BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls travelled to Cairns to play the Northern Pride in Round 6 of the Hostplus Cup.
With the Pride losing their first 4 games, the 2024 Minor Premiers presented a dangerous matchup, as they were due to bounce back at any stage.
The game started in sunny conditions and the Pride flew out of the gate with a try in the 5th minute. Further tries followed in the 15th and 22nd minutes and all of a sudden, the Seagulls were down 18-0.
Captain Brendan Frei grabbed one back for Wynnum Manly in the 30th minute, before the Pride scored again before halftime to head into the break at 22-6.
The heavens opened and torrential rain started pouring down in a typical North QLD tropical shower. But the wet weather didn’t stop Seagulls winger Ron Philitoga from taking a classic catch above his head from a Jock Madden kick, and beat his winger to score.
Jamie Hill then dived over untouched off a Chaz Jarvis short ball to bring the score to 22-18 to the Pride.
The Pride then scored out wide to go in front by 8 points with 14 minutes remaining.
James Uesele barged his way over under the posts of a Cameron Bukowski short ball and the Seagulls got to 2 points behind with 8 minutes to go.
Then with 3 minutes remaining, Jock Madden found his winger again with another cross-field dime as Ron Philitoga outjumped his opposite number and scored.
Seagulls in front 28-26. The boys from Wynnum Manly held on in the final 2 minutes, which included a trysaver from Jock Madden as he tackled a Pride player over sideline who was on a breakaway run.
An important 2 points on a difficult away trip.
Up next, we travel to Tweed on Easter Saturday for our rescheduled Round 1 game against the Seagulls. Following that game, we retrun home on Saturday 26th of April to face the Ipswich Jets, who will boast a few former Seagulls, in what should be a tough clash.