Published On: 31 March, 2019Categories: General

Jorja Brinums, QRL media / Seagulls media

Tweed Seagulls came out firing at Browne Park  last night, scoring three tries within the first 17 minutes of the game to lead 18-0.

Central Queensland Capras, despite their best efforts, could not get on top with the Ben Campbell Building Group Seagulls winning 26-12 to make it three from four in the Gulls’ best start to a season for several years.

Seagulls coach Ben Woolf said the wet conditions led to “a pretty physical game” his team were lucky to get away with.

“We blew out to an early lead then made a few errors that let us down a bit in the second half,” Woolf said.

“They were really disciplined around controlling the ball and kicking in behind us in the second half… they got on top of us in the second half, but we had enough of a lead to hold on.”

Lock and skipper Cheyne Whitelaw was awarded the Seagulls’ players’ player for his first game back from an ACL injury siuffered against the Capras last season.

Woolf was also impressed with props John Palavi and Leilani Latu, who “really laid down the foundation early”.

“They were really strong and really got on top of the Capras forward pack in the first 20 minutes,” Woolf said.

Seagulls centre Kody Parsons, in the side for the injured Treymain Spry, picked up a double and was first to score after six minutes and crossed again six minutes later. Lindon McGrady converted both.

Christian Hazard, like Whitelaw playing his first match of 2019, was impressive throughout the game and scored 17 minutes in, and again McGrady converted, to take Seagulls’ lead to 18-0.

Capras’ Kainoa Gudgeon scored before half-time and Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga converted to take the score to 18-6.

Before the half-time siren rang out, McGrady kicked a penalty goal to extend Seagulls’ lead to 20-6.

The Capras picked up their game in the second half, with Aaron Teroi scoring in the 58th minute and Aufaga-Toomaga converting to close the gap to 20-12.

Capras were not able to capitalise further on their possession and field position.

McGrady kicked a penalty goal in the 77th minute to take the score to 22-12 and Gulls fullback Talor Walters crossed as the final siren rang out seal the deal at 26-12.

Woolf said his team, who face Wynnum at home next Sunday (2pm), need to be more disciplined moving forward.

“We just need to be more disciplined around controlling the footy when we are in front,” Woolf said.

“It’s probably not something we’ll focus on in training, but just something we’ll talk about.

“We got a bit complacent when we got the lead early quite easily and made a few errors as a result.”

TWEED SEAGULLS 26 (Kody Parsons 2, Christian Hazard, Talor Walters tries; Lindon McGrady 5 goals) def CQ CAPRAS 12 (Kainoa Gudgeon, Aaron Teroi tries; Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga 2 goals) at Browne Park.

Other grades

HASTINGS DEERING COLTS – TWEED SEAGULLS 28 (Ben Thomas 2, Codey McLaughlin, Bayley Desmond, Charlie Gee tries; Jaman Rio 4 goals) def CQ CAPRAS 14 (James Busby, Zaine Hammond, Toby Frater tries; Travis Turnbull goal) at Browne Park.

AUSWIDE BANK MAL MENINGA CUP – TWEED SEAGULLS 28 (Ben Thomas 2, Codey McLaughlin, Bayley Desmond, Charlie Gee tries; Jaman Rio 4 goals) def CQ CAPRAS 14 (James Busby, Zaine Hammond, Toby Frater tries; Travis Turnbull goal) at Browne Park.