Meninga Cup latest: Unsigned Dolphins shines; Jets so brave
UPDATE: Meninga Cup report: Blackhawks survive a fright against gutsy Mackay Cutters, while the Ipswich Jets reflect on a brave to the core effort in under 18 rugby league.
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An NRL unsigned Redcliffe Dolphin starred in an 10-try Meninga Cup shoot out while the Ipswich Jets produced one of the club’s great efforts in recent years on Saturday.
Redcliffe edge forward Jacob Taulani impacted the try feast which saw both the Dolphins and Burleigh Bears cross for five tries each in the clash won 30-26 by Redcliffe.
Naytan Iselin-Jansen had the kicking boots on which helped raise Redcliffe to another win.
Redcliffe came rattling home with four tries in the last 20 minutes after Burleigh had led 16-nil at halftime.
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TRIBUTE TO THE KINGS – and QUEENS – OF THE ROAD
IN PICTURES – IPSWICH JETS MENINGA CUP
Kci Whare’s try for the Bears arrested Redcliffe’s momentum for a moment before Redcliffe’s fast finish.
Right edge backrower Taulani is getting better and a continuation of his form in the Langer Trophy where he plays for Redcliffe SHS will see play managers just checking his contact details.
Taulani can run a tough line back on the inside or push wider toward the corner post and he has a nice step.
He was excellent in Redcliffe SHS’s Langer qualifying win after catching the eye last season and today was arguably Redcliffe’s best alongside prop Amos Tuialii and workaholic Drew Timms.
At the North Ipswich Reserve, the Ipswich Jets produced a brave rearguard action to defeat the Falcons 28-22.
The Jets played 50 minutes with 12 players, and at one stage were down to 10 players.
“I loved how brave we were,’’ said Ipswich coach Shane Harris. “We kept showing up, making repeat efforts and it is the type of game they should remember what they achieved and should be proud of themselves.’’
He said in that period with 10 players Ipswich did not concede a try. “That is a really special achievement. Their effort was superb.’’
He said it was difficult to single a player out, but fullback Tyler Peckham-Harris typified the team effort with a brave effort.
After copping a “knock early and refusing to come off’’, Peckham-Harris constantly showed up to take pressure off his middle forwards.
He’d take a run out of his territory and win the ruck, helping his team exit from trouble while giving his middle men a rest.
It was appropriate Peckham-Harris scored the match winning try six minutes from full-time.
The Falcons rallied late when Jayden Smith scored, but were unable to force a draw.
“We did not deserve to win,’’ said SC Falcons coach Danny Gray.
“The Ipswich boys were fantastic with their attitude and working together really well as a team. My boys were not disciplined enough.’’
Despite that, three young players tried very hard for the Falcons - Chase Paterson, Ruben Broome and prop Saxon Day who played 70 minutes in the Ipswich heat.
At Kougari Oval there were nine tries where joint competition favourites Norths won 30-20 over Tweed Seagulls.
Norths winger Kallum Weatherall-Stacey brought his kicking boots to the match in a 50 point thriller that was only put to bed in the closing minutes when Norths’ Shannon Subritzky Stewart plunged over.
A bold Tweed had closed the gap to just four points - 24-20 - when centre Kyen Murphy scored.
“I was pretty happy with our starting middles, Reico Ratana, Eli Tuli and Nick Hilton. For Elijah, it was one of the best games he has played,’’ Maccan said.
“But we but just couldn’t execute the plan to the best of our ability and dropped too much ball.’’
Norths coach Shane Boyd said his team was “a little bit poor today’’ but the arm wrestle encounter could be just what the side needed approaching big matches ahead.
“We were just off our game a little and needed to manage the game at times. We didn’t control the footy but we will learn. It is a good learning curve to get in a game like that, a battle, given the games ahead.
He said centre Poutoa Hotere-Papalii was strong defensively while Bristowe Murray made an impact out of dummy half when he came off the interchange bench.
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TRIBUTE TO THE KINGS – and QUEENS – OF THE ROAD
In a round for high scores, the Clydesdales turned a 24-22 deficit into a 40-24 win with two late tries to man of the match winger Brayden Falvey.
The Wide Bay Bulls had hit the front 24-22 in Toowoomba after Ryan Bugeja slid over, but lost the advantage again when the highly rated Dalby boy Lyhkan King-Togia scored.
The Bulls scored after just one minute when Tyrell Hopkins scored, and led 18-16 at halftime when Jack Picaro crossed.
But just after the break Bailey Rathmell scored for Clydesdales followed soon after by centre Bailey Nash and the home team were headed in the right direction.
What should not be lost in the high scoring encounter was the performance of Clydesdale’s Darcy Carswell in the engine room.
“I challenged them at halftime and they responded,’’ said Clydesdales’ coach Brendan Wilson.
“Brayden Falvey was man of the match with two tries, six goals and plenty of work as well, while Darcy Carswell was massive through the middle,’’ Wilson added.
Wide Bay coach Antonio Kaufusi said he was again “proud of the boys’’ given, for a variety of reasons, they have been unable to settle on a side.
He said despite being an inferior team on paper, the group stayed in the fight. “I have said to them if you keep in there, you give yourself a chance,’’ he said.
He said winger Bryden Blair did a great job given he is normally a halfback, while having centres Liam Doolan and Lucas Kemble back gave the side stability.
He also said his half Mitchell Sly had his best game of the season, while the skipper was tremendous.
Also on Saturday, Capras scored seven tries to two in a 36-10 win over the Northern Pride.
Despite two early tries by Capras’ Mack Nixon and Will Lewis, it was an even first half and in fact Pride lead 10-8 in the 39th minute when Joseph Pearson scored.
But Capras scored the next four tries, including a second to Lewis and a double to Carter Wight.
“The boys managed to settle and plau error free footy in the second half and built pressure with our defence,’’ said Capras coach RJ Stewart. “It was a pleasing result for the boys.’’
Halves Callan Campbell and Tana Martin led the side around, while Bailey Cavanough was again outstanding at No.13.
Edge forward Will Lewis and hooker Carter Wight were excellent, as was Matua Brown.
Pride coach Steven Lesina said errors again hurt his side which lead to the team being unable to leave their territory.
“But I can’t the efforts of Tait Coglan going from hooker to fullback and this week from fullback to hooker and playing the whole game with a busted shoulder,’’ Lesina said.
“Young Kyan Shepperd has so much heart and put his body on the line for us, week in, week out.
“Mosiah Lui made his debut this week and was tough making good contact in defence, and some great edge running.’’
In today’s game, the unbeaten Townsville Blackhawks survived a dogged effort by the Mackey Cutters to win 22-10.
Blackhawks lead 10-nil at halftime, but two tries in five minutes to Brady Hazledine and Balin Burnett midway into the second half threw the result wide open.
The Blackhawks eventually came home with two snap tries by hooker Tajshon Santo-Messa in the 59thm minute and halve Zack Lamont moments later.
Blackhawks coach Roy Baira said while his team was “a bit off today’’ lacking energy at the start and discipline, he praised Mackay for playing well and their effort.
“In the second half we found some rhythm but it is definitely a wake up call and what we needed heading into the final round next week,’’ Baira said.
He said captain and No.13 Damon Marshall was again his team’s best player.
Mackay Cutters coach David Stevens said his team did very well in hot conditions against a bigger and older opponent.
“We have that gell happening. We have worked on it and we have one more game up in Cairns and hopefully we can go up there and do the job. But over the the back end they have improved immensely.’’
He said fullback Brady Hazledine was outstanding while Matthew Watts (middle) and Ryan McCowan (No.13. edge) gave the side a lift off the bench.
On Friday night, Wynnum Manly snatched a 10-all draw against Brisbane Tigers after being ambushed at Leo Williams Oval.
Easts led 10-nil at halftime after hard working prop Trent Veukiso and Zac Brown had scored.
But two late tries by Wynnum courtesy of Haizyn Mellars and Karlin Henry saw the teams share the points.
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Tigers coach Isaac Kauufman said the side was starting to work better in unison.
“We are working hard and starting to work for one and other,’’ Kauufman said.
“We are working more as a team and playing more consistent footy for longer periods.’’
Wynnum Manly outside backs Jeremy Trappett (fullback) and Tuvaka Palu (centre) were the Seagulls’ best, while the Brisbane Tigers also had two five star backline performers – winger Asukulu Baruani and centre Antioch Faitala.
Also on the edge, Tigers second rower Sejie Tauati impressed with his reads in defence.
Sunday’s match will feature the Blackhawks against the Mackay Cutters in a local derby.
In the Connell Challenge catch up match between Norths Devils and Wynnum Manly, the game finished in a 26-all draw.
Lesayne Tuiasau and Devante Andrews scored late for Norths in another 10 try match.
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