Hoppa: Name of the game

ManlyBacker

Winging it
THEY’VE had more than their fair share of setbacks and close losses this season but there is one thing that Queensland Cup fans are quickly learning about the Sunshine Coast.

And that is that they’ll keep coming at you – even when the chips are down.After two shattering losses, the Sunshine Coast could have been forgiven for not wanting to return from the dressing sheds after half-time in today’s clash against Wynnum Manly.The weather was miserable and Wynnum Manly was in front 18-4 in front of a big and vocal crowd. But the Sea Eagles came out and turned the tables on the Seagulls to win a hard-fought contest 22-18.The visitors managed to keep the Seagulls scoreless in the second half and chipped away at the deficit before landing the knock out blow with a late try that broke the 18-18 deadlock.The Sea Eagles did have the benefit of a strong wind at their backs in the second half. Wynnum Manly coach Shane McNally conceded the wind was a crucial factor for both teams. He said the Seagulls were able to pin the Sea Eagles down in their own half in the first 40 minutes. Wynnum Manly forced the Eagles into plenty of mistakes and then capitalised on the good field position with tries from David Georgiou (2) and Aoterangi Herangi.
But the second half didn’t go to script for the Seagulls. “We didn’t control the ball as well in the second half as we did in the first,” McNally said.The Seagulls had to make positional changes in the second half after losing the in-form Georgiou (ankle ligaments). The five-eighth’s departure was a massive blow for the Seagulls. However, McNally wasn’t looking for excuses as the Sea Eagles were just a fraction too good on the day.“Anyone who takes them lightly is going to get beaten. Up until now they’ve probably lacked a bit of cohesion. “They’ll probably do what the Comets did last season and finish the year strong.” Powerful forward Jon Grieve and halfback Trent Hodkinson were pure class for the Sea Eagles. The Sunshine Coast is one of four teams on eight competition points at the halfway point of the Queensland Cup season.
A victory over the Redcliffe Dolphins next Sunday would take Brandon Costin’s side to within one point of the sixth-placed Dolphins. Reference: http://www.qrl.com.au/display.php?pg_id=4686
 

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