The Sunshine Coast Falcons proved too strong for Mackay on Saturday, posting a 28-18 win in a hard-fought match at home.
The visiting Cutters started well, with five-eighth Nicho Hynes in the right spot to latch onto a rebound off the upright to score.
The home side worked their way back into the game and got themselves on the board when Jeremy Hawkins proved too elusive for the Mackay defenders.
However, only two minutes later following a Sunshine Coast error, Yamba Bowie ensured his team capitalised and crossed in the right corner.
A try from Matthew Soper-Lawler eight minutes before the break narrowed the margin to 14-10 in favour of the visitors (who had slotted two penalty goals in the half) at the halftime siren.
The Falcons were able to hold the Cutters to only the one try in the second half, and in turn scored three of their own - including a double to Jahrome Hughes who has been playing in the five-eighth role in recent weeks.
It was the second time in as many weeks that the Cutters had pushed their more fancied opposition in a game before falling short.
For the Falcons, it reaffirmed their third placing on the Intrust Super Cup ladder. Next weekend, they will face the Norths Devils, while Mackay are at home to Burleigh.
See the full scoring details and final team line-ups for this game via QRL Live
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 28 (Jahrome Hughes 2, Jeremy Hawkins, Matthew Soper-Lawler, Justin Olam tries; Guy Hamilton 4 goals) def MACKAY CUTTERS 18 (Nicho Hynes, Yamba Bowie, Semisi Tyrell tries; Nicho Hynes 3 goals) at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
