Norths’ best defensive blitz of the season – a five-minute wall that held 18 consecutive tackles – drove last night’s tense 24-22 Hostplus Cup victory over the Cutters in Mackay.
The Devils had to withstand the Cutters’ assault with only two fit players on the bench in a win that wasn’t smooth in attack but gritty in defence.
The premiers’ record improved to 8-1, leaving coach Rohan Smith’s team atop the table ahead of Saturday afternoon’s home clash with Tweed Seagulls.
Leading 18-10 in the 53rd minute, the Devils were marched from the Cutters’ quarter deep into their own territory in a five-minute section that included a penalty, two six-again rulings and a dropout.
They defended from side to side as the Cutters had 14 consecutive tackles in the Devils’ 20-metre zone without a stoppage.
The dropout eventually restored order as Jordan Lipp’s short restart was batted by winger LJ Nonu to half Sean O’Sullivan and into the hands of centre Blake Paskins.
“There are times in games when you’re really forced to defend and we had to do that against a good Mackay team,” Smith said.
“We were forced to defend across that second half but that showed good spirit among the players.”
After nine rounds, the Devils are conceding an average of fewer than 15 points a game – more than five points better than their rivals in an intriguing Hostplus Cup season.
The Devils needed that defensive mettle in the last quarter in Mackay after a long-range try to North Queensland Cowboys winger Jaxson Paulo brought the Cutters within two points with 18 minutes to play.
The Devils increased their lead in the 68th minute when O’Sullivan’s short kick stopped for hard-working forward Sam Elliott to score the second of his tries.
The Cutters’ final try came too late with no time to restart the game, sealing the Devils’ 11th win from their last 12 Hostplus Cup matches.
O’Sullivan and Elliott had combined in the 14th minute when the halfback’s short ball found Elliott running a sharp line, helping him to turn the Cutters’ fullback inside out in a winding 25-metre sprint to the line.
But the 10-4 lead didn’t extend for the Devils until late in the half as they digested two game-ending injuries to key forwards.
Tireless NRL forward Kenny Bromwich was hurt while tackling in the first set of the game and did not return.
Just before halftime, James Flack hurt his ankle in a tackle and did not come out for the second half.
The Devils found some quick help through a try in the final play of the half. From a scrum 35m out from the Mackay line, O’Sullivan kicked ahead and the ball took serious off-spin for Nonu to toe ahead for flying fullback Matthew Milson.
The Devils have several players unavailable – triple premiership winner Jack Ahearn, edge forward Jackson Shereb and prop Jerome Veve were injured last weekend and face a few weeks out.
But the cavalry is returning with captain Kierran Moseley back last night from a fractured cheekbone. The two Bens are set to return – half Ben Stevanovic and 2021 premiership prop Ben Nakubuwai back in Devils colours.
The injuries are providing opportunities for Smith’s squad which has lent on its on-field leaders including Flack and Jacob Gagan.
Forwards Wyatt Reynolds and Brody Tamarua played important roles against the Cutters while starting prop Peter Hola continues to make his presence felt.
Devils junior Zach Brooks played his first match of the season while local juniors Lauloto Salei and Lachlan Lewis moved into the starting team.
Norths’ outside backs have been relatively intact with Milson, Nonu and 2024 premiership winger Manase Kaho consistent in the back three.
NORTHS DEVILS 24 (Sam Elliott 2, LJ Nonu, Matthew Milson tries, Jordan Lipp 4 goals) bt MACKAY CUTTERS 22 (Brenton Baira, Jeremiah Matautia, Jaxson Paulo, Mitch Fogarty tries, Ryan Rivett three goals) at BB Print Stadium, Mackay.
Photo by Alan Drinnen
