One of the Intrust Super Cup’s longest losing streaks is over.
After 2886 days of the Jets travelling to Cairns and coming home with nothing, they’re leaving Barlow Park with the two points.
The Jets have now won four matches in a row and are building momentum to have the seven clubs above them starting to look over their shoulders at the looming threat
Ipswich started with a slow approach with Wes Conlon getting the Jets the early settling two points from a penalty goal.
The scorers at Barlow Park weren’t troubled again until the Pride’s big second-rower Vaipuna Tia-Kilifi barged his big frame across the line. The Pride’s leading points-scorer Khan Ahwang added the two points and the Jets found themselves in familiar territory in Cairns down 6-2 after 14 minutes.
Billy, do be a hero
The deficit didn’t last long when Jets’ storming forward Billy McConnachie did his normal fearless run steaking down the field. Richard Pandia capitalised on the exposed Pride defence and was in under the posts for Ipswich’s first try. Wes Conlon added the two points for a 8-6 lead.
The next set the Jets attacked the Pride all over the park and it was Pandia again who busted through to set up Mikaere Beattie who scored his first Intrust Super Cup try untouched under the posts.
The Jets now were 14-6.
Defence into attack
At halftime, coaches Ben and Shane Walker assured the Jets the tries would come in the second half.
It took 17 minutes for the Walkers’ words to be proved right but when they were it was with a vintage Jets’ try that went the length of the field and ended with Liam Capewell scoring his first try in 2016.
The most pleasing aspect of the try wasn’t all the hands it went through or the 100m it covered but the fact it was on the end of the Jets defending their own line for two sets in a row.
The Jets took the advantage 20-6 with 20 minutes to play.
Lead builds
Pandia drew level with the Jets’ leading tryscorer Carlin Anderson on eight tries with his second in the 64th minute when he crossed out wide. The conversion was unsuccessful and the Jets lead 24-6.
With eight minutes to go the Jets still weren’t done and Ben White seized the opportunity to shut the door on any Pride comeback when he scored his third try for 2016.
Restoring some pride
White’s try sealed a 30-10 win to the Jets, with Linc Port adding some last-minute alterations to the score board for the Pride.
The Jets will next take on Mackay at home while the Pride will take on Wynnum.
See the full scoring details and final team line-ups via QRL Live
IPSWICH JETS 30 (Richard Pandia 2, Mikaere Beattie, Liam Capewell, Ben White tries; Wes Conlon 4, Mikaere Beattie goals) def NORTHERN PRIDE 10 (Vaipuna Tia-Kilifi, Linc Port tries; Khan Ah-Wang goals) at Barlow Park.
