WYNNUM-MANLY produced its best home game so far this season with a commanding 40-16 win over the Toowoomba Clydesdales in the Hostplus Cup on Sunday.
Before an appreciative Anzac Day weekend crowd at BMD Kougari Oval, the Seagulls made it two wins on the trot as they notched up the club’s 350th victory in the Hostplus Cup competition.
The win capped off a busy day at the traditional home of the Seagulls, with junior matches in the morning before two BRL games and a moving Anzac Day tribute prior to the main game featuring State and local RSL representatives, members of the national Veterans’ charity Wandering Warriors, local Veterans, serving Australian Defence Force personnel and players from both teams.
The Clydesdales charged out of the gates early with two dashing tries to lead 10-0 after 13 minutes.
But Wynnum-Manly warmed to the task, settling into their play and receiving the benefit of some sustained pressure for prop Josh Couric to crash over to open their account in the 20th minute.
Despite losing recent Brisbane Broncos NRL debutants Antonio Verhoeven and Cameron Bukowski with injury during the first half, Wynnum’s depth was to the fore as replacements Tieran Ross and Temple Kalepo successfully took on the challenge.
Centre Jordan Swann took the home side level in the 27th minute when he ran neatly into a hole created by five-eighth Cassius Cowley. Cowley, a Cook Islands representative last year in the Pacific Championships, has formed an effective halves pairing with the experienced Ryley Jacks for Wynnum.
Both teams were down to 12 men in the 30th minute with Kalepo and Toowoomba centre Stanford Talita in the sinbin.
A penalty goal saw the Clydesdales lead 12-10 at the break before Wynnum jumped out of the blocks in the second half.
The sinbinning of Clydesdales half Luke Jurd in the 50th minute was followed by a flurry of tries by the home side.
Fullback Ben Farr and Kalepo crossed for converted tries while Jurd was sidelined, pushing the scoreline out to 22-12.
Cassius Cowley then set up the knockout blow with a well-judged kick in the 63rd minute for Lobb to soar above the pack to score to extend the lead to 26-12.
Lobb’s conversion, one of six he landed in the game, lifted Wynnum to 28-12.
A creative no-look pass from dummy half by Kalepo saw Jamal Shibasaki stroll over almost untouched to extend the lead to 34-12 in the 68th minute.
The visitors got back on the scoreboard four minutes later to narrow the lead to 34-16 before Wynnum finished off in style with another converted try, this time a second four-pointer to the hard-working Couric for a final scoreline of 40-16.
