Blackhawks tussle for sixth win in row
A LENGTH-of-the-field try from winger Kalifa Faifai Loa has seen the Townsville Blackhawks come from behind to beat Wynnum Manly 26-16 at Jack Manski Oval.
The Blackhawks trailed 16-6 at halftime before keeping the Seagulls scoreless in the second half yesterday to notch their sixth win in a row and cement second place on the Queensland Cup ladder.
The home side drew first blood as Temone Power scored beside the posts to give his side a 6-0 lead after eight minutes.
A scrum feed 30m out soon gave the Seagulls a chance to hit back and winger Daniel Ogden found the corner before Shaun Nona converted to draw level.
The momentum started to swing against the Blackhawks and that pressure showed when Jonathon Reuben was forced to make a risky pass in his own ingoal for winger Levi Dodd. Dodd made the play look like a masterstroke as he raced 60m, but a knock-on on Wynnum’s line followed by consecutive penalties had the visitors back on the attack and prop Junior Pita barged over for a 12-6 lead.
A run of penalties just before halftime was the reprieve Townsville needed, but they couldn’t make it count as they went into the break trailing for the first time since Round 6.
In the second half neither side could find a way through the defence.
Faifai Loa came up with the winning play to put the Blackhawks in front before hooker Krys Freeman sealed the win with a try right on full-time. (Corey Allan 3, George Fai, Daniel Tamou, Sam Lavea, Marion Seve tries; Guy Hamilton 7 goals) def MACKAY CUTTERS 30 (Lachlan Coote, Yamba Bowie, Thomas Murphy, Kurt Wiltshire, Nicho Hynes, Johnny Faletagoa’i tries; Nicho Hynes 3 goals) at Davies Park. NEXT WEEK Saturday 1.10am: Redcliffe Dolphins v CQ Capras at Dolphin Stadium 4pm: Burleigh Bears v Mackay Cutters at Pizzey Park 6pm: Northern Pride v Norths Devils at Barlow Park Sunday 27 May 2pm: Tweed Heads v Sunshine Coast (Piggabeen) 3pm: Wynnum Manly v Easts (Kougari Oval) 3pm: PNG Hunters v Townsville (National Football Stadium) 3pm: Souths Logan v Ipswich (Davies Park)