Superboot Clifford pushes hard for Cowboys call- up
COWBOYS youngster Jake Clifford further pressed his claims for an NRL debut after the playmaker willed Northern Pride to an unlikely 30- 28 victory after the siren over the Burleigh Bears on Saturday.
North Queensland Cowboys coach Paul Green must be close to blooding the Tully tyro, whose right- footed con- version won the game for the visitors at Pizzey Park.
After leading 18- 6 early in the second half, despite losing backrower Tom Hancock and skipper Ryan Ghietti early in the match, the Pride looked all but gone when the home side scored four unanswered tries in the second half.
Cowboys fringe player Ben Hampton was the man of the match for his two- try perform- ance but Clifford was the hero, with the super- sized five- eighth showing poise and creativity.
Pride coach Ty Williams said Clifford’s match- sealing conversion shows his commitment to his craft.
“Young Jake practises those kicks a fair bit during the week,” he said.
“I think he’s just got to be patient ( for an NRL call- up). I’m sure he’ll get one shortly.
“Playing in the big games and big moments like that is only going to help him.
“Obviously the boys are ecstatic to come here and win. We’re stoked to beat a really good team. We were down and out there for a while.”
Hampton said the Northern Pride’s never say die attitude throughout the match was infectious.
“We fought the whole time and came through right at the end, so credit to us boys,” Hampton said.
“Jake’s got a big boot on him … I watch him slot those at Cows training all the time, so I was confident he was going to get it.”
Williams rated the win over the Queensland Cup ladder leaders in the Pride’s top three performances during his time at the club.