Pride’s younger set glad for run

RUGBY league is back.

Northern Pride’s Intrust Super Cup team was sidelined after its planned three-way trial with Townsville Blackhawks and Mackay Cutters was flooded out, but that didn’t stop the club’s next generation from hitting the paddock.

Playing at Edmonton, the home of the Storm, the Pride’s Hastings Deering Colts and Mal Meninga Cup sides went toe-to-toe for their first hitout of the year.

The scores might not have mattered but, for the players, it was the first opportunity to touch the Steeden in a competitive setting this year.

It was also the first chance to impress Intrust Super Cup coach Ty Williams, who will no doubt have his eye on several under-20s players as the season rolls on.

For under-18s coach Bevan Walker, it was an important opportunity to see his side on the field for the first time in seven weeks.

While he didn’t single out any individual, Walker said he was simply happy to see the young squad in action.

“There’s some really positive things that happened out there,” Walker said.

“They haven’t trained on a field for seven weeks so I wasn’t sure how they’d go with a few things like structures and positioning. KEEN AS: Northern Pride under-18s forward Jarom Mairu.

“But I thought they did well.” Walker returns to the under-18s after two years as an assistant to the under-20s team. He coached the younger Pride players in 2015, and is back in the hot seat as Queensland’s northernmost semi-professional club chases more silverware.

Eight under-18s players will join the under-20s for a trial against Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks’ A-grade team at Mossman Showgrounds on Saturday, before the Intrust Super Cup side takes on the Cairns Foley Shield side.

editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost