QLD Wizard Round 11 Match Reports

WYNNUM MANLY 24 d BURLEIGH 22

WYNNUM MANLY newcomer Chris Birch kicked a sideline conversion after the siren, lifting the Seagulls to a stunning 24-22 win against Burleigh at BMD Kougari Oval.

In one of the matches of the season, the Baysiders grabbed their second back-from-the-dead victory in a row, following a 16-12 win against Souths Logan the previous week.

Having lost Denny Lambert late before the game due to a leg injury, Wynnum was forced to rely on Birch as the primary playmaker. Though impressive to date, it was quite the gamble by coach Shane McNally, given the 23-year-old is only a handful games into his Wizard Cup career.

Birch failed to disappoint anyone, looking sharp and coming up with a number of telling plays. His calmness in slotting the winning kick from out wide followed a great try midway through the first half and ensured a perfect record with the goal-kicking boots.

The tense finale was again set up by centre Paoa Faamita, who slid over for a try in the corner with less than a minute to play. Seven days beforehand Faamita made the bust which led to the winning try for Ben Czislowski against Souths Logan.

Burleigh was for the third week in a row left to rue shortcomings in discipline. Half Ben Black was pointed to the sin bin for dissent with three minutes left on the clock, while Ryan Gundry gave away a costly penalty late in the tackle count prior to Faamita