HE last time the Jets won their opening match of the season they failed to reach the finals.
That’s one consolation they can take from Saturday’s 18-16 loss to Wynnum Manly at the North Ipswich Reserve.
There was little else in the eyes of co-coach Ben Walker, despite the Jets looking the more likely winners for most of the match.
Being the first game of the season was no excuse either, according to the coach.
“There was no reason for us to be more scratchy when we were clearly more skilful,” Walker said.
The Jets dominated the opening period, keeping the ball alive and finding gaps, only for the final play to go astray.
Wynnum Manly, on the other hand, offered little.
But their dour approach seemed to be paying off as they gained territorial ascendancy on the back of a lop-sided penalty count.
Twice they went close to scoring, only to lose the ball near the Jets line.
Then came two moments of Jets magic.
Jets centre Nemani Valekapa made a break from his own half but was clobbered getting a pass away.
The Jets kept the ball alive as Valekapa was helped gingerly to his feet.