(Thanks to the QT – Sarah Harvey and Geoff Egan) THE Ipswich Jets sent a message to their Intrust Super Cup challengers, dominating the previously undefeated Easts Tigers.
The Jets ran out 28-10 victors at North Ipswich Reserve yesterday.
While last week’s win over the Sunshine Coast saw two rookies in Tu’u Maori and Nemani Valekapa perform, yesterday’s victory was led by the Jets’ veterans.
Donald Malone scored a try and kicked four goals to take his Q-Cup career tally to 284 points. Stand-in captain Ian Lacey scored two tries and was named man of the match.Malone said the victory was due to concentrating the whole game. “We haven’t been playing the whole 80 minutes,” Lacey said.”We’ve been turning off for the first 20 or the last 20, but we spoke about it during the week. “As a team, I thought the boys were fantastic. All over the park, all the players, up the centre of the park they were great.”Heading for 300 points, Malone said he couldn’t be happier.
“I’m starting to get some form at the start of the season which is good,” he said. “I’ve started goal-kicking again this year so that helps me get some points on the board.”
Malone said with the Tigers undefeated going into the game, the Jets knew they would have a tough encounter. “They’re always a good team, especially after knocking off Redcliffe last week,” he said.
Lacey was named captain after lock Kieron Lander was a late withdrawal. He dived over for two short-range tries from dummy half. But after running in two quick tries, to prop Tyson Lofipo and Lacey, the home team could not stop the Tigers scoring twice late in the first half.Tigers fullback Corey Thompson was a constant threat, creating a line break which set up Tigers prop Matt Zgrajewski who dived on a loose grubber.
Minutes later, Thompson came agonisingly close to scoring as the Jets defence held him out. On the next tackle, they held Tigers halfback Todd Murphy up under the posts, before winger Michael Thomas finally cracked the Jets’ defence.However, the second half was all Ipswich. Lacey crossed for his second in the half’s opening minute, and the Jets dominated possession and territory. Malone scored a try soon after, but missed the conversion. However, he didn’t waste his next opportunity, converting a spectacular try by Jets winger Jarrod McInally.A flying McInally scored in the corner after he plucked a cross-field kick out of mid-air. Ipswich’s excellent defence frustrated the Tigers who lost the ball and gave away penalties in key situations.The Jets will on Sunday look to build on their two wins when they play perennial heavyweights Wynnum Manly.
Decisive Win
Ipswich Jets 28 (Ian Lacey 2, Tyson Lofipo, Donald Malone, Jarrod McInally tries; Donald Malone 4 goals) def Easts Tigers 10 (Matt Zgrajewski, Michael Thomas tries; Todd Murphy one goal).
Other games: CQ Capras d Burleigh 24-18, Northern Pride d Souths Logan 50-16, Wynnum Manly d Mackay 36-10, Sunshine Coast d MNorths 17-16, Redcliffe d Tweed Heads 24-0.
FOGS Cup: Easts 30 (Mitch Moore 2, Maeli Seve, Luke Lavelle, Sioeli Makaui tries; Liam Tyson 5 goals) def Ipswich 14 (Khan Ahwang 2, Mahe Paseka tries; Khan Ahwang goal.