The Wynnum Manly Seagulls withstood the Northern Pride in a tough game at Barlow Park to secure a 26-18 win.
While the Seagulls showed their class throughout, the Pride did their best to make a game of it and pressed hard until the end; which resulted in some enterprising, but error-ridden play.
It was a flying start for the Seagulls when impressive halfback Sam Scarlett got the scoreboard rolling for the visitors when he touched down by the left uprights; after a deft kick back inside from fullback Edene Gebbie found his man.
They were in again soon after when they made the Pride pay for giving up a fifth tackle penalty. They attacked the line, with the ball going through the hands until it found Ed Burns down the left sideline.
He had his double only six minutes later after some cheeky play paid off; a Scarlett break downfield was supported by Kalolo Saitaua who then kicked the ball ahead and it bounced into the left-hand corner of the field for a chasing Burns; taking the score for 14-0 with 20 minutes gone in the half.
Match: Pride v WM Seagulls
Round 7 -
home Team
Pride
11th Position
away Team
WM Seagulls
2nd Position
Venue: Barlow Park, Cairns
Wynnum Manly were happy to play expansive football and use their edges; however when their play broke down on their right side; the Pride had their first real opportunity with the ball and they used it.
Their scrum feed was followed by a penalty and Steven Tatipata went over in the right corner after chasing a little grubber ahead.
The young centre was on debut for the club and was bright spot for the home fans in another loss for the Pride.
Football Operations Manager Chey Bird said it was good to see him make his Intrust Super Cup debut.
"He has come through the Under 16 and Under 18 systems with us; and he also played for the Wynnum Manly Under 20 side before he came back to us," Bird said.
The tricky conversion from the left sideline was nailed by halfback Brayden Torpy.
In what must have been frustrating for coach Ty Williams to watch; their momentum came to a screaming halt after poor ball control handed the Seagulls the ball straight back in great attacking position.
Wynnum Manly again made them pay and they were in for their fourth try of the first half with Saitaua crashing over.
However, the Pride were not giving up and they earned themselves the ball back with some big defence and clever kicks pressuring their opposition.
In the 37th minute, they got their reward, with winger Jack Murphy over in the right corner. Again, Torpy slotted the difficult kick and the sides went into the break with the Gulls up 20-12.
The second half was a scrappy affair, with fewer highlights.
However a 45th minute try to Gebbie sealed the deal for the visitors; while a late try to forward Peter Hola - kept things interesting.
Match: Devils v Pride
Round 8 -
home Team
Devils
5th Position
away Team
Pride
11th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Next week, the Pride take on the Devils at Bishop Park and will be hoping to stretch their passages of strong play into a full 80-minute performance.
Match: Magpies v WM Seagulls
Round 8 -
home Team
Magpies
12th Position
away Team
WM Seagulls
2nd Position
Venue: Ron Stark Oval, Dunwich
Following their fifth win of the season; the Wynnum Manly have moved up to fourth place on the ladder for the time being and next week they will take on the Magpies at Davies Park.
