Cutters beat Capras in XXXX Rivalry Round

Mackay Cutters have notched their first win of the 2019 Intrust Super Cup season, downing fierce rivals CQ Capras at BB Print Stadium.

The game lived up to its billing for XXXX Rivalry Round, a see-sawing contest that hung in the balance until the Cutters eventually proved too strong for their southern foes, running away with the contest in the final quarter to post a convincing 42-20 victory.

The Capras were their own worst enemies from the start, conceding consecutive penalties that led to a swift try from Jayden Hodges, the crafty Cutters hooker diving under the posts on a wraparound play to get the ball rolling for the hosts.

The Capras squad replied in kind, piggybacked down the field following some poor Cutters discipline; Kainoa Gudgen latching onto a long ball to bring the visitors within two points of the lead, before an awesome flick pass from Bessie Aufaga-Toomaga a short time later found the hands of Gudgen for his second try of the game on the same patch of grass as his first, to give the visitors the lead.

However, Cooper Bambling ensured Cutters went into the halftime break with their noses in front, stabbing a grubber kick into the in-goal with Dan Russell pouncing on the scraps after the ball bounced away from the Capras defenders.

The Capras seemed to spark to life as the second half began with George Grant strolling through a big gap in the ruck and scoring under the posts to put the Capras ahead once more, but dogged Cutters defence saw them grind back into the contest, Reuben Cotter dashing over to score and regain control for the Cutters.

From there Cutters wouldn’t look back, with Jordan Kenworthy crashing over off a short ball to push the lead out to eight, before some lax Capras defending on the left flank saw Shane Wright barge over to give the Cutters their fifth try of the night.

Kenworthy bagged his second try off a quick pass close to the line against fading opposition and Nathan Bassani picked up a consolation try for the visitors a short time later, before finally big Prop forward Ross Bella steamrolled his way over to score for Cutters, sealing a well-earned victory.