The Townsville and Districts Mendi Blackhawks expected a close encounter with the Burleigh Bears and for the first 15 minutes, the home side got what they expected as they buckled down to defend their line against a hefty Bears forward pack.
The scores were locked at 6-6 after six minutes, but it was to be the last time the visitors crossed the line as the Blackhawks ran an attacking masterclass at Jack Manski Oval.
The home side ran in a total of 14 tries in 80 minutes amassing 78 points and handing the Bears their biggest ever loss in the Intrust Super Cup. The Blackhawks defence was again impenetrable with the only try scored against them resulting from a kick.
At halftime the Blackhawks were leading 38-6 the side put on another 40 point during the second stanza.
Cowboys contracted outside backs Kyle Feldt and Zac Santo scored five tries between them with Feldt clocking up a hat-trick. Doubles also went to winger Jonathon Reuben and interchange hooker Nathan Norford whose fast footwork late in the game was too much to handle for the fatigued Bears’ defenders.
Glenn Hall, Anthony Mitchell, Robert Lui and Michael Parker-Walshe also made it onto the scoreboard alongside local boy and interchange player Corey Jensen who crossed for his maiden Blackhawks try just prior to half time.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, the Blackhawks have no doubt that the Bears will not experience another such loss in the near future.
“They are a proud club with a long history and a talented line up. They are just as likely to come out firing from the loss and put 50 points on the next side they come up against. It certainly wasn’t the type of scoreline we were expecting,” coach Kristian Woolf said.
“As far as our players go, I was pleased with our completion rate at 85% and I think the boys kept focus and played out the full 80 minutes which is what we train for every week.
“We are looking at tough road trip this weekend to face Tweed Heads at Piggabeen so we now switch our focus to that game.”
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS 78 (Kyle Feldt 3, Zac Santo 2, Jonathon Reuben 2, Nathan Norford 2, Robert Lui, Michael Parker-Walshe, Anthony Mitchell, Glenn Hall, Corey Jensen tries; Robert Lui 7, Kyle Feldt 4 goals) def BURLEIGH BEARS 6 (Ryley Jacks try; Tyler Chadburn goal) at Jack Manski Oval.
Final Teams:
Townsville Blackhawks: 1. Jahrome Hughes 2. Zac Santo 3. Kyle Feldt 18. Mosese Pangai 5. Jonathon Reuben 6. Robert Lui 7. Michael Parker-Walshe 8. Ricky Thorby 9. Anthony Mitchell 10. Daniel Beasley (c) 11. Glenn Hall 12. Rhyse Martin 21. Neville Costigan 14. Nathan Norford 15. Lorenzo Ma'afu 16. Chris McLean 17. Corey Jensen
Burleigh Bears: 1. Tyler Chadburn 2. Zach Mackay 3. Brad Tighe 4. Connor Broadhurst 5. Kevin Gordon 6. Todd Seymour 7. Ryley Jacks 8. David Hala 9. Dimitri Pelo 10. Pele Peletelese 11. Ayden Lee 12. James Dunley 13. Darren Griffiths (c) 14. Tom Rowles 16. Louis Fanene 17. Josh Ailaomai 20. Kyle McConnell
