A try featuring six passes and a desperate dive sealed a stirring comeback win for the Norths Devils over a Broncos-stacked Souths Logan Magpies in Hostplus Cup Rivalry Round last night.
The Devils trailed 8-18 at Marsden State High School before dismantling a Magpies team that featured the all-Broncos front row of Ben Te Kura, Tyson Smoothy and Martin Taupau.
The comeback was helped in the 54th minute when Broncos halfback Coby Black grubbered across field in his own half only for Devils debutant Kane Rushton to pick up the bouncing ball for an untouched 40m sprint to the line.
But the game was on the line with 10 minutes remaining when the Magpies scored to trail by two points against a Devils team down to 12 for the final minutes due to a sin-bin.
The Devils had the ball 25m out from scoring on the last tackle when they decided against kicking. Instead captain Kierran Moseley sent the ball right for a blitz that included a cut-out pass from half Ben Stevanovic to Jacob Gagan, who turned the ball inside for Jackson Shereb to unload back to Gagan before Manase Kaho lunged into the corner.
Jordan Lipp’s sideline conversion put the Devils out of reach 30-22, giving the premiers two wins from as many matches this season under coach Rohan Smith.
Norths were again well-served by Dolphins NRL lock Mason Teague but the rest of the squad were all Devils-contracted players digging deep to keep the unbeaten start to the season.
“We kept finding a way and kept calm,” Smith said.
“Souths Logan are a quality team and they make everyone work hard. They had some experience in that team so we knew it would be tough.”
The Devils took 23 minutes to cross for their first try through centre Blake Paskins after the Magpies had established a 6-0 lead from a try to Black, who partnered Anthony Milford in the halves.
Norths second rower James Flack steamed over nine minutes after Paskins, running a perfect line for Lipp’s short ball.
The Magpies scored next to lead by 10 points before the Devils’ fightback began, starting with Kaho’s solo try from a scrum when he stepped off his right foot to leave the defence flailing.
Lipp’s chip-and-regather in the 63rd minute gave the Devils the lead for the first time which they held during the frantic finish that included a Magpies try to Broncos outside back Israel Leota.
Norths fought well across the field with middle forwards Wyatt Reynolds, Jerome Veve, Sam Elliott and Justin Makirere making ground against the experienced Magpies pack. Fullback Matthew Milson was again busy in a Devils backline that threatened often.
Devils juniors Lauloto Salei and Lachlan Lewis again contributed well from the bench as Norths extended their winning streak to six matches, dating back to last season.
The Devils return home for the first time this season when they host Northern Pride at Bishop Park on Saturday night.
NORTHS DEVILS 30 (Manase Kaho 2, Blake Paskins, James Flack, Kane Rushton, Jordan Lipp tries, Lipp 2 goals, Ben Stevanovic goal) bt SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 22 (Coby Black, Ben Te Kura, Pride Petterson-Robati, Israel Leota tries, Latrell Siegwalt 3 goals) at Marsden State High School.
Photo by Alan Drinnen
