(Thanks to Paul Smeaton and The QT)IPSWICH Jets captain Keiron Lander summed up Saturday’s one-point home loss to Easts in one simple word: “Frustrating.”
After starting the season with two solid performances, the Jets have nothing to show for their efforts, other than the belief a win is not far away.
Playing in wet and windy conditions at North Ipswich Reserve, the home side led 14-12 with 10 minutes to go, but a Cody Walker penalty goal and a Luke Kelly drop goal robbed home fans of a post-match celebration.
Lander described the round-two contest as an arm-wrestle played in constant rain that made handling difficult for both sides.
Despite the conditions, Lander felt his team did enough to win, if not for a few lapses in concentration at crucial times.
“It was a slog-fest from the get-go,” Lander said.
“When we didn’t hold on to the ball they put us under a lot of pressure.
“It’s only got to happen once or twice and that’s another set of six.
“One or two sets extra to a good team can hurt you.”
It’s pretty hard to gauge a form line on the Jets after the first two rounds.
Normally, two losses from two outings would tell a clear story, but with the first coming on the toughest road trip in the QRL and the second coming at the hands of a resurgent Easts, Lander is confident a win is close at hand.
“It’s only round two so we’re not really under any pressure yet,” the captain said.
“We played pretty well, particularly in the first half, but didn’t convert that pressure into points. That’s what happens in the rain, the team that wins the arm-wrestle will go on to win the game.”
Lander said it was far from panic stations at the Jets.
“If you’re doing those things and not getting the results later in the season then you’ll be a bit disappointed,” he said.
“We’re still happy. We know we’re doing the work at training and on the field and we just have to turn it into two points now.”
Ramone Filipine continued his good start to the season, crossing twice to go with his try in the opening-round loss to Northern Pride, and Ian Lacey was a dominant force for the home team.
The situation doesn’t get any easier this week for the Jets, who travel north to the peninsula to take on the Redcliffe Dolphins.
Intrust Super Cup: Easts Tigers 15 (Shane Neumann, Isaac Kaufmann tries; Cody Walker 3 goals; Luke Kelly drop goal) def Ipswich Jets 14 (Ramon Filipine 2, Ian Lacey tries; Brendon Lindsay goal).