The Townsville Mendi Blackhawks bounced back with a gutsy 28-18 win over the Northern Pride at Barlow Park yesterday in the Intrust Super Cup’s Rivalry Round match-up.
The Blackhawks were first to put points on the board with a try in the seventh minute to centre Temone Power.
Next to score was Jordan Kenworthy, who went over for his first try the Intrust Super Cup competition in the 13th minute. The Bungendore Tigers junior did a great job in the number 11 jersey after Blake Leary was called into the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys side.
Flying winger Jonathan Reuben landed his fourth try in two games, giving his team a 16-6 lead at halftime, and in the process taking him to the top of the Leading Try Scorers ladder.
The Pride were first to score in the second half, with tries to Patrick Mago and then Jordan Biondi-Odo giving the home team a 18-16 lead.
However, the Blackhawks fought back mid-way though the second half with two tries to Samsen O’Neill and Michael Parker-Walshe, to snatch the win for the visitors.
Blackhawks coach Kristian Woolf said he was pleased with his team’s performance as they put in a grinding effort.
“I was very pleased with the win, it was a really tough game of footy,” Woolf said.
“Conditions were quite slippery and at times it was difficult to come up with attacking plays because of this.
“We knew we had to match the Pride’s energy and enthusiasm and I think we did a really good job doing that.
“Our leaders were particularly good, they all stood up when we needed them to.”
Parker-Walshe also put in a strong effort despite an injury scare, helping set up the first two tries before producing a remarkable individual effort to score in the 72nd minute, sealing the win.
The next Intrust Super Cup game for the Blackhawks is a home game this Saturday against the Burleigh Bears at 4pm. The Pride are also at home and will host the Ipswich Jets.
See the final team line-ups and full scoring details via QRL Live
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS 28 (Temone Power, Jordan Kenworthy, Jonathon Reuben, Samsen O’Neill, Michael Parker-Walshe tries; Carlin Anderson 4 goals) def NORTHERN PRIDE 18 (Graham Clark, Patrick Mago, Jordan Biondi-Odo tries; Khan Ahwang 3 goals) at Barlow Park.