Draw has Pride on the right track

NORTHERN Pride blew a 16point second-half lead at home but the Hostplus Cup club’s 22all stalemate with Sunshine Coast proved the team was on the right track, according to coach Ty Williams.

Winger Robert Derby and second-rower Ewan Moore both scored doubles for the home side, while halfback Julian Christian landed three conversions, to put the Pride well ahead and an upset victory within its grasp.

But the Falcons, who endured flight delays which pushed kick-off back 90 minutes, fought back, scoring 16 unanswered points in 12 minutes to level the scores.

Two of the three Falcons tries came from former Pride players. Cooktown’s Darryn Schonig kickstarted the fightback before 2021 squad member Grant Anderson scored the try which ultimately levelled the scores.

Christian had a chance to win it for the Pride with a penalty shot from a fairly easy position but the ball careened into the upright, sparking a push and shove which resulted in two men being sent off.

Williams wasn’t upset about the missed penalty. He was

more concerned about how his side had surrendered two vital competition points from a winning position.

“We should have tried to stem the flow of their momentum earlier,” Williams said.

“Tyson Smoothy landed some pretty clutch sideline conversions at the end to put them in that position.

“It was an improved performance. The way we used the football was encouraging, and we defended fairly well.”

Nick Lui-Toso and Cowboys enforcer Jamayne Tanua-Brown both ran for more than 200m, while Kenneth Fonoti topped the tackle count with 37.

Playmaker Matt Egan was ruled out with a virus and Jahoiyakim Afoa was named in the No.7 jersey.

However, he played at fullback and Christian reverted to the position where he’s spent most of his career.

The Pride, which moved up one spot to 11th, will now prepare to face 13th-placed Souths Logan Magpies at Tully Showgrounds on Saturday.