Category: Match Report

Saitaua hat-trick in the wet helps secure win for Wynnum Manly

Words and photos by Jim O’Reilly

“We should play in the wet every weekend!” a spectator yelled from The Chook Pen after Wynnum Manly Seagulls ran over the top of the Ipswich Jets at BMD Kougari Oval in Round 8 of the Hostplus Cup.

It seemed the atrocious conditions helped the Seagulls focus on fundamental, mistake-free football, completing sets and maintaining good field position.

To be fair, the Jets played better then the score suggests with some solid hit-ups and defence and a well-deserved try to Ratu Rotavisoro after some good build up work toward the 30-minute mark.

But the Seagulls came out ready for business.

Jake Turpin. Photo: Jim O'Reilly
Jake Turpin debuted for the Seagulls against the Jets.

The forwards with Brisbane Broncos TC Robati and Jake Turpin did all the work in gaining metres up the middle and standout work by Luke Bateman, Matiu Love-Henry and Zac Hosking kept turning the Jets around.

However, it was interchange forward Kalolo Saitaua who was arguably the best forward on ground scoring three tries in a bone-crunching display.  He scored in the 34th, 60th and 66th minutes and was a superb in defence too.

Saitaua is having a standout year and when spoken to a couple of weeks ago about what he thinks is making the difference, he shared missing most of last year with injury, has just made him hungrier to repay the club for their support.

Kalolo Saitaua. Photo: Jim O'Reilly
Kalolo Saitaua scores again.

Sam Scarlett continues to lead from the front as club captain and his kicking game was on point today as he marshalled his troops around the field; his hard work rewarded with his own try in the 22nd minute.

What was most notable with this Seagulls performance compared to earlier rounds was how the side got around and supported each other on the field…. running in from everywhere to congratulate big tackles, opposition spilt ball, and of course tries.

The icing on the cake tries came in the 71st and 77th minute to returning players Tristan Hope and Max Elliott, who joined the side from playing BRL last week.

Winners. Photo: Jim O'Reilly
That winning feeling

The song was sung loud and proud in the sheds after the game and this win is a much needed morale boost for the boys.

Wynnum Manly head to Mackay to face the Cutters in Round 9 on Friday 20 May.

Seagulls go down fighting against Souths

Not even two tries from hard working Luke Bateman could get the win for Wynnum Manly Seagulls over Souths Logan Magpies in their ANZAC Round match at BMD Kougari Oval.

The Magpies were flat for the first 30 minutes of the game, primarily from the shock at Bateman charging over for a try next to the posts in only the second minute of the game. Ben Farr converted and before the fans in the leagues club had emerged with their first drinks, the Seagulls were up 6-0.

Luke Bateman is embraced by Matiu Love-Henry after his second try

There was hard charging from Bateman, Epel Kapinias and Kalolo Saitaua during the first 30 minutes which gave the Seagulls excellent field position, culminating in a great second try to Bateman in the 31st minute. Farr converted and it looked like Wynnum would go the dressing rooms at half-time 12-0 up.

However, Souths Logan had different plans and with a minute and a half left on the clock, debutant Tristan Sailor, with dad Wendell Sailor – a former Brisbane Broncos star who made the trip up from Sydney with his wife – crashed over for a sensational try out wide.  Harradyn Wilson missed the conversion, and the score sat at 12-4 at half-time.

Continue reading “Seagulls go down fighting against Souths” →

Seagulls Too Strong For Dolphins

The BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls faced the Redcliffe Dolphins in XXXX Rivalry on Sunday.

Both teams were at one win and two losses so far this season, and the focus was evident as the players arrived for the 2:10pm kickoff.

Redcliffe have always proved a tough match-up and have been the Seagulls’ opponent in some classic matches witnessed in both Bayside areas.

With the Dolphins feeding into the NZ Warriors in 2022, plenty of NRL talent was on display for the crowd at BMD Kougari Oval.

Before the match began on Seagulls Old Boys Day, a moments silence was taken to remember the Old Boys and officials of rugby league that have gone before us.

The first 15 minutes of the game were fairly uneventful, with both teams vying for field position but neither stamping their authority.

On 18 minutes, Epel Kapinias received a short ball from Luke Bateman and crashed over under the posts to score on his debut for the club.

The big man from Rabaul, Papua New Guniea, was swarmed by his teammates as they showed their appreciation for his efforts.

Epel Kapinias is swamped by Harrison Graham and Luke Bateman after opening the scoring. Photo: Herdo_Photograpy.

Kalolo Saitaua scored next as he broke through the line and threw the ball into the crowd. Saitaua has been in great form off the bench to start the season and deserved a try on the day.

The momentum continued to flow in the direction of the Seagulls, and a Matt Lyons double either side of half time put the game almost out of reach for the Dolphins.

Half time score: 18-4 Seagulls.

Lyons was back in the action 7 minutes later as he took a hit-up from his own in-goal area, broke three tackles and ran 60m, before passing to Te Maire Martin in support who scored under the posts in front of a rapturous Chook Pen.

Te Maire Martin finishes off a length-of-the-field try started by Matt Lyons.

The Dolphins scored a late consolation try through Warriors-contracted Eliesa Katoa to bring the score to 36-14

The Seagulls piled on more pain for the Dolphins in the final 10 minutes as Luke Bateman and Epel Kapinias both scored under the posts to ice an already impressive scoreline.

The Seagulls 1982 and 2012 premiership teams watched on from the Chook Pen and around the ground, and were in a celebratory mood after their reunion luncheon on Friday.

Lyons, in his first Hostplus Cup game of the season, played out of his skin to earn Player’s Player on the day.

Fans also witnessed impressive performances from Harrison Graham, who received the Hastings Deering Man of the Match, Epel Kapinias, Luke Bateman and Kalolo Saitaua.

The ‘Battle of the Bay’ was another big day at BMD Kougari Oval, and the Seagulls went home happy with the two points.

The two sides will face each other again on Saturday 6 August at Redcliffe.

Wynnum Manly’s next match is in two weeks against Souths Logan Magpies on Sunday 24 April.

The Seagulls would like to thank BMD for hosting our Round 4 match at BMD Kougari Oval.

Capras pip Seagulls in BMD Kougari Oval Thriller

The Central Queensland Capras have held on to beat the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in a close encounter on the bayside.

The Seagulls were full of confidence after beating reigning premiers Burleigh Bears in Round 1 last week.

However, the Seagulls found it hard to break through the Capras defence early on, with both teams held up close to the line on multiple occasions.

Seagull Crystal Papalii, as she did last week, dealt out some monstrous hits on Capras ball runners to try to spark her team.

Tawana Togo heading for the tryline. Photo: Brooke Herdegen

First points came to the Seagulls in the 31st minute when Tawana Togo crossed, and the Seagulls had a deserved lead.

The game continued back and forth, with multiple dropped balls ruining good set plays from both teams.

The momentum swayed towards the Capras at the start of the second half, with Ta Steere crossing under the posts in the 46th minute. The successful conversion put the Capras in front 6-4.
Jayde Herdegen looking to break the defensive line. Photo: Brooke Herdegen

Jayde Herdegen had a hand in everything that Wynnum Manly produced, steering the team around confidently after being hit hard multiple times.

The next 15 minutes saw more opportunities go begging as both teams couldn’t finish their sets with enough venom to lead to points.

In the 63rd minute, Central Queensland received a penalty in front of the posts and took the two points on offer to extend their lead to 8-4.

The final seven minutes saw the Seagulls run expansive back line plays and throw short crash balls close to the line. But everything they tried could not break the Capras defensive line.

The Capras survived the last play of the game as they forced a knock-on two metres out from their own try line, while outnumbered by Seagulls players.

The game finished 8-4 in an entertaining match at BMD Kougari Oval.

Both coaches will agree, there is plenty to work on next week at training. But the Capras will make the trip back to Rockhampton with the two points and smiles all round.

Wynnum Manly will face the North Queensland Gold Stars in Round 3.

Plath Debuts in Domination at Iona College

For the second year in a row, the Wynnum Manly Seagulls have won their Hostplus Cup match hosted at trusted partner, Iona College.

To make the day even sweeter, our BMD Premiership team beat reigning premiers, Burleigh Bears, in their Round 1 match and debut in the competition, as well as our Cyril Connell Challenge U16s and Mal Meninga Cup U18s teams also getting the win on the day.

BMD Premiership players are all smiles after their gritty victory.

Returning Iona College old boys Harrison Graham and Hostplus Cup debutant Max Plath put in strong performances to help Wynnum Manly Seagulls defeat the Northern Pride 26-8.

Iona College and Wynnum Manly established a partnership last season, with the College hosting Round 2 of the Hostplus Cup, bringing community and club together in a fantastic setting promoting rugby league in the area.

A large crowd was on hand to witness some champagne football by both the Pride and Seagulls.

More than 100 past and present Iona students tunneled the players onto the field before kickoff.

The first half began with both teams displaying tight physical defence, that unfortunately was riddled with mistakes.

The Pride scored first in the seventh minute with Pride’s Gideon Gela-Mosby crashing over out wide for a try; Matthew Egan missed the conversion and the Pride were up 4-0.

Then a handling error by the Pride gave the Seagulls possession that culminated with Sydney recruit Sione Hopoate crashing over out wide in the 12th minute to level the scores. Te Maire Martin missed the conversion, and the scores were locked at 4-4.

The Pride crossed again soon after, and went into the break leading 8-4.

Coach Adam Brideson must have said something inspiring during the break, as the Seagulls came out with a new intensity and level of commitment and ran over the top of the Pride.

The Seagulls got behind each other coming in from everywhere when a big hit by Lachlan Lee led to a mistake by the Pride. This attitude led to great cohesion and four fantastic second half tries.

First to Deine Mariner, his fifth in two weeks, converted by Falakiko Manu, then fullback Ben Farr, after a succession of great passes, he dove over out wide for the Seagulls to go up 14-9.

Graham at hooker kept steering the Seagulls around the field from the ruck and was greatly assisted by Kalolo Saitaua, who ran hard all game at first receiver.

TC Robati barged over at the 70-minute mark and with the conversion, the Seagulls had an unassailable lead at 20-8.

TC Robati celebrates after scoring.

There was a huge cheer when the ground announcer let the crowd know former Iona star student Plath had taken the field.

Plath has a great rugby league heritage with dad John Plath a former Bronco.

The crowd erupted again when after a chinking 35-metre run, Plath scored and the conversion was made (Main photo – captured by Jorja Brinums/QRL).

The Seagulls ran out 26-8 winners.

Coach Adam Brideson was happy the boys started to gel in the second half; happy with the win, he still conceded there is more improvement needed.

The Seagulls will face Townsville Blackhawks in Townsville in Round 3.

Wynnum Manly prevail in tough clash with Townsville

By Amelia Pattel
Townsville Blackhawks Media

The Townsville Blackhawks hosted Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Jack Manski Oval for the Round 17 fixture in a highly anticipated game, the first between the clubs for nearly two years.

This round was specifically special for the Blackhawks as they celebrated Women in League and was the first time the side has played on their home soil since late July due to postponement from COVID-19.

The first half was very high paced with intense energy from both sides, but Selwyn Cobbo put Wynnum Manly Seagulls on the board in the fourth minute. Jack Campagnolo added the extras for a six-point lead.

After a wealth of possession, the Blackhawks scored through Kalifa Faifai-Loa with a successful conversion from Shaun Nona, levelling out the scores at the 10-minute mark.

The Seagulls hit back through their captain Sam Scarlett in the 15th minute with another successful conversion.

Two high tackles from the Seagulls’ Issac Luke saw him sent to the bin and allowed the Blackhawks to score through Riley Price in the 29th minute, levelling out the scores once again.

Despite being a man down, the Seagulls scored the last try of the first half through Kalolo Saitaua in the 36th minute, giving a half-time score of 18-12.

Luke redeemed himself on his return to the field to score the first try of the second half in the 47th minute with a successful conversion extending the lead of Wynnum.

In the 52nd minute, Blackhawks player of the year Josh Chudleigh took a scoot from dummy half and put his team back in the contest, with Carlin Anderson taking over the kicking duties to put his team back in striking distance.

However, in the 56th minute the Blackhawks were unable to keep their opponents out as Delouise Hoeter scored for Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Campagnolo continuing his perfect kicking streak.

With pressure building on the Blackhawks, Michael Bell scored in the 74th minute but Anderson was unable to add the extras.

An escort from the Seagulls allowed Anderson to convert a penalty goal, bringing the Seagulls’ lead to only a converted try difference and ensuring an enthralling finish.

Despite the best efforts of the Blackhawks to force a draw, the Seagulls were victorious with a final score of 30-24.

The win kept the Seagulls in second position on the ladder, with the remaining games in the round still set to determine which teams would jostle for the top 4.