Unbeaten Townsville Blackhawks soar into Queensland Cup top four after beating Central Queensland Capras
The Blackhawks are flying high after holding on for a gritty 20-18 triumph in Townsville to remain undefeated in 2025. Read coach Terry Campese’s thoughts, catch up on the U19s and check out 38 of our photos.
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The Blackhawks held on for a gritty 20-18 triumph over the Central Queensland Capras on Saturday in difficult conditions in Townsville.
The Blackhawks’ third win of the season saw the side soar into the Queensland Cup’s top four as one of only three teams that remain undefeated, alongside the Redcliffe Dolphins and Norths Devils.
An early error from Capras prop Francis Molo allowed Townsville to take the lead within 90 seconds of kick-off when Bailey Biondi-Odo threw a bullet cut-out pass to put Dudley Dutoi across in the left corner.
Locked at 10-10 at the break, there were four lead changes in a seesawing second half that Blackhawks coach Terry Campese aptly referred to as a rollercoaster ride.
“What’s the saying? Who wants to be a coach? But you ride the rollercoaster and today was definitely one of them,” Campese said.
“The first 20 minutes, the boys were exceptional. I thought easily the best that we’ve played since I’ve been here at the Blackhawks.
“We suffocated Capras, we held the ball and put a lot of pressure on, and that’s what you try and achieve in a football game.
“We’ve just got to learn now, when the tide does turn, how to get it back in our favour.”
Capras had a chance to steal victory on the final play when Larsen Dale-Doyle was put into space down the right touchline, making it across the try line before Blackhawks centre Thomas Nisbet flew across and forced an error to end the game.
The Blackhawks now turn their attention to red-hot Redcliffe ahead of their meeting next Saturday at Jack Manski Oval at 5pm.
“It’s going to be a cracker next week,” Campese said.
“They’ve got a great squad, they’re got an awesome coach in Eric Smith – he was in charge of the Pride last year who were minor premiers, so it’s going to be a tough one.”
COWBOYS IN CUP
Cowboys young gun Assariah Lenoy Sam – who lined up at right centre for the Blackhawks – was named man of the match after making 13 runs, 22 tackles, and two tackle breaks while matching up against one of the competition’s best centres in Nixon Putt.
“’Azzie’ got man of the match, he’s a young kid who probably wasn’t going to start in Cup – we were looking around later on in the season,” Campese said.
“But he got his opportunity, and what we ask is when you get that opportunity take it with two hands, and he has.
“Tonight he was up against Nixon Putt who is an outstanding centre. He’s played Super League, he’s played for Papua New Guinea, he’s a tremendous ballcarrier and Azzie contained him, and contained him really well.”
Cowboys-contracted prop Kaiden Lahrs scored a try in his club debut for Townsville, but it wasn’t his first taste of senior action – the 19-year-old played seven Queensland Cup games for the Northern Pride in 2024.
“Kaiden is a talented young kid. Only 19 years old, he played 19s last week and then came straight into the Cup team and debuted at this level for the Blackhawks – which is his junior club,” Campese said.
“I was proud of him and I thought his efforts were really good when he was out there. You can see that he can match it with the top end of the Queensland Cup and he’s going to be a star of the future for sure.”
INJURY SCARE
Blackhawks forward Toby Thorburn took a heavy blow while making a tackle in the dying stages of the game, but was thankfully able to walk off the field after some nervous moments.
Campese said he would likely miss at least one match.
“It was scary there for a little bit, he put his body on the line to save a try and came out the other end worse off,” Campese said.
“He’s a great young kid, ‘Tob’, and he’s got tremendous heart and it was great to see him walk off.
“He’ll probably miss next week with HIA (Head Injury Assessment) but it was good to see him safe and smiling after the game.”
MAL MENINGA CUP
Townsville was unable to capitalise on a fast start against the Souths Logan Magpies in the Mal Meninga Cup under-19s competition, falling 30-20 after being outscored by 20 points in the second half.
The Blackhawks were off to a blistering start when winger Bruce Baudu scored in the opening minutes before collecting his second four-pointer later in the half to put Townsville ahead 14-4 at the break.
But the visitors were able to score four tries and Magpies captain David Bryenton kicked all five of his attempts at goal to stun the Blackhawks at home.
A late try from Townsville forward Loranzo Fono cut the deficit to four points with five minutes to play, but Souths Logan was able to score again through Xzavier Timotea to seal the result.
The Blackhawks are back at home this week, playing the Redcliffe Dolphins on Saturday, April 12. Kick-off is at 3.20pm, immediately before the Queensland Cup fixture between the same teams.
PHOTO GALLERY
Originally published as Unbeaten Townsville Blackhawks soar into Queensland Cup top four after beating Central Queensland Capras
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