Tweed’s ‘slow and steady’ working
PATIENCE is the virtue that is helping Tweed Heads go from also-rans to Intrust Super Cup winners.
The Seagulls looked set for a dire season when they lost their first five matches but have hauled themselves off the bottom of the ladder with back-to-back wins, including a commanding 24-12 upset of Easts yesterday.
Hosting one of the competition heavyweights, the scoreline did not fully represent the Piggabeen side’s dominance given that it was a five-tries-to-two affair, with three further Tweed tries going begging.
Easts were hindered by the late withdrawals of Melbourne Storm duo Brodie Croft and Patrick Kaufusi but did have 155-game NRL prop Dave Tyrell on deck.
Tweed led from the ninth minute and never looked back, sealing Cheyne Whitelaw’s first win as skipper.
“We did a really good job when we were asked to defend our line,” said coach Ben Woolf. “We only made two errors in the second half and just were really patient with the ball and just kept getting to our kicks.”
It’s that ability to complete sets that had undermined their early round efforts – but no more.
“We’ve learnt that we need to be more patient as opposed to chasing points, we just need to get through our sets and get to our kicks and points will come,” Woolf said.
Ryland Jacobs won players’ player, with fellow winger Kiah Cooper and prop Whitelaw also putting in strong displays.
The side’s aim entering the season was simply to compete and Woolf said they would wait until later in the competition to reassess their goals. For now, they have the chance to make it three wins on the trot when they face the last-placed Cutters in Mackay on Saturday.
With their A-grade side also firing and forwards Sam Saville and Ethan Price on the comeback trail, Woolf is pleased with the Seagulls’ improving depth.