An Up-Tempo Tweed Outmatched Wynnum in Semi Final
Author : Tweed SeaGulls Media
Tweed Heads Seagulls will play Townsville in the Meninga Cup grand final after Blackhawks great escape against a gutsy Central Capras at Kourgari Oval today.
Tweed beat home side Wynnum Manly 40-18 in semi-final No.1, while in a late thriller Luke Jack and Will Latu spearheaded Townsville Blackhawks who snuck past Central Capras 28-24.
The result means Blackhawks will now host the grand final on Saturday afternoon in Townsville.
Tweed Seagulls could not have been more impressive across the width of the field as they maintained a high standard from start to finish against a Wynnum team which offered too many mistakes.
Photo : Dylan Parker Photography
“That is what we want to do, keep the ball rolling and get as many quick play the balls as we can because we knew they were a big forward pack and if we could get them tired, there might be some space,’’ said Tweed coach Tim Maccan.
Tweed played an up-tempo match, with the Seagulls two No.9s, Oskar Bryant and Blake Mozer, complementing the style of play with wide passes from the ruck to halfback Tom Weaver and five-eighth Harradyn Wilson.
“We try and squeeze them in the middle there and with those passes, catch them on the edge there with some fast feet with our edge men,’’ Maccan said.
At times it looked like a game from the 1990s as both teams struggled to wrestle and slow the play down in the ruck.
In the end Tweed had better ball control, and with their halfback Weaver feeding threatening backrowers and centre Deine Mariner, Tweed were too strong.
At the back fullback Jaylan De Groot loomed like a lightning bolt and Tweed’s potency was there for all to see.
Wynnum coach Jesse Maclean said his team never really gave themselves a chance.
“It was an enjoyable season. Our thoughts all week was that we could win if we controlled the ball and we wanted to get on the front foot and attack, but we kept on turning over cheap possession.
“Tweed had too much class. We just couldn’t make it work, but full credit to them.’’
Wynnum suffered a blow when hooker Shaun Packer sprained his ankle in the last home and away fixture.
2021 Mal Meninga Cup Grand Final Seagulls vs Blackhawks
Full Grand Final Results, Ladder & MMC Player Stat’s
