Round 18: Weekend Wrap - Hostplus Cup

Author: QRL Media
Timestamp: Wed 23 Jul 2025, 11:18 AM

The Burleigh Bears have made a major statement as the business end of the Hostplus Cup nears, mauling the Brisbane Tigers 48-6 at UAA Park.

The Tigers could do nothing to stem the attacking onslaught of the Bears, with Burleigh running for 2162 metres compared to the Tigers 1373 run metres.

Burleigh fullback Lachlan West had his best performance of the season, running for 252 metres, scoring two tries and assisting another two tries.

Bench forward Takitau Mapapalangi had perhaps the most impactful 35 minute stint of any player this season, scoring two tries, making three line breaks and running for 124 metres in a truly stellar performance.

Following this win the Bears have likely wrapped up a top four finish entering the finals, while the Tigers have fallen outside the eight to now sit ninth with five rounds left in the season.

The Central Queensland Capras have continued their recent form, defeating the Tweed Seagulls 28-24 at Rugby Park.

After Blake Moore pulled off an audacious chip and chase try in the opening minutes of the match, it was clear that the Capras were in a winning mood.

The Capras were beating the scoreboard after Moore, John Fineanganofo and Connor Rothery all crossed over before the 15th minute, with the Tweed Seagulls unable to contain a Capras side embracing adlib rugby league.

Despite a comeback from the Seagulls in the final ten minutes, the Capras were able to hold on just long enough to secure back-to-back victories for the first time this season.

The Mackay Cutters snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, falling 24-20 to the Norths Devils at Bishop Park.

Despite scoring five tries to the Devils’ 4, the Cutters were unable to convert a single try in Brisbane, allowing Norths to escape Bishop Park with a valuable two competition points.

Jimmy Ngutlik of the Cutters put in his best performance of the season, scoring a hat-trick which included 203 run metres and eight tackle breaks.

Ngutlik’s opposite man put in a valiant shift of his own however, with Tony Tumusa scoring a great solo try midway through the second half and breaking ten tackles with his low centre of gravity and fearless ball running.

Following their victory, the Devils have been able to keep pace with the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Townsville Blackhawks – with a minor premiership still on offer for the reigning premiers.

Conversely, the Cutters have now fallen out of the top eight following their loss, sitting one point behind next week’s opponent, the Brisbane Tigers.

The Sunshine Coast Falcons have put the final nail in the coffin of the Northern Pride’s season, defeating them 42-4 at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

The Pride never looked in the fight in the Sunshine Coast, conceding 24 points in the first half alone.

Falcons’ winger Zion Johnson put up a very impressive stat line, running for 319 metres in addition to scoring and assisting a try.

Five eighth Jonah Pezet also performed well in his first full game since suffering a serious knee injury in April, providing two try assists and kicking for close to 300 metres.

The Falcons now find themselves in seventh place, with their next match seeing them play the struggling Tweed Seagulls.

The Falcons’ avian counterparts, the Souths Logan Magpies also came away with a victory in Round 18, defeating the Redcliffe Dolphins 30-24 at Kayo Stadium.

In a back-and-forth affair, it would be the Magpies halves which proved to be the difference, with Floyd Aubrey and Coby Black combining for four try contributions.

The Dolphins would mount a late comeback through front rower Josh Allen, but it would be too little too late, as the Dolphins now find themselves in fifth place, five points out of the top four.

The Magpies now sit two wins out of the top eight and can seldom afford another loss this season if they’re to keep their finals hopes alive.

Round 18’s feature match between the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Western Clydesdales was a one-sided affair, as the Seagulls continue their charge towards the minor premiership, defeating the Clydesdales 36-10 at BMD Kougari Oval.

To the surprise of no one, Liam Sutton was yet again best on ground, with the competition’s form player scoring two tries and running for a staggering 222 metres.

However, he did not run for the most metres of the day, with that honour going to fullback Ben Farr and his 299 run metres.

Farr also broke 14 tackles, in addition to two line breaks and a try assist.

After incumbent five-eighth Joshua Berryman was ruled out for the rest of the season with an Achilles injury, young gun Cassius Cowley stepped in and didn’t miss a beat.

In his Hostplus Cup debut, Cowley made two line breaks, scoring a try and assisting another in a brilliant performance.

The Seagulls have now won eight of their last nine matches, asserting themselves as the team to beat entering the finals.

The final match of Round 18 took place in Port Moresby, as the PNG Hunters defeated the Ipswich Jets 28-22 in Santos National Football Stadium.

The Hunters raced out to a 28-nil lead after the first 40 minutes, with the Jets falling just short of a miraculous comeback, scoring 22 unanswered points in the second half.

Fan favourite Gairo Voro returned to five-eighth, scoring a good solo try early in the first half and providing plenty of flair in the Hunters attack.

Hunters captain Ila Alu put in a great captain’s knock, scoring a try and providing a good platform of work through the middle.

Jets’ star hooker Oliver Pascoe was yet again busy at the ruck, running for 166 metres and scoring a late try from dummy half.

The Hunters’ have returned to the top eight following their latest win and find themselves in a good position entering the finals, with a bye to come this week and two home games following the bye.

Conversely, the Jets have only the one home game left this season and can ill afford losses if they are to secure a home final berth.