Round 1 Saturday wrap: Lipp gets double in Devils win over Bears

Author: Jorja Brinums QRL content producer
Timestamp: Sat 9 Mar 2024, 09:02 PM

Norths Devils winger Jordan Lipp was electric against Burleigh Bears in Round 1 of Hostplus Cup, scoring a double to help his side secure the two points.

The Devils were down 12-6 at half-time, but three second half tries, and keeping the Bears scoreless in the second half, were key to their win.

Devils skipper Kierran Moseley said “it was a tough game against Burleigh”.

“We had a lot of new boys in the team, with 11 debutants,” Moseley said.

It is the most debutants the Devils have had in a game since Round 1 in 2018 against Tweed Seagulls under Rohan Smith; last year's skipper Jack Ahearn made his Devils debut in that game and Herbie Farnworth made his senior football debut.

Moseley said the team was very connected, including the players who came back from The Dolphins, and it showed in their performance.

“It was tough, grinding game but we got it done," Moseley said.

“I think early on in the year that’s how games are going to be.”

Moseley said a standout moment for him was when Gerome Burns was sent off and “we were defending late in the first half there and we turned them away a few times, they came up with an error and we went into half-time taking a lot away from our scramble".

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 9 Mar

Full Time

Bears

Devils

Venue: UAA Park, Gold Coast

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"It was really positive for us," Moseley said, adding overall it was a big team performance.

"Not one person stood out… everyone just did their job.

“It’s still only Round 1, but it feels good to get an early win… it can go a long way in the back end of the year.

"You never know with football, and injuries and different things, teams always change, but when you can get those tough wins, especially early, it’s a big help."

Moseley said the biggest takeaway from the game was it was important to “keep turning up for each other with defence".

"Our attack is going to come when everyone starts clicking and we start working out each other’s games, building those combinations," he said.

"But very positive signs."

Bears prop Bailey Butler said it was a difficult first outing but there was plenty of positive signs.

“With a brand new team, still trying to learn stuff, I think we did pretty good,” Butler said, adding Josh Patston and Sami Sauiluma were the standouts for him.

Butler said the team would continue to work on combinations “and really click” moving forward.

“I think we’ll gel more, find our spots and get our groove on," he said.

Elsewhere, centre Clent Lama scored a hat-trick for PNG Hunters in their win against Wynnum Manly Seagulls in Port Moresby.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 9 Mar

Full Time