The BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls travelled to Ipswich on Saturday evening to take on the Jets at North Ipswich Reserve.
The teams paid tribute to two former rugby league identities that had passed away during the week. Seagulls legend Paul Green, who won the 2011 and 2012 QLD Cup premierships, and Michael Purcell, who played 73 games for the Ipswich Jets, were both honoured with a minute silence before kick off.
The Jets had the added motivation of playing for their captain Nathaniel Neale, who was competing in his final home game for Ipswich, as he plans to retire at the end of the 2022 season.
Given the result of their clash earlier in the, with Wynnum running away 56-4 victors at BMD Kougari Oval, fans may have expected another Seagulls win.
However, given the added motivation for the Jets, they started extremely well, scoring 5 tries in the first 32 minutes and keeping the Seagulls at bay.
The Jets were almost keeping pace with the clock as they led 26-0 after 32 minutes to leave the Seagulls stunned.
The Seagulls bench made an impact with Kalolo Saitaua making his usual tackle-busting runs, and Harrison Graham looking dangerous at dummy half.
Graham scored in the 35th minute to give the Seagulls a positive finish to the half, going in 26-6 down.
The game steadied at the start of the second half, with Ipswich not giving an inch to the Seagulls after a fantastic opening half.
It took Wynnum Manly 20 minutes to get on the board through Zac Hosking, and the comeback was underway.
However, the Jets continued to grind away in defence and repel the Seagulls’ attacks, with time now becoming the Seagulls enemy.
The Gulls crossed again in the 71st and 74th minutes through Ben Farr and Dredin Sorensen respectively, but wayward goal-kicking preserved a handy lead for the Jets.
Ultimately, Ipswich deservedly closed out an emotional game 26-18 on a cold night west of Brisbane.
Jets Captain Nat Neale was chaired off the field, victorious in his final home.
Earlier, the McDonalds Seagulls Academy Hastings Deering Colts extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches. The Ipswich Colts put up a fight and shocked the Seagulls at half time to be within 4 points. However, Wynnum kicked into gear in the second half to run away with the game 44-22.
The Seagulls look ahead to next week where they take on Souths Logan Magpies for the Mitch Cronin Memorial Cup. BMD Kougari Oval will be packed for the most special day on the Seagulls calendar, as the Gulls also recognise the contribution of Paul Green to the club.
