They might be at opposite ends on the ladder, however Wynnum Juniors certainly put up a brave fight against a more experienced Burpengary Jets side, going down 42-10 in the Open 1 men’s Rugby League Brisbane competition on Saturday.
Burpengary Sports Ground had a huge crowd on hand, which saw a Jets side littered with ex Hostplus Cup and NRL players, face off against a much more youthful Seagulls outfit.
However, it was the Seagulls who shocked the first placed Jets when in the fifth minute, second row forward Kyle Precoma smashed his way over beside the sticks.
But after that try, the Jets' experience kicked in and a superb chip-and-chase from Brett Coutts saw the powerful centre regather and score.
The Jets' hulking forward pack were terrorizing the Seagulls up the middle and good field position from tearaway forward Harley Aiono, who had the home side in good stead for their next try.
A flick pass from talented Jets halfback Joshua Pese found lock Ewan Coutts, who made no mistake crossing the tryline. Two minutes, later, the Jets were in again.
Powerful runs by Jets bookends Nick Vaalepu and Eteru Ropeti paved the way for Pese to fire out a brilliant cut out pass, that found his winger Ishaq Lesa who crossed in the corner.
But the Seagulls did not make the long journey over the bridge to be beaten by a cricket score and after the Jets last try, started to find their mojo.
Outstanding prop Hayden Potter - who kicked a sideline conversion to win the Seagulls the BRL reserve grade title last year - was a pillar of strength for Wynnum and his marauding run up field had the Jets on the back foot 10 metres out.
Just as the halftime hooter sounded, Wynnum centre Thomas Hickson stepped his way to the line to see the Jets go into the break leading 18-10.
If Burpengary wanted to remain top of the ladder, then this win was pivotal.
In the 51st minute, the home side got breathing space when replacement forward Myron Aiono crashed his way over beside the sticks.
Former Penrith Panthers star Luke Capewell, and Chris Aiton - younger brother of PNG Hunters coach Paul Aiton - were responsible for the home side's next try.
A darting run from Aiton found his five eighth Capewell, who thundered a pass out to his winger Nathan Tunufai to cross in the corner.
But the Seagulls refused to give up and a monster hit by the inspirational Potter took his side up a gear.
From this, Seagulls players Cormac Buckley, Jarrod Eglen and Wayne Kennedy kicked it up a notch dishing out punishment of their own.
But it was the Jets' Pene who was causing the headaches for the Seagulls.
His show-and-go to score under the sticks in the 57th minute had the home side skip out to a 36-10 lead.
Finally, Harley Aiono’s no look pass found fullback Inga Limoni on his inside and the speedster touched down under the sticks to see the Jets come away with a hard-fought win on home soil.
The Jets have a date with Brothers at Gibson this Saturday, while it doesn't get any easier for the Seagulls, who take on second-placed West Arana Hills Panthers in Round 7 this weekend.
