Connor O’Brien. Gold Coast Bulletin
AN outstanding effort from Tweed Heads’ bench led by dynamic hooker Jenan Parrish has helped the Seagulls turn the tables on derby rivals Bilambil.
The Jets powered to a 14-0 lead during the first half at Piggabeen Sports Complex yesterday and were on track for an upset victory until an injection of fresh legs swung momentum dramatically in the hosts’ favour.
Tweed edged nearer with a try before the break and ultimately soared to a 32-14 final scoreline.
“He’s lightning out of dummy half and he is really strong and powerful as well,” Seagulls coach Darryl Fisher said of Parrish.
“Our whole bench when they came on probably made quite a big impact and got a few quick play the balls and when he gets those, he is lightning.
“He was able to take advantage of them. He probably created three or four of our tries at least so he was pretty instrumental.”
With the Seagulls handed a bye at Queensland Cup level, rising stars Brayden McGrady and Jackson Clarke filtered into their Gold Coast Rugby League side while Sam Saville was a late withdrawal. McGrady had not played for a month because of an ankle injury.
Jets coach Craig Rowles put the turnaround down to a swing in possession.
“First half we had ball and we were good with it,” he said. “Second half we had no ball and we had to defend – and the ball that we did get, we were a little bit disrespectful with it.”
Rowles was nonetheless happy with his team’s display on a day when the Jets celebrated stalwart Wade Hall’s 100th A-grade match for the club.
“We’re in a building stage and I’m over the moon with our efforts,” he said.
Tweed Heads 32 (Baker 2, Parish 2, McGrady, McDonald ties; McGrady 2, Murphy, Carson goals) beat Bilambil 14.
LADDER
POS | TEAM | P | W | D | L | B | FOR | AGST | PD | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Burleigh | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 498 | 134 | 364 | 33 |
2 | Runaway Bay | 11 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 368 | 204 | 164 | 27 |
3 | Tweed Heads | 11 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 257 | 180 | 77 | 25 |
4 | Tugun | 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 292 | 187 | 105 | 24 |
5 | Currumbin | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 213 | 320 | -107 | 21 |
6 | Bilambil | 11 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 234 | 269 | -35 | 19 |
7 | Southport | 11 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 202 | 279 | -77 | 16 |
8 | Ormeau | 11 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 102 | 593 | -491 | 11 |