Paix impresses in topsy-turvy Jets v Magpies outing

The Round 9 game started with the Jets kicking off and coming up with the ball.

Regaining the ball, they reached the fifth tackle when Rhys Jacks rolled a kick through that was picked up by Ezra Mam to run 80 metres scoring his fourth Intrust Super Cup try in just his second game.

The little half showed plenty of pace and footwork to evade the cover defence as the Jets came for him, but fell short.

The home side again regained the kick-off and worked to the right for Ben White to score his second try this season and give the Jets their first try but trail by two points after nine minutes.

The scoring rate continued with Isaiah Tass stepped his way through and scored his fifth try for the Magpies in 2021.

Tass couldn’t convert his own four-pointer, but the Magpies had the lead 10-4.

Souths Logan rolled down the field and launched a massive kick that caused confusion at the back for the Jets.

There was a miscommunication between Ono So’oialo and Ratu Jope Rotavisoro and on the spot to claim the high kick and his fifth try for Souths was Creedence Toia.

The visitors opened up a strong lead of 10 points after 23 minutes.

Keenan Yorston was the beneficiary of some width to the Jets attack and by cutting back inside, he had his first try in his second game.

There was drama on half-time when Tyson Lofipo held back the chaser on a small kick and was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes.

Tass converted the penalty and brought up his 84th point for the year and the Magpies led at half-time 16-10.

The Jets started the second half just like they planned with Rotavisoro surging through the middle and on the back of that run, they found Tyler Coburn.

Scoring three tries in the last month, he bounced from Magpie to Magpie and finally landed over the line for another four-pointer.

Josh Cleeland landed his third conversion of the night and his 68th point in 2021 to lock the game up.

The Magpies kept the score moving when they went left and found Ethan Quai-Ward cutting back inside, leaving the Jets stranded on the tarmac, trailing 22-16.

Brisbane Broncos-contracted hooker Cory Paix spotted his opposite number Kierran Moseley caught on the ground and took off straight up the middle and found fellow Brisbane teammate Tesi Niu to score under the posts.

It was another Bronco in Tass who converted and the Magpies were pecking at the Jets 28-16.

The home side weren’t done with yet when Cleeland launched a massive bomb that bounced back and So’oialo found Moseley who scored out wide.

The Jets were within eight points of the Magpies with five minutes remaining.

Ipswich’s last chance presented itself with utility Jayden Connors grubbering through the line to come out the other side with the ball, but the pass inside didn’t find its target and Souths had the ball to end the game.

One of the Magpies best was Paix, who iced the game for the Magpies when something was needed with a great run to split the Jets.

The 21-year-old has been having an impact for the Magpies with his maturing dummy-half work.

“I am really enjoying nine. It suits my game and I think I am contributing well at the moment,” Paix said.

“The pressure was on. It felt like Ipswich had all the ball and we defended for 30 minutes in the first half.

“We absorbed that pressure and then came away with points.”

Keiron Lander's men will put the narrow loss behind them as they prepare to face the Pride in Cairns.

Souths Logan tackle Wynnum Manly next Sunday.