ROUND 07/2010 - Queensland Cup

Poor starts continue to haunt the Ipswich Jets who went down fighting against the Souths Logan Magpies 26-14 at the North Ipswich Reserve today.

Match Report - Magpies Make Jets Pay

It was a must-win game for the Jets – who now have a 2-5 record – but the home side let bad habits creep in early, ensuring they started the game on the back foot.

Their well-documented problems in defence were laid bare with only four minutes on the clock, when Ipswich defenders hung off a deceptively quick Phil Dennis – who carved straight up the middle of the park after offering up a dummy.

With David Milne is support, the Magpies skipper managed to pop a pass to the Canberra Raiders flyer who took the ball and ran in to score.

While their first try seemed to come from nowhere, Souths Logan’s next two were off the back of some good purpose in attack and some poor Jets errors.

Jets winger Ramon Filipine knocked on in the in-goal area while trying to collect a grubber kick, and Michael Picker came streaming through to ground the ball and score.

The next was through Nick Skinner, who crossed the line after the Jets compounded their errors, giving the Magpies repeated opportunities at their line.

With the score now out to 18-0, the signs were looking ominous for the Jets.

But 10 minutes out from the break, a little luck went their way and young fullback Eric Alefosio scooped up a loose ball and scooted downfield to give the Jets a sniff.

When a brilliant long ball from Jacob Ling found Luke Walker out wide, he ran in to get the home side on the board and into a slightly less precarious position going into halftime.

Souths Logan coach Mark Beaumont had been lamenting the lack of consistency from his charges for weeks, and after the break, it seemed like the Jets would make them pay.

The Magpies made a string of errors to give the Jets their chance with the ball and they grabbed it with both hands.

Michael Fisher – who had been busy all game for the Jets – scored in the 50th minute after taking advantage of an off-side Souths Logan player – to reduce the margin to 18-8.

Prop forward Tyson Lofipo showed off his range of skills with a powerful run that got the Jets within sight of the line and he finished off the movement with a well-placed grubber kick that was chased down by Alefosio who scored.

Alefosio converted his own try to put the Jets within striking distance of the Magpies at 14-18 and another famous come-from-behind victory seemed on the cards.

But Souths Logan regathered their composure thanks to the Raiders connection of Justin Carney and Reece Robinson who combined to reinforce the visitors lead.

Carney’s pass from dummy half found Robinson in space and the winger used his pace to leave the Jets defenders in his wake.

The Magpies then put the result beyond doubt when Josh White charged onto a short ball and barged over Jets defenders to put the ball down over the line.

Match Preview

The round seven clash marks the first time these teams have met at this ground since the 2008 grand final. The plucky Magpies got the better of the Jets that day but a lot has changed since the Magpies’ famous last-minute victory.

Both sides have new coaches at the helm and so far it is Souths Logan’s Mark Beaumont who is perhaps feeling a little more comfortable of the two.

While the Magpies have won four of their opening six games to be sitting in outright fourth, Glenn Lazarus’ Jets outfit occupies ninth spot on four competition points.

However, Ipswich did push a red-hot Wynnum Manly outfit all the way in its most recent match and is comforted by the fact that it upset a star-studded Northern Pride outfit in its last home match.

With several Canberra Raiders squad members in their line-up, including powerhouse backs Justin Carney and David Milne, the Magpies will be favoured by most punters.

Ipswich have conceded the most points per game in this year’s Intrust Super Cup and the home team can ill-afford any defensive lapses here.

Souths Logan utility Josh White, a member of the Magpies’ 2008 grand final team, plays his 50th Cup match for Souths Logan.