The Norths Devils showed off their depth as they unloaded eight tries on Souths Logan Magpies in their 42-16 Rivalry Round victory at Davies Park today.
Coach Rohan Smith unveiled a complete Devils spine after the club’s Broncos-contracted halves were ruled out with injury.
That enabled Smith to play a group that had trained together all summer and played trial matches, working a team-oriented attacking style that is a pleasure to watch when it clicks.
It was a sweet sight for the Devils faithful who crossed the river on a steamy Sunday afternoon.
They watched the Magpies score in the first minute before the Devils took control, surging to a 20-4 lead in the shadows of halftime after lock Brandon Lee had scored in the 25th and 29th minutes.
The Magpies swooped on a Devils loose ball inside the last minute of the half only to lose it, watching as Norths sent the ball through four sets of hands in a lightning left-hand raid that ended in a try for Nixon Putt in his 50th Intrust Super Cup match. The Devils led 24-4 at the break.
The Magpies fought back with tries in the 48th and 54th minute, setting up the game for another tight finish. Both clashes between the Devils and Magpies were decided in Norths’ favour by two points last season.
But Devils skipper Jack Ahearn found his way through the tiring Magpies middle in the 66th minute, throwing a dummy that opened his path for a vital try.
Norths enjoyed the last 10 minutes as interchange forward Chris Sio scored within one minute of taking the field for his Devils debut. He crossed again three minutes later in the final scoring act of a comprehensive win.
The result pushed Norths to a 2-1 record for the season but more tests are to come, starting with Sunday’s clash with the Falcons on the Sunshine Coast.
“That was a trying day because of the heat but I was pleased with how the squad stuck with it even when Souths made their comeback in the second half,” Smith said.
The Devils have a common element in their wins under Smith – they rely on a team-effort that can cause problems across the park.
The Devils sent out new Devil #1283 Beau Cordtz, who enjoyed his debut, sending the key final pass for Paul Ulberg’s opening try in the 10th minute.
Cordtz, who joined the Devils from the Gold Coast, played well while Ahearn and Zach Strasser ensured that Norths were well served in the absence of injured Broncos Troy Dargan and Sean O’Sullivan.
Earlier today, the Devils posted a solid 48-26 win over Souths Logan in the Hastings Deering Colts clash.
The Devils scored nine tries including a treble to halfback Dylan Tavita while fullback Dylan Quinn posted 16 points from a try and six conversions.
The Mal Meninga Cup team wrestled an 18-all draw, steaming home with 14 points in the final eight minutes.
Captain Joshua James’ try in the 62nd minute and his penalty goal in the final minute sealed a point for Norths after the Magpies had scored all of their points in the first 15 minutes.
The Devils remain unbeaten in the Under 20 and Under 18 competitions.
Intrust Super Cup: Norths Devils 42 (Brandon Lee 2, Chris Sio 2, Paul Ulberg, Ethan Bullemor, Nixon Putt, Jack Ahearn tries, Luke Pollock 3 goals, Connor Broadhurst 2 goals) d Souths Logan Magpies 16 (Jack Joass 2, Alex Bishop tries, Tanah Boyd 2 goals) at Davies Park
Picture: Devils captain Jack Ahearn tries to escape the tackle of Magpies fullback Gerome Burns. Picture by QRL Media.
