iSelect Titans winger Anthony Don, who made way for the returning Kevin Gordon in the team that took on Penrith on Saturday, showed that his attitude will remain first class when he scored a hat-trick of tries in Burleigh Bears’ 50-12 thrashing of second-placed Ipswich Jets at the North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday.
The game was won during a 20-minute period between the seventh and 27th minutes when the Bears completed 15 consecutive sets, scoring six tries, and didn’t let Ipswich touch the ball once. It was certainly the upset of the round.
“I think they’re getting confidence in themselves and the way we’re trying to play and I think they believe in that now,” Bears coach Jim Lenihan said.
Don’s hat-trick came in the first half to help the Bears with their huge 32-0 lead at the break. One was a 60m effort in which he beat the fullback in impressive style.
Ryley Jacks had scored two tries and Henare Wells one. The second half was no different than the first with tries from Kyle McConnell, Dimitri Pelo and another for Wells. There were two tries put on the board by Ipswich Wes Conlon, but that was not enough for the Jets.
The Bears have moved within two wins of the top five. Next Sunday the boys return to Pizzey Park to hose the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
Meanwhile, Tweed Heads Seagulls continued their trek up the Intrust Super Cup ladder with a 30-16 win over the Norths Devils at Bishop Park, their seventh straight victory which has put them into third on the ladder. They were last beaten by the Hunters in PNG in round six.
Titans players James Roberts and Kalifa Faifai Loa scored superb tries; Roberts – 18th man for the Titans against Penrith - using his step and pace down the right side in the first half and Faifai Loa showing great pace and evasion skills to score from 40 metres down the left in the second half.
Beau Henry, obviously disappointed to lose his spot in the Titans team, set up a try for winger Tom Merritt with a chip and regather, dummy and neat final pass.
The Seagulls came flying out of the gates the start of the second half scoring four straight tries to Blake Anderson, Reg Saunders, Merritt and Faifai Loa.
The Devils were able to score the last try of the game but it was too late. The third-placed Tweed Head Seagulls will be back at home this weekend to host the Ipswich Jets.
BURLEIGH BEARS 50 (Anthony Don 3, Henare Wells 2, Ryley Jacks 2, Dimitri Pelo, Kyle McConnell tries; Khan Ahwang 7 goals) d. IPSWICH JETS 12 (Wes Conlon 2 tries; Dane Phillips, Wes Conlon goals) at North Ipswich Reserve.
Bears: 1. Henare Wells 2. Khan Ahwang 3. Dimitri Pelo 4. Steve Michaels 5. Anthony Don 6. Conner Toia 7. Ryley Jacks 8. Mark Ioane 9. Nafe Seluini 10. Matt Bell 11. James Dunley 12. Kyle McConnell 13. Darren Griffiths (c) 14. Matt Beddow 15. Siuatonga Likiliki 16. Chris Kitching 18. Louis Fanene
TWEED HEADS 30 (Tom Merritt, James Roberts, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Cory Blair, Blake Anderson, Reg Saunders tries; Beau Henry 3 goals) def NORTHS DEVILS 16 (Darren Nicholls 2, James Sharkie tries; Darren Nicholls 2 goals) at Bishop Park.
Seagulls: 1. Jamal Fogarty 2. Tom Merritt 18. James Roberts 4. James Wood 5. Kalifa Faifai Loa 6. Sam Irwin 7. Beau Henry 8. Damian Sironen 9. Matt King (c) 19. Zac Friend 11. Cody Nelson 12. Cory Blair 13. Ayden Lee 14. Blake Anderson 15. Caleb Binge 16. Sam Saville 17. Reg Saunders
