Michael Nunn THE Ipswich Jets conquered their first win of the season in fine style against the CQ Capras. The Jets held the ball for huge amounts of time and the Capras chased the Jets all over the field trying to stop the momentum. Ipswich had the ball for 31 minutes compared to the Capras 16. The Jets completed their sets and Josh Cleeland s kicking game was a thing of beauty as he turned the Capras around and got the Jets five repeat sets. The Jets made a staggering 2066 metres of ground in the round of Intrust Super Cup games. Souths won by 50 and only made 1635 metres.
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The CQ Capras under-18s can lay claim to a proud boast, becoming the first team in the clubâs history to finish on top of a QRL statewide competition ladder at the end of the regular season.
Coach Kane Hardy said it was the resilience and hard work of the players that had been instrumental in their march to the Mal Meninga Cup semi-finals.
The Capras were unbeaten in their six games in Pool B, piling on 244 points and conceding just 50 to finish on top of the ladder in the 15-team competition.
They will take on the winners of Pool A, the Townsville Blackhawks, in what promises to be an epic semi showdown at 3.30pm Saturday in Brisbane.
Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis has outlined his plans to turn the club s women s program into a powerhouse with Jillaroos star Botille Vette-Welsh set to be the face of their big ambitions.
The joint venture entered the Harvey Norman NSW Premiership in 2019 and have been consistent performers in the competition, led by Vette-Welsh and Kiwi Ferns playmaker Raecene McGregor.
Converting the current HNWP team into an NRLW side is the next step for the club with Vette-Welsh and McGregor among the priority retention targets, if they were to gain a licence.
Hagipantelis said 2023 was shaping up as the most realistic timeframe for when they d be ready to go but he would be guided by the ARL Commission on when the competition expanded.
QRL Managing Director Robert Moore said the round was shaping up to be one of the highlights of the season.
“We’re grateful to the Queensland Government for its sponsorship and support of this initiative, as they share our passion for the game in rural and regional Queensland,” Mr Moore said.
“In my travels I’ve witnessed the excitement this event brings to regional communities, as well as our players and coaches who embrace the opportunity to travel far and wide to showcase their skills and engage with local fans.
“One of the best things about the round is the opportunity it provides for people to engage with game development officers, former rugby league greats and QRL directors and staff.”