Marmin Barba and Michael Purcell may have the records, but it was the Ipswich Jets as a whole making all the music when the Jets and Mackay faced off at North Ipswich tonight.
Barba needed three points to have the most points ever for the Ipswich Jets and Purcell needed two tries to have the third most tries for the Jets.
From the first set, the Jets showed some serious intent with Rogan Dean running 50 metres from the kick off.
The Jets went with the momentum of the run and were awarded an early penalty.
Barba stepped up and slotted an early penalty goal to get two points closer to Steven West.
The Cutters were awarded two penalties back-to-back which got them good ball territory.
Mackay took the quick tap and the quick bit of thinking by Emry Pere let him score his fourth try in 2019.
Jet Ben White then scored his first try for the season, throwing it left the Jets found space and White was over in the corner for this eighth career try.
Barba converted to become the Jets highest ever point scorer.
After 20 minutes, it was 8-6 to the Jets, after a frantic start of penalties and tries the game settled in to a groove and the Cutters and Jets traded attacking sets.
Former Jet Carlin Anderson attacked the Jets down Mackay’s left and gave some space to his winger Sheldon Bobbert who in just his fourth game, had three tries after touching down in the corner.
Mackay took the lead 10-8 after 34 minutes.
Right on halftime, Cutters’ hooker Jayden Hodges kicked for ground and Cooper Bambling showed plenty of desperation to chase down a kick that evaded Purcell.
Match: Jets v Cutters
Round 22 -
home Team
Jets
9th Position
away Team
Cutters
11th Position
Venue: North Ipswich Reserve, Ipswich
Bambling ran away to score under the posts and to give the Cutters a halftime lead of 16-8.
The Jets were camped down deep in their own territory when Jacob Teevan turned Purcell under to run away.
Not too many people have run down Purcell, but Cutters centre Anderson never gave up and brought the Jets flyer down as he reached out. Purcell was then penalised for double movement.
He wasn’t denied however a few minutes later when he equalled Ricky Bird on 64 tries and third most tries for the Ipswich Jets after he stepped his way through and turned around to find himself under the posts.
Mackay's lead was cut to two points 16-14.
Mackay took back their position of strength when Tyler Gardiner scored after 54 minutes. The Cutters were in under the posts and up by eight again with 23 minutes to go.
Yamba Bowie had his third try against the Jets this year when he scored in the Cutters’ right hand corner after some quick hands.
The Cutters extended their lead to 26-14 with 15 minutes left.
Purcell had his second try on the end of a grubber kick and the third most ever for the Jets with 65 going past Ricky Bird; continuing his try-scoring form against the Cutters taking it to 11 tries in five games.
The Jets were awarded a penalty the next time they went down the field and Purcell took another two points to have the Jets within four points with seven minutes to go.
Jets hooker Kierran Moseley took the line on with some left foot work and the Jets and Cutters were locked up at 26-26.
Purcell lined the kick up with three minutes to and kicked it over to give the Jets two-point lead with two minutes to go.
Despite some nervous moments, the Jets held on for a 28-26 over Mackay Cutters.
Next week, the Ipswich Jets will take on the high flying Falcons at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Match: Falcons v Jets
Round 23 -
home Team
Falcons
1st Position
away Team
Jets
9th Position
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast
The Cutters will head to Redcliffe to take on the Dolphins.
Match: Dolphins v Cutters
Round 23 -
home Team
Dolphins
7th Position
away Team
Cutters
11th Position
Venue: Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe
