Cutters break Blackhawk hearts
THE Blackhawks under-20s have been left to rue what might have been after they were bundled out of the Queensland Cup Colts finals with a 30-6 loss to the Mackay Cutters at Jack Manski Oval.
The Blackhawks were the most consistent team during the regular season and finished as minor premiers, but they struggled in the finals and suffered back-to-back losses to Sunshine Coast (24-4) and Mackay.
Coach Dave Elliott said it was a heartbreaking way for the young Blackhawks to bow out after also coming off a grand final last season, but he conceded they were below their best against the Cutters.
“After having a very successful regular season, to bow out like that with some pretty uncharacteristic errors in our game was very disappointing,” Elliott said.
“Probably reflecting back, we had a fairly disrupted last month with players coming in and out so that never helps when you know you have to be very consistent with your own game.
“But in saying that we certainly had a team there on the day that we felt could’ve done the job.
“But to Mackay’s credit they came out and did play consistent.
“They played everything that we knew was coming at us, but we just didn’t defend well early and just a bit of scoreboard pressure saw some very uncharacteristic errors on our part.”
An early mistake in play from the Blackhawks had Mackay straight on the attack as winger Josh Smith claimed the opening try in just the third minute.
A penalty compounded the pressure on the young Blackhawks and Cutters centre Ryan Schill made them pay as he sliced through to make it 10-0 to the visitors after 15 minutes.
Poor discipline plagued the home side as Cutters captain Brendan White slotted a penalty goal before a stray pass found Smith who raced away to score just before halftime, which made it 18-0.
The Blackhawks needed a fast start to the second half and they looked to have it when backrower Ben Condon barged over from close range, but he was ruled to have been held up in goal.
Mackay then broke Townsville’s hearts when fullback Rayden Burns crossed the stripe moments later as the margin blew out to 24-0.
The Blackhawks tried to make something happen and they looked threatening at times, particularly through fullback Adam Cook, but they couldn’t finish it off.
Burns then put the result behind doubt as he broke clear to claim his second try before Blackhawks centre Daejarn Asi toed the ball through for himself to score a consolation try in the final moments.
The Blackhawks club still has a shot at grand final glory this season with the senior team set to host Wynnum Manly at Jack Manski Oval on Saturday in the Queensland Cup preliminary final.
MACKAY CUTTERS (Josh Smith 2, Rayden Burns 2, Ryan Schill tries; Brendan White 5/6 goals) defeated TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS 6 (Daejarn Asi tries; Daejarn Asi 1/1 goals) at Jack Manski Oval