QCUP Round 21: Central Comets v Ipswich Jets

Central Comets v Ipswich Jets
Browne Park on Saturday, August 27 - 6pm

Central Comets

1. Daniel Bartlett 2. Luke Dyer 3. Mat Templeman 4. Mitch Zornig 5. Dallas Williams 6. Nat Bowman 7. Jonathon Tavinor 8. James Taputu-Crombie 9. Tevita Latu 10. Tim Glasby 11. Tyron Haynes 12. Darren Mapp 13. Guy Williams (c) 14. Guy Ford 15. Daniel Palavi 16. Ian Webster 17. Chris Beasley

Coach: Wayne Barnett

Ipswich Jets

1. Marshall Chalk 2. Ramon Filipine 3. Donald Malone 4. Brendan Marshall 5. Jarrod McInally 6. Brendon Lindsay 7. Todd Riggs 8. Liam Capewell 9. Michael Fisher 10. Trevor Exton 11. Jacob Ling 12. Nathaniel Neale 13. Slade King 15. Rowan Winterfield 16. Smith Samau 17. Sam Martin 18. Max Seumanutafa

Coach: Ben Walker & Shane Walker

Costly Win For Finals Bound Jets

THE Ipswich Jets secured fifth place with a hard-fought 16-10 win over the Central Comets in Rockhampton last night but the round 21 victory could have come at a high price with four front-liners succumbing to injury.

Jets co-coach Shane Walker said Marshall Chalk, Trevor Exton, Sam Martin and Nat Neale were no certainties to play again this season in would could be a major blow for the club that will shortly embark on its first finals campaign since 2008.

Chalk, Exton and Neale sustained rib injuries while Martin, who only recently returned from suspension, has a neck problem.

With skipper Keiron Lander (back) and Lorenzo Maafu (ankle) also racing the clock to be fit for the first weekend of the semi-finals, the Jets could be easy pickings for the second-placed team in a sudden-death encounter on the weekend of September 10-11.

However, Walker has complete confidence in the club?s depth and is backing his under-strength outfit to lift against the competition heavyweights.

?We?ve got the job done with whoever we?ve put on the park so I don?t see why that can?t be the case again,? Walker said.

Walker was pleased with the way his charges responded in the wet conditions against the Comets last night.

?They?ve got a good side up there, they turned up and played really physical,? he said.

?Our boys had to dig really deep to grind out a win. It was pleasing to grind out a win in the lead up to the play-offs.?

The Comets led 10-6 at half-time on the back of tries to Mat Templeman and Chris Beasley.

However, Ipswich hit back after the break with a spectacular try to Scott Ireland followed by another four pointer to halfback Ian Lacey under the posts.

Ireland was playing his first Intrust Super Cup match of the season for the Jets after an outstanding run of form in the FOGS Cup.

The Jets rested strike centre Donald Malone for the trip to Rockhampton but the likes of Ireland and Max Seumanutafa stepped up in his absence.

Seumanutafa pulled of an important try-saving tackle at a crucial stage in the game, while Titans contracted star Luke Capewell made his return from injury in a positive sign for the Jets.

Ipswich will take on the Wynnum Manly Seagulls on Saturday in the ABC match of the round at the North Ipswich Reserve (2pm).

The Comets will look to finish their season on a high in their final round clash against the Redcliffe Dolphins at Dolphin Oval.

QRL