League kicks off with Northern Pride coup
IT was not played with the same speed and finesse as rugby league usually is at this time of year, but the return of arguably the Far North’s favourite sport served its purpose on the weekend.
The Lightning Challenge kicked off at Stan Williams Park on Saturday afternoon, with both Northern Pride teams earning victories over their Cairns and District Rugby League opponents in the double header.
The Pride Reef Kings defeated Brothers Cairns 30-22 in the first senior rugby league match to be played in Far North Queensland since March, while the Pride Giants ran away with a 44-12 victory over Tully Tigers.
Reef Kings coach Dave Scott said, even if players were a little rusty after a five-month hiatus, it was important to have the game back.
“For me, it served its purpose,” said the Pride’s Hastings Deering Colts coach.
NORTHERN PRIDE GIANTS 44 (Jack Campagnolo 2, Matthew Egan 2, Matthew Musumeci, Heilum Luki, Joe Eichner, Adam Hepworth tries; J Campagnolo 2 goals) d TULLY TIGERS 12 (Shaun Nona, Phil Nona tries; S Nona 2 goals)
“Especially with guys like Evan Child and Ewan Moore, who are both on the back of year-long injuries, getting back playing rugby league for the Northern Pride, and getting some game time coming in next year.
“If we weren’t playing any rugby league this year, they’d be coming into an ISC season after not playing for nearly 20 months, as young players.
“It’s not like they’re seasoned pros, so that’s what this Lightning Challenge is about – giving these young players time to play alongside experienced men, in an environment where there’s not that much pressure on performance so they can build confidence.
“You still want them to play well, but there’s not massive consequences, so you can work on partnerships and little technical things, or try and work on different styles of play.”
Child (torn anterior cruciate ligament) and Moore (broken fibula) both required surgery in their debut Intrust Super Cup seasons last year.
While waiting for rugby league’s return, Child ran around with AFL Cairns club Manunda Hawks, while Moore returned to his junior FNQ Rugby club, BarronTrinity Bulls.
Scott said the day epitomised what community rugby league was all about.
“The footy was played in the right spirits,” he said.
“There was guys like Evan playing against his brother, same with the Campagnolos, old teammates going up against each other.
“It had a good vibe to it.”
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