Cutters women face tough challenge against strong Burleigh Bears side in BMD Semi-Finals

The Cutters women's team face a tough challenge as they head to Brisbane to take on arch rival team the Burleigh Bears in Round 1 of the BMD Finals series.

Makenzie Weale goes over the try line to draw first blood against the Capras for her Cutters BMD women's game April 1, 2023. Picture: Marty Strecker

The Cutters women's team has capped an incredible debut season in the BMD Premiership, securing a spot in the finals despite a tight loss at the weekend.

The players, which were formerly under the Gold Stars before coming into the Cutters fold, are now preparing to face-off against Burleigh, their rival from the previous two years’ final rounds.

The Round 7 clash on Saturday had Cutters’ winger Alicia Martin scoring a second try with under 10 minutes to go, edging Mackay ahead of the undefeated Souths Logan.

But the Magpies struck the final blow, with Sera Koroi’s second effort in the dying minutes sealing Souths Logan’s 28-26 win at Townsville’s Jack Manski Oval – and the minor premiership.

Essay Banu of Cutters finally brought down by Capras in the BMD women game, April 1, 2023. Picture: Marty Strecker

Despite the setback loss to the Magpies, the Cutters have performed strong since taking on the role as North Queensland’s representative side in the BMD Premiership.

They have shown remarkable resilience and team spirit throughout the season, and have developed a new culture and attitude under coach Marco Peters.

Their upcoming semi-finals match against the Burleigh Bears will be a rematch of Round 3’s encounter, when the Bears delivered the Cutters the first of their two seasons losses, as they ran away with a convincing 34-14 win.

The Bears will be hungry for a win after the Gold Stars won the grand final last year.

Jaquelyn Oberleueter for Cutters thwarts a try by the Capras in the BMD women's game, April 1, 2023. Picture: Marty Strecker

The Bears finished second on the ladder this year just behind the Magpies.