The Tweed Heads Seagulls delivered a 30-16 upset over the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the ‘Flockbuster’ at Piggabeen Sports Complex yesterday.
Tweed Heads coach Aaron Zimmerle drew inspiration from the Ipswich Jets’ trademark style after watching a tape of Wynnum Manly during the week in what turned out to be a confidence building win for the club.
“(Wynnum Manly) are a traditional footy side that utilise their big forwards. We wanted to play similar to the Jets, by running from side to side and making them chase us around. It’s tough to play against.”
“Time of possession was the key. If we controlled that, then we were going to be a big chance to win the game.”
The game plan had devastating effect and rattled the favoured Wynnum Manly side who were reduced to consecutive losses for the first time this season.
Zimmerle’s side was buoyed by the addition of Gold Coast Titans star Dave Taylor, scoring twice as his NRL coach Neil Henry watched from the sideline.
The former Queensland Origin player was shaky early on however as the game got going he became increasingly hard to handle each time he carried the football.
Unfortunately for Wynnum Manly, field general Matt Seamark sustained a leg injury early in the match which certainly had an impact on the visitors’ direction on the park.
Coach Jon Buchanan will be hoping that Seamark’s injury is not severe after the news earlier in the week that fullback Daniel Ogden will most likely be lost for the remainder of the season.
Tweed Heads had an incredible possession advantage in the first half with 22 sets compared to Wynnum Manly’s 14, enabling a 12-10 lead at halftime.
The Seagulls’ dominance of time in possession again took its toll on the big Bayside forward pack as they leaked three tries in the second half.
Ali Grant’s try in the 56th minute was pivotal to the Tweed’s victory.
Wynnum Manly looked certain to score through Mitchell Frei after a dangerous piece of play on the left edge, however the ball was dislodged as the Sydney Roosters’ bound back rower was in the act of scoring.
The ball found its way to hulking winger Leva Li who powered upfield, stepped back inside and found his fullback Grant who dived over for the score.
The try was a 12 point swing and left the visitors shattered as they stared down an 18-10 deficit when seconds earlier they looked like taking the lead.
Tweed Heads did not let up as Dave Taylor crossed for his second and Nat Barnes snatched a try against his former teammates.
Winger Mitchell Lollback scored a consolation try for Wynnum Manly in the final minutes on his Intrust Super Cup debut.
TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS 30 (Dave Taylor 2, Ali Grant, Nathanael Barnes, Shaun Carney tries; Blake Anderson 4, Ali Grant goals) def WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 16 (Peter Gubb, Mitchell Buckett, Mitchell Lollback tries; Patrick Templeman 2 goals) at Piggabeen Sports.
Tweed Heads Seagulls: 1. Ali Grant 2. Nathanael Barnes 3. James Wood (c) 4. Blake Anderson 5. Leva Li 6. Shaun Carney 7. Matt Srama 8. Will Bugden 9. Sam Meskell 10. Oliver Percy 11. Matt Robinson 12. Dave Taylor 19. KALIFA FAI FAI LOA 14. SAM FOSTER 15. Sam Saville 16. Dane Clarke 17. Jai Ingram
Wynnum Manly Seagulls: 1. Patrick Templeman 2. Peter Gubb 3. Matthew Grieve 4. Mitchell Buckett 5. MITCHELL LOLLBACK 6. Matt Smith 7. Matthew Seamark 8. Ben Shea 9. Alehana Mara 10. Tim Natusch (c) 11. David Stagg 12 Jon Grieve 13. Mitchell Frei 14. John Te Reo 15. Brendon Gibb 16. Aaron Rockley 17. Tanu Wulf
