THE North Devils wore pink jerseys for Telstra Ladies Day yesterday, but it was the visiting Wynnum Manly who put on a show, scoring 40 unanswered points to close out the game on their way to a 52-12 win.
Women received free entry to Bishop Park, with money raised throughout the day going towards the Kim Walters Choices charity.
The home opened the game in the best possible fashion with BJ Munns crossing over in the third minute off a long out ball by playmaker Todd Murphy, but the game then went tit-for-tat as Wynnum responded seven minutes later when Matt Seamark put Jon Grieve through a hole to score right of the posts.
Norths then scored through a Krys Freeman show-and-go out of dummy half close to the line before Mitchell Frei crossed for another try from a nice cut-out ball by hooker Alehana Mara. The former New Zealand Warrior was starting in place of Jake Granville and he showed some fine touches in his Intrust Super Cup debut.
The game looked like it was heading to a 12-12 score line at halftime, however five minutes before the break, Wynnum decided they had different intentions.
Bronco Jordan Kahu’s confidence has been growing each week and he set up a spectacular try for Benaiah Bowie who finished in athletic fashion, diving over with a vertical put-down in the left corner.
Wynnum were then able to secure another try after a frantic effort in the final seconds of the half, as the ball was played through the hands to find the rampaging Peter Gubb in the right corner.
Gubb was influential for Wynnum and his powerful carries are a feature to getting the Seagulls going forward. Wynnum went into the break confident with a 22-12 lead.
The second half was a flurry of points for the visitors as they put five tries on the Devils. John Te Reo picked up a try from a Seamark grubber and Grieve found a second to extend the away side’s lead.
Wynnum were in again as Kahu picked up a try when Mara found the Bronco centre in a gap on the left side, putting Wynnum in front 40-12.
Devils hooker Freeman showed some good touches, but his side was struggling from the burden of continuous sets in defence and the relentless Wynnum attack.
Wynnum’s big forward pack was in full force again up the middle, especially interchange front rower Dylan Smith who benefitted from longer minutes than usual on the park.
Mitchell Buckett and Gubb with a second rounded out the scoring for the flying Seagulls, as they ran away with the game 52-12.
Norths will look to bounce back next week at home against the Ipswich Jets whilst the Seagulls are away to the winless Sunshine Coast Falcons.
You can watch the highlights of the match here: Highlights Norths v Wynnum
WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 52 (Peter Gubb 2, Jon Grieve 2, Benaiah Bowie, Mitchell Buckett, Jordan Kahu, John Te Reo, Mitchell Frei tries; Matthew Seamark 8 goals) def NORTHS DEVILS 12 (Kainga Turner, Krys Freeman tries; Todd Murphy 2 goals) at Bishop Park.
Norths Devils
1. Shaun Carney 2. Michael Lucas 3. Kainga Turner 4. Tristan Lumley 5. Keiran English 6. Todd Murphy 7. Kalolo Saitaua 8. Jamie Muller 9. Krys Freeman 10. Jared Blanke 11. Chris Faust 12. Brendon Gibb (c) 13. James Sharkie 14. Sam Foster 16. Troyden Watene 17. Patrick McPherson 18. Zach Koitka
Wynnum Manly Seagulls
1. Benaiah Bowie 2. Peter Gubb 3. Matt Grieve 4. Mitchell Buckett 5. Jordan Kahu 6. Ben Cronin 7. Matthew Seamark 8. Benjamin Shea 9. Alehana Mara 10. Timothy Natusch (c) 11. Jon Grieve 12. John Te Reo 13. Mitchell Frei 14. Graham Clark 18. Daniel Ogden 16. Tanu Wulf 17. Dylan Smith
