(Thanks to the QT and Jay Buchan)
THE Ipswich Jets Colts have taken the first step to exceeding their coaches’ expectations.
The Jets posted their first competition points for 2013 with a 22-all draw with Easts at the North Ipswich Reserve on Sunday.
They remain bottom of the ladder and winless, but are dealing with a high turnover of players.
New coaches Brendon Lindsay and Adam Boettcher predicted it would take between six to eight weeks to show their full potential.
“It’s probably a moral victory more than anything,” Boettcher said of the draw.
“Given the circumstances.”
Those circumstances saw Ipswich reduced to 11 men for a period in the second half when halfback Sam Parcell (slowing down the play the ball) was sinbinned with 15 minutes remaining and prop Gerico Cecil (pushing) followed him a minute later.
Ipswich trailed 22-16 but held on with the pair off the field, before winger Beau White produced his own Easter miracle.
“We showed a lot of character not to let them score,” Boettcher said.
A kick into the Easts in-goal appeared destined to go dead in the final minute of play and everyone but White gave up on it.
“It was a rank looking kick,” Boettcher said.
“But Beau jumped up, caught it and pulled it down with only inches to move in.
“I don’t think anyone else on the field would have been able to. It was one of the finest tries I’ve seen.”
Parcell slotted the conversion from touch to cap a memorable match for the much improved Jets.
“It was a really good game,” Boettcher said. “High quality.
“I think we turned the corner with them. They now understand they can compete and beat these teams.”
Boettcher rated Purcell, lock Rohan Schulz and second-rower Mitchell Tuite as the Jets’ best.
The challenge now for Boettcher goes from convincing them they’re good enough, to avoiding overconfidence and being consistent. “It’s no good turning up one week at that level,” Boettcher said.
State of Play
FOGS Colts Round 3: Ipswich Jets 22 (Kyle Blackman, Tautalatasi Tasi, Beau White, Sam Parcell tries; Sam Parcell 3 goals) drew Easts Tigers 22 (Codey Kennedy, Kulima Panapa, Tom Ingersole, Kurt Hatfield tries; Brandon Downey 3 goals) at North Ipswich Reserve.