Storm top 30 squad member Jonah Pezet took another step in his rugby league career at the weekend, making his Hostplus Cup debut for the Brisbane Tigers.
The 19-year-old started at five-eighth and came up with a try assist, but the Tigers fell to a 32-22 loss to Wynnum-Manly in a “home” game they played at the Seagulls’ home ground, Kougari Oval.
The Tigers trailed 20-0 at halftime and were 32-6 down with 15 minutes to go before they rallied with the final three tries.
Storm’s Bronson Garlick topped the tackle count for the Tigers, while Jordan Grant again had a busy game up front, running for 175 metres, as he pushes for an NRL call-up for Melbourne.
Meanwhile, Young Tonumaipea returned to rugby league for the Sunshine Coast, playing the full 80 minutes on the wing as the Falcons lost the 1 v 2 showdown against the Burleigh Bears 32-22 at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
The Bears scored five tries to one to take control of the contest in the first half, establishing a 26-4 lead by the break.
Storm’s Tyran Wishart scored back-to-back tries as the Falcons surged back in the second 40 to cut the margin to four but the Bears sealed the win, and their hold on top spot, with a try with nine minutes remaining.
Jack Howarth ran for a team-high 143 metres for the Falcons as he continued to develop his game in the Queensland competition.
Sunshine Coast remains second on the ladder and will travel to Brisbane to face Wynnum-Manly this weekend, while the Tigers, now in sixth, have a Saturday night date with the Blackhawks in Townsville.
Storm player stats
Jack Howarth – 80 minutes – 11 runs for 143 metres, 68 post-contact metres, 4 tackle breaks
Young Tonumaipea – 80 minutes – 7 runs for 69 metres
Tyran Wishart – 80 minutes – 2 tries, 2 linebreaks – 11 runs for 96 metres, 3 tackle breaks, 18 tackles
Jonah Pezet – 80 minutes – 11 runs for 59 metres, 1 try assist, 1 linebreak assist
Jordan Grant – 62 minutes – 15 runs for 175 metres, 39 post-contact metres, 4 offloads, 26 tackles
Bronson Garlick – 80 minutes -12 runs for 94 metres, 29 tackles
Alec MacDonald – 56 minutes – 13 runs for 131 metres, 27 tackles
