Round 5
Norths Devils 10 l. Ipswich Jets 60

2008 Wizard Queensland Cup Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats]

Location: Australia > Queensland > State/Metropolitan Level Competition: Wizard Queensland Cup

Jets Blitz Outclassed Devils
Sun April 13, 2008
Source: www.qrl.com.au

For the second time this week, Gold Coast Titans coach John Cartwright has left a rugby league ground with a big smile on his face.

Cartwright, whose Titans side celebrated a gutsy win over Parramatta on Friday, was a keen spectator at Bishop Park for today's Wizard Cup clash between the Ipswich Jets and Norths Devils.

Titans players Gavin Cooper, Smith Samau, Kris Kahler and Josh Lewis saddled up for the Jets, who belted the Devils 60-10 in a stylish performance.

Cartwright would have been most happy with the performances of the quartet.

Cooper was particularly impressive, notching a hat-trick in the second half to take his season tally to six.

The long-striding centre has been in superb touch for the Jets and is belting on the door for NRL selection with every fearless surge through the line.

"I'm enjoying the footy back here, they're a good bunch of boys," Cooper said.

"I've known a couple of them since I was a youngster so it's good to play with them again."

Cooper said he enjoyed playing under Ipswich coaches Kevin Walters and Glenn Lazarus.

"They bring a lot of experience to the table," the former Cowboys utility said.

"They've been there and done it all themselves so I think they're passing it down and it's working well."

In a bizarre match, the young Devils actually led Ipswich 6-0 after a try and conversion to Luke Samoa.

When George Kepa completed a sizzling backline movement in the corner, the Devils had extended their lead to 10-0 and an upset looked well and truly on the cards.

But Ipswich steadied and went on to lead 18-10 at the break courtesy of some inspirational play from Aaron Sweeney, Michael Ryan and Jason Bulgarelli.

"That slow start didn't help us out in the heat," Cooper conceded.

"But we pulled it off ? that second 20 (minute period) in the first half fixed it up."

Ryan finished with a hat-trick of tries to cap off a wonderful match, his 100th in the Queensland Cup.

Big forward Matt McPhee also got in on the act, crossing for two second-half tries.

The first originated from a bullet-like pass from Ryan, while the second came after the Norths junior accepted a short pass from Todd Riggs and barged over the line.

Ipswich scored 12 tries in total to equal the club's biggest win and highest score in the Queensland Cup (60-10 v Logan at Meakin Park in 2002).

News sent by: www.qrl.com.au

Advanced Search