Norths changed a flat tyre on the highway and then changed the course of the Hostplus Cup top four in a Country Week visit to Augathella yesterday.
The gripping 16-8 win over Wynnum Manly at Brassington Park propelled the Devils from third place back to the top of the table over Wynnum and previous leaders Townsville which fell to Souths Logan.
Country Week has become a focal point for a Devils squad that has visited the likes of Bowen, Wondai, Roma and Dysart in previous seasons in the initiative backed by the Queensland Rugby League and State Government.
This visit was as “country” as the Devils have been in recent years as the club’s Belong health and wellbeing program visited schools in Mungallala, Morven, Charleville, Tambo and Augathella in the days leading up to the game.
The premiers had a real taste of life in the regions on the way to the game when an inner-rear tyre blew on the team bus between Charleville and Augathella.
The bus driver pulled over and the Devils squad went to work, removing the outer tyre, stripping the blown inner tyre and replacing it with a spare.
The 45-minute delay did not affect a Devils team that faced a Broncos-stacked right edge for Wynnum featuring Selwyn Cobbo, Delouise Hoeter and Jaiyden Hunt.
The Seagulls went often to the edge, finding Cobbo for a try in the final seconds of the first half before Hoeter crossed in the 64th minute to bring the margin to eight points.
But the Devils held steady in the slush caused by an unseasonal winter downpour. On Friday night, Augathella copped almost 50mm of rain that turned a typical winter field into a heavy track that tested the legs of both teams.
That didn’t stop the locals from turning out in good numbers, including a stack of young autograph-hunters, for a game that showcased some of the best features of coach Rohan Smith’s team.
Norths have the best defensive record in the competition and that prevented Wynnum from crossing in raid after raid.
The Devils made the most of early chances when Kenny Bromwich, who has starred on some of rugby league’s most famous grounds, got low in the seventh minute and slid over for a try at the home of the Augathella Meat Ants.
When winger Manase Kaho crossed seven minutes later, the Devils had established a lead that would hold throughout the game as they edged to their third consecutive win and a 13-4 win-loss record.
But this was as tense as the Devils’ matches have been this year.
The heavy ground and the quality of opposition forced Norths into a grind at times, working hard to chip away at a Wynnum team that had won their last five matches to steal second place on the ladder.
The Devils split the Seagulls in the 59th minute with a quality try. Halfback Sean O’Sullivan sent a short pass to second-rower Jackson Shereb who made a bust and found charging fullback Matthew Milson for a deserved try.
“There were a lot of important moments in that game and it was a tough contest against a very good team,” coach Smith said.
“These games can turn up unexpected things like having to change a bus tyre on the highway. But the players just went with it and just enjoyed the experience of a weekend in the country.”
Five-eighth Jack Ahearn said the Devils were still improving and would take benefit from the win.
“It was definitely a heavy track and it tested the legs but it was good to get the win against a team as good as Wynnum,” Ahearn said.
“We’re improving and we know we still have a lot of improvement left. It’s a good time of the year.”
The Devils had excellent contributors across the field.
Brody Tamarua came on to the bench to replace prop Peter Hola, who is training with the NRL Dolphins.
Captain Kierran Moseley again steered the forward pack through the wet, linking well from dummy-half with the Devils playmakers.
Justin Makirere played good minutes at starting prop while James Flack and Sam Elliott also worked hard from kick-off before interchange forwards Ben Nakubuwai, Zach Brooks and Lauloto Salei took the field.
The backline was determined, particularly on the left edge where Tony Tumusa and Jordan Lipp played opposite Cobbo and Hoeter.
Centre Jacob Gagan was again strong in defence with a shoestring tackle that foiled a Cobbo burst.
No games are scheduled in the Hostplus Cup next weekend before a four-week sprint to the finals.
The Devils play next in Cairns against the Northern Pride before a valuable bye and two home matches to close out the regular season against Burleigh and the Capras.
NORTHS DEVILS 16 (Kenny Bromwich, Manase Kaho, Matthew Milson tries, Jordan Lipp two goals) bt WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 8 (Selwyn Cobbo, Delouise Hoeter tries) at Brassington Park, Augathella.
Photo by Alan Drinnen
