By William Crutcher
The Norths Devils extend their Hostplus Cup winning streak to nine matches after defeating the Western Clydesdales in a historic Anzac clash last night.
In the first Friday night match at Bishop Park in recent memory, the Devils unloaded six tries in the 34-12 win.
It was the Devils’ sixth win from as many matches this season, adding to the three finals wins last season as they collected their third premiership in four seasons.
The Devils’ 6-0 start is the club’s best since 2010 when coach Kevin Carmichael’s team won its first eight matches on the way to a grand final appearance.
Norths did it last night with a squad that were all Devils-contracted players except for Dolphins NRL backrower Oryn Keeley who again played his heart out for Norths.
Coach Rohan Smith called in Zak McGuire, Lachlan Lewis, Wyatt Reynolds and Tony Tumusa who played his first game in Devils colours since 2023.
Jacob Gagan and James Flack steered the Devils as co-captains, taking the reins from Kierran Moseley who is sidelined with a fractured eye socket suffered in last week’s win over Redcliffe.
The new co-captains scored tries in a game preceded by an Anzac ceremony featuring the Brisbane Veterans rugby league team which played in the curtain-raiser. The Devils wore special Anzac jerseys designed in collaboration with St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital.
The premiers continued their trend of fast starts as Blake Paskins, moved from centre to five-eighth, scoring the first of his two tries in the fifth minute as he regathered his own kick.
Flack crossed in the 10th minute, showing his fast feet and determination close to the line. Off the back of gritty work from the middles, the Devils scored their third try in the 16th minute as Gagan crossed off a set scrum play.
The Clydesdales trailed 22-0 at halftime but, as they did in the opening match of the season in Toowoomba, they continued to play hard against the Devils.
Corey Fenning’s try for the visitors in the 49th minute was followed by a Devils’ response through Keeley’s charging run and offload for fullback Matthew Milson to cross.
The wet weather became an issue for both sides with dropped ball.
The Devils made the most of a Clydesdales turnover before halftime when Lewis, playing in the centres rather than on the edge, grabbed a kick and offloaded to Paskins for an 80-metre charge to the line.
But the Devils were again well served by the defence that has conceded only 78 points in six matches this season.
The blue wall held steady for most of the night, cracking twice for Clydesdales tries including in the last minute of the game.
Coach Smith was pleased to expose more of his squad to game time before next weekend’s bye.
“We had four changes from last week and the players came in and did their jobs well,” Smith said.
“The Clydesdales always play hard so you have to prepare for a strong 80 minutes against them.
“We still have lots to improve on but it’s been good to see players willing to take on different roles.”
Flack, McGuire and Peter Hola started in the front row with lock Sam Elliott joining them in the middle of the field. Keeley and Shereb started on the edge while Lauloto Salei and Jerome Veve provided forward options off the bench with Reynolds.
Jordan Lipp played halfback as the Devils continue to reshuffle with Ben Stevanovic and Jack Ahearn recovering from minor injury setbacks.
Tumusa took the field with 30 minutes remaining to a cheer from the Devils fans who recalled his efforts in the 2022 premiership team. He played in the centres with Manase Kaho and LJ Nonu on the wings.
The Devils will meet the Dolphins at Redcliffe in two weeks in their next clash.
NORTHS DEVILS 34 (Blake Paskins 2, James Flack 2, Jacob Gagan, Matthew Milson tries, Jordan Lipp 5 goals) bt WESTERN CLYDESDALES 12 (Corey Fenning, Luke Rouland tries, Fenning 2 goals) at Bishop Park.
Photo by Alan Drinnen
