Norths are back on home soil this weekend after the latest step in their challenging start to the 2024 Hostplus Cup season ended with a stumble at Wynnum Manly last Saturday.
The 26-20 loss to the Seagulls at Kougari Oval levelled the Devils’ win-loss record at 2-2 ahead of Saturday night’s home clash with top team CQ Capras.
The Devils again played very well in patches last Saturday in a team still adjusting to its new combinations.
Cooper Jenkins made his first Devils appearance on Saturday, becoming the 15th man debut for Norths in the opening four rounds of the season.
Those bright patches yielded the Devils’ four tries including a double to premiership centre Jacob Gagan, a 48th magic trick from Manase Kaho for his fourth try of the season and a 76th minute try from Dolphins NRL centre Tesi Niu.
That set the Devils for a late attempt to steal a draw from a Seagulls team led around the field by Broncos NRL halfback Jock Madden.
The Devils attacked the Seagulls’ line in a thrilling finish but the home team held out the last raid.
The Devils are working to bring cohesion to an attack that has been clunky at times with so many new combinations.
But the Devils’ defence has been impressive, yielding the least points of all teams that have played four matches this season.
A rare wobble in that defence, allowing tries to the Seagulls in the 22nd and 26th minutes on Saturday, made the Devils’ job much harder at a ground that has proven difficult for visitors.
WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 26 (Sione Hopoate 2, Delouise Hoeter 2, Matthew Milson tries, Connor Broadhurst 3 goals) bt NORTHS DEVILS 20 (Jacob Gagan 2, Manase Kaho, Tesi Niu tries, Gerome Burns 2 goals) at Kougari Oval.
ROUND 5 TEAMLIST – SATURDAY 13TH APRIL @ Bishop Park, Nundah – 6:00pm
