PRIDE GIVE JETS A SCARE
THE Northern Pride have come within an inch of one of the greatest Intrust Super Cup comebacks in a characterbuilding loss against Ipswich.
When the Jets rattled off four tries between the 16th and 26th minutes to make it 22-6, many would have been forgiven for expecting a cricket score, but the young Pride aimed up to stem the flow going into halftime.
Even Ty Williams put the head down when Ipswich regained the ball off the kick-off and scored in the ensuing set, but the bounce of the ball quickly went their way when Javid Bowen ran 90m to score.
Tries to Shawn Bowen and Bradley Stephen made it 26-22 with 10 minutes to play and the Pride would have stolen it had Gideon Gela-Mosby, who played fullback instead of Matthew Musumeci, not been run down within inches of the try line.
Pride coach Ty Williams said he was extremely proud of the conviction his side showed to return to their game plan despite the writing on the wall at 26-6 to have Ipswich “on the ropes” late in the game.
“I thought we might have been in for a long afternoon but something clicked for us and we got some ball in good field position and we played some really good football,” he said.
“I’m very proud of the boys. They could have let it slip.
“I spoke to the Walker boys afterwards and they were very nervous.
“They were very happy the clock ran out when it did.”
Williams lamented the “12 to 14 minutes” the Pride went without the ball in the first half after starting the game well, scoring the first try through Marcus Jensen.
He said he had seen enough in the past three weeks against the Blackhawks, WynnumManly and Ipswich, who had everything to play for, to suggest his side would finish the season on an upward curve.
Williams said it was critical to keep the roll going for the rest of a tough run home to build confidence and character for next season.
“I think we’ve turned a corner. It’s a big chance for us to finish with confidence because if we do, next year I think we’ll have a wow of a year,” he said.
The Pride host Souths Logan Magpies, who will have fresh legs after a bye in Round 21, at Barlow Park on Saturday night.
I SPOKE TO THE WALKER BOYS AFTERWARDS AND THEY WERE VERY NERVOUS. THEY WERE VERY HAPPY THE CLOCK RAN OUT WHEN IT DID TY WILLIAMS, PRIDE COACH