Photo: Scott Powick - SMP Images
Broncos’ coach Wayne Bennett must have thought he had entered some sort of rugby league parallel universe.
On Friday he had to sit through a slog fest at a cold Cronulla, but come Sunday he was at a sunny North Ipswich Reserve to watch the Ipswich Jets attack with flair and confidence.
The message from the Jets to not just Bennett but the league world was loud and clear; this is how you should play football.
It started with great defence when Jets hooker Matt Parcell stopped a rampaging Ricky Thorby, knocking the ball out and denying a try to the Intrust Super Cup favourites.
The Jets eased into the match with a penalty goal to Wes Conlon who in the process brought up his 150th point for the Jets. At 2-0 the Jets showed no sign of the chaos they would unleash over the next 31 minutes.
Celebrating his 50th game in the Intrust Super Cup, veteran centre Chris Walker showed he still has plenty of pace and guile to go straight through a gap on the right hand side. Conlon made no mistake to see the Jets out to an 8-0 lead with half of the first half gone.
XXXX man of the match Parcell then sliced through the Blackhawks’ defence, and slid in under the posts from dummy half, showing smart hooker work that wouldn’t look out of place at Red Hill.
It was then Kurt Capewell’s turn on the right hand side as he showed plenty of determination to get the ball down and take the Jets lead to 20-0.
The Blackhawks were reaching for the white flag on Defence Force Appreciation Day when the Jets attacked from their own line, sweeping it across the line from left to right. Nemani Valekapa set off down the sideline and scored a scintillating try in the left hand corner of the field after combining with Daniel Vidot.
The scoreboard now read Jets 24-0 after 29 minutes.
The Jets took the slower paced option right on half time and took the two points to lead 26-0 at the break.
In an explosive half of football, the Jets had possession of 65% of the ball and scored four tries.
The Blackhawks were far from finished with and started the second half with a flurry of tries that kept them in the contest.
Tom Humble scored his own try and was pivotal in several others as he directed his side around the park.
The big Blackhawks’ backs proved with an even amount of ball on a hot day that they can put points on the board.
With 20 minutes to go the Blackhawks had clawed their way to within six points of the Jets, who hit back when Valekapa scored his second try in the left corner. It was the Jets first points of the second half and took the lead out to a seemingly more comfortable 30-20 with 12 minutes remaining.
The match was beyond doubt when Parcell scored his second try after a typical Rod Griffin run to hand the Jets a 36-24 win and Parcell his 50th point for the Ipswich Jets from 13 career tries.
The Jets will travel to Rockhampton this week to play the Capras, while the Blackhawks will be up against the defending premiers the Northern Pride.
IPSWICH JETS 36 (Nemani Valekapa 2, Matt Parcell 2, Chris Walker, Kurt Capewell tries; Wes Conlon 6 goals) def TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS 24 (Zac Santo, Wayne Ulugia, Mosese Pangai, Rhys Matsen, Tom Humble tries; Tom Humble 2 goals) at North Ipswich Reserve.
Final teams
Ipswich Jets: 1. Wes Conlon 2. Marmin Barba 3. Chris Walker 4. Nemani Valekapa 5. Carlin Anderson 6. Josh Cleeland 7. Dane Phillips 8. Daniel Vidot 9. Matt Parcell 10. Rod Griffin 11. Sam Martin 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Keiron Lander (c) 14. Gerico Cecil 15. Troy O'Sullivan 16. Billy McConnachie 17. Liam Capewell
Townsville Blackhawks: 1. Jahrome Hughes 2. Zac Santo 3. Wayne Ulugia 4. Mosese Pangai 19. Rhys Matsen . Michael Parker-Walshe 7. Tom Humble 8. Ricky Thorby 9. Anthony Mitchell 10. Daniel Beasley (c) 11. Lorenzo Ma'afu 12. Rhyse Martin 13. Neville Costigan 18. Ray Thompson 15. Glenn Hall 16. Chris McLean 17. Corey Jensen
