Seagulls make it 10 straight

iSelect Gold Coast Titans halfback Albert Kelly made a successful return from injury and helped the Tweed Heads Seagulls’ extend their incredible run to 10 unbeaten matches with their tough 30-22 win over Redcliffe, Sunday afternoon.

Kelly played the full 80 minutes after starting at centre and then spending time at fullback before switching to five-eighth after Sam Irwin was injured. And he came through well with only the expected soreness in his troublesome leg after the match.

Seagulls started off strong with two tries, one by force from Pele Peletelese and the other due to quick speed from midfield by Tom Merritt. The Dolphins quickly responded, but Seagulls’ Ayden Lee extended their lead once again. 

Kelly helped with Tweed’s next try after continuing on from a sprint from fellow Titan Kalifa Faifai Loa before passing it on to yet another Titan Jamal Fogarty to score.  After this try Tweed had control for the rest of the first half, finishing with a 24-16 lead.

The Dolphins came out strong, with an early scoring try from Joe Bradley and a successful conversion point, making the Dolphins only two points behind.

However, the Seagulls held their line, followed by a try by Faifai Loa and a late penalty goal, giving them the 30-22 win over the Dolphins.

This was a costly game for the Seagulls, leaving them with a one-man bench by the end of the game. iSelect Gold Coast Titans Tom Kingston, Sam Irwin and Caleb Binge were all unable to finish the game because of injury.

Meanwhile, Titans forward Paul Carter made his return to the Burleigh Bears after a two week club enforced suspension. Carter managed to be the spark for the Bears, scoring a much needed try; however his side suffered a heartbreaking one-point loss to the second-last placed Capras when they desperately needed a win to keep in touch with the top five teams.

The Capras’ took full control of the first half leading 12-0 midway through the half. However Carter helped the Bears close the gap right before the end of the half, helping Conner Toia to score.

Early in the second half, Carter scored and helped the Bears take an 18-12 lead. Capras five-eighth Webster answered back by catching a kick from halves Shannon Rupapere to score, bringing the Capras within two. Rupapere added the extra points to tie the match at 18-all with 18 minutes to go. 

With just over a minute remaining, Webster slotted a field goal to give the Capras victory.

In round 19, the Tweed Heads Seagulls will host the PNG Hunters, while the Burleigh Bears travel to Stadium Mackay to take on the Mackay Cutters.

TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS 30 (Jamal Fogarty, Tom Merritt, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Pele Peletelese, Ayden Lee tries; Jamal Fogarty 5 goals) def REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 22 (Joe Bradley, Oliver Regan, Aaron Whitchurch, Zach Strasser tries; Adrian Davis 3 goals) at Dolphin Oval.

CQ CAPRAS 19 (Russell Webber, Smith Samau, Rhys Williams, Ian Webster tries; Shannon Rupapere goal; Ian Webster field goal) def BURLEIGH BEARS 18 (Conner Toia, Tyler Chadburn, Paul Carter tries; Khan Ahwang 3 goals) at Browne Park.

INTRUST SUPER CUP

POINTS TABLE AFTER ROUND 18