Fast start sets up Wynnum Manly to deny Tigers

QRL article written by Michael Nunn

Wynnum Manly Seagulls didn’t have to travel too far to take part in their away game against the Brisbane Tigers in Round 11, with the match played at their home ground of BMD Kougari Oval.

The Wynnum Manly forwards in particular gave the Seagulls great ball movement and they made themselves at home deep in the Tigers territory. After a great run from Zac Hoskings, who bumped his way down the middle of the field, the Seagulls went left, attacking with width and precision.

Max Plath and Sam Scarlett gave their outside men space and this forced the Tigers to make decisions and when Falakiko Manu flicked it out for Sione Hopoate; Hopoate wiped his feet on the welcome mat and scored in the corner.

The next Wynnum Seagulls try would feature in a manual of how to score a good tryl with two great runs from Max Elliott and Luke Bateman giving their side time, space and eventually a try to Ben Farr flying through the middle in support.

The Seagulls were up 10-0 after 14 minutes.

The masterclass in forward play continued with Tristan Hope giving that width to Bateman who found space and scored next to the posts to record an astonishing fifth try this year in 10 games for Wynnum.

It was a perfect start at 16-0 for Wynnum Manly who were playing fast and direct and attacking with options everywhere.

The next Wynnum Manly try showcased speed not power or passing. Tigers youngster Jonah Pezet was on debut for the Tigers and put a kick up that was grabbed by Delouise Hoeter. Looming on his inside was David Mead who then had to run 70 metres to give the Seagulls all the running at 20-0.

At halftime, the Seagulls had only missed four tackles compared to the 18 from the Tigers and this resulted in four-line breaks as the Tigers kept putting themselves under pressure.