PRIDE AND JOY
NORTHERN Pride coach Ty Williams can sleep easy knowing his side has made the best start to a season since the club’s 2014 premiership but only after a few heart palpitations in an “ugly” 22-16 win over Mackay Cutters.
The coach roasted his troops for giving their rivals a sniff after leading 22-4 with 20 minutes remaining at Barlow Park on Saturday, but admitted that 12 months ago it was a game they would have lost.
“We let them back into the game there with some poor decisions but, in saying that, the boys dug in for each other,” Williams said.
“Obviously we got a bit nervous towards the end there just due to the fact they were coming home strong, so we just spoke to the playing group just then and said we put ourselves in that position.
“But a win’s a win ... We’re heading the right direction and that’s the biggest thing.”
Williams was pleased with the improvements from his side, in part down to Jake Clifford’s performances inspiring those around him.
Fans left Barlow Park talking about the Tully talent’s double rather than high-profile recruit Todd Carney, although Clifford denied he was stealing anyone’s spotlight.
“People don’t know how much Toddy helps you out on the field,” he said.
“No one should be taking the spotlight at all. He’s doing as much as I’m doing.”
Clifford, who is now second on the competition’s leading tryscorer list with six tries, selflessly credited his form to others on the left edge giving him confidence to take on the line.
“I’ve got good players beside me holding defenders off and finding the gaps for me so if it wasn’t for the big bodies outside me, those gaps don’t present themselves, so most of the credit goes to them,” he said. “I’ve got Nathan Wales and Brett Anderson outside me ... if I had to be against them I’d be worrying about them before me.”
Mackay Cutters coach Steve Sheppard said his rightside defence was guilty of watching and allowing Clifford to go about his business, crediting he and Carney for kicking the Pride to victory.
Pride winger Murray Taulagi left the field for a HIA and with a neck complaint in the second half. He was in a brace post-game as a precaution and will need to pass concussion protocol with the Cowboys this week if he’s to return to take on Ipswich Jets this weekend.
Ryan Ghietti suffered a minor shoulder knock but is expected to recover in time.