Tweed win high-scoring game against Ipswich

The Jets started the second half with their gloves up and scored when Cooper rolled it in for Barker to score his second try.

The Jets were dreaming of big things this second half, leading a match for the first time since Round 6.

The Jets lost the lead when they forgot about the most important player - the one with the ball - and Craig Garvey dived over.

Then it was Lee Turner who capitalised on a great run from Charlie Murray to spread the Jets defence and score his second try.

The Jets struck back through another long-range intercept when Barker swooped and ran away to score his third try. Barker was the first Jet since Michael Purcell in 2017 to score three tries in a game.

The Jets had their chest out when Blake Lenehan busted them through the middle and Cooper kicked for Ono So'oialo to score.

The Jets led 30-28 with 20 minutes to go.

With seven to go, the Seagulls forced a line drop out and the repeat set would keep the Jets’ defence under pressure.

The pressure was too much for the Jets and the Seagulls went from the extreme left to right and Jojo Fifita twisted and turned his body to put the ball down and give Tweed back the lead.

A penalty in centre field meant the Seagulls had either side to attack; they went right and Ryland Jacobs found a rampaging Ioane Seiuli to score and give Tweed the win 40-30. McGrady knocked over the two points to give him 12 for the day and second spot on the points scoring table for the Seagulls.

Pivotal to the Tweed success was hooker Craig Garvey who scored a try just after half-time.

“It was the carries from our forwards like Charlie Murray and Reuben Porter that made that try,” Garvey said.

"They got quick play the balls and then instinct means you just get down and try and get over.

“We have some momentum now and I think our defence held up today, they got two intercepts and two tries from kicks.

“That’s pleasing for our D.”

Key takeaways 

Braden Robson wasn’t available for this one but Daniel Ross stepped into the No.13 jersey and the Seagulls still moved the ball wide from the middle. Robson is a key part of how Tweed moves the ball but JJ Collins, Lamar Manuel-Liolevave and Brent Woolf (making his return from a Round 4 injury) also picked up some of the slack in that department.

While the ball-playing middle featured in plenty of point-scoring actions this week, it was particularly effective in yardage. Plugging the middle for two or three tackles before exploring wider, the Seagulls worked their way up the field well throughout the match.

Scott Galeano and Lee Turner, in particular, found plenty of metres down the edge to get Tweed up the field. However, that dominance in yardage was often undone with an error or penalty to release pressure.

Coach comments 

While the 30 points conceded will be of some concern, Tweed coach Ben Woolf was happy with how his side performed with the football.

“Our attack was good at times, particularly when we were genuine on our lines,” said Woolf.

Despite being without Braden Robson, JJ Collins and the rest of the forward pack kept the Tweed attack humming.

“There wasn’t a particular focus on JJ passing but we stuck to our process regardless of who is in the middle,” Woolf said.

Ryland Jacobs is still new to the fullback role and also impressed again this week.

“Ryland is transitioning well. He still has some technical things to learn but his effort there is great and he is improving each week.”

Tweed face Mackay Cutters in Round 12.

The Jets will take on Souths Logan Magpies.