It was another big weekend for the Intrust Super Cup as Round 20 Country Week kicked off, as teams travelled to different locations around Country Queensland.
“Country week is great for the regions as they get the quality of the Intrust Super Cup and it does wonders for towns affected by drought,” Souths Logan Magpies coach Josh Hannay said.
“It is also a great learning experience for the players as they may not know these towns exist if it was not for country week.”
Barcaldine
The Magpies travelled to Barcaldine for their clash against the Norths Devils, where the Magpies proved too strong, winning 32-24.
In a tough game with the Devils out in front in the first half, the Magpies suffered more when their halfback Sam Scarlett was carried off with an injury just 20 minutes into the game.
Hannay could not be more pleased with his side after everything they overcame to get the two points and move into sixth position on the ladder.
Find a way
“Any coach will tell you it makes life really tough when you see your halfback go down. Sam has been our most influential player and we have not played a minute without him,” Hannay said.
“I was not sure how they would react but good teams find a way to win and we were able to do just that.
“It’s great to be sitting in sixth spot as our destiny is in our own hands and we are no longer relying on other teams but we are not getting ahead of ourselves and there are still many important games to go.”
Points aplenty
Barcaldine locals experienced the excitement of the Intrust Super Cup as the score was 14-12 at halftime favouring the Devils and saw 20 points scored by the Magpies in the second half as they made a comeback.
“We certainly weren’t at our best due to our own lack of discipline and Norths coming out with intensity but I was not worried as there was still more footy to be played,” Hannay said.
“We had a disjointed attacked when we lost Sam and our winger Luke Archer, but we were able to overcome that and put the game to rest.
“It was a good tough win.”
Super Rupe
Magpies winger Nikau Taukiri Te Rupe scored a double.
“He is a great young talent, he has played three games for us this year. He is a contracted player with the Broncos NYC side and has played in our FoGs Colts side as well,” Hannay said.
“He has a great future in the game at the highest level. He has good speed, he is tall, good at jumping for the high ball and he is a good finisher. He has all the qualities which make a good winger and he will go far.”
Next match
In Round 21 this weekend, the Magpies will host the Sunshine Coast Falcons on Sunday at Davis Park from 2.05pm.
“All the games from now on are important and every two points is crucial. This game against the Falcons is as important as the game was against Norths.”
“We are aware of the consequences of winning and losing, as the season is coming towards the end, every two points is going to be important.”
> Final teams and scorers at QRL Live
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 32 (Nikau Taukiri Te Rupe 2, Marion Seve 2, Leon Panapa, Dan Tamou, Herman Ese’ese tries; Ben Jackson 2 goals) def NORTHS DEVILS 24 (Rogan Dean 2, Todd Murphy, Luke Pollock tries; Todd Murphy 4 goals) at Barcaldine Showgrounds.
