Jet’s dream debut
May 19, 2014: As the NRL works towards a relaunch, we take a look back at when James “The Jet” Roberts prepared for takeoff on the Gold Coast.
EXCITEMENT machine James Roberts has kicked off his Gold Coast career in style after playing a starring role in Tweed Heads’ fourth straight Intrust Super Cup win.
The Seagulls beat Central 42-12 in Rockhampton on Saturday, with former South Sydney and Penrith flyer Roberts collecting the Tweed players’ player honours in his first game for the club.
Playing out on the wing, Roberts, who joined the Gold Coast recently after being sacked by Penrith for disciplinary reasons, scored a great 90m solo try in the big win which saw the Titanscontracted centre Maurice Blair make a solid return from a wrist injury.
“No one could touch him. We got a real glimpse of the potential he’s got,” Seagulls coach Aaron Zimmerle said of Roberts.
“The try was special. It was a sign of the class he has.
“He burst through two tackles, accelerated out of the next, burnt the centre off and the fullback couldn’t pick him off.
“He got the players’ player in his first game. It was a fair indication of what the boys thought of his performance.”
The Seagulls started slowly, with the Capras bursting out to an 8-0 lead before the visitors kicked into gear.
Michael Burgess and Cory Blair bagged doubles while Jamal Fogarty, Tom Merritt and Caleb Binge also got on the score sheet.
Prop Ryan James was solid after being dropped from the Titans and Zimmerle said his team was starting to play with confidence after a slow start to the season.
Burleigh struggled in wet Cairns on Saturday night, falling 26-10 to the competition leaders Northern Pride.
New Burleigh coach Jim Lenihan said he was pleased with the effort of the Bears but their ball control was poor in the tough conditions as they squandered a 10-8 halftime lead.