Iona College proves a happy hunting ground for Wynnum Manly

Returning Iona College old boys Harrison Graham and Hostplus Cup debutant  Max Plath put in strong performances to help Wynnum Manly Seagulls defeat the Northern Pride 26-8.

Iona College and Wynnum Manly established a partnership last season, with the College hosting Round 2 of the Hostplus Cup, bringing community and club together in a fantastic setting promoting rugby league in the area. 

A large crowd was on hand to witness some champagne football by both the Pride and Seagulls.

More than 100 past and present Iona students lined the race and all the way to the halfway line as the players took the field to begin proceedings.

The first half began with both teams displaying tight physical defence, that unfortunately was riddled with mistakes from both teams. 

The Pride scored first in the seventh minute with Pride’s Gideon Gela-Mosby crashing over out wide for a try; Matthew Egan missed the conversion and the Pride were up 4-0.

Then a handling error by the Pride gave the Seagulls possession that culminated with Sydney recruit Sione Hopoate crashing over out wide in the 12th minute to level the scores. Te Maire Martin missed the conversion, and the scores were locked at 4-4. 

That's when the game got ultra-defensive. At Iona College the grandstands are very close to the sideline and the crowd heard and felt every hit and tackle and vocalised them with audible "oohs" and "ahhhhs". 

In the 22nd minute, Mark Rosendale crossed out wide for the Pride and with a missed conversion, the score went to 8-4 and that's where the score stayed until half-time.