Traditionally when Ipswich Jets take on Townsville Blackhawks it's a high-scoring affair, but not tonight.
There was not a try scored after the 29th minute at Jack Manski Oval during the Blackhawks' 14-6 win over the Jets.
Throwback to Round 1, the Blackhawks were able to overpower the Jets to claim the win. However, these teams always seem to share a competitive history, with the Jets knocking the Blackhawks from the 2018 competition in the semi-finals.
The previous lowest winning total between Jets and Blackhawks had been 20, but tonight the Blackhawks recorded a win with only 14 points on the scoreboard.
Intrust Super Cup centurions Marmin Barba and Kalifa Faifai Loa would command 17 Jets and 17 Blackhawks against each other, becoming the 222nd and 223rd player to play 100 games in the competition.
Jacob Teevan was on debut for the Jets for an injured Josh Cleeland and would come in to the halves.
It took Kierran Moseley 45 minutes to score in Round 1 against the Blackhawks, in Round 14 he took two minutes to show his running brilliance.
The former Blackhawks ace got the Jets off to the start they were after when he took off from dummy half and beat five defenders in a great run that ended with the hooker scoring his fifth try this season.
The game settled in to 20 minutes of back and forth before Blackhawks winger Michael Carroll took a run down the right hand side and left two Jets defenders on the ground to score in the corner.
It was 6-6 after 21 minutes; the Jets lost Barba in his celebration game and he did not return.
The Jets were penalised for an infringement in the tackle and the Blackhawks took full advantage when they went down the field and Joe Boyce came off the bench and got a try for the Blackhawks to surge ahead 12-6 with 10 minutes to go before half time.
At half time, the Blackhawks had maintained their 12-6 lead.
Match: Blackhawks v Jets
Round 14 -
home Team
Blackhawks
4th Position
away Team
Jets
8th Position
Venue: Jack Manski Oval, Townsville
The game went from one end to the other for the first period after the break, both teams again finding each other unwilling to crack.
Since 2015 Jets versus Blackhawks games have been high scoring, with the winner needing more than 30 points in seven of the 11 games.
This time points would be hard to come by and Blackhawks' Shaun Nona would turn to his boot and two points in the 62 minute. The Blackhawks extended their lead to 14-6.
For the remaining minutes of the game, the Blackhawks' resolute defence continually turned away repeated raids on their line from the Jets.
Blackhawks coach Aaron Payne said he was impressed with the defence.
“I think about half way through the second half it would have dawned on both teams that this game was going to be won by defence," Payne said.
“Temone Power was excellent for us - he is just consistent for us, Ipswich had some injuries but they threw plenty at us and we just had to defend our way to a win.”
It was how it stayed with the Blackhawks coming away 14-6 winners.
Ipswich Jets forward Ben Shea reflected on the trip to Townsville.
“We just didn’t capitalise on the chances - I can’t fault our effort," Shea said.
“We will take the good from it and the bye next week has come at a good time.”
Blackhawks will face Tweed Seagulls.
Match: Blackhawks v Seagulls
Round 15 -
home Team
Blackhawks
5th Position
away Team
Seagulls
6th Position
Venue: Jack Manski Oval, Townsville
Jets will take on Burleigh Bears.
Match: Jets v Bears
Round 15 -
home Team
Jets
9th Position
away Team
Bears
3rd Position
Venue: North Ipswich Reserve, Ipswich
