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 THE Wynnum Manly Seagulls launched a stunning second-half fightback to snatch a 30-22 victory over the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles at Stockland Park yesterday.
After a lacklustre performance in the first half, the Seagulls turned it all around to out-enthuse and out-play the home side in the second half to claim the impressive victory.
The Sunshine Coast were out of the blocks early – scoring with their first use of the ball through Dennis Sandow before adding to their score minutes later with an impressive-looking try. Winger Tyrone Coppedge started it all off with a bust from his own line to take his team into the opposition’s half, before some quick passing between six pairs of hands finally found Michael Chapman who extended their lead.
In the first half – Wynnum’s defence swung between rock solid and paper thin, which saw the Sunshine Coast run in 22 points with two more tries to Filinga Filiga and Kyle Lodge.
However, it could have been more, with Coppedge and Wiremu Ratana both held up after getting over the line.
While there was little to cheer about for Wynnum in the first half, a John Peterson cross-field kick found Sam Te’o, who scored an important try for the Seagulls just before half time to see the visitors enter the sheds trailing 22-6.
While the try would have boosted the Seagulls’ hopes of turning the game around – no-one would have expected they would do so in such an amazing fashion.
They held the Sea Eagles scoreless for the entirety of the half and managed to pile on 24 points of their own.
Jack Afamasaga scored the first try following the break after running on to an Aoterangi Herangi pass. That sparked the visitors into action, with Herangi running in next for a four-pointer of his own.
Converted by Matt Seamark – the score was now 22-18 with the Seagulls smelling blood.
With the clock ticking down, Jon Grieve – playing against his old club – landed the killer blow.
The Seagulls attacked the Sea Eagles’ left side, and a lucky bat-down from Afamasaga was collected by Grieve, who made a desperate stretch for the line to draw scores level.
Seamark slotted over the kick to put the Seagulls in front for the first time of the match 24-22, where they stayed.
And in the final seconds of the game, winger Shea Moylan put a cherry on top for the Seagulls, scooping up a Terence Seu Seu kick to inflate their winning margin.
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