BRAD Tighe and Mark Ioane have reminded the Titans they belong in the NRL, starring in Burleigh’s come-from-behind victory over Ipswich.
In an awful yet fascinating Intrust Super Cup match At North Ipswich, the Bears surged in the final 15 minutes to beat the error-riddled Jets 28-18.
The Jets led for the majority of the game but Ioane’s fearless charge to score in the 63rd minute and Tighe’s go-ahead try in the 69th minute earned the result for the Bears who were overall the better team.
The Jets only have themselves to blame for the loss.
In damp conditions, they didn’t pay the ball enough respect and repeatedly dropped the pill in contact.
They still managed to showcase their incredible skill with Marmin Barba running 90m after taking an intercept at his ankles.
The younger brother of Ben is a major loss to the NRL. He declined to take up his own option with the Brisbane Broncos, content to play for the Jets after being frustrated with holding pads at Red Hill throughout 2014.
The Titans are playing their best football in 18 months and have better depth than they did last season, which has pushed prop Ioane and centre Tighe to the Bears.
They performed when it counted yesterday and will surely find another NRL home if Titans don’t use them.
Burleigh’s victory over Ipswich was a rare close contest on a weekend of blowouts in the Intrust Super Cup.
The competition’s richest club, the Redcliffe Dolphins, were thumped 40-10 by the competition’s second richest club the Townsville Blackhawks.
The Dolphins are the biggest disappointments this season, as they were last season.
They have recruited several former NRL contracted players for this year in a major roster overhaul but they have just two wins from six games.
The Papua New Guinea Hunters snapped their losing streak with an impressive victory over Mackay in Kokopo.
The Cutters were on a five-game win streak but the Hunters surged to a lead and held on for a 26-24 victory.
Easts Tigers smashed the Central Capras 56-6 in what was unfortunately Jason Hetherington’s final game as coach of the Capras as he leaves to help his family through a private health battle.
The Pride earned their second win of the season with a 42-10 belting of Norths who are almost as disappointing as Redcliffe.
Cowboys-contracted centre Javid Bowen was dominant, scoring a hat-trick.
Wynnum-Manly beat the Sunshine Coast Falcons 23-10 while the Tweed Heads Seagulls inflicted more misery on the hapless Souths Logan Magpies to win 24-0 at Piggabeen.
The Magpies have just one win this season, their first as Brisbane Broncos affiliate.
chris.garry@news.com.au