Mal Meninga Cup

Mal Meninga Cup elimination finals

by
qrlmedia
06/05/2024

Mal Meninga Cup elimination finals Main photo: Erick Lucero/QRL

Mal Meninga Cup elimination finals

Author : Rikki-Lee Arnold Statewide content producer

Mal Meninga Cup elimination finals

The Burleigh Bears and Ipswich Jets have advanced to the next round of Mal Meninga Cup finals, with both teams now just one win away from the premiership decider.

Both sides triumphed in their week one elimination final showdowns, with the Bears knocking out the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and the Jets overcoming the Mackay Cutters.

On Saturday, the Bears cruised into the week two qualifying finals, scoring seven tries to four.

A few missed conversions saw them lead the Seagulls by just six points at halftime despite scoring four tries to the opposition’s two in the opening stanza.

But they kicked into another gear in the second half, doing enough to ensure they will meet the Redcliffe Dolphins next Saturday.

Winger Saxon Innes and centre Phillip Coates bagged a double each.

Burleigh Bears in action. Photo: Dylan Parker/QRL

On Sunday, in a seesawing clash at North Ipswich Reserve, the Jets managed to hold off the Cutters with a 38-32 victory.

Ipswich raced out with three tries in the opening 12 minutes, with Dominique Sandow, Lyncoln Cliffe and Saifiti Junior Saifiti all crossing.

But the Cutters didn’t take a backwards step, scoring three tries of their own to go into the break down 20-16.

A nail-biting second half followed, as the two teams went tit for tat.

Fullback Sandow scored what was ultimately the winning try in the 63rd minute but the Cutters gave fans a thrilling final seven minutes, crossing through winger Hunter Harris in the 67th.
Match: Jets v Cutters

Semi Final – Sunday 5th May

Jets 38 – 32 Cutters

The Jets were able to hold on to set up a date with the minor premiers, Tweed Seagulls on Saturday.

The winners of the two qualifying finals this coming weekend – Saturday, May 11 – will advance to the 2024 Mal Meninga Cup grand final.
Match: Bears v WM Seagulls

Semi Final – Saturday 4th May