WITH 52 points on the board the Ipswich Jets had every reason to be happy with their win over Souths Logan in the Queensland Cup yesterday. The win sees the Jets remain in third place, a point behind second-placed PNG Hunters after their 28-all draw with Redcliffe. Yet the 32 points the Magpies scored was cause for some concern. The Jets defence was at times awful in a game that lacked high intensity. Structures get hidden under attacking intentIpswich conceded the first try of the match following some flimsy defence. But when Haydan Lipp equalised from an intercept the Jets went on a run of tries to lead 30-10 at the break. It looked like the Jets had thought it was game over when they started the second half, allowing the Magpies to score three tries in five minutes to bring it back to 30-20. That was as close as it got as the home team snapped out of its slumber to put the match out of reach. Perhaps more important than the win was the successful return to the top grade of Lipp and prop Tyson Lofipo. Lipp was a late call-up for the ill Dane Phillips. The week before, when he came of the bench, was Lipp’s first game in the top grade since round four last season. Yesterday was his first start since then and he looked like he’d been there all along, threatening the Souths Logan line with his pace and step, as well as his ability to put a player into a gap. Lipp revealed the faith his coaches have shown in him, and the words of his skipper, Keiron Lander helped him fit in seamlessly. “Ben and Shane (Walker) think highly of me and having Keiron in my ear through the game makes it so much easier,” he said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LOCAL SPORTLipp’s intercept, which came with Souths Logan leading 6-0 and hot on the attack, changed the momentum in the Jets favour and helped him settle in. “I was happy with my game,” he said. “I was trying to focus on my defence. My attack comes naturally but I was happy with my defence.” Lipp is not holding his breath to see if he stays in the top team, expecting Phillips to slot back in once he’s better. “I’d like to (stay in the top grade) but Dane’s a classy player,” Lipp said. “It was good to get the opportunity.” He admitted there were times he wondered if he would again. Lipp’s injury kept him out for the rest of last year, enabling his replacement, Josh Cleeland, to make the Jets six jersey his own. Cleeland was among the Jets’ best yesterday, laying on two tries with grubber kicks and posing a constant threat with the ball. His form has meant Lipp has had to bide his time in Reserve grade, waiting for such a chance. “You go through a tough period,” he said of his rehabilitation. “But on days like these it is definitely worth it.” TOP STORIES ONLINE Golfer to paint over Confederate flag on real General LeeFalcons do their best for late mateSearch on for two teen girls missing from MudgeerabaMan stole from Bechtel to fuel drug habit started on islandBritish mother has newborn seized by Spanish hospitalIpswich Queensland TimesTOPICS: IPSWICH JETS, QUEENSLAND CUP
