In just seven seconds, Norths ignited a run that would deliver an emphatic 42-16 Hostplus Cup win over the Cutters in Mackay yesterday.
That’s how long it took for the Devils to score from a restart in the 29th minute, sparking a streak of 36 consecutive points to deliver Dave Elliott’s deserved first win as Norths coach.
The game hadn’t started well for the premiers. The Cutters scored the opening two tries and kicked a penalty goal to skip to a 10-6 lead.
That’s when Devils captain Jack Ahearn restarted play with a kick that floated in the strong breeze and bounced for a charging Tony Tumusa, who stepped through the Cutters defence.
Seven seconds after Ahearn had restarted play, Tumusa crossed the line for a try and the Devils were never headed again.
Eight minutes later, Bryce Donovan’s kick bounced perfectly for winger Jon Reuben on the other side of the field. Reuben snatched the kick and ran around to score between the posts for an 18-10 halftime lead.
The Devils opened the second half with Liam Horne brushing off a shot that would have winded most to score in the 43rd minute.
Tries to Moses Noovao-McGreal (54th minute) in his 50th match, Viko Puliuvea (62nd minute) and Kierran Moseley (66th minute) completed the Devils’ seven tries, which were all converted by Donovan and Connor Broadhurst.
It was fitting that Moseley should cross the line in his return from a brief absence.
Moseley came off the bench after 30 minutes to replace impressive Devils junior Zak McGuire, whose solo try in the 24th minute got the premiers moving.
The experience of Moseley, recognised in his NRL Indigenous All-Stars selection this year, helped the Devils to take control of the match.
Norths welcomed Justin Makirere as Devil No.1335 and his powerful frame helped the Devils to keep the pressure on as the Cutters had two players with separate stints in the sin bin in the second half.
“The Cutters started really well and we made it tough for ourselves with some mistakes but we eventually settled and it was good to see the team play that way,” Elliott said.
“We had contributions across the field and we were delighted to see Kierran back out there because we know what he can do.
“It’s still early in the season and we know that we have a lot of improvement to come but that was a positive step to go to Mackay and win.”
Moseley has been a winning charm for the Devils. He returned from a broken arm last year for the final seven matches of the Hostplus Cup season – Norths won them all including the club’s second consecutive grand final.
The Devils made changes to their halves again with Kyle Coghill partnering Donovan while Broadhurst returned from a very rare injury to join Bernard Gregorius in the centres.
McGuire, Puliuvea, Horne and Jayden Stephens started in the middle for Norths in a pack that included Sam Elliott and Brendan Piakura on the edges. Piakura was the only Broncos-contracted player for the Devils in this match.
Zach Brooks again showed his energy from the bench in just his third Cup match.
The Devils return home to meet the Northern Pride next Saturday night.
Meanwhile, the Devils’ Colts opened their season with an impressive burst of tries to take a 24-10 lead over the Cutters.
But the Cutters rallied with two tries in the final minutes of the first half before scoring again early after the break.
That helped the home team to a 50-32 win despite impressive patches from the Devils.
Photo by Alan Drinnen
