Sensational second half effort keeps school in Langer Trophy hunt

“The second half we were on. You could see the boys physically starting to change and some of the pieces we were working on for weeks starting to come together.’’ What a great half of footy.

Ipswich State High School rugby league players with Queensland Origin captain Ali Brigginshaw.

A BLISTERING shot of confidence from speedster Damien Burrows was all Ipswich State High needed to revive their Langer Trophy hopes.

Burrow’s try scoring double ignited Ipswich’s second half fightback before they held on to beat home side Wavell State High 14-12 in the round five encounter.

After being unable to break through Wavell’s defensive wall and trail 8-0 at halftime, Ipswich’s top tacklers muscled up, setting up Burrows for his try double out wide.

A third four-pointer to powerhouse forward Rene Bagon put Ipswich in front for the first time and it was then the defence of the visiting side that sealed the win.

“It was excellent,’’ head coach Josh Bretherton said.

“The second half we were on. You could see the boys physically starting to change and some of the pieces we were working on for weeks starting to come together.

“You could see it clicking.’’

The coach was delighted his players were backing themselves thinking “we can do it, we can put people under pressure, we can play the speed’’.

The win was Ipswich State High’s second of the season after beating Coombabah 22-16 a week earlier.

However, it was a crucial result as teams battle for a preferred top five spot in this year’s revamped finals format.

Bretherton knew Wavell would be a handful with their towering attacking trio Will Curran, Ben Te Kura and Felix Faatili who proved almost unstoppable at times.

“They are big boys and they are also excellent footballers,’’ Bretherton said.

“We had our boys really well prepped to control what they had to offer and you’ve just got to do your best to hang on boys.

“Wavell defended fantastically in the first half, particularly their goal line. They defended it really, really well.’’

Apart from Burrows, Ipswich’s best included Bagon, Josiah Pahulu, Jarvis Yeatman and captain Kulikefu Finefeuiaki who provided the superbly timed pass to set up Burrows’ match-turning second try.

“I thought Jarvis was outstanding, particularly early on when the game wasn’t quite going our way,’’ Bretherton said. “He kept us in the game when it could have got away from us and that was really important.’’

The coach said Pahulu impressed going forward getting “back to full flight and really starting to put people under pressure, which was good’’.

Ipswich State High back Damien Burrows returned to form with two superb tries.

Bretherton was also pleased to see Burrows regain his try-scoring prowess after recovering from a shoulder injury.

The victory lifted the spirits of the coach as much as the players.

“We still have a lot of work to do,’’ Bretherton said.

“It wasn’t the best start to the year but we give ourselves a chance now.

“I said to the boys we can’t rest on two wins. We’ve got get back to work tomorrow . . . but it puts us back in the hunt.’’

Tough battles

In the first match of the afternoon, Ipswich State High’s Langer Reserves team suffered their second loss after going down 14-12 to Wavell.

Ipswich were unable to capitalise on their 12-4 halftime advantage in the match at Wavell.

A late penalty goal sealed the home side’s victory.

The Ipswich side had earlier in the season beaten Palm Beach Currumbin 20-8 and Marsden 14-10. Their first loss was 24-6 to Keebra Park.

Ipswich State High’s Walters Cup combination were left to reflect on their first defeat of the year 10 competition after three previous draws and a win.

Wavell won 28-12 after leading 18-4 at halftime.

The Ipswich Walters Cup team had earlier draws against Coombabah 14-14, Marsden 24-24 and Palm Beach Currumbin 16-16. They beat Keebra Park 16-8 in round three.