The Seagulls’ Intrust Super Cup team again self-destructed on too many occasions during their rare opportunity on the big stage at Cbus Super Stadium, too often coughing up possession in the 30-16 loss to fellow Gold Coast Titans-linked team, Central Queensland Capras, on Saturday.
After crucial, basic errors cruelled an 18-0 lead against Wynnum Manly the week before despite an energetic effort, the Gulls were behind 12-0 after just nine minutes this time but stuck at the task to be 12-6 behind at half-time after a try to Sam Meskell in the 29th minute.
However, starting the second half like the first and conceding possession in the first set, from a forward pass from Meskell to Tevita Folau in yardage, unfortunately typified the Gulls’ performance. In the ensuing set, they conceded a soft try to Capras prop Jack Kavanagh.
Basically, the enthusiastic Seagulls are giving their opponents too many cheap opportunities with errors in possession, and then not defending those errors, while competing well for much of each match. Effort is certainly not lacking, just consistency in execution.
“Fundamental errors are continually robbing us a chance to stay in the game,” lamented coach Aaron Zimmerle.
“When you complete at 54 per cent you’re just camped down on your try-line trying to save tries and that makes it hard to offer anything offensively.
“Our errors are dropping bombs on tackle zero, dropped ball in the play-the-ball battle, forward passes at dummy-half, just the very basis of rugby league.”
The onslaught of possession to the opposition took the sting out of the Gulls’ defence which was so physically strong and committed during the pre-season. Zimmerle wants to see that physicality back.
“We’ve got to thrive on the physicality more; we’ve got to win the physical battle,” he said.
“If you don’t do that in defence, and in attack, you don’t give yourself a chance.
The side was without props Kurt Bernard (suspended) and Ben Nakabuwai (injured), both Titans-contracted players, while fellow front-rower Ethan Price has missed the first month of the season with injury.
Stand-out performer was Titans forward Morgan Boyle who was tireless in attack and defence and made a real presence on the field. The former Canberra Raiders under-20s player who joined the Titans in 2016 has missed regular football because of injury but showed his potential in his second hit-out for the Seagulls this season.
Right winger Brayden McGrady scored too good tries in the final 10 minutes to reiterate what impact he can have in this competition but the game was out of the Seagulls’ grasp by then.
The Capras had a dream start with Tony Tumusa scoring in the fourth minute after his side earned a line-dropout.
That effort was followed up soon after when co-captain Gavin Hiscox crossed to extend the margin to 12-0 after the Gulls had coughed up the ball. Both tries were successfully converted by Tumusa.
Despite a performance riddled with errors, the Seagulls hit back with hooker and co-captain Meskell darting over.
After Kavanagh’s try took the score to 18-6 Maipele Morseau was the next to score for the visitors, with Tumusa converting and then landing a penalty soon after to make it 26-6.
The Seagulls looked like scoring the try of the match after a string of passes from inside their half but the final one from centre James Wood who quickly shuffled the ball under pressure was ruled forward.
Exciting winger Brayden McGrady scored two tries in the last 10 minutes to add respectability to the score and the Gulls had another disallowed in that time as well, again for a forward pass in the final play.
The Gulls – who are still searching for their first – will be at home this Sunday against Souths Logan at Piggabeen (2.30pm).
For full match details, including teams, CLICK HERE
CQ CAPRAS 30 (Tony Tumusa, Gavin Hiscox, Jack Kavanagh, Maipele Morseau, Ayden Cooper tries; Tony Tumusa 5 goals) def TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS 16 (Brayden McGrady 2, Samuel Meskell tries; Michael Burgess 2 goals) at Cbus Stadium, Robina.
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