Article can be found online at http://www.qt.com.au/news/Jets-withstand-another-late-charge/2597010/
THE achievements of the Ipswich Jets in the four seasons they have been under the guidance of brothers Ben and Shane Walker are immense.
Semi-finalists every year, social campaigns too numerous to count, strengthening of the region’s juniors and creating pathways from the Ipswich Rugby League have turned the club into a pillar of the Ipswich sporting and social communities.
One thing missing is a Queensland Cup grand final.
If that box is to be ticked this year surely the Jets will have to rectify their habit of letting teams back into matches they had seemingly wrapped up.
On Saturday against the Northern Pride at North Ipswich, the Jets held on for a 26-22 win.
The Jets defied the wet conditions to play some thrilling footy, leading 26-8 at half-time.
That was the end of the scoring for the Jets however as the Pride came back in the second half on the back of a high Jets error count.
The Jets held on for their fourth win from five matches, placing them in the top four.
But in three of those matches the Jets have allowed the opposition to perform alarming comebacks.
Asked if it was a recurring theme that needed to be addressed, Jets hooker Matt Parcell said, “From the outside it probably looks like it”.
“But in the group we don’t really think there is a problem.
“They scored two tries off kicks.
“They weren’t going through the middle of us.
“They weren’t soft, easy tries.”
If there is a problem, Parcell believes it is the Jets’ propensity for ending up on the wrong side of the penalty count.
The problem is how to rectify it when it is so difficult to understand.
“There were a few tough calls against us, which have been hurting,” Parcell conceded.
“If you give teams too much ball they can get on a roll and we can get stuck in a rut.
“We’re giving away lots of penalties and we’re not getting the same penalties.”
There has been a feeling within the Jets for several years that there is bias against them from referees.
But even complaints through official channels have failed to change anything.
Parcell is unsure what the solution is.
“I don’t know what it is,” he said.
“It seems every week we get a lot of harsh calls and there’s inconsistency. We’re not getting the same calls. We’ve got to be really disciplined.”
LEADS SLIPPING
Round 1: Jets led Wynnum Manly 16-4; lost 18-16.
Round 2: Jets led Townsville 24-0; won 36-24.
Round 5: Jets led Northern Pride 26-8; won 26-22.
Ipswich Jets 26 (Marmin Barba 2, Nemani Valekapa, Brandon McGrady, Josh Seage tries; Marmin Barba 3 goals) def Northern Pride 22 (Javid Bowen 2, Hezron Murgha, Linc Port, Luke George tries; Cameron King goal).