The Norths Devils head into the first break of the Intrust Super Cup season with a 6-3 win-loss record after their unbeaten run came to a halt at Tweed Heads today.
The Seagulls were excellent in the wet conditions, scoring six tries to two with fullback Lindon McGrady amassing 16 points. Their defence frustrated the Devils close to the line in the 36-8 win.
The Devils had opened the scoring when centre Henry Penn cleaned up a Tweed mistake for an 11th minute try. But the Devils’ fortunes were turning as cloudy as the Tweed skies as they trailed 4-18 at halftime.
The heavens opened at halftime and the driving rain lasted until the final minutes of the match but Tweed played like the sun was shining with limited errors.
The Devils had some bright moments in search of their fifth consecutive win – young winger Herbie Farnworth was among them. He moved into the centres when Penn suffered a shoulder injury in the second half. Farnworth proved difficult for the Tweed defence, fending off a tackle to cross for the Devils in the 65th minute.
That was seconds after Liam Horne became Devil No.1287, making his debut off the bench.
Horne – a member of the Devils’ premiership Colts team last season – had bright moments in his short stint.
Horne was only told of his inclusion minutes before the game after versatile forward Michael Sio withdrew because of neck stiffness.
The Devils will rest next weekend, well placed after the first nine weeks of the competition.
“Credit to Tweed Heads because they played really well today,” Devils coach Rohan Smith said.
“This is a tough competition and we know that every win has to be earned.
“We’ll look forward to the break next weekend before we return home to play Mackay”.
The Devils will meet the Cutters at Bishop Park on Saturday May 18, looking for their first win over the team since Smith took over for last season.
TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS 36 (Ryland Jacobs 2, Lindon McGrady, John Palavi, Christian Hazard, Tevita Folau tries, McGrady six goals) d NORTHS DEVILS 8 (Henry Penn, Herbie Farnworth tries) at Piggabeen.
