Magpies Back In The Winners’ Circle

By TERRY PASCOE

A DOMINANT performance by the Souths-Logan Magpies has seen them defeat the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls 40 – 6 at Davies Park, West End.

After two straight losses in the Intrust Super Cup, the Souths-Logan halves pairing of Guy Hamilton and Sam Scarlett looked too much for an error riddled Wynnum-Manly.

Wynnum-Manly’s defensive line looked unbreakable in the first quarter until Souths-Logan’ Corey Allen opened the scoring with a long range try.

Only five minutes later you could have mistaken the Magpies second rower Simi Fatafehi for a flashy back. Fatafehi bamboozled the Seagulls fullback Patrick Templeton with unseen footwork for a 50 metre try to push Souths-Logan into a 10-point lead.

Off the bench, the Seagulls Salesi Funaki ran a beautiful line in the 30^th minute, which would later prove to be Wynnum-Manly’s only try for the day.

Late in the first half the Intrust Super Cup’s oldest player Phil Dennis (34) wound back the clock to prove he hasn’t lost any of his brute strength.  The Souths-Logan veteran’s defence unsettled the Seagulls attack with some error provoking tackles.

Souths-Logan Coach Jon Buchanan praised Dennis’ performance, saying: “Phil brings another skillset to the competition that no other forward has. He created a fair bit around him today. There are not too many teams that have that luxury in the middle.

“Phil has been consistent for us throughout the year so far. He has still got a few tricks left up his sleeve and a little bit of run left in his legs.”

Souths-Logan Winger Benaiah Bowie scored a classy try shortly before halftime to send the Magpies into the break 16-6 ahead.

After the halftime break Dennis probably did wish he hung up his boots after coming off second best in a tackle with the Seagulls Salesi Funaki. Only moments later having to have a stint on the sidelines for a HIA.

Souths Logan finished the second half with tries to Sam Scarlett, Corey Allan, Marion Seve and Brendon Gibb.

Coach Buchanan was impressed with his halves combination of Hamilton and Scarlett. ‘That’s probably the best they have ever been.  It was a combination we knew would get better over time.’

Souths Logan Magpies 40 (Corey Allan 2, Simi Fatafehi, Benaiah Bowie, Sam Scarlett, Marion Seve, Brendon Gibb tries; Guy Hamilton 6 goals) def Wynnum Manly Seagulls 6 (Salesi Funaki try; Patrick Templeman goal) at Davies Park.

In other Round 5 results, Townsville Blackhawks 38 (Jonathon Reuben 2, Jordan Drew, Carlin Anderson, Zach Clay, Ross Bella, Brent Woolf tries; Zach Clay 5 goals) def Tweed Heads Seagulls 4 (Lamar Manuel-Liolevave try) at Jack Manski Oval.

Ipswich Jets 16 (Michael Purcell, Pio Seci, Nat Neale tries; Wes Conlon 2 goals) def Northern Pride 12 (William Bugden, Shawn Bowen tries; Jake Clifford 2 goals) at North Ipswich Reserve.

Norths Devils 34 (Chevi Ellis 2, Michael Sio, Sam Tagataese, Calum Gahan, Todd Murphy tries; Todd Murphy 5 goals) def Png Hunters 22 (Moses Meninga, Wartovo Puara, Butler Morris, Edene Gebbie tries; Ase Boas 3 goals) at Bishop Park.

Sunshine Coast Falcons 32 (Keelyn Tuuta-Edwards, Harrison Muller, Lachlan Timm, Brentt Warr, Harry Grant tries; Khan Ahwang 6 goals) def Mackay Cutters 4 (Blake Atherton try) at BB Print Stadium, Mackay.

Burleigh Bears 28 (Tyrone Roberts-Davis 2, Kurtis Rowe, Dallas Wells, Pat Politoni, Josh Rogers tries; Josh Rogers 2 goals) def CQ Capras 20 (Blake Goodman, Chanel Seigafo, Jamie Hill, Dave Cowhan tries; Connor Broadhurst 2 goals) at Marley Brown Oval, Gladstone.

Redcliffe Dolphins 32 (Tony Tumusa 3, Toby Rudolf, Jonus Pearson tries; Kotoni Staggs 6 goals) def Easts Tigers 16 (Jake Foster, Kea Pere, Linc Port tries; Brayden Torpy 2 goals) at Suzuki Stadium, Langlands Park.

The Intrust Super Cup table after Round 5: