The Jets today highlighted they are a team that can defy the odds; coming up with an impressive 30-22 win over a talented Souths Logan Magpies side at Davies Park.
Before the game, they written off by most rugby league fans as they were coming up against an NRL-quality forward pack boasting the likes of Herman Ese’ese and Tevita Pangai Junior.
The Magpies were raging favourites and sat in sixth spot on the ladder, and were out to make the already existing four-point gap between the Jets and Magpies even greater.
They started well with big forward Ese’ese steaming through the gap after stepping Michael Purcell to score and give the Magpies a perfect start to lead 4-0.
However, the Jets launched into some direct running, and veteran Tyson Lofipo gave his team the start they were after with a great solo try; using his footwork and strength to plant the ball down under a flock of Magpies.
It was Lofipo again who was involved in the next try; standing up in a tackle and offloading for a flying Purcell.
Red-headed Jets’ half Chris Ash was running and dodging Magpies like they were the sun, showing great footwork to score his fourth try this year.
Purcell then had his second try when he ran down the right-hand side looking for an off-load and Jesse Roberts got it to him.
Just before halftime, and down 24-4, the Magpies called on Travis Waddell to get them on the score board. Chasing a loose ball, the experienced rake was the first there to claim the try and send the Magpies to the sheds on a positive.
Jets were up 24-10 at the break and had produced the best half of football since Round 1’s first half against Tweed Heads.
At halftime, Jets coach Ben Walker said he wanted energy, but Magpies forward George Fai must have been listening from across the hallway; because he started the second half with a try that proved what a powerful beast he can be with the ball.
The Magpies had the perfect start and had closed the gap to 24-16.
However, the Jets hit back when Ipswich forward Sam Martin grabbed a scrappy inside ball and put it down for a 30-16 lead.
With the teams going tit-for-tat; Souths’ half Sam Scarlett cashed in on a great run from Jordan Scott and Souths were looking like a chance of a comeback at 30-22.
But despite their best efforts, that’s the way the scores stayed and the Jets had a hard-fought victory away from home.
The Jets will take on the Tigers next week while the Magpies will be heading to Bishop Park and the Devils.
See the full scoring details and final team line-ups for this game via QRL Live
IPSWICH JETS 30 (Michael Purcell 2, Tyson Lofipo, Chris Ash, Sam Martin tries; Wes Conlon 5 goals) def SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 22 (Herman Ese’ese, Travis Waddell, George Fai, Sam Scarlett tries; Jamayne Isaako 3 goals) at Davies Park.
