Rival says Tweed is Cup team to beat

TWEED Seagulls have assumed favouritism for the Mal Meninga Cup under-18 competition, according to a coach who should know – Souths Logan Magpies’ Billy Vine.

In a round that saw Tweed, Wynnum Manly, Townsville Blackhawks and Central Capras close in on a finals berth, Tweed emerged as competition favourite in the eyes of Vine who watched it inflict a 38-14 loss on his side.

“I think it will be very difficult for someone to beat them,’’ Vine said. “They are good all over the park.’’

With halfback Tom Weaver and dummy half Oskar Bryant (pictured) pulling the strings, Tweed emerged from an even start to blast three tries in six minutes before halftime, and another three in 14 minutes into the second half.

Still, coach Tim Maccan wants perfection around ruck defence while praising his defensive line.

“We are still working on ruck defence,’’ he said, wary that Burleigh will be eager to finish the season on a high in the local derby next weekend.

Centres Kaleb Ngamanu and Deine Mariner were outstanding while Brock Priestly played strongly in his first game in the second-row.

At Burleigh, the home side beat the Ipswich Jets 44-36.

Ipswich started brilliantly to lead 20-nil but when the Bears got into their groove, the Jets could not halt the momentum.

Burleigh got the score back to 20-18 by halftime and went on with the job, with Hunter Ploegsma scoring a double either side of Tuvalli Pereira and Caleb Gould-Waiariki scoring.

Bears coach Michael Witt said Caleb Gould-Waiariki and Vaa Semu were best for his side in a match that saw “little defence but plenty of attack”.