The venue may have changed, but the outcome didn’t differ much from the Jets’ previous history against the Seagulls, as Tweed Heads overcame a change in venue to defeat the Jets 22-12.
The unrelenting rain may have forced Tweed Heads to make an unexpected trip to Ipswich to play, but their fullback Ballina Seagulls junior Alex Grant might be happy to make the trip every week after scoring three first half tries.
The Seagulls got away to a flying start when Grant joined the backline and was over in the fifth minute on the Jets’ right hand side.
The Jets were absorbing plenty of pressure early; defending their line and for the most part, they were able cover up Tweed’s attacking options.
The Seagulls though forced the Jets to drop out to them, giving them a repeat set and this time it was Matt Robinson who took full advantage on the Tweed’s left to score and have the Gulls up 10-0.
The Jets missed the regather from the short kick-off attempt and Grant motored the 70m to score untouched for his second try. The Seagulls had the perfect start at 16-0 after 15 minutes and the Jets had barely touched the ball.
When the Jets did get the ball, Nat Neale was able to carry over his mam of the match-winning form from last weekend to make sure the Jets recorded some points; charging onto the ball and working the angle to have the Jets 16-6.
Ipswich would have been hoping to get to halftime with the scores as they were; but Grant had other ideas when he scored his third try after a penalty from the Jets marched the Seagulls into attacking territory. The Seagulls went to the break leading 22-6.
It took 30 minutes into the second half for the Jets to change that score when the big international David Fa’alogo off-loaded a beautifully timed ball to a flying Carlin Anderson who was over for try number eight in 2016. This continued his run as the Jets’ leading try and points scorer and he brought up his 100th Intrust Super Cup goal and 350th Intrust Super Cup point for the Jets with the conversion.
At 22-12 with 10 minutes to go, the Jets were a chance – but they were instead held up, denied and turned away by the Seagulls who held on to record an “away” win.
The Jets will travel to Bishop Park next week to take on Norths, while the Seagulls will look to take their momentum from yesterday’s win to Easts when they tackle the Tigers.
See the final team line-ups and full scoring details via QRL Live
TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS 22 (Alexander Grant 3, Matthew Robinson tries; Doug Hewitt 3 goals) def IPSWICH JETS 12 (Nat Neale, Carlin Anderson tries; Carlin Anderson 2 goals) at North Ipswich Reserve.
