On a great day for rugby league in Townsville, the Blackhawks have enjoyed three out of three victories at Jack Manski Oval in front of large home crowd.
The Anzac Round game day began with a 30-14 victory for the Blackhawks Cyril Connell side in their quarter final over Victoria before the Mal Meninga side also notched up a victory in their final against the same opposition; taking the win 48-6.
The Townsville & Districts Mendi Blackhawks then took to the field alongside the Northern Pride for the Anzac Day ceremony. After a stirring rendition of the Last Post and the reading of the Ode, the teams faced off on the field.
The first 20 minutes belonged to the visitors as the Pride muscled up in defence and scored the first points through five-eighth Jared Allen.
The Blackhawks were next to score as Jonathon Reuben crossed for the first of his two tries of the match.
Reuben's effort was quickly followed by a try to the Pride’s Jack Svendsen, as the home side's defence parted and the ride backrower strolled over the line.
Despite the Pride leading for much of the first half, both went to the break with a try each, with the difference being successful conversions and a field goal for the visitors giving them a 13-8 lead.
Neither side controlled the ball well during the match and the game was littered with errors and scrappy play, but the Blackhawks defence held them in excellent stead as they powered through the second half, keeping their opposition scoreless.
Blackhawks recruit Brenden Santi showed impressive strength to score his first try for the club after he forced his way over the line just after the halftime break. Minutes later, another impressive solo effort lead to points as five-eighth Kyle Laybutt took on the line and was rewarded.
The last few minutes of the match were riddled with uncharacteristic mistakes from the Pride's back three and the home side capitalised with a final try to Nathan Norford taking the result to 26-13 at the final siren.
See the final team lists and detailed scoring details for this game at QRL Live
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS 26 (Jonathon Reuben 2, Brenden Santi, Kyle Laybutt, Nathan Norford tries; Kyle Laybutt 3 goals) def NORTHERN PRIDE 13 (Jared Allen, Jack Svendsen tries; Khan Ahwang 2 goals; Brayden Torpy field goal) at Jack Manski Oval.
