By William Crutcher
Norths Devils scored eight tries during another winning visit to the Brisbane Tigers in a Hostplus Cup clash that forced the premiers to dig deep in the second half.
The 42-26 scoreline suggests the Devils were too strong for the Tigers on Sunday, stretching their unbeaten run at Totally Workwear Stadium to 13 years, and improving their record this season to 10 wins and one loss.
But this game tested coach Rohan Smith’s Devils team.
Norths had only two fit reserves for the second half after winger Manase Kaho (concussion) and prop Ben Nakubuwai (ankle) were forced out of the game.
And the Devils were reduced to 12 men for the final 10 minutes due to a sin-bin for a play deemed a professional foul.
But Zach Brooks’ first try in two years – a twisting, turning, lunging effort by the Devils junior with two minutes remaining – typified the fight in a Norths team that leads the competition on 22 points, equal with Townsville Blackhawks and five points clear of third place.
“Sometimes you really have to scrap for wins and the Tigers were tough to beat and really forced us to find a way,” Smith said.
“Football is unpredictable so you have to adapt and a lot of our play was adapting to changing circumstances.”
The Devils’ season has changed with injuries and player unavailability enabling Smith to field 30 players across the first 11 matches.
Norths’ day started well when halfback Sean O’Sullivan – the only NRL Dolphins player in the Devils team – threw a perfect ball for impressive prop Peter Hola to storm over for a try in the fifth minute.
The Devils would be held scoreless for the next 25 minutes despite sharp individual work by the likes of centre Blake Paskins and fullback Matthew Milson. Errors and the Tigers’ good play enabled the home team to score tries in the 12th and 17th minutes for a 12-6 lead.
A three-try burst in the final 10 minutes of the second half gave the Devils a lead that they would not surrender.
In the 31st minute, five-eighth Ben Stevanovic’s change of direction and Jordan Lipp’s flick pass for Sam Elliott ended with Kaho scoring in the right corner.
Six minutes later, Lipp torched the Tigers’ left edge in a solo 20-metre try before the Devils pulled a magic act in the final play of the half when a kick bobbled and bounced in the Tigers’ in-goal for O’Sullivan to touch down for a 20-12 lead at the break.
The Devils took four minutes to cross in the second half when the sharp hands of winger Tony Tumusa – in his 51st game for Norths – plucked Stevanovic’s cutout pass for a try in the left corner.
Lipp was at it again in the 58th minute when his short kick pinballed off Tigers’ legs and back into his arms to score beneath the posts as the lead extended to 30-12.
But the Tigers rallied with three tries in 14 minutes while a Lachlan Lewis try and Brooks’ finale sealed the Devils’ 14th win from their last 15 matches.
With limited reserves, the Devils were well served across the field. Captain Kierran Moseley again led a forward pack that featured the strong bodies of Wyatt Reynolds, Brody Tamarua and Justin Makirere.
Lauloto Salei provides the Devils with versatility, playing another 60 minutes in his promising rookie season at Cup level.
The Devils have a bye this weekend before meeting the Blackhawks in Townsville on 21 June.
NORTHS DEVILS 42 (Jordan Lipp 2, Peter Hola, Manase Kaho, Sean O’Sullivan, Tony Tumusa, Lachlan Lewis, Zach Brooks tries, Lipp 5 goals) bt BRISBANE TIGERS 26 (Joe Stimson, Jackson Chang, Josh Smith, Jodeci Baker, Asher O’Donnell tries, Stimson 3 goals) at Totally Workwear Stadium.
Photo by Alan Drinnen
