Pride fans help get job done in all three grades
ONE of the biggest Barlow Park crowds in years spurred Northern Pride to a shock 22-18 win against the defending premiers Redcliffe to open the Intrust Super Cup season.
Now, the club wants to see them return for the huge local derby against fierce rivals Townsville on Saturday week.
The Pride, led by Cowboys-contracted half Jake Clifford in the Intrust Super Cup and featuring an array of Far North talent, won all three grades against the Dolphins.
Pride chairman Tony Williamson said the crowd, which numbered more than 2500, played a big part in the side’s clean slate to start the season.
“We had a few hiccups with the rain and other things but we need to thank the people of Cairns for getting behind us,” Williamson said.
“It was an outstanding night of rugby league.”
Clifford’s boot proved the difference in the main game as the Pride won 22-18.
Cowboys-contracted stars Enari Tuala, Nene Macdonald and Gideon Gela-Mosby starred, while Peter Hola, the hulking forward who recently inked a four-year deal with North Queensland, proved why he is considered the next big thing.
Outside back Shawn Bowen was the pick of the Pride’s core squad, the Mossman product more than matching the highly-fancied opposition.
The Pride will split in three directions this week.
The under-18s will travel to Toowoomba and the under-20s head to Townsville, both against Western Mustangs. The Intrust Super Cup side will travel to Port Moresby to face PNG Hunters.