A four-try haul from Souths Logan Magpies fullback Tamika Upton stole the show at Pathion Park as a reformatted Round 2 of Holcim Cup action kicked off on Saturday.
The Central Queensland product scored two tries in each half and proved elusive throughout as the Magpies scored a 44-4 win over Easts Tigers across two halves.
It was a complete performance from the experienced Magpies, who had Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons captain Ali Brigginshaw running water for the team.
Forward Steph Hancock continued her strong form from Round 1, playing a key role in setting up a number of their tries, including chasing through on a bomb she put up, regathering and passing off to winger Hayley Maddick to score.
The Tigers put in a solid effort and played well in patches, but were unable to put the finishing touches to add to the try scored by fullback Keisha-Leigh Coolwell in the first half.
Earlier in the day, the crowd were treated to an exciting 8-8 draw between West Brisbane Panthers and Burleigh Bears.
It was a tight contest throughout, with second rower Tazmin Gray starring for the Bears side with two tries, including one from nothing, where some fancy footwork at the line saw her spin her way past defenders to go over for her second.
Other strong performers were Tweed Seagulls halfback Tarryn Aiken, who signed on with the Panthers for the Round 2 matches after the New South Wales side were not able to take part in the Round 2 fixtures due to the recent border closure, and scored a second half try for her new team.
The Panthers had the better of the first half, with five-eighth Romy Teitzel scoring the one four-pointer of the half, while a Gray double kept the Bears in the game.
On demand: Holcim Cup - Round 2
Next week’s draw will be confirmed on the QRL website later this week, with QRL staff working to find a way for the Seagulls to re-join the competition if possible under Queensland Government regulations.
Main image: West Brisbane Panthers and Burleigh Bears players embrace following a close match. Photo: Vanessa Hafner
