Blackhawks too good for Pride in the wet

Payne said "it was very trying conditions for both teams" with players battling constant rain.

"We just played to the conditions a little bit better," Payne said, adding his team had worked on their previously poor completion rates, and it paid off tonight. 

"There were some really good performances across the board."

Payne said he was quite impressed with Thomas Gilbert and Corey Jensen, who "got through a mountain of work", and Kyle Laybutt. 

Pride's Chey Bird said "full credit to Townsville  - they certainly turned up ready to play". "Unfortunately a few too many errors from our guys," Bird said. 

Blackhawks will face Bears in Townsville in Round 4.

"We're looking forward to getting home and playing at home," Payne said.

He said his team needed "consistency with our high standards" to keep finishing on top week to week. 

Pride, who beat Redcliffe Dolphins 22-18 in Round 1 and PNG Hunters 24-0 in Round 2, will play Ipswich Jets in Round 4. 

The Blackhawks' Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup side dominated Pride 58-6, scoring 10 tries to the Pride's one; Dylan White scored the first try of the game and converted nine of 10 tries. 

Pride assistant coach Cameron Penny said "one could say we actually got a lesson in rugby league today" . 

"What do you do? They were just too big, too strong through the middle," Penny said. 

The Hastings Deering Colts game was much closer, with Pride beating Blackhawks 14-12; Steven Stafford crossed the white line twice for Pride.

Pride's co-captain Joshtel Charlie said he was proud of his team's "really good effort".