Brisbane Tigers have shot to the top of the Hostplus Cup ladder following a 36-22 win over the Central Queensland Capras at Totally Workwear Stadium.
The victory was the Tigers’ second from as many attempts, and with a healthy points differential, the Jimmy Lenihan-coached team is setting the early pace.
Joining the Tigers on four competition points are the Mackay Cutters and Northern Pride.
But it was the Tigers who produced arguably the most impressive win of the round by getting the better of a confident Capras line up.
CQ upset the Papua New Guinea Hunters on their home soil last weekend but a second-straight away trip proved too much to handle this time around.
The Tigers raced out to a commanding 28-6 half-time lead on the back of a double to Zacariah Miles and further tries to Clay Webb, Samuela Vakadula, Leon Te Hau and Esom Ioka,
CQ did well to stem the flow of points after the break and managed to get their own attack into top gear, with Bob Tenza, Malachi Dumas and Cooper Marshall all crossing for the Capras in the second half.
After a bye in Round 1, the Northern Pride came out full of running in their clash against the Tweed Seagulls.
Pride centre Jaxon Paulo was in brilliant touch, completing a hat-trick of tries by the 54th minute.
Tweed five-eighth Lindon McGrady landed four conversions, surpassing club legend Brad Davis as the Seagulls’ all-time leading points scorer (currently 1070 points).
In Hervey Bay, Sunshine Coast Falcons opened their account for the season with a gritty 24-12 victory over the Ipswich Jets.
Redcliffe Dolphins also kickstarted their season with a strong 28-14 result over the Townsville Blackhawks at Kayo Stadium.
Halfback Josh James led the way with two tries and four conversions.
Norths Devils showed their class with a 42-10 win over the Western Clydesdales, while Wynnum Manly Seagulls overturned a 16-point half-time deficit to beat the Hunters 28-20.
At Davies Park, the Souths Logan Magpies and Burleigh Bears played out a thrilling 28-28 draw.
