Coach says slide must end — or season will

THERE are no more second chances for the Blackhawks under- 20s as they host the Northern Pride in this afternoon’s Queensland Cup Colts preliminary final at Jack Manski Oval.

A grand final clash against the Norths Devils at Suncorp Stadium awaits the winner, but the Blackhawks will need to improve after dropping backto- back games for the first time all season.

Coach David Tangata- Toa was pleased with his side’s defence in their 18- 14 semi- final loss to the Devils, but said their execution with the ball had to be better against the Pride.

“We had moments in the game last week where I thought we could’ve put Norths to the sword and we just weren’t clinical enough with the ball to apply pressure or score tries,” Tangata- Toa said. “They deserve that second chance because of how hard they worked during the year.

“Hopefully we improve in those areas this week and we get the result that we want.

“They’ve been really close games ( against the Pride).

“It’ll come down to maybe the last minute of the game and we just need to be prepared to have to win it like that.”

Injury has forced a couple of changes for the Blackhawks, with wingers Lindsey Kirk and Jake Riley both ruled out, while the Pride expects to be without star halfback Jack Campagnolo.

Pride coach David Scott rated star Campagnolo almost no chance of taking the field after succumbing to a knee injury, but Tangata- Toa was wary of finals mind games.

Kick- off at Jack Manski Oval is at 4pm.