The Ipswich Jets and Redcliffe Dolphins took their Activate! Queensland Country Week round to Quilpie and it was a cracker.
The Dolphins revived memories of their 2002 34-10 Intrust Super Cup grand final win against the Jets by wearing their 2002 jumper. The ghosts of Luke Scott, Barry Berrigan, Shane Perry and Aaron Barba came back to haunt the Jets for a second time in Quilpie.
The Jets started with another name from 2002, Tyler Coburn opening the scoring and looked like the result may be reversed in 2021.
On the back to two penalties, the Jets found themselves in good ball territory and it was Josh Cleeland who decided to make sure the Jets didn’t waste the opportunity.
Going from right to left, Cleeland turned Coburn under; he used his footwork and strength to find the Dolphins, not closing the gate on the inside and a 4-0 Jets lead. That man Cleeland again added two points and the Jets had the start they desired, up 6-0 after 10 minutes.
The Dolphins set about testing the Jets edge defence and as they attacked Ipswich’s left-hand side, Dolphins fullback and dangerman Trai Fuller drew in defenders and found a rampaging Preston Riki, who touched down for his fifth try in game number 12 in 2021.
The kick wasn’t successful and the Jets maintained their lead after 15 minutes of play.
In one of the most bizarre passages of play ever seen in Cup, Jets front row and captain Nat Neale went to dummy half and did a 360-degree turn, bamboozling the Dolphins. Neale then flopped a pass back that was kicked through by Ipswich’s Jordan Carriera to score with plenty of Dolphins confused by what just happened.
The Jets weren’t confused, with the 12-4 score line, just happy as Cleeland added two points and brought up his 100th point for 2021.
