Blackhawks win seventh straight

TOWNSVILLE Blackhawks coach Aaron Payne believes the switch to a more freeflowing attacking style has been the catalyst for their sensational Queensland Cup form after thumping the PNG Hunters 48-18 at Jack Manski Oval on Saturday.

The Blackhawks ran in eight tries while goal-kicker Shaun Nona was perfect with the boot as they brought up seven straight wins.

It comes after the Blackhawks thrashed the Northern Pride 60-6 three weeks ago and Payne said the coaching staff had made a concerted effort to sharpen their attack.

“I think we’re certainly attacking a lot better than we were at the start of the year,” he said. “I’ll take some of the blame there. We were probably a little bit too structured. As coaching staff we sat down and identified how we could be better in attack.

“We’ve tinkered the way that we’re attacking and I think the boys have bought into it really well. They’re confident and playing some good footy, which is good at this time of the year.”

Payne felt it was a professional performance from the Blackhawks.

“They’ve got good support wherever they go and they thrive on having wind in their sails, so it’s important you don’t let them have that,” he said.

“I thought we did that well and never really put ourselves under pressure that way.”

In other Round 19 games played this weekend, Wynnum-Manly Seagulls beat Easts Tigers 18-2, Sunshine Coast crushed CQ Capras 44-12 and Redcliffe shocked Burleigh 20-14.