A first half blitz from the Sunshine Coast Falcons set them up for a dominant 38-0 win over the CQ Capras earlier today.
With a relatively early kick off of 12 noon, the Falcons wasted no time to get started, with Jahrome Hughes scoring in just the second minute.
It was his first try since making his way back onto the playing field in Round 7 after a long injury layoff.
He followed that up soon after by crossing again in the 25th minute, and by then, his side had already inflicted huge damage, with wingers Matt Soper-Lawler and Jake Ainsworth crossing, as well as prop Jacob Hind all before the 20-minute mark.
The Capras tightened their defence considerable in the second half, and it took until the 57th minute for the Falcons to crack them again, this time thanks to Harry Grant.
Those were the only points they we able to score in the second half, but the hard work had all been done by their attacking first half.
It was welcome return to form for the Falcons side who had suffered consecutive close defeats, losing by two points to the Blackhawks in Round 6, were downed by a field goal against the Jets in Round 7 and a 28-24 loss to the Pride last weekend.
They also played without star centre Justin Olam, who was called up to make his NRL debut for the Storm. However, Ryan Papenhuyzen made a successful return after a few weeks out due to concussion, slotting five conversions.
For the Capras, it was a disappointing way to lose and also meant they had not scored a point in three halves of football.
Their strong first half showing against Wynnum Manly last weekend was nullified in the second to see them lose 24-14; while they were on the back foot for the entirety of today’s game after letting Hughes in for his early try.
The Capras also had their task made more difficult by a 57th minute sin binning of powerful forward Dave Taylor.
Both the Falcons and the Capras will have a bye next weekend (Round 10).
See the full scoring details and final team line-ups for this game at QRL Live
Sunshine Coast Falcons (Jahrome Hughes 2, Jake Ainsworth 2, Matt Soper-Lawler, Jacob Hind, Harry Grant tries; Ryan Papenhuyzen 5 goals) def CQ Capras 0 at Sunshine Coast Stadium
Photo: Harry Grant in action for the Falcons against the Jets in Round 7. FILE IMAGE
