For the first time since the 3rd of May, the Central Queensland Capras return to the winner’s circle, having beaten the Papua New Guinea Hunters 46-30 in Rockhampton.
The day belonged to Capras centre James Walsh, who finished the match with four tries in a dominant performance which included 11 tackle breaks.
Ex-Hunter Morea Morea delivered a statement to his former side, assisting four tries for the Capras and scoring a brilliant long range try.
In a similar vein, Nixon Putt also produced a great performance on the edge, as the other ex-Hunter topped the match in run metres made as well as scoring a try which was set up by Morea Morea.
The Hunters were able to claw back four tries in the second half, but the 30-8 halftime deficit they faced ultimately proved to be unassailable.
Unlike the Capras, the Western Clydesdales were unable to snap their eight-game losing streak as they fell to the Townsville Blackhawks 24-4 at Jack Manski Oval.
Star Blackhawks five-eighth Jack Campagnolo returned for Townsville for his first game in seven weeks, but was taken off the field after 60 minutes, in what was likely a cautionary move by Terry Campese.
Lennix Tovo started his second game at fullback this year for the Blackhawks, performing admirably with one try, eight tackle breaks, 129 run metres and zero errors.
However, the work of Jayden Hodges and Josh Stuckey in the middle would ultimately set the platform for the Blackhawks’ victory.
Jayden Hodges’ creativity at the ruck yielded two tries for his side, while Josh Stuckey’s 173 run metres through the middle provided the perfect field position for the Blackhawks outside backs to strike.
Down the Bruce highway in Mackay, the Cutters were defeated at home by the red-hot Wynnum Manly Seagulls 30-14.
Fresh off their bye, the Seagulls would burst out of the blocks scoring two tries in the opening twenty minutes and finishing the first half up 18-4.
A second half double from Delouise Hoeter would secure his hat-trick, and ultimately victory – as two late tries to the Cutters wouldn’t be enough to reduce the 30-4 deficit, as the Wynnum Manly Seagulls soared to their fourth consecutive victory.
The Northern Pride’s finals ambitions have taken a hit, as they fall to the Redcliffe Dolphins 20-16 at Barlow Park.
After a low-scoring first half finished 8-6 in favour of the Dolphins, a piece of Dantoray Lui magic propelled the visitors to 14-6 lead.
After two penalty goals and a converted Jack Boyling try, the Pride would find themselves with a narrow two-point lead entering the final ten minutes.
Unfortunately for the home side, Dolphins captain Max Bailey would barge over late, scoring the final try of the match, securing the Dolphins’ fifth straight win.
Despite the loss, Marly Bitungane continued to lead his side from the front, making no errors while running for 150 metres and completing 25 tackles with only one miss.
In Round 17’s feature match it was the Norths Devils who left with the spoils, defeating the Ipswich Jets 30-22 at North Ipswich Reserve.
The Jets did well to come back from an early 16-nil deficit, with Luke Maddaford scoring on the half-time siren to bring his side within six points of the visitors.
Despite a much closer second half, the Devils' hot start ultimately saw them through to full time.
Devils’ second rower Jackson Shereb would finish the day with a hat-trick, as the former St George Dragon continues to impress during his first season in the Hostplus Cup.
In the best game of the round, it was the Tweed Seagulls who held on to victory by the skin of their teeth, defeating the Souths Logan Magpies 36-32 at Seagulls Sporting Complex.
The Seagulls piled on five tries to the Magpies’ three in the first half, though the boot of Latrell Siegwalt would keep the Magpies within six points of their opposition by the end of the first half.
After tries from Seagulls’ forwards Cooper Bai and Tuki Simpkins would put the score out to 36-24, the Magpies would respond with two tries of their own, though Siegwalt’s boot would falter, leaving the Magpies still requiring a try to level the score.
With the game in its final moments, Israel Leota would leap above every defender to grab the ball and provide a potentially match winning assist.
However, Leota began his run in front of the kicker, resulting in a penalty for the Seagulls and heartbreak for the Magpies who slump to their fifth loss in six matches.
ROUND 17 RESULTS
Central Queensland Capras 46 def PNG Hunters 30 at Rugby Park, Rockhampton
Townsville Blackhawks 24 def Western Clydesdales 4 at Jack Manski Oval, Townsville
Wynnum Manly Seagulls 30 def Mackay Cutters 14 at BB Print Stadium, Mackay
Redcliffe Dolphins 20 def Northern Pride 14 at Barlow Park, Cairns
Norths Devils 30 def Ipswich Jets 22 at North Ipswich Reserve, Ipswich
Tweed Seagulls 36 def Souths Logan Magpies 32 at Seagulls Sporting Complex, Tweed Heads
