, Gerico Cecil tries; Mitchell Tuite 2 goals) at Frank Lind Oval, Mitchelton.
Sunday 28 June
WYNNUM MANLY REDLAND CITY SEAGULLS 22 (David McKenna 2, Zach Koitka, Chris Green tries; Chris Green 3 goals) def NORMANBY HOUNDS 20 (Chris Tauelangi, Ryan Dornan, Mitchell Hallinan, Rez Phillips tries; Lincoln Bowman 2 goals) at Davies Park, West End.
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 38 (Evander Cummins 2, Josh Rudolph 2, Glen Ellis, Brett Coutts, Alex Bishop tries; Alex Bishop 5 goals) def CARINA 10 (Kev Stephensen, Dave Samson tries; Scott Greenhill goal) at Dolphin Oval.
EASTS TIGERS 28 (Leon Ellia-Niukore, Whetu Austin, Joshua Everett, Jayden Carroll, Billy Walters tries; Brandon Downey 4 goals) def GATERS 25 (Shaun Rees 2, Marlon Doak, Brendan Tailford tries; Kieran Turner 4 goals; Marlon Doak field goal) at Tapout Energy Stadium, Langlands Park, Stones Corner.
LADDER
|
Played |
Won |
Draw |
Lost |
Bye |
For |
Agnst |
Pts |
Ipswich Jets |
10 |
8 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
311 | 201 |
16 |
WM Redland City |
10 |
8 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
309 |
250 |
16 |
Logan Brothers |
10 |
7 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
294 |
227 |
14 |
Easts Tigers |
10 |
6 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
271 |
209 |
13 |
Gaters |
10 |
6 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
237 |
246 |
12 |
Redcliffe Dolphins |
10 |
5 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
308 |
248 |
10 |
Carina |
10 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
0 |
238 |
296 |
7 |
West Bris. Panthers |
10 |
3 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
258 |
251 |
6 |
Valleys Diehards |
10 |
2 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
270 |
358 |
4 |
Normanby Hounds |
10 |
1 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
142 |
352 |
2 |
ROUND 11
Saturday, July 4
Logan Brothers v Carina at Civic Park - 3.00pm
Gaters v West Brisbane Panthers at South Pine Sports - 3.30pm
Wynnum Manly Redland City v Easts Tigers at Pinklands Oval - 4.00pm
Sunday, July 5
Redcliffe Dolphins v Normanby Hounds at Dolphin Oval - 11.45am
Valleys Diehards v Ipswich Jets at North Ipswich Reserve - 12.15pm
