Double to Salam in tough win
A DOUBLE to centre Bacho Salam has helped the Townsville Blackhawks to a 22-6 victory over the Mackay Cutters at BB Print Stadium last night.
The Cutters had all the early field position after backto-back penalties and a goal line dropout, but they failed to take advantage.
Mackay then gifted the visitors a try as winger Yamba Bowie dropped a bomb on his own line and Blackhawks halfback Shaun Nona pounced on the loose ball for a 6-0 lead.
A run of penalties had the home side under more pressure, but they found a way to turn it around as prop Jack Brock barged over to draw back level after 20 minutes.
Brock was involved in a sickening head clash with Blackhawks prop Kieran Quabba moments later which forced both players from the field and Quabba did not return. Nona put a stabbing kick through for Salam to score before five-eighth Jaelen Feeney got a late offload away for backrower Temone Power as the Blackhawks made it 18-6 at halftime. Blackhawks debutant Michael Bell was sin binned for a professional foul early in the second half, but the Cutters couldn’t capitalise as the referee found a forward pass after winger Carlin Anderson dived over in the corner.
Salam then scored his second while the Blackhawks were still down to 12 men which would be the last time either team would cross the stripe as the visitors notched their fourth win in a row.
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS 22 (Bacho Salam 2, Shaun Nona, Temone Power tries; Shaun Nona 3/4 goals) def MACKAY CUTTERS 6 (Jack Brock tries; Carlin Anderson 1/1 goals)