Courtesy of Ben Wilmott from The Queensland Times.
THE Ipswich Jets continue to go from strength to strength with another win against the Northern Pride to add to their growing list of scalps.
Unfazed by the seven year drought Ipswich have suffered in Cairns, the Jets turned on the afterburners to streak away with a 30-10 win at Barlow Park.
Second row enforcer Jesse Roberts produced 10 offloads against the Capras last weekend and was back to his best against the Pride with a man-of-the-match performance.
Holding Pride to just one try in each half, Roberts said it was the defending premiers’ defence which had changed their fortunes in recent weeks.
“There’s been a big emphasis on defence,” he said.
“We had a lot of defence on our line today and that helped massively.
“We know that if we defend well our attack takes care of itself.
“We set the standard in the first 20 minutes and then the opposition just can’t keep up with us.”
With finals fast approaching the Jets knew a win in Cairns would put them in contention for a top six finish.
“We knew today was massive,” Roberts said.
“The boys were telling me how long it’s been since we got a win up here and being so close on the ladder we couldn’t afford to lose.
“That win puts us in contention and it definitely makes the trip home a lot better.”
As well as helping their point differential, the win lifts the Jets into eighth place on the Intrust Super Cup ladder and on equal competition points with the Pride, Souths Logan and Wynnum Manly.
Souths Logan and Ipswich have one bye round remaining, while the Pride and Wynnum Manly have already had both byes of the season.
With four wins from their past four outings, the Jets return home to Ipswich on Saturday to host the last-placed Mackay Cutters at North Ipswich Reserve.
State of play
Intrust Super Cup round 18: Ipswich Jets 30 (Richard Pandia 2, Mikaere Beattie, Liam Capewell, Ben White tries; Wes Conlon 4, Mikaere Beattie goals) def Northern Pride 10(Vaipuna Tia-Kilifi, Linc Port tries; Khan Ahwang goals) at Barlow Park.