The Townsville & Districts Mendi Blackhawks proved far too strong for the Easts Tigers, producing a points-filled performance at Jack Manski Oval in Townsville in yesterday’s Intrust Super Cup elimination final.
Despite a shaky start and some uncharacteristic errors, the third-placed Blackhawks bounced back with some outstanding defence to effectively shut out the sixth-placed Tigers during the second half of the match.
The first half however was a tight affair with the Blackhawks getting out to a 16-4 lead thanks to treis from Delouise Hoeter, Moses Pangai and Andrew Niemoeller.
Veteran centre Shane Neumann was the sole scorer for the Tigers.
The game finished up at 46-4 to the Blackhawks who will now face the Sunshine Coast Falcons on Saturday, September 10 at 4pm at Jack Manski Oval.
The match will be live streamed by QRL Media with full details to come in following days.
The second home semi in a row is a fitting reward for the side who sent out a warning to the rest of the competition with their impenetrable defence and exciting attacking play.
The middle men laid the platform for the home side with both starting props, Corey Jensen and Brendan Santi, playing out of their skin.
Jensen was rewarded with the XXXX Man of the Match honours for his efforts in the game.
The Blackhawks spine were also incredibly effective and created chances almost every set in the second stanza.
Woolf’s men proved that the finals are the beginning of a whole new season as they shook off the shackles of their injury-riddled season to produce a determined defensive effort.
However, they will want to work on their completion rates and cut down their errors when they face the Falcons who are full of confidence after producing a stunning upset to down the Hunters.
For the Tigers, it was a disappointing end to the season – but it was an immense effort to get to the finals under coach Scott Sipple in his first year in the head coaching role.
They struggled in the weeks leading up to September, but produced a great performance when it mattered in Round 25 to defeat the Cutters and confirm their finals berth.
See the final team line-ups and full scoring details for this game via QRL Live
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS 46 (Moses Pangai 2, Michael Parker-Walshe 2, Jonathon Reuben 2, Delouise Hoeter, Andrew Niemoeller, Corey Jensen tries; Corey Jensen 2, Rhyse Martin 2, Kyle Laybutt goals) def EASTS TIGERS 4 (Shane Neumann try) at Jack Manski Oval.
