The Sunshine Coast Falcons stamped their class over a lacklustre Souths Logan Magpies yesterday, posting a big 48-12 win at Davies Park.
It was an important game for both sides who are looking to confirm their place in this year’s Intrust Super Cup finals – but it was the Falcons who showed more urgency in their attack, with their win seeing them jump over the Magpies into sixth position on the ladder.
While Souths Logan did show some glimpses of the form that had seen them win four of their past five wins – their ineffective tackles really let them down as the Falcons made multiple successful raids via their left-hand side.
For the Falcons however, it was one of their best performances of the year, with the visitors taking an 18-6 lead into halftime.
They then put the Magpies to the sword with a five try to one second half to record their third straight win.
The Melbourne Storm had seven players in action for Sunshine Coast and they all played a crucial role in the victory – with Ryan Morgan, Curtis Scott and Joe Stimson all bagged doubles.
Morgan proved a handful for the defence, and his two-try burst came inside the opening nine minutes of the game.
“Morgan was exceptional, Curtis Scott was great again and Joe Stimson got the TV’s man of the match and deserved it,” Falcons coach Craig Ingebrigtsen said.
“Stimmo is just the ultimate professional, he comes up every week and understands what is going on.
“He does all the little things … I can’t speak highly enough of him. I really hope he has a long-term future in the NRL because he deserves it.”
Stimson also took over the goal-kicking duties late in the game for the Falcons and netted four important goals.
Goal kicking has been an issue in past weeks for the Sunshine Coast who have actually lost games despite scoring more tries, with the kicking radar of many of their first-choice kickers proving off the mark.
The Falcons now sit one-point above the Magpies inside the top six and will have the bye this week to rest up before a crucial final three games of the season.
See the full scoring details and final team line-ups for this game via QRL Live
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 48 (Ryan Morgan 2, Curtis Scott 2, Joe Stimson 2, Richard Kennar, Ryley Jacks, Eddie Tautali tries; Joe Stimson 4, Tony Tumusa 2 goals) def SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 12 (Daniel Tamou, Nikau Taukiri Te Rupe tries; Nicholas Doyle 2 goals) at Davies Park.
*Information in this report also appeared on www.melbournestorm.com