Clifford’s Pride run fails to turn tide
THE Queensland Cup finals campaign of Cowboys fiveeighth Jake Clifford came to a disappointing end on Saturday when his Northern Pride outfit lost to Easts Tigers 32- 0 in Cairns.
Clifford, who was omitted from the Cowboys’ team for co- captain Johnathan Thurston’s final NRL game on the Gold Coast, was sent back to Queensland Cup as part of coach Paul Green’s plan to giver the Tully junior more finals experience.
Clifford struggled for support from the Pride’s edge players, who made consistent errors in attack, but still showed his class at times.
The Tigers surged to a 20- 0 halftime lead at the break, with NRL star Sam Kasiano and fellow big forward Patrick Kaufusi paving the way.
The home side showed better intent in the second stanza and their defence improved, but routinely broke down in attack, failing to trouble the scorers.
Pride coach Ty Williams said it was a disappointing end to an otherwise positive season for the Pride, who finished fourth on the Q Cup ladder.
“This was not the side that we’ve seen in the last six months,” he said.
“The boys were pretty shattered about the result.”
Marion Seve, Josh Ralph, Shane Neumann and Kasiano scored for Easts in the first stanza, and Josh Ralph posted a brace inside six minutes towards the end of the second half.
Former Pride player and Easts fullback Linc Port was among the best for the visitors.
“Our forwards were exceptional and that made it easy for the backs to score,” Port said.