Souths Logan Magpies have produced a gritty defensive display to open their Cyril Connell Cup (presented by Ford) season in style.
The Magpies kept the Tigers to a single try in the Round 1 clash, while managing to cross for two of their own in the 14-6 victory at Totally Workwear Stadium.
Harlem O'Brien-Aumaalii and Harrison Taylor crossed for second half tries for the Magpies, who were able to build scoreboard pressure thanks to the boot of Richie Taulagi.
Taulagi landed a conversion and two penalty goals to ensure victory for the Magpies, which at one stage looked on shaky ground when the Tigers took a 4-0 lead into half-time.
Tigers winger Elliot Gunner opened the scoring for the Tigers in the 10th minute, but that was their last moment of joy as Souths muscled up to frustrate the home team’s attack.
Fans at BMD Kougari Oval also witnessed a tight season opener as Wynnum Manly did enough to win the battle of the Seagulls with a 10-4 result over Tweed.
Winger Leroy Malone was the hero for Wynnum with two tries.
The points flowed more freely in Bundaberg with the Norths Devils running out 66-0 winners over the Wide Bay Bulls.
Centre Elijah Rauluni grabbed four tries for the Devils, while Fletcher Ballin was also in menacing form with two tries of his own.
Redcliffe Dolphins also got their Connell Cup campaign off to the best start possible with a 32-20 win over the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
In the Mal Meninga Cup, Wynnum Manly beat Tweed 30-10 and Souths Logan edged out Brisbane Tigers 24-20.
The opening round of the Harvey Norman Under 17s featured a thrilling 14-14 draw between Wynnum Manly and Tweed.
Tweed skipper Kesaia Sikahele did her best to claim victory with two tries, but it wasn’t enough to break the deadlock.
Sunshine Coast edged out the Dolphins thanks to tries from Sailor Bowker, Sage McRae and Lily Bain, with Sophie Kerridge’s 59th minute conversion proving the difference in the Falcons’ 14-12 win.
In the two other games, Souths Logan beat the Tigers 46-16 and Norths powered their way to a 42-0 win over the Bulls.
Souths Logan also upset the Tigers in the Harvey Norman Under 19s clash 20-16, while Wynnum Manly beat Tweed 30-8.
