After a tough middle season, the Norths Devils have now recorded back-to-back wins after securing victory over the Mackay Cutters 44-22 on Saturday at Bishop Park.
The Devils were unstoppable in the first half and piled on 26 points as they went into the sheds leading 26-6.
The Devils still had more left in the tank in the second half, scoring a further 18 points to put a stamp on their victory.
“We started the game really well and we had a really good completion rate,” Devils coach Mark Gliddon said.
“I thought we were in control most of the game and finished well.”
Following a tough game against the Redcliffe Dolphins a couple weeks ago, Gliddon could not praise his side enough for their back-to-back defensive performance.
“After the touch up by Redcliffe, we worked really hard on our defence and our back-to-back defence in the weeks leading up to this game with the Cutters,” Gliddon said.
“If you can back up in defence in any game, you will get points on the board and we did that this weekend.”
Devils winger Michael Lucas scored a double to help the Devils to a heft points tally and Gliddon was very happy with his performance.
“Michael is a great kid. He has become a regular in our Intrust Super Cup side,” Gliddon said.
“He is the ideal winger for a side. Tall, fast, aggressive and always finds a way to get over the try line.”
Devils halfback Todd Murphy was again great with the boot, kicking six out of a possible eight goals and also coming up with a try.
“Todd is a very good footballer and will be joining the Broncos fulltime.
“He is one of our top two players and we always play our best footy with him in the side,” Gliddon said.
Having come out of a rough patch in the middle of the season; the Devils have missed the finals, and will instead be focusing on finishing this season on a high note and moving ahead next year.
“In the middle of the season we beat PNG at home comfortably and I thought we were moving in the right direction, but we had a few injuries,” Gliddon said.
“We have lost a few players to injuries and hopefully they will be back in the side for next year.
“It has meant we have put in guys into the side a bit early.
“These young guys have been given an opportunity which has meant they will have some experience under their belt for next year.”
The Devils will have a bye this weekend for Round 24 and will host the Townsville Blackhawks in their Round 25 clash.
“Our side has made a pact to win as many games as we can and we will be doing everything we can to win,” Gliddon said.
“The Blackhawks are not the side they were of previous years, but they are still a tough side.
“It will be a big day for the Devils when we play the Blackhawks in front of our home crowd and it would be great to get a win.”
Next weekend, Mackay will host the Souths Logan Magpies who are just outside the top six.
See the full scoring details and final team line-ups for this game via QRL Live
NORTHS DEVILS 44 (Michael Lucas 2, Todd Murphy, Kennedy Pettyborne, Luke Pollock, David Faamita, Tristan Lumley, Danny Kerr tries; Todd Murphy 6 goals) def MACKAY CUTTERS 22 (Braden Uele 2, Andrew Davey, Mick Pearsall tries; Delayne Ashby 2, Johnny Faletagoa’i goals) at Bishop Park.
