By William Crutcher
Norths will host the Townsville Blackhawks in a home qualifying final on Saturday after securing another Hostplus Cup top-two finish with victory on Old Boys’ Day.
The 36-16 win over CQ Capras at Bishop Park yesterday featured seven Devils’ tries, ending their regular season on a high with achievements including:
- A 15-5 win-loss record
- A fourth top-four finish in five years
- The best defensive record in the competition
Burleigh claimed the minor premiership with 37 points – one ahead of the Devils – while Townsville was third on 34 and Wynnum Manly (32) rounded out the top four.
That leaves the Devils to host the Blackhawks on Saturday at 4pm with the winner to receive a weekend off and a place in the preliminary final.
Devils coach Rohan Smith said his players would benefit from the hitout against the dangerous Capras, who finished in 13th place.
“It was important to win this game, but finals are a different season. Wins like today help us learn and build towards September,” Smith said.
“We composed ourselves after last week (loss to Burleigh) which was a positive for the weeks ahead.
“There are no easy games in this competition. You have to fight for each win and the Capras made this a tough contest.”
Devils winger Manase Kaho impressed in his 50th game for the club with his two tries including a 74th minute try, in front of a packed hill featuring Old Boys, to seal the top-two finish.
Brody Tamarua’s 59th minute try – crashing over from a pass from skipper Kierran Moseley – sparked a four-try blitz in the final 20 minutes to put the Capras away.
Tamarua’s try ended the Capras’ 10-0 run to begin the second half.
Sean O’Sullivan was one of three Dolphins NRL players who featured in the win, helping set up the first try of the match in the fourth minute. His cutout pass put Jordan Lipp into a 50-metre footrace before passing to fullback Matthew Milson to score.
In the 25th minute, Kaho dived on a loose ball, forced by centre Jacob Gagan contesting Jack Ahearn’s bomb, for the Devils’ second try.
Jackson Shereb put together another solid 80-minute performance including a try in the 34th minute after Sam Elliot found him back under the ruck to score under the posts. It was Shereb’s fifth try in his debut Hostplus Cup season.
He was part of a forward pack that included Dolphins Sebastian S’ua and Kenny Bromwich and 2021 premiership prop Ben Nakubuwai and enterprising rookie Lauloto Salei.
Lipp and Tony Tumusa combined to set up Jacob Gagan in the right corner in the 66th minute showing the side’s ability to play from edge to edge. The try came off the back of work from prop Peta Hola and Moseley.
The hill erupted in the final minute when Tumusa ran in to score after James Flack straightened up some enterprising play off a loose ball.
Norths will now prepare for their fifth finals campaign in six seasons.
The Devils will kick it off at 4pm next Saturday afternoon looking to punch their ticket to a home preliminary final two weeks later.
NORTHS DEVILS 36 (Manase Kaho 2, Matthew Milson, Tony Tumusa, Brody Tamarua, Jackson Shereb, Jacob Gagan tries, Jordan Lipp 4 goals) bt CQ CAPRAS 16 (Ryan Jackson, Nixon Putt, John Fineanganofo tries, Morea Morea 2 goals) at Bishop Park.
Photo by Alan Drinnen
