With the new scoreboard installed at the North Ipswich Reserve, Jets fans would have been hoping for plenty of work on the Ipswich side of the board in Saturday’s clash against the Norths Devils.
It looked like it would have to work hard on both sides of the board as both the Jets and the Devils threw plenty of attack and points at each other.
The Jets welcomed back Matt Parcell and Haydan Lipp while Carlin Anderson rested his calf injury.
When Chris Walker flashed over in the Jets’ first set of six to score his 64th try in the Intrust Super Cup it appeared the Jets might keep it clicking over. Walker took advantage of some light skipping from Kurt Capewell and went over to get the Jets moving at 4-0.
Norths showed plenty of resilience and a bit of Jets’ play by kicking short and regaining the ball to get winger Michael Lucas over the line. With the extras added by Liam Tyson, the under-dogs were up 6-4.
It looked like attack would win when the Jets went short and regained the ball. The Jets then unleashed two of the best attacking weapons in the Intrust Super Cup down the left hand side when Nemani Valekapa and Marmin Barba combined to give Barba try number 18 this year and in his comeback game.
Ipswich five-eighth Josh Cleeland found Walker who linked with his young wing man Brendon McGrady who came close to finding the corner post except for some brilliant finishing and the Jets had gone ahead 14-6 after 20 minutes.
Norths’ hooker Byron Creighton split the defence from dummy half and dived over to close the gap and remind the Jets that the Devils were going to show plenty of old school fight.
It was Jets up 14-10 at half time. It had been a half of missed chances as the Jets looked a lot like the batsman that just couldn’t find the middle. They threatened and looked dangerous but then the pass wouldn’t find the hand or the kick would bounce the wrong way, while Norths fought hard and showed plenty of courage.
The second half started much the same way with both teams trading tries; first Norths’ danger man and red head Krys Freeman was avoiding defenders like they were sunlight, while McGrady went over to make the score 24-16 to the Jets.
If the new scoreboard was able to record big hits it would have Billy McConnachie on two. McConnachie is an old school forward … look up find out where he is and then step and look for someone else to run at.
He backed up his two big hits with his fifth try of the year.
The Jets were now cruising at 30-16. Norths recovered with Brett Greinke popping a great pass and finding Luke Pollock and at 30-22 with eight minutes to go it wasn’t over just yet for the scoreboard or the fans.
The Brisbane Broncos may not need Matt Parcell but the Ipswich Jets welcomed him back with arms wide and loving; and when he split the defence and showed his speed to find another local in Cleeland the Jets iced the win 36-22.
The new scoreboard recorded the Jets 14th win of the year and with the week off the Jets will be looking forward to the Hunters in two weeks while the Devils will be travelling to Rockhampton to see the Capras.
IPSWICH JETS 36 (Marmin Barba 2, Brandon McGrady 2, Chris Walker, Josh Cleeland, Billy McConnachie tries; Haydan Lipp 3, Chris Walker goals) def NORTHS DEVILS 22 (Michael Lucas, Byron Creighton, Krys Freeman, Luke Pollock tries; Liam Tyson 3 goals) at North Ipswich Reserve.
Ipswich Jets: 1. HAYDAN LIPP 2. Marmin Barba 3. Chris Walker 4. Nemani Valekapa 5. Brandon McGrady 14. Josh Cleeland 7. Dane Phillips (c) 8. Josh Seage 9. Landon Hayes 10. Rod Griffin 11. Joseph Ofahengaue 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Richard Pandia 22. MATT PARCELL 15. Kurtis Lingwoodock 16. Billy McConnachie 17. Liam Capewell
Norths Devils: 1. Dylan Galloway 2. Michael Lucas 3. Joel Bailey 4. Ryan Millard 5. Rogan Dean 6. Dan Murphy 7. Liam Tyson 8. ETHAN RICHARDS 9. Byron Creighton 10. Brett Greinke (c) 11. JAKE CANNON 12. Hiale Roycroft 13. Krys Freeman 14. LUKE POLLOCK 16. Kristian Wanka 20. Dylan Smith 17. Billy Solah
