Pine Central Holy Spirit remain undefeated in the Brisbane Intech Open 1 Men’s division with a clinical 38-4 win over St Brendan’s last Saturday at Kookaburra Park.
The Hornets fullback and captain Daniel Prentice-McLeod starred in his side's win, putting on a superb display of skill from the back.
Pine Central opened the scoring in the fifth minute, capitalising on an overlap out wide to register the first points of the afternoon.
Not two minutes later, Hornets second rower Keegan Blows touched down beside the sticks after some good lead up work by halfback Bailey Weatherall - seeing the Hornets shoot out to an early 12-0 lead.
St Brendan’s needed to steady the ship and fast to avoid any more points being leaked. After a disastrous start for the home side, they started to find some rhythm.
Second rower Pouvalu Lafitani and prop Troy McDowall dished out some punishing hits that rattled the Hornets attack and appeared to be the turnaround they were looking for.
However; Hornets' Prentice-McLeod had other ideas, stepping and weaving his way through the Saints defence, making it look easy to set up the next try belonging to Kalal Meni.
Meni had no hesitation latching onto a pass that saw the powerful centre go in to cross out wide, further increasing the scoreline.
Prentice-McLeod was at it again, breaking free of some tired St Brendan’s defence that saw the custodian break free up the middle.
Some desperate Saints defence scurried to stop a further try, however halfback Bailey Weatherall was too quick in lunging over for a sneaky four-pointer right before half-time.
The Saints did have an opportunity to score before the break, however, were unable to break the Hornets' defence, led by Taio Rio and Cleary Vaifale.
A rejuvenated Saints came out all guns blazing in the second half after the law was laid down by coach Neville Reeves and they were first to score after the break.
But that would be the only points scored of the afternoon for the home side.
Hornets back rower Blows grabbed a double after some good metres by Prentice-McLeod crossing over out wide.
After completely one-way traffic in the first half, the Saints did show signs of improvement in the second stanza.
Centre Mahi Taipaleti, Connah Harvey and Toby Faulkner were outstanding for the home side, all playing a pivotal role in their positions.
If the Saints were thinking of making a miraculous comeback though, Pine Central were going to stand in their way and did so.
Hardworking forwards Taio Rio, Philippines International Carlin Millar and Joey Mckenna were superb for the visitors, all adding some extra spark in what is a well-coached Hornets side.
Hornet’s halves pairing Trent Blackman and Weatherall combined in the 55th minute to send in Richard Anae, who made no mistake touching down to see the visitors shoot out to a 32-4 lead.
A late bombed try by Saints could have added more points to their tally but it was just not their day.
The Hornets had the last say in the match though, when prop Vaifale smashed his way through the Saints defence to score under the posts, completing what was a fine display of rugby league.