A hat-trick to winger Lauren Moss helped steer Mackay to a 34-0 victory over Outback in the last game of the first day of Northern Region Women's Championship trials action in Townsville.
There was plenty to play for as both sides played a game earlier in the day and suffered defeats.
A deft pass by Nea Robinson put Kortney Deguara over the line first for Mackay with four pointers also to Lauren Moss, Addy Poid and Emma Manzelmann.
Mackay went into the half time break with a comprehensive 18-0 lead.
Despite a gutsy defensive effort by the Outback women, Mackay continued to score points when Moss scored her second try of the match.
Two more tries were scored by Moss in quick succession followed by a try from the halfway mark by the fullback Katie Green and a successful conversion by Robinson extended the lead to 34-0 and all but sealed the game for Mackay.
The well-structured Mackay side dominated the Outback women by making strong metres up the middle.
For Mackay, Jennifer Goostry had a great defensive game and always looked dangerous with the ball while Nea Robinson also impressed.
Kodi Wright, Leticia Perkins and Kelly Tully put in solid performances for the Outback team.
With about 10 minutes left in the game and an injury to Outback player Tilly Fejo, referee Guy Millar called fulltime on the game.
Mackay will be back in action first up at 10am tomorrow against Cairns while Outback team go up against Townsville at 11am.
Teams lists and draw for men's and women's Northern trials
The first game of the day saw Mackay go on to defeat Townsville by 20-16 in the Men's A Grade Foley Shield match.
In the first game of the Marlins Women's selection trials, it was one way traffic as Townsville punished Cairns by 48 - 0.
It was a low scoring affair between Mackay and Townsville in the Women's game where Townsville went on to notch up a 10-6 win after both sides were locked at 6-6 at halftime.
Cairns kept Outback scoreless in the women's game and proved far too strong winning 18-0 after going into halftime with a 12 point lead.
Cairns men's team played Townsville in their first game and were fresh against their opposition who looked quite spent after having played Mackay earlier in the day.
Cairns were able to capitalise on Townsville's fatigue during the first half to go into the sheds with a lead at the break.
Two tries to Stanley Anau and Kienan Grogan-Hayes were instrumental in getting Cairns over the line.
Despite a late surge by Townsville in the second half Cairns came away with a 34 - 18 win in the men's A grade game.
Cairns will have to play their best footy when they go up against Mackay in the final game of the day which potentially will decide the winner of the Foley Shield.
Tomorrow's games will be live streamed on QRL website and Facebook page.
Day 1 results – Women’s Northern Region Women's Championship
Cairns 10 def Outback 0
Townsville 10 def Mackay 6
Townsville 48 def Cairns 0
Day 1 results – Men’s Foley Shield
Mackay 20 def Townsville 16
Cairns 24 def Townsville 18
