Norths took an impressive step along their BMD Premiership finals tightrope with a 38-10 win over Tweed Seagulls at Piggabeen Sports Complex on Saturday.
The Devils headed into the last three matches of the season in fourth place and with a clear task – they had to play the top three teams on the table in the run to next month’s finals.
The first task was among the toughest in the BMD Premiership, heading down the winding road to Piggabeen for a clash with the quality Seagulls team.
But Meg Ward’s Devils put their stamp on the match early with five-eighth Georgia Hannaway scorching through the defence to score in the sixth minute.
By the time Hannaway split Tweed’s right edge again in a 55-metre sprint in the 61st minute, the Devils led 32-4.
The win was built on the strong defence that restricted Tweed to tries in the 31st and 67th minutes.
Around that, the Devils scored seven tries including three among co-captains Netta Nu’uausala (16th and 70th minutes) and Jada Ferguson (53rd).
Nu’uausala’s first try showcased the Devils’ determination as she took Tweed defenders with her in a driving, powerful run.
Hannaway found Portia Bourke running a line through Tweed’s right edge for a try early in the second half before a stray pass became a slick game of catch between Montaya Hudson, Becky Davidson and Denyce Perham for a try in the left corner.
The Devils finished the weekend in third place with the top two teams awaiting them before the finals – the Clydesdales in Toowoomba next Saturday afternoon before hosting Mackay Cutters on Sunday 12 May.
“We knew this was going to be a tough match because Tweed are a quality team but we got a lead early and kept defending our line,” Ward said.
“We understand the task before us but we’re really taking this one week at a time. We don’t want to look past next weekend’s game in Toowoomba against another good team.
“We’re making good progress late in the season but we know we have several areas that we have to improve.”
NORTHS DEVILS 38 (Georgia Hannaway 2, Netta Nu’uausala 2, Portia Bourke, Denyce Perham, Jada Ferguson tries, Jocelyn Kelleher 5 goals) bt TWEED SEAGULLS 10 (Bridget Hoy 2 tries, Zara Canfield goal) at Piggabeen Sports Complex.