Wynnum Manly Juniors remain top of the Southside Division 3 table, with a comprehensive 72-6 win against Easts Mt Gravatt Eagles at Alan Innes Oval.
Keen rugby league observers should mark down the name Eliaz Masters, as he tore apart the Eagles in a one-man demolition job in what looked like a light training run for the rampant Seagulls.
It was an afternoon to forget for the home side who conceded 13 tries in worrying sign for Eagles coach Glen Pope.
However, Wynnum a team on the rise and the astute coaching of Lindsay Marquart now has the impressive bayside side boasting five wins on the trot and certainly getting better with each game.
The Seagulls got off to a flying start in the second minute of the game when diminutive hooker Herbert Chilly burrowed his way over from dummy half. Masters superb kicking all afternoon took the gulls out to 6-0.
Seagulls halfback Josh Crosby opened his bag of tricks to score the next Wynnum try, going in despite the attentions of three Eagles defenders to plant the ball down beside the posts.
Wynnum’s next try was devastating on the fringes of the ruck. What looked like a nothing play saw Crosby again throw a superb cut-out pass to centre Cody Edwards who’s strength and power got him over the whitewash to go over in the corner.
Masters who was simply uncontainable, was wreaking havoc up the middle and he came into his own with the next try when he burst through a gap, found second rower Jimmy Woo in support who managed to lob the ball over the defence’s head to find Masters again who placed the ball down within inches of the corner post in a memorable try to make it 22-0. Playing with the wind at their back, Wynnum scored twice more before the break and went to the sheds at halftime leading 32-0.
Some words of wisdom and experience by Eagles coach Pope at halftime was not enough to inspire the home side, as Wynnum went for the throat immediately after the break scoring in the second minute courtesy of fullback Ray Smith.
The Seagulls served notice on their intent from the get go in the second half and three minutes later speedy winger Blake Freeman was no match for the tiring Eagles backs as he easily planted the ball down outwide.
Mt Gravatt did find some immortal strength with Pope making some much needed replacements and this would see the home side finally ink themselves on the scoresheet as hulking prop Blair Kino bulldozed his way through a wall of defenders to score adjacent to the sticks.
At 44-6, this was not going to be Mt Gravatt’s day and playing for pride they did show glimpses of courage but it was the meaner and leaner Wynnum pack dominating proceedings.
Matthew Albert, Jake Deans and Jayden Cummins were probably the Eagles best, but it was not enough firepower to withhold the incredible attacking ability of the Seagulls.
The Seagulls were not finished yet. The visitors put on the razzle dazzle in their next try when winger Freeman went in for his double of the afternoon with a try that went through six sets of hands to find the lanky flanker who made no mistake touching down. Masters superb goal from the sideline brought up the half century.
Significantly though, the scoreline could have blown out much more, but a combination of a few fundamental errors by the Seagulls and the Eagles courageous defensive effort halted at least five other tries that could have been added to the avalanche of points.
The Seagulls all round game was superb. Defensively, not a player was out of place and in attack probably the best seen this season. It was the Gulls next try that was again a masterpiece set play scored by halfback Crosby. The halfback toyed with the defence and dummied his way through some flimsy tackles and stepped inside two defenders to cross under the posts.
Masters again was proving to be the most valuable player on the park, throw him the ball, Wynnum either scored or made exceptional metres. It was Masters who’s devastating right hand fend would see him surge upfield and easily break three tackles in this rampaging run and he found a flying Tayne Sheppard on his inside who sliced through the Eagles fullbacks tackle to score a wonderful try.
With 30 seconds left on the clock, there was one last hurrah for the Seagulls as Goodson made it number two for the day, taking four defenders with him over the line to score under the posts.
It was a full team effort from all involved for Wynnum in this game, but I am sure the Seagulls fans will be looking forward to watching the quality and influence of Eliaz Masters who is surely steeped for higher honours in the future.
Final score: Wynnum Manly Juniors 72 Easts Mt Gravatt Eagles 6.
