THE Pride piled on 30 second-half points to score an impressive 30-10 victory over northern rivals the Mackay Cutters in a physical clash at Barlow Park last night.

Mackay had the Pride’s measure in the first half, registering the only try of the opening 40 minutes to lead 4-0 at the break.

But the Pride again displayed their premiership credentials with a barnstorming finish that included tries to Brett Anderson, Mark Dalle Cort, Michael Wilson, Ryan Ghietti and Mark Cantoni.

The halves pairing of Wilson and Ghietti were able to feed off the good platform set by the team’s imposing forward pack.

“In the second half we just wore them down and muscled up in defence,” Pride coach David Maiden said.

“To rack up a few points was pleasing. We scored some good tries and that was because we started to play a lot more direct.”

Anderson, a Queensland Residents representative, was voted players’ player after another solid performance.

Centre partner Chey Bird also never put a foot wrong as the Pride stamped their authority over their northern cousins.

The Cutters competed bravely throughout, but lost momentum in the second half due to a mounting injury toll.

Fullback Shannon Gallant and prop Isaak Ah Mau failed to complete the match in a blow for the Cutters, who are locked in a tense battle with Wynnum Manly and the Burleigh Bears for sixth position.

The Anthony Seibold-coached Cutters outfit will re-group ahead of a crucial showdown with Easts on Saturday, while the Pride will gear up for an historic clash with Souths Logan at Bamaga.

“We’re really looking forward to it actually,” Maiden said of the Bamaga match.

“I’m sure Souths will enjoy the occasion too.”