Round 1 of the new Volunteers Cup was an exhibition in scoring doubles with an incredible 10 players scoring at least two tries.
Dylan Martin, Luke Self, Anava Fesolai, Les Hartvigsen, Jordan Lipp, Trent Manihera-Paul, Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga, Fili Ioane, Travis Turnbull and Tyson White all troubled the scorers twice, and those aforementioned names will be hoping to do it all again in Round 2 this weekend at North Ipswich Reserve.
The opening match at 1.30pm is between West End and Gatton, with both teams coming off first round losses.
The 48-12 defeat to Norths was tough for Gatton, who fielded a young team and started poorly - the Tigers amassing a 16-0 scoreline after only 15 minutes.
White was a white light of hope for the Hawks at fullback, scoring two tries but Gatton captain Shannon Hicks has to make sure they start stronger against the Bulldogs, who are coming off a two-point loss to Souths.
With the half-time scores level, the period that hurt the Dogs was just after the break when the Tigers scored three swift tries in a row and it quickly went from 12-12 to 26-12.
West End came back with three tries of their own but the damage was accomplished and coming back was too much for the Ipswich club.
West End fullback Shar Walden will be vital to the Bulldogs winning the clash.
“I think the most important thing is defence,” Walden said.
“Our completion rate was very low and I think if we fix that, it will make it easier on ourselves this week.”
At 3.30pm, a Toowoomba derby will kick-off between Valleys and Souths.
Last year's TRL premiers came up against the Goodna powerhouse and got beaten 38-14 last week, but the Roosters will be much better for the run and now know what they are up against in this competition.
It was always going to take a few ‘leaves’ and ‘sighters’ before teams knew what this pitch was going to do.
Valleys will be looking to replicate last week's start, which was very solid at 14-10 at half-time.
But it was after the break that the Roosters fell away and the Eagles scored six second half tries to blow the Toowoomba side off the paddock.
Souths' 32-30 win over the Bulldogs was the only victory song sung for the Toowoomba teams last week and it was an interesting clash with three players scoring doubles.
Hartvigsen loved the space out wide and the back-rower scored two tries before half-time to give the Tigers a great start.
Mitch Tuite is confident that Souths can keep going.
“There was lots of points and our two best were Hartvigsen - who scored two tries - and his edge partner Jordan Lipp was also strong,” Tuite said.
“It was a strange game with a great start, then a grind, then a burst again at the end so we just need to be aware and make sure we are not letting teams get away.
“Valleys will be strong... they will be better for having the run and a look at the competition.”
The final game on the card is a good old fashioned matchup between Norths and Goodna.
The two winning Ipswich teams go head to head in a great battle at the home of rugby league, North Ipswich Reserve.
The Eagles blew Valleys away and at the forefront of this win was Intrust Super Cup centre Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga, who scored two tries and kicked four goals.
They exploded in the second half and Norths will have to weather the Goodna storm early.
The Tigers would have been hoping to play their big side earlier in the day when it might've been be a bit hotter, but they have drawn the 5.30 game and it could be a touch wet.
Hooker Dylan Martin had a robust game for Norths in their win over Gatton, with the little headgear-wearing warrior being one of the 10 players bagging a double, but will miss this week due to suspension.
The Tigers will hope to turn to former Jet Rowen Winterfield to lead the way against their opponent's big men.
Winterfield played 81 games for the Jets and they'll need that experience to beat the sizeable forward pack.
“We started well and that was the key,” said Martin post their Round 1 win.
“Gatton were a really young side and that showed as the game went on as they got tired, but will learn from that experience.
"Winterfield and Luke Self were excellent for us and we now have to back it up against Goodna, who are a massive side."
The Round 2 triple-header kicks off from 1.30pm Saturday at North Ipswich Reserve.
