REVEALED: Biggest talking points from the Western Clydesdales’ clash with the Northern Pride

After a string of promising performances, the Western Clydesdales faced one of their toughest tasks yet when they hosted the Northern Pride on Sunday. Check out the biggest talking points from the clash here.

Esom Ioka in action for the Western Clydesdales. Picture: Brendan Radke

On a day where the Western Clydesdales honoured the anniversaries of the historic Toowoomba Clydesdales sides, it was the Northern Pride who spoiled the party with a comprehensive performance.

The Pride showed why they are second on the ladder as they claimed an impressive 42-22 win at Clive Berghofer Stadium.

Check out the biggest talking points from the high-scoring clash below.

Partridge leads outside back bombardment

One of the biggest differences between the two sides was the class and clinical nature of the Pride’s outside backs.

From the opening minutes in the game, it was clear the Pride were a class above out wide as they created a linebreak out of nothing and almost scored a try with just their second set of the game if not for a knock-on 10m out from the line.

Will Partridge of the Northern Pride. Picture Emily Barker.

No matter the position on the field, the visitors were always a threat to create a linebreak or try-scoring opportunity thanks to the elusive ball movement and pace of the backs.

Led by a hat-trick from Will Partridge, the Pride were simply a class above the inexperienced Clydesdales backline.

Clydesdales missing that finishing touch

A by-product of the inexperience within the Clydesdales backs, where second-year fullback Esom Ioka boasts the most Hostplus Cup experience with 25 games under his belt, meant the hosts lacked the clinical nature their opposition had.

The first 15 minutes of the game produced eerily similar scenes to the Clydesdales’ clash with the Papua New Guinea Hunters only a week ago, as they created several opportunities to cross over for a try but could not break through the Pride’s defensive line.

Jason Alchin’s side had multiple sets inside Northern’s 20 but could not put the icing on the cake.

After building up pressure, the Pride were given a lifeline thanks to a knock-on followed by a penalty deep in their own half and wasted no time making the Clydesdales pay as they scored with their first completed set of the game.

Corey Fenning (pictured during the Clydesdales’ round 8 win over the Redcliffe Dolphins) impressed once again on Sunday. Picture: Benny Hassum Photography

Fenning the pickpocket

In what has become a common occurrence this season, Clydesdales centre Corey Fenning turned defence to attack in the blink of an eye.

In the 65th minute of the game, Fenning latched onto an a cut out pass and ran almost 70m to cross over for the Clydesdales’ third try of the game.

Despite making his Hostplus Cup debut in round 5 of this season, the 22-year-old has proven he has elite vision and can often read plays before they happen.

Late consolation for hosts

With less than 20 minutes on the clock, the Pride brought the mood down in Clive Berghofer Stadium as the hosts trailed 36-6 after five unanswered Pride tries.

However, the Clydesdales managed to give their home faithful something to cheer about in the final stages of the contest as they scored three of the last four tries, including a maiden try for young five-eighth Mac Puafisi.

It was an incredible individual effort from the young playmaker as he used all is strength to drive through four Pride tacklers and scored a try with the final play of the game.