By Clare Quilty
ROUND 19 of the Hostplus Cup featured a Seagulls derby, with Wynnum-Manly overpowering Tweed to
secure their third straight win.
The Country Round clash saw Wynnum-Manly travel south to Warwick’s Father Ranger Oval on Sunday, where a commanding performance propelled the Seagulls into third on the ladder.
Wynnum-Manly set the tone early with prop Joshua Coric crossing early. Alex Lobb converted the try before Jordan Swann extended the lead four minutes later.
Five-eighth Talatau Amone continued Wynnum-Manly’s explosive start, crossing in the eighth minute before Tweed responded with their first points four minutes later.
Amone then added his second try of the afternoon in the 18th minute.
Captain Brendan Frei added another four-pointer five minutes before the break, while Alex Lobb remained perfect with the boot to send Wynnum-Manly into the sheds holding a comfortable 28-0 lead.
The Seagulls picked up where they left off after the break with Garry Tuilekutu and Cameron Bukowski scoring within the opening seven minutes before Jamal Shibasaki celebrated his 50th Queensland Rugby League appearance with the first of his three-try haul.
Tweed managed to respond with a try in the 59th minute but the visitors were unable to convert either attempt before Shibasaki struck again in the 67th minute.
The milestone man delivered the final blow completing his hat-trick two minutes from full-time to seal a memorable afternoon for Wynnum-Manly.
Alex Lobb capped off his own impressive performance converting nine of Wynnum-Manly’s 10 tries to contribute to the team’s clinical display.
The Seagulls will aim for a fourth consecutive win next Saturday at UAA Park against the Burleigh Bears.
The BMD Premiership women’s side returns on Sunday hosting the Ipswich Jets at BMD Kougari Oval in their rescheduled Round 2 meeting with the Seagulls eager to overturn last year’s 28-20 loss.
In other weekend results, the BRL A Grade side fell 30-18 to the Valleys Diehards at Frank Lind Oval.
They will look to rebound in Round 18 when they face Carina Tigers at Leo William Oval.
