By Matty Holdsworth.

While Coach Wayne Bennett and regular first graders were in England for the World Club Challenge, the remaining NRMA Insurance Brisbane Broncos squad members were toppled 34-12 by Wynnum Manly at Kougari Oval.

The squad, made up of fringe first graders and under 20’s featured the likes of Greg Eden, Jayden Nikorima, Mitch Garbutt and Travis Waddell.

Minus their experienced teammates, the match was always going to be a tough one up against one of the InTrust Super Cup’s premier outfits.

The Seagulls were the better side for the majority of the match, their experience and match sharpness was telling.

A brace to Wynnum flyer Hayden Crowley helped his side to a solid victory.

Little men Jayden Nikorima and Ash Taylor scored the Broncos only two tries but their efforts were not enough for the visitors.

Wynnum Manly presented a strong side for the clash with players like Mitchell Frei, John Te Reo and Brendan Gibb familiar names to Broncos’ diehards.

Following a lacklustre half of football Brisbane were down 10-6 going into the second stanza.

Their first set of six was a high tempo, quality one where they worked the ball all the way to the opposition 20 metre line.

A shoulder charge from prop Francis Molo saw his sides’ impressive early work come undone and gift Wynnum Manly with great field position.

Seagulls’ fullback Daniel Ogden strolled through some lazy defence to dive over for a try down the right hand side just three minutes after halftime.

Templeman pushed his conversion attempt wide to leave the score at 14-6 in favour of the home side.

A mistake from the Seagulls coming out of their own line gave Brisbane a real attacking opportunity just 10 metres out.

Fleet-footwork from halfback Ash Taylor had his side hit back with a try under the posts.

Taylor’s left foot step inside saw him run away for an easy four pointer.

Nicholls nailed the simple conversion to make the score line 14-12 after 59 minutes.

Wynnum Manly had a chance of their own just minutes later but the strong Brisbane defence managed to hold firm.

A mistake from back-rower Joe Boyce gave the Seagulls the ball on the 20 metre line and on the next play a smart short ball from Templeman saw big man Olsi Krasniqi respond with a try.

Templeman struck his conversion well but the ball hit the upright and failed to go over.

That saw the home side lead 18-12 after 54 minutes of play.

Interchange half Zach Strasser saw his night end early after he came from the field nursing a sore shoulder.

Wynnum Manly flexed their guns with a well worked try which went through the hands, ending with a try to winger Hayden Crowley in the corner.

Templeman missed the conversion from the touchline and the score remained 22-12 going into the final 19 minutes.

Interchange forward Jon Green was forced from the field on the 67 minute mark following a nasty head-clash.

The Seagulls used their attacking prowess to great advantage and spread the ball well down the right hand side for try to Mitchell Krause.

Former Bronco Te Reo was handed the kicking duties and made no mistake to take his sides lead out to 28-12 with ten minutes left in the game.

The Wynnum Manly locals were full of voice when they trapped fullback Greg Eden in goal to force a dropout with seven minutes remaining.

The locals were given another reason to celebrate when Seagulls hooker Alehana Mara was first to dive on a grubber into the in-goal area for a try.

Te Reo took the lead out to 34-12 with his successful kick at goal with five minutes left on the clock.

Brisbane had a great chance to score a consolation try but the hands of centre Jarryd Dodd let him down.

That finished a comprehensive win for the experienced Seagulls but thankfully there were no noteworthy injuries from the match.

Brisbane began the match well when two minutes in a strong carry from Mitch Garbutt earned his side the first penalty of the night.

A loose pass from Nicholls saw Eden make an error to let the home side off early.

Both sides were guilty of poor hands as in the opening exchanges with set after set were riddled with turnovers.

Brisbane had the first real opportunity of the game when the kick to the corner from Ash Taylor was only narrowly defused by the Seagulls.

Sharp footwork from makeshift centre Jayden Nikorima earn his side another penalty to start their set on the 30 metre line.

A mistake via the Seagulls on the last tackle gave Brisbane another set close to the line and a great chance to post first points.

That is exactly what they did when Nikorima darted his way over for the first points of the night.

Nicholls hit his conversion sweetly to make the score 6-0 after 12 minutes.

A gang tackle from Garbutt and Waddell saw the ball pop loose and gift the visitors with more quality field position.

Brisbane ran the ball down the left hand side of the field but strong sideline defence saw Broncos winger Paul Byrnes pushed into touch.

Nicholls was penalised for staying in the tackle too long to let Wynnum Manly off the hook.

Wynnum had their first chance to open their account when they started their set on the 20 metre line.

Patience and strong defence saw Brisbane get out jail when Nikau Terupe intercepted the ball and scurry away from his goal line.

An interception against the run of play from Seagulls five-eighth Patrick Templeman gave the home side their first points of the night.

Templeman stepped up and gave his side a 6-6 lead after 22 minutes to send the supporters into a frenzy.

The Broncos made an error of judgement and were caught with the football on the last to allow the Seagulls a turnover on the halfway line.

Brisbane defence was rock solid on this occasion as the Seagulls found a knock-on on the third tackle.

Great yardage from interchange prop Aaron Rockley gave his side a much needed penalty and a chance to pile on more points.

Rockley unfortunately followed up his great run with an error on the five metre line.

Both teams exchanged errors with the ball in hand, robbing them of any chance to play attacking football.

That all changed when Wynnum Manly winger Hayden Crowley caught a kick to the corner from Templeman and dive over for a well-deserved try.

Templeman followed up his try assist with a poor attempt for conversion but his side led 10-6 with just seven minutes left in the half.

The Seagulls were flying with five minutes left in the half when the forced a goal line dropout from the Broncos.

A monster dropout from Brisbane and a brutal hit from Ajuma Adams gave possession back to the Broncos.

Both sides were found wanting with the ball in hand in the last few minutes to end the half in poor fashion.

Next week the Broncos travel to Dolphin Oval for their last trial game against Redcliffe on Saturday.

BRISBANE BRONCOS 12 (J Nikorima, A Taylor tries; D Nicholls 2/2 goals)

WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 34 (H Crowley 2, P Templeman, D Ogden, O Krasniqi, M Krause, A Mara tries; P Templeman 1/4 J Te Reo 2/2 goals)

At Kougari Oval, Wynnum