Northern Pride defeated by Burleigh Bears in Queensland Cup Country Week

Pride coach Russ Aitken is seeing the positives in his side’s loss to Burleigh on Saturday. See the latest from the Cup

Pride Marly Bitungane in the Hostplus Cup Queensland Rugby League (HPC QRL) match between the Northern Pride and the Burleigh Bears, held at Jilara Oval, Yarrabah. Picture: Brendan Radke

A second half fightback from Northern Pride has earned praise from their coach Russ Aitken, despite them ultimately falling short against Burleigh Bears.

The Pride hosted the Bears at Jilara Oval in Yarrabah for Queensland Cup Country Week, ultimately going down 28-22.

The result came despite the local side trailing 16-0 late in the first half, before a late try to second rower Dane Aukafolau gave them a much-needed boost going into the break.

“We just didn’t come out of the blocks with the right intent,” Aitken said.

“We’re not a team that can afford to be down on the effort areas of the game, that’s the bare minimum we need.

“And we compounded that with some individual errors especially in the kick receiving game which really cost us.”

Aukafolau’s try sparked a resurgence of sorts in the second half, as Jack Boyling and Esom Ioka both crossed in the middle portion of the contest.

Nicholas Lenaz runs out of dummy half in the Hostplus Cup Queensland Rugby League (HPC QRL) match between the Northern Pride and the Burleigh Bears, held at Jilara Oval, Yarrabah. Picture: Brendan Radke

And while the big second rower crossed again in the final moments to bring the margin back to within six, it was too little too late for the Pride.

“The effort of the team has never been in question for me,” Aitken said.

“I think the second half was a good demonstration of why, we looked good in parts of the game and it just came down to some inexperience.

“There’s a lot of blokes out there with less than 20 games of Q Cup experience.”

The Pride will now enjoy a week’s break before they hit the home stretch of their season, which will start with them hosting the top-placed Norths Devils.

“It’s set to be a great challenge for us, every game for us is a chance to build our identity as a team and for individuals to put their best foot forward for the future and the positive times ahead,” Aitken said.

Originally published as Northern Pride defeated by Burleigh Bears in Queensland Cup Country Week