Acts of individual flair in two countries underpinned team performances that gave the Norths Devils a winning weekend in the Hostplus Cup and BMD Premiership.
Centre Kane Rushton sprinted 90 metres with two minutes on the clock for a try that gave the Devils a 30-24 win over PNG Hunters in Port Moresby on Sunday afternoon.
On Saturday, fullback Natalie Wright scored three tries including a 75-metre sideline burn that propelled Norths to a 30-8 win over Sunshine Coast Falcons in a BMD Premiership match at Aspley Devils.
Meg Ward’s team remains in equal second place on the BMD Premiership ladder with a 5-1 record ahead of a clash with fifth-placed Northern Pride at Premiers’ Park this Saturday.
The Devils have strong records in attack and defence this season, showcased against the Falcons with seven tries to two including a double to Jessica Nugent alongside Wright’s hattrick.
“We had a plan against the Sunshine Coast and the girls executed it,” coach Ward said. “The Falcons made us fight for everything but I’m proud of the way we stuck with it and kept our energy throughout the match.”
The Devils conceded the first try before unloading five consecutive tries starting with Nugent in the left corner from Wright’s cut-out pass.
Captain Grace Griffin again marshalled a team that has conceded 66 points across six matches, falling only to Burleigh after keeping the competition leaders scoreless in the second half in round two.
The Devils’ Hostplus Cup team finishes a double-header at home on Saturday against the Pride, which have edged to third on the ladder after a remarkable five draws this season.
That displays the tightness of a competition that has the Devils still fighting for a finals berth with five matches remaining.
Coach Smith was pleased that his team held their nerve before a vocal Port Moresby crowd.
The Devils mixed the team determination with some solo acts – fullback Matthew Milson tackled Solo Wane into touch when the PNG fullback was set to score a match-sealing try in the final minutes.
And Brandon Finnegan kicked the first two-point field goal in Hostplus Cup history on the stroke of halftime.
The Devils surged to the lead in the second half when Milson scored his second try before Lachlan Lewis’ energy was rewarded with a try in the 60th minute.
The Hunters kept challenging the Devils, launching a raid on the visitors’ line with scores tied and two minutes remaining only for Rushton to juggle a PNG grubber kick, securing the ball for a sprint into the wind that ended beneath the posts.
“We kept our composure at an important time and that gave us a chance to finish the way we did,” Smith said.
“It was an entertaining game for the fans and there were some good moments of footy.
“It was typical of what’s been a really close season across the competition.”
Photo by Alan Drinnen
HOSTPLUS CUP PREMIERSHIP: NORTHS DEVILS 30 (Matthew Milson 2, Brody Tamarua, Lachlan Lewis, Kane Rushton tries, Brandon Finnegan 4 goals, 2-point field goal) d PNG HUNTERS 24 (Graham Rex 2, Douglas David, Bruce Bawase, Elijah Roltina tries, Trevor Solu 2 goals) at National Football Stadium, Port Moresby.
BMD PREMIERSHIP: NORTHS DEVILS 30 (Natalie Wright 3, Jessica Nugent 2, Natahlia Moors, Jazmin Lord tries, Wright 1 goal) d SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 8 (Rebecca Prestwidge, Brittney Brown tries) at Kirby Park, Aspley.
