Wynnum Manly prove too strong for Cutters

A second half “shut-out” by the Seagulls saw them run away with the game 34-12, after scores were locked up 12-12 at halftime.

Mackay came with plenty of intensity in the early exchanges and were unlucky not to score in the fourth minute when Jordan Kenworthy unfortunately dropped the ball inches short of the try line.

However, minutes later, with momentum and possession following two penalties, classy dummy half Reuben Cotter bamboozled the Seagulls defence close to the try line to open the scoring.

Carlin Anderson brought up an individual tally of 700 Intrust Super career points with the conversion to have the Cutters early leaders at 6-0.

The Seagulls were struggling to gain any early field position, but their first raid into the opposition half saw a dropped ball. However, they quickly rebounded and to score a try to winger Jack Goodsell in the corner after some sweet passing from the backline.

Pat Templeman’s sideline conversion raised the flags and it was locked up at 6-6.

Only five minutes later, when the Cutters failed to find touch from a penalty kick coming out of their half, the Seagulls hit back when Keenan Palasia scored a great individual solo try near the posts and with Templeman again converting, it was the Seagulls up 12-6, despite the Cutters enjoying a much more territorial advantage.

But in what had been an entertaining game so far, it was the Cutters who came surging back late in the half, with the Seagulls showing some ill discipline in conceding penalties which gave their opposition field position.

After repeated line dropouts, the Seagulls defence cracked when a swift backline movement saw Anderson score wide out for the Cutters. He was unable to land the conversion, and so it was Seagulls narrowly in front 12-10.

Once again, the Seagulls’ ill-discipline cost them repeated penalties, for off-side and backchat, and Anderson tied the game up at 12-12, with a penalty goal in the shadows of halftime.

The opening of second half was again was almost a mirror image of the opening stanza, as Mackay appeared to have all the running early, but a Mackay attacking raid in their opponent’s 20 metres saw a wayward pass intercepted by Templeman, who scorched 80 metres to score. He then converted his try to have the Seagulls up 18-12.

Approaching midway through the half, a bit of Individual brilliance by the Seagulls fullback Edene Gebbie saw the custodian score in the corner and when Templeman’s sideline conversion missed, the Seagulls still held a handy 10-point advantage at 22-12.

With just over 10 minutes remaining and the Cutters desperate to be the next scores, it was once again “the intercept king” Templeman who broke the Cutters back when he swooped on a Mackay kick as they were attacking the Seagulls line inside the 10 metres, resulting in him running almost the length of the field to score in the corner to give his side a 26-12 advantage.

Shortly after, the Seagulls went further in front when the Cutters were penalised for a late challenge on the kicker and Templeman slotted the penalty kick to have his side up 28-12.

And just before fulltime, Jayden Berrell scored the Seagulls fourth try in the second half and Templeman added the extras as the fulltime siren sounded in the background to give a final 34-12 win to the Seagulls.

The victory saw the side remain in the top three on the Intrust Super Cup ladder board, whilst the loss by the Cutters have them two wins adrift of the top 8.

Next weekend the Cutters are on the road again as they travel to Piggabeen to take on Tweed.

Wynnum Manly’s next opponents will be the East Tigers at Langlands Park.