In Safe Hands Round 18 results

The Redcliffe Dolphins flexed their premiership muscle against a strong Logan Brothers outfit to remain clear at the top of the In Safe Hands Cup, while Ipswich did enough to take valuable competition points and remain finals contenders with their win over Valleys.

AT BMD Kougari Oval, there was a cracking encounter between the Seagulls and Tigers, with Wynnum Manly the eventual winners.

Easts were the first to score through Adam Crear when he was on the end of a backline move and found a gap that was enough for him to go over.

The Gulls returned serve with a Kelly Tate four pointer in the 12^th minute. Tate’s crossing was exactly the same play that had him go over against the Panthers the week before.

Seagull Paora Kemp showed his class for his side’s next four pointer, drawing three Tiger defenders before flicking a pass to an unmarked Mitch McMillan to have him go over under the scoreboard.

In a mirrored play of the Tate Try, barnstorming second rower Tekina Vailea crashed over to level it up at 12-12. Once again, the mobile back rowers were doing all the scoring.

Next up was Cody McIntosh who while flat footed, still had the grunt to go across and the Seagulls took an 18-12 lead into the break.

In the first minute after the break, some quick hands, including a Gene Ropama wrap-around, saw winger David McKenna put the after burners on to score in the left corner.

Connor Jones then motored down the right side of the ground before firing a 20m pass inside to James Salter in support who went in under the posts to put the Tigers back in front 22-18.

Giant Seagulls front rower Josh ‘The Hoff’ Hoffman smashed through some tired Tiger defence to get within 10 of the line, and a quick play the ball had Kemp stepping of his left foot twice, before scoring. The try was converted and Wynnum Manly were back in front 24-22 with 18 remaining on the clock.

It was then up to another back rower to cross over for a four pointer, this time Junior Pita went over after a face ball from John Te Reo. The lead went out to 30-22 and that remained the fulltime score.

“We have had a lot of injuries and been starting poorly in our last few games which has been the biggest issue at the moment. We needed to start with more intent,” Seagulls coach Ron Troutman said.

At the North Ipswich Reserve, the home side was fuelled up and took to the Diehards with their season on the line. After Jets fullback Ono So’Oialo scored, it was all the Jets who put on three more before the break. However, they also had to withstand a barrage from the Valleys forward pack close to their line.

Valleys had to score after drinks to stay in touch and they did so through right winger Tom Collins.

Troyden Watene then carried several Jets across the line and the Diehards were on a roll. 

Spurred back into action, the Jets hit back with two more crossings and the home side again enjoyed some breathing space.

But the Diehards weren’t ready for fulltime and posted tries to Ryley Kajewski (two), then Jacob Kelly.

The visitors were then only down by two points, but time ran out – meaning the Jets still remain in the hunt for a finals berth taking the game 30-28.

Premiers the Redcliffe Dolphins fired warning shots a cross the bough of the rest of the competition; crossing for 11 tries in their 62-6 win over Logan Brothers.

Results - In Safe Hands Cup - Round 18 – July 29-30, 2017

Ipswich Jets 32 (Chastyn Bowen 2, Ono So’Oialo, Brendan Marshall, Tu’u Maori tries; Chastyn Bowen 6 goals) defeated Valleys Diehards 30 (Ryley Kajewski 2, Troyden Watene, Tom Collins, Jacob Kelly tries; Troyden Watene 5 goals)

Redcliffe Dolphins 62 (William Partridge 3, Hayden Hansen 2, Trai Fuller 2, Agassi Stowers, Nick Ritter, Sheldon Pitama, Sam Leach tries; Kyle Van Klaveren 9 goals) defeated Logan Brothers 6 (Jordon Scott try; Bradley Frith goal)

Wynnum Manly 30 (Mitchell McMillian, Paora Kemp, Ngarima Pita, Kelly Tate, Cody McIntosh tries;   Paora Kemp 5 goals) defeated Easts Tigers 22 (James Salter, David McKenna, Adam Crear, Tekina Vailea, tries; Adam Crear 2, Rex Johnson goals)     

West Brisbane Panthers – bye