Round 8 Sunday wrap: Wynnum Manly stay in finals mix with flockbuster win
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The Wynnum Manly Seagulls have kept their BMD Premiership finals hopes alive, grinding out a tough victory against the Tweed Seagulls on Sunday.
Setting the stage for a thrilling final week in Round 9, the two Seagulls sides gave their all in a wet and muddy showdown at Piggabeen Sports Complex, with the away side triumphing 26-20.
It was a must-win match for both teams and the desperation to get the two points was evident from the first kick off.
The two sides traded blows, with Tweed bolting out of the gates with two tries to wingers Bridget Hoy and Brooke Saddler, before Indee Brown and Mariah Brown returned the favour for Wynnum Manly.
Hoy scored another before the break, with backrower Kaitlyn Phillips joining her on the board to give the home team a 20-10 lead at halftime.
But, knowing their finals campaign was on the line, Wynnum Manly bounced back in a big way in the second stanza, with veteran Karina Brown crossing twice before fullback Ellie Draper sealed the deal in the 57th minute.
Match: Seagulls v WM Seagulls
Round 8 -
home Team
Seagulls
9th Position
away Team
WM Seagulls
6th Position
Venue: Piggabeen Sports Complex, Tweed Heads
Wynnum Manly captain Shaylee Bent - who has been absent for the last few rounds due to New South Wales duties - said they always knew they had to get the win on Sunday.
"We had to win. It was do-or-die for us today," Bent said.
"I'm very grateful we came away with the win.
"It was definitely a grind. The second half, we took advantage of the roll on that we had that we couldn't really get in the first half so really proud of the girls for holding the ball and getting the win.
"We were really flat in the first half and the coaches said, 'lift the energy. If you want to be here, start having a go'."
With the win, Wynnum Manly move into sixth on the BMD Premiership ladder, two places below the cut off for finals.
However, they sit on the same overall points as the fourth-placed Souths Logan Magpies, meaning they have a chance to still qualify for this year's finals with one last match next weekend.
IWynnum Manly will wrap up their regular season next Saturday when they play host to the Sunshine Coast Falcons, who are also on eight points on the ladder.
Tweed meanwhile are an outside chance of playing finals football after today's loss, but mathematically can get there if several results fall their way next weekend.
Tweed will be at home again next week against the last-placed Central Queensland Capras.
For a wrap of the Saturday games, click here.
Catch all the BMD Premiership replays by subscribing to Qlpus.tv.
