Norths Devils moved to the top of the Intrust Super Cup table when they dismantled a star-studded Souths Logan Magpies 39-22 at Davies Park today.
The Devils raced in seven tries – the second time this season they have scored that many in a game – to stay unbeaten after four rounds.
And they had to repel a Magpies team featuring Broncos regulars Anthony Milford and Tesi Niu and possible Bronco recruit Karmichael Hunt in the backline and Cory Paix at hooker.
Those players helped to bring a big crowd to Davies Park on a perfect Sunday afternoon but the Devils jumped out early with forward Brendan Piakura grabbing two tries in the first 15 minutes against the Magpies’ left-side defence including Milford and Hunt.
Prop Michael Molo crossed in the 19th minute to extend the Devils’ lead to 16-4.
The Magpies never got closer than the six-point margin they took to halftime after Hunt pounced on a kick from halfback Albert Kelly to make the score 16-10.
This Norths team has shown it can score tries quickly, including three in eight minutes to run down Townsville Blackhawks a week ago.
And they put another two on Souths Logan in the first nine minutes of the second half to edge to an 18-point margin.
The Magpies scored two consecutive tries to remain within reach until the Devils unloaded again with two tries in the last four minutes, including one to Jon Reuben which put the winger in elite company.
Reuben’s 95th try from just his 94th game moved him into the Intrust Super Cup’s top 10 tryscorers of all time.
He almost crossed earlier in the game when he controlled a kick on his fingertips only for the Devils to fall just short of a try. It was the type of play that has made Devils’ football under coach Rohan Smith so entertaining to watch.
Norths could have led by more but they were ruled to have lost the ball twice over the tryline in the first half as they continued to pressure the Magpies’ defence.
Milford and Niu tested the Devils but the defensive line held steady against the two Broncos stars with strong contributions from the likes of Tyson Gamble and Piakura opposite Milford and Hunt.
The Devils were again well served across the board – hooker Danny Levi and captain and halfback Jack Ahearn were heavily involved in a familiar pattern across Norths’ opening four matches.
Rhys Kennedy was among the strong performers in the Devils forward pack which included Ben Nakubuwai, who became Devils #1307 when he made his debut off the bench.
Coach Smith said Norths would now focus on next Saturday night’s clash in Cairns against the Northern Pride, which pipped Townsville Blackhawks last night.
The Magpies will head north to meet the Cutters in Mackay.
There are no games scheduled for the May long weekend, leaving Norths focused on reaching the break undefeated.
NORTHS DEVILS 39 (Brendan Piakura 2, Michael Molo, Bryce Donovan, Rashaun Denny, Jon Reuben, Tony Tumusa tries, Tyson Gamble five goals, Jack Ahearn field goal) bt SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 22 (Ethan Quai-Ward, Karmichael Hunt, Kobe Hetherington, Rory Ferguson tries, Isaiah Tass three goals) at Davies Park.
