An upset win to Devils over PNG Hunters has them sitting just outside Intrust Super Cup top six

NORTHS Devils found form in front of their home crowd to post an upset win over PNG Hunters to stay in touch with the Intrust Super Cup frontrunners. Full wrap-up here.

Queensland Cup rugby league round 16 clash between the Norths Devils and PNG Hunters at Albert Bishop Park, Nundah. Jai Arrow (Norths). Picture: Bradley Cooper

The Norths Devils recorded one of the upsets of the season to keep their finals hopes alive in the Intrust Super Cup.

Norths beat the PNG Hunters 24-8 in front of their home fans to now sit just two points outside of the competition’s top six.

In other matches, Easts Tigers closed in on the top four with victory over the Northern Pride, Sunshine Coast fell short against Townsville, Redcliffe kept rolling and Souths Logan Magpies found form away from Davies Park in Round 16.

EASTS TIGERS def NORTHERN PRIDE 26-24 at Langlands Park

A PENALTY goal to Easts playmaker Brodie Croft was the difference between the Tigers and the Northern Pride at the weekend as the home side close in on the top four.

Both teams scored four converted tries on Saturday as Easts forward Matt Zgrajewski opened the scoring in the eighth minute. But the Pride fought back with two consecutive four-pointers through Sheldon Powe-Hobbs and Justin Castellaro within five minutes of each other.

Tigers fullback Javarn White and five-eighth Brent Warr replied with tries in the 31st and 34th minute followed by the Croft penalty goal in the 39th minute to put Scott Sipple’s side up 20-12 at halftime.

By the 61st minute the visitors held a 24-20 lead after tries to Rhyan Ghietti and Linc Port before Leon Ellia-Niukore drew the Tigers level after crossing the line in the 74th minute with Croft converting the try to win the game for Easts.

The Tigers now sit just one point behind fourth-placed PNG Hunters.

NORTHS DEVILS def PNG HUNTERS 24-8 at Bishop Park

Norths Devils recorded one of the upsets of the season to keep their finals hopes alive after a 24-8 victory over the PNG Hunters at Bishop Park on Sunday.

Devils playmaker Todd Murphy put on a masterclass to lead his side to the much-needed victory and have his side just two points behind the sixth-placed Sunshine Coast Falcons.

Murphy started the scoring with a try in the 17th minute with Luke Pollock adding to the Devils’ tally in the 25th minute to have the home side up 12-0 at halftime.

The Hunters struck back in the 42dn minute with a try to Adex Wera but that was the only joy for the visitors with Jarryd Dodd and Matiu Love-Henry also crossing the line for the Devils, who finished with a 16-point win.

Intrust Super Cup round 16

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TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS def SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 22-12 at Jack Manski Oval

SUNSHINE Coast stayed in the hunt the whole way but it was Townsville who eventually had too much class at Jack Manski Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The Falcons had planned to throw the ball around in a bid to break up the Blackhawks defence, but it wasn’t until late in the half that Curtis Scott, who played five-eighth, finally got them over the stripe.

The home side came out firing after the break with tries to Moses Pangai and Conor Carey in the opening four minutes of the half, but Eddie Tautali got one back to put Sunshine Coast in striking distance.

But the Falcons could not take the opportunity to hit the lead. Instead the Blackhawks struck the final blow in the 76th minute.

Sunshine Coast remain in sixth on the Intrust Super Cup ladder.

REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS def MACKAY CUTTERS 36-28 at Dolphin Oval

ANOTHER second half fightback has enabled Redcliffe to notch their fifth straight win of the Intrust Super Cup season.

After what coach Adam Mogg described as “our worst first half of the season”, the Dolphins went into the sheds 24-4 down at halftime against visitors Mackay.

“Basically we didn’t have the right attitude at the start of the game,” he said.

“It was a very good response in the second half though.

“I had my piece and obviously the players drove it from there and that’s exactly what you want.”

Just 15 minutes into the second half, Redcliffe had scored three tries and were back in the lead, going on to record a 36-28 win.

SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES def TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS 48-30 at Piggabeen Sports

AN eight-try performance powered Souths Logan to a 48-30 victory over the Tweed Head Seagulls on Sunday.

Halfback Sam Scarlett and prop George Fai each grabbed a double in the victory, while Dan Tamou, Phil Dennis, Jack Joass and Luke Archer all found the try line.

The Magpies started on fire, with four tries in the opening 15 minutes propelling them to a 28-6 halftime lead.

However, Josh Hannay’s side switched off after the break, with the Seagulls scoring four-tries-to-one to pull the margin back to 34-30 with 10 minutes to play.

But Bradley Frith kicked a penalty goal six minutes from time before Souths Logan crossed twice in the final three minutes of play to kick away to the 18-point victory.

The Magpies host the third-placed Townsville Blackhawks at Davies Park on Sunday. Kick-off is at 2pm.

Intrust Super Cup ladder here: