New look Devils impress in Bishop Park trial
The Devils will head into their pre-season camp this weekend with coach Rohan Smith still settling on the team that will open the Intrust Super Cup season next month.
The competition for places was obvious last Saturday night as the Devils and Redcliffe reached 12-all in the final quarter of their trial match before the lights blew at Bishop Park.
There’s plenty for the Devils to improve on at this stage of the year but their intent to play their own style – and the players’ embracing of that style – has made for pleasant viewing in their opening two trials.
The Devils moved the ball confidently against the Dolphins and scored their three tries in the right corner, including a slick move between centre Luke Pollock and winger Paul Ulberg that looked more like the work of a team late in the season.
The Devils ISC squad will spend two nights on the Sunshine Coast this weekend in a pre-season camp around their final trial match against the Falcons on Saturday.
“It’s been pleasing to watch the competition for selection – plenty of players are staking a claim for Round 1,” Smith said.
“We’ve established some competition for places over the pre-season and this weekend’s match will be another step along that way.”
Saturday night’s trial against Redcliffe was eventful with five of the six tries scored in the opening 34 minutes. Pollock opened the scoring in the fourth minute before crossing again early in the second quarter.
Ulberg’s try in the 24th minute pushed the Devils out to a 12-0 lead in a match that included 16 penalties by halftime.
Earlier in the night, the BRL trial match went to Norths over Redcliffe 26-14. Redcliffe claimed the Hastings Deering Colts trial 40-28 while the Mal Meninga Cup trial was drawn 20-all.
All four squads will play at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday to wrap up the pre-season matches.