Despite being the first team to score in both halves the Mackay Cutters have suffered a 10-tries-to-two demolition at the hands of the Townsville & Districts Mendi Blackhawks at Jack Manski Oval on Saturday (May 21).
The Women in League Round saw the Mendi Blackhawks take to the field in Pink jerseys which are now up for auction with the proceeds going to Breast Cancer Network Australia.
The special round also included a Women’s Rugby League representative match between Townsville and Mackay with the opposite result of the Intrust Super Cup match, as the Mackay Women’s side were convincing 24-0 winners over the Townsville Women’s side.
The Cutters looked slick when they scored their first try just three minutes into the Round 11 Intrust Super Cup match but there was little to smile about after that for the visitors.
The Blackhawks hit back in the ninth minute with Jahrome Hughes making a break to score their first try. From there it was all about the right edge for the home side as Jonathon Reuben racked up a hat-trick in the space of just 14 minutes.
Hughes then scored his second for the match before Michael-Parker Walshe put the icing on the cake, scoring with one of his own to take the half-time score to 28-4 in favour of the Blackhawks.
The Cutters again showed promise to score first in the second stanza but it would be the last points for the visiting side.
Despite some breakdowns in attacking plays Kieran Quabba, Delousie Hoeter, Parker-Walshe and Corey Jensen all scored tries in the second half to take the final score to 52-8.
Jahrome Hughes was again a standout for the Blackhawks and the reshuffled backline worked hard throughout the match.
There were impressive performers in the middle including Corey Jensen and hooker Anthony Mitchell as well as out on the edges with Hezron Murgha and Jonathon Reuben getting special mentions from the coach, Kristian Woolf.
"While we were fairly strong across the park, our standout performances came from Jahrome Hughes, Corey Jensen, Ant Mitchell and Hezron Murgha. Jonathon Reuben was also outstanding in attack with three tires and over 200m to his name.
"I was happy with our approach to the game and our attitude throughout. It can be difficult coming into a game where the opposition has struggled the week before and I thought we handled it well.
"Mackay were a much improved side.
"Our focus is now on a tough challenge against Easts away in what will be an exciting top-four hitout," Woolf said after the Round 11 match.
See the final team line-ups and full scoring details at QRL Live.
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS 52 (Jonathon Reuben 3, Jahrome Hughes 2, Michael Parker-Walshe 2, Kieran Quabba, Delouise Hoeter, Corey Jensen tries; Kyle Laybutt 6 goals) def MACKAY CUTTERS 8 (Mick Pearsall, Tone Sugusa tries) at Jack Manski Oval.
