By William Crutcher
Norths have locked in another Hostplus Cup top four finish after Sean O’Sullivan’s last-minute field goal pushed the Devils to a gripping 31-30 win over Northern Pride in Cairns on Saturday night.
It was deja vu for the Devils, who needed Bryce Donovan’s field goal in the Cairns wet in 2021 to outlast the Pride in a memorable match on the way to a Norths premiership.
This is Devils’ fourth top-four finish in the last five seasons, although coach Rohan Smith and his players remained focused on the run to September.
Norths have won their last four matches, remaining on top of a tight points table with a bye next weekend before a showdown with third-placed Burleigh at Bishop Park.
Saturday night’s win came with a new Devil – forward Sebastian Su’a became Devil #1373 when he made his club debut from the bench, replacing fellow NRL Dolphins squad member Kenny Bromwich.
In a match in which both teams scored five tries, Norths played from behind at halftime as they tried to haul in a Pride team that never stopped trying.
“It’s never easy travelling on the same day as the game and performing well,” coach Smith said.
“The Pride are a good team and they don’t make it easy and we knew we would have to work hard.
“We’re still learning a lot from each game and we did that on Saturday night.”
Jordan Lipp’s five goals from five attempts proved decisive in the win which was the Devils’ 14th of the season, including four losses.
O’Sullivan recorded three one-on-one steals along with a try assist, his halves partner Jack Ahearn also made his presence felt as he bagged Norths’ last try of the match.
The Devils opened the scoring with a skilful scrumbase move in the sixth minute that finished with fullback Matthew Milson scoring in the corner.
Two quick tries from the Pride put Norths on the backfoot early until O’Sullivan rewarded a well-run line by Peta Hola to put him over in the 18th minute.
The Pride scored twice again before captain Kierran Moseley sparked a shortside move that ended in a Tony Tumusa try in the 38th minute.
Trailing by six points early in the second half, the Devils tied it up when Moseley found Brody Tamarua with a short pass which tied the match at 24.
Ahearn stepped off his right foot then crashed over in the 56th minute to put the Devils ahead by six.
The Pride wouldn’t go away and scored six minutes later to set up a grandstand finish highlighted by O’Sullivan’s clutch field goal with 90 seconds remaining.
The Devils have now finished their away matches in the regular season with an 8-2 record. Their final two games are at home – Burleigh (23 August) and the Capras (30 August).
NORTHS DEVILS 31 (Matthew Milson, Peta Hola, Tony Tumusa, Brody Tamarua, Jack Ahearn tries, Jordan Lipp 5 goals, Sean O’Sullivan field goal) bt NORTHERN PRIDE 30 (Jarrett Subloo 2, Laitia Moceidreke, Seamus King-Smith, Jack Boyling tries, James Frazer 4 goals) at Barlow Park.
Photo by Alan Drinnen
