Watch replays: Ipswich SHS remain undefeated after holding off Redcliffe in Langer Trophy Round 4

The Ipswich SHS Langer Trophy machine rumbled across the Hornibrook Highway, sweeping over the top of Kayo Stadium where a stoic Redcliffe SHS stood in its path. Check out the REPLAYS inside.

The Ipswich SHS Langer Trophy machine rumbled across the Hornibrook Highway, sweeping over the top of Kayo Stadium where a stoic Redcliffe SHS stood in its path.

Unbeaten Ipswich defeated a fast finishing Redcliffe 24-16, rallying desperately in defence to prevent a Jairus Halahala-inspired Redcliffe recovery from blemishing their undefeated record.

It was edge of the seat stuff as Redcliffe SHS Eagles closed the gap to 24-16, and then launched a sustained attack at the Ipswich line.

WATCH THE LANGER TROPHY REPLAY ABOVE, SCROLL DOWN TO WATCH THE WALTERS CUP

However, Ipswich SHS defeated strongly to claim four successive wins heading into the mid season break.

Ipswich ShS players celebrate after defeating Redcliffe SHS in the Langer Trophy Round 4. Picture: Andrew Dawson

With five-eight Reeco Kirk pulling the strings, Ipswich SHS looked winners early.

Although not without blemish, Ipswich set up the win with a 24 point first half performance before Redcliffe’s gritty second half recovery.

In the first half Ippy played with plenty of precision off the back of forward speed through the middle.

Out wider No. 6 Kirk was on, supporting for one try, dashing through himself for a second and feeding his edge players crisply and quickly.

But Redcliffe swung around momentum in the second half. The Eagles were extremely well organised, benefiting from the finishing touches applied by prop Halahala who was elite with his footwork and leg drive.

Twice Redcliffe scored off the back of his charges, while Halahala also scored his team’s third try as Redcliffe got back to 16-24

Redcliffe left winger Khan Turnbull scored a staggering try with a dive from a long way out which got his side back to an eight-point deficit at one stage.

And Eagles halfback Grady Payne dashed over for a splendid individual try to reduce the margin to 24-10 with 25 minutes remaining.

After simple, frustrating errors which eroded Redcliffe from creeping even closer to their rivals in the first half, improved ball control saw them go minute to minute with unbeaten Ipswich.

Redcliffe halves Payne and Andrew Bryce again did a good job working over Ipswich’s defenders,

WALTERS CUP

Redcliffe SHS five eight Mitchell Henricksen scored the winning try seconds from full time to enable his side sneak home 26-20 in a seesawing Walters Cup match.

A try by Ipswich middle forward Harlem Tamalii looked the winner until Henricksen darted over for Redcliffe.

It was a fabulous match set up by a grand first half featuring two effort busting individual tries by Redcliffe SHS pair Kyron Arthy (centre) and prop Kaleb Strange, a thrilling near miss by Ipswich fullback Ira Yeatman and a thrilling long distance try by Ipswich centre Tomo Cook.

Walters cup Redcliffe match winning try scorer Mitchell Henricksen celebrates with teammates after defeating Ipswich. Picture: Andrew Dawson

Cook took off like he had launched out of the barrier at the Stradbroke races, hurtling down field before shaking off the last line of defence to plunge over.

That was a long distance individual effort, but even more impressive was the power run by Eagles prop Strange, a second effort performance over 10m which helped bring Redcliffe alongside Ippy, 10-all, at the break.

Eagles centre Arthy (Dolphins academy) and Ipswich centre Cook had a high class running battle on the left edge.

Arthy raised the stakes over his rival with a wonderful leaping try from a bomb to send Redcliffe into the lead, 16-10, in the second half, after a Max Carriage conversion.

But Ipswich hit back soon after with its own converted try after Ippy centre Fletcher Ebsworth Briggs had grabbed a bouncing attacking kick and plunged over. At 16-all it was anyone’s match.

PREVIEW

High flying Ipswich SHS will travel to the Peninsula on Wednesday wary of a Redcliffe SHS ambush.

Ipswich SHS, the 2022 national champions and 2023 Langer Trophy finalists, have started the season with three successive wins.

MEET THE BIG BOPPERS OF THE COMPETITION

They were kicked along to a gutsy 24-12 win over Wavell SHS last Wednesday by a turning point try from utility back Tom Parker.

Ipswich SHS outside back Parker is a Brisbane Broncos’ contracted junior who had an outstanding club season earlier in the year playing five-eighth for Souths Logan.

Catch Parker and his teammates LIVE and EXCLUSIVE as part of a Walters Cup/Langer Trophy double header at 2.15pm and 3.30pm.

Check out the full LIVE STREAM schedule below.

Ipswich coach Joshua Bretherton said his squad were respectful of the Redcliffe SHS Eagles.

“They have been extremely competitive in all matches and have played well despite the absence of some of their best players,” he said.

“We will have to have our heads around the contest.’’

Ipswich star Xzavier Timoteo. Picture, John Gass.

Redcliffe were gutted by injury – representative players Cody Starr, Nate Berrigan and Jake Carsburg among absentees last week – but got as close to 6-10 in the second half against Keebra Park SHS.

Redcliffe SHS will, most likely, have to wait until after the school holiday break to be closer to full strength.

“But maybe a few of our reserves will be back this week,’’ said head of the rugby league program Jay Wilkinson.