Norths Devils built another defensive wall at Bishop Park on Easter Saturday as their winning start to the Hostplus Cup season reached five wins.
The 26-6 victory over Redcliffe Dolphins featured the gritty tryline defence that was a trademark of the 2021 premiership season under coach Rohan Smith.
In Smith’s first season at Bishop Park since 2022, the Devils have conceded 66 points across their five matches without forsaking the attacking skill that has delivered 158 points.
The premiers jumped Redcliffe early in the grand final rematch with winger Manase Kaho and his centre partner Jacob Gagan, pouncing on a perfect Kierran Moseley kick, scoring tries in the first 13 minutes.
When middle forward Kenny Bromwich kept his feet and powered through a Dolphins crash tackle to score in the 26th minute, the Devils had built the platform that would deliver their sixth win over Redcliffe in their last eight matches, including two grand finals.
The Dolphins crossed in the 49th minute through centre James Walsh but when they attempted a similar move seven minutes later, Devils half Jordan Lipp read the play and scorched 95 metres for an intercept try.
Edge forward Jackson Shereb sealed the match when he ran off halfback Sean O’Sullivan’s sharp pass for a try in the 66th minute.
The tries were well received by the large holiday crowd but this game was as much about the defensive wall the deflected raid after raid from Redcliffe.
“There is always feeling between these teams because it’s a long-running rivalry and you have to play well to win those games,” Rohan Smith said.
“Redcliffe are always tough to beat. They’re well-coached and they have played well this season.”
The crowd was treated to a high-quality game stacked with NRL experience.
The teams each had four fulltime players from the NRL Dolphins system.
The Devils’ starting forward pack featured five players with 428 matches of NRL experience yet the only player without an NRL game – Shereb – was judged player of the match as he continues to impress.
Prop Peter Hola started for the first time this season while Devils junior Francis Molo played his first game for the club in eight years.
James Flack, Sam Elliott, Jerome Veve and Lauloto Salei completed a strong bench for the Devils who have six days to prepare for an Anzac Friday night home match against Western Clydesdales.
The Devils were well served across the field with premiership winners Oryn Keeley, Matthew Milson and Blake Paskins in the starting team along with winger LJ Nonu.
NORTHS DEVILS 26 (Manase Kaho, Jacob Gagan, Kenny Bromwich, Jordan Lipp, Jackson Shereb tries, Lipp three goals) bt REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 6 (James Walsh try, Joshua James goal) at Bishop Park.
Photo by Alan Drinnen
