Souths Logan finished their season in a style at a sodden Brandon Park, defeating Mackay 32-18 on Saturday night.
Persistent rain leading into the match, as well as throughout a majority of the 80 minutes, dampened both teams’ final matches for the season where pride was all that was left to play for.
The weather was certainly below par, however the Magpies put on a great team performance to win back-to-back matches to finish the season.
Tikiko Noke was terrific in the middle for the Magpies, who had an array of strong contributors. Rhys Jacks was as potent as ever, despite some close attention, and young full-back Jack Joass was dangerous in attack whilst remaining cool, calm and collected under the high ball.
Another prolific display with the boot caps off an outstanding season for Scott Doyle. The Magpies’ second-rower now holds the record for most points in a Souths Logan season, passing Rickie’s Dodd’s haul of 154 points.
For the visitors, Pulou Vaituutuu ran strongly all night in heavy conditions. Sam Clune was influential, regularly creating space for his backs to exploit. His combination with fullback Liam Taylor looked consistently threatening, and the pair finished with a try each.
Leading try scorer Josh Chudleigh was notably absent for the Cutters, whose error-riddled execution in attack left much to be desired.
Despite the Magpies win last weekend against the Capras, Mackay entered the match as favourites following their incredible draw with minor premiership contenders PNG.
It was the Magpies however who got off to a flyer as two early tries from Sam Gardel and Daniel Tamou saw the home side leading 12-0 after 10 minutes.
The Magpies conceded possession from the ensuing kick-off as the ball bounced dead. The following set, Mackay had their first points through halfback Clune.
Souths Logan scored twice more soon after and were unlucky to not have their fifth try close to half time. Moments later, after defending repeat sets on their own line, Mackay took the ball the length of the field to force a drop-out. The Cutters scored their second try in the following set, closing the gap to eight points at the break.
The effort was certainly there, however errors hurt Mackay again after the break. Souths Logan capitalised early in the second half as Noke barrelled his way over to extend the margin to 14 points.
The Magpies bundled a golden opportunity to all but see off the Cutters with 20 minutes remaining, knocking-on just metres from the line.
As the rain began to intensify after a brief break, the Cutters refused to lie down. The Cutters were right back in the game when fullback Liam Taylor sliced his way through the Magpies defence, reducing the margin to eight points
A second try for Daniel Tamou late in the game sealed the match in favour of the Magpies, who finish the season with back-to-back victories and momentum heading into 2016.
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 32 (David Pritchard 2, Daniel Tamou 2, Tikiko Noke, Sam Gardel tries; Scott Doyle 4 goals) def MACKAY CUTTERS 18 (Liam Taylor, Sam Clune, Blake Atherton tries; Liam Taylor 3 goals) at Brandon Park, Acacia Ridge.
Final teams
Souths Logan Magpies: 1. Jack Joass 2. Matt Trnka 3. Dallas Anderson 4. Tim Brooks 5. David Pritchard 6. Ben Jackson 7. Rhys Jacks 8. Tikiko Noke 9. Ben Thorburn 10. Andrew Edwards 11. Scott Doyle 12. Daniel Tamou 13. Phil Dennis (c) 14. Jack Walters 15. Joe Boyce 16. Sam Gardel 17. Leon Panapa
Mackay Cutters: 1. Liam Taylor 2. Jordan Pereira 3. Tyson Martin 4. Justin Tavae 5. Buchanan Rawhiti 6. Ben Jones 7. Sam Clune 8. Brad Lupi 15. Blake Atherton 20. Pulou Vaituutuu 11. Brendan Treston 12. Chris Gesch (c) 19. Ryan Kinlyside 14. Andy Gay 16. Aleki Falepaini 17. Mitch Day (for Josh Osborne) 10. Joss Boyton
