A HAT-TRICK from winger Rogan Dean helped maintain Norths’ unbeaten start to 2014 with a comfortable 38-0 victory over the Sunshine Coast Falcons at Bishop Park yesterday.
It was a day of celebration for the Devils, with the club notching its 400th Cup game and 215th win in emphatic style.
In somewhat blustery conditions, it was the Devils’ backs that handled the high ball better; while the Falcons were one dimensional in attack, with their ball players rarely challenging the line and unable to take advantage of some strong running from forward John Filipo.
On a picture perfect day for football, the Devils opened the scoring in the fourth minute with centre Tristan Lumley crossing the line.
Eight minutes later, Dean made a break down the left edge and strolled in under the posts for his first of the match to give the Devils an early 12-0 lead.
The remainder of the first half saw a medley of errors by the Devils, who dominated field position yet kept the Falcons in the match with repeated mistakes close to the line.
For the visitors, their only scoring opportunity came near the end of the half, where they forced back-to-back dropouts. The Devils were solid on defence, before a penalty following the changeover saw halfback Todd Murphy slot a long attempt to send the home side into the break with a 14-0 lead.
The second half started much as the first, with Dean crossing for his second try soon after the restart, while lock James Sharkie took advantage of a Sam Foster line break to add to the Devils tally in the following set.
When Devils captain Brendon Gibb crossed in the 62nd minute to put the home side 30 points ahead, the game was all but over. Soon after, a contest for a bomb on the Falcons’ goal line saw the ball trickle out the back, allowing Dean to complete his hat-trick with the easiest of tries.
More icing to the Devils’ cake came when Namila Davui crashed through three defenders down the right edge to end the Falcons’ woes close to the final siren.
Norths will next week host defending premiers Mackay in Channel 9’s televised Sunday game, while the Falcons travel to North Ipswich Reserve to face the Jets also on Sunday.
NORTHS DEVILS 38 (Rogan Dean 3, Tristan Lumley, Brendon Gibb, James Sharkie, Namila Davui tries; Todd Murphy 5 goals) def SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 0 at Bishop Park
