Another weekend, and Intrust Super Cup Round 18 produces another change in the lead of the competition, with Redcliffe equal with Townsville on points but have a better differential by two on for and against.
That means Burleigh lost the of the top of table clash and dropped to third, just ahead of the rejuvenated Norths Devils and Northern Pride. Souths Logan broke a five game losing streak and Easts Tigers had a big win in Mackay to sit on equal points with the sixth placed Magpies.
The next four teams are just two points further behind, and it looks like it will be a changeable feast each week.
At this stage you can probably rule out Wynnum, Central Capras and Mackay who all lost this weekend.
For a little more on all of the games, here is the best of Intrust Super Cup Round 18 Review.
REDCLIFFE TAKE THE COMPETITION LEAD IN TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH
Redcliffe took the lead in this year’s Intrust Super Cup by coming from behind against a fast starting Burleigh Bears on Saturday afternoon for the TV game.
Both teams came into the weekend on equal points, but it was Redcliffe who came out on top of this games, eventually, and the competition itself.
Burleigh scored three tries and a couple of penalties before 20 minutes were up, and led Redcliffe 22-4 after just the first quarter of the game. But Redcliffe eventually got into scoring mode, and had three more tries before the break, to make it just 22-20 at half time.
The Bears started the second half well too, extending their lead to 28-20 shortly after the break, but that was the last of the joy, as quick Dolphins tries in the 57th and 60th minutes were followed up by big Sam Anderson scoring and Redcliffe were home, and on top.
TOWNSVILLE ALSO FIGHT BACK TO STAY EQUAL WITH THE PHINS
Previous competition leaders remained equal on points with Redcliffe after a come from behind win over the Ipswich Jets on Saturday evening.
With the World Cup Football Final on this weekend, this game was almost like a tribute with penalties being the only scores early as Ipswich slotted two penalties and Townsville one in the first ten minutes. The try scoring started ten minutes later and was the Jets who did it, doubling up seven minutes later to lead 14-4 at the break after a second Townsville penalty.
The second half was all Townsville, as they ran in three tries and 18 points to nil in the second forty minutes, the last in the 77th minute to Zach Dockar-Clay, who ended up scoring 14 points himself with a try and 5 goals.
They had previously beaten Redcliffe to top spot by points in for and against, and this week it is their turn to be behind by the same margin. It shows the battle for first is going to be a tight one from here in.
BRISBANE TOP 6 HOPEFULS ALL RECORD IMPRESSIVE WINS
Three Brisbane clubs Norths Devils, Souths Logan Magpies and the Easts Tigers have all had their poor run of results this season, and all three scored good wins this weekend to get to the head of the bunch of teams playing for the lower reaches of the top six.
Easts win was arguably the most impressive of the three wins, scoring nine tries to two against last placed Mackay Cutters, who have really let their season go in recent weeks. It was 26-6 at the break, with Easts having scored five tries to one, the last two in just two minutes right before half time. Another four tries to one came in the second half, and the result could have been much worse for the Cutters had the Tigers kicked a few more conversions. In the end Jarrod McInally grabbed a treble, and there were also doubles to Marion Seve and Conor Carey.
Norths continued their revival with a third straight win and have now climbed into fourth place on the back of their 42-12 win over the Central Capras at Bishop Park. The Capras arrived in decent form, but they were no match for the Devils as the home side had the game effectively over at half time leading 36-0. The first half saw six converted tries coming at regular intervals, 12 minutes being the longest time between scores. The second half was actually won by the Capras 12-6, but the Devils had it under control. Jack Ahearn scored twice, as did Herbie Farnworth as part of his 22 point haul (7/7 Conversions).
Souths Logan complete the triumvirate of impressive wins with a 36-14 away win at Piggabeen over the Tweed Heads Seagulls. The win, set up on the back of a strong second half, ended a five game losing streak for the Magpies, and handed their opponents a third straight loss themselves. Souths Logan put on two quick tries in three minutes in the first half, Tweed responded just before half time to make it 10-6 t the break. But the home side didn’t score again until it was well into consolation try territory with two in the last five minutes, by which stage Souths Logan were cruising to victory at 36-6 on the back of four second half tries.
ELSEWHERE
The PNG Hunters took revenge on an earlier season loss in Cairns with a 18-8 win in Port Moresby in a low scoring affair at the National Stadium. The difference on the day was the boot of Ase Boas, as both sides scored just the two tries, but the captain 2/2 Conversions and 3 Penalty Goals proved the difference. It wasn’t until fullback Edene Gebbie’s that the Hunters were comfortable at 16-4, and a late try to Javid Bowen proved merely a consolation in the 75th minute. The win sees the Hunters stay in a group of teams on 18 points, just two points behind sixth place, the Northern Pride are now just a further two points in front after a second straight loss.
Sandor Earl scored the first try of his comeback with the Sunshine Coast Falcons, sealing the game with a 79th try, and giving the Falcons an 18-6 win over Wynnum. Earlier Justin Olam reminded the Melbourne Storm of his worth with yet another try. It was a tight contest, and really only went the home side’s way with two tries in the last five minutes, it was 8-6 for twenty minutes before then, and the Falcons led by just 4-0 at the break.
Intrust Super Cup Round 18 Results
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 40 Burleigh Bears 28
NORTHS DEVILS 42 Central Capras 12
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS 22 Ipswich Jets 14
Mackay Cutters 10 EASTS TIGERS 44
Tweed Heads Seagulls 14 SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 36
PNG HUNTERS 18 Northern Pride 8
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 18 Wynnum Seagulls 6
https://nothingbutleague.com/2018/07/15/exclusive-northern-pride-ceo-resigns/
