Devils surge in powerful showing against Souths Logan

The Devils scored nine tries, lifting their tally to 39 from the past five matches as Rohan Smith’s men again entertained their home crowd with exciting football.

The victory improved the Devils’ win-loss record to 11-1 and gave them sole possession of top spot for the first time this season after Wynnum Manly’s loss to Redcliffe last night.

The Devils put the foot down in front of a strong home crowd and ensured that the Magpies couldn’t fight their way back into the match.

While Norths have piled on points in recent weeks, they have suffered defensive lapses that have enabled teams to claw back wide margins.

But that didn’t happen in the XXXX Rivalry Round rematch as Creedence Toia’s 15th minute try for the Magpies was the only blemish for a Devils team that looked slick despite an extended break for COVID lockdown.

“It was pleasing that we were able to play well after that break which was a good sign of how our players made strong choices even when we were unable to train together for a few days,” Smith said.

“It was pleasing to see how we enjoyed the arm wrestle when we had half an hour without any points in the game.”

The Devils toppled the Magpies by 17 points in their first Rivalry Round clash this year, but this game had different line-ups with all NRL players kept out due to the COVID bubble.

But the Devils didn’t miss a beat as skipper Jack Ahearn again led from the front in a Norths team that had contributors across the park.

Jon Reuben scored the last two tries of the game, lifting his career tally to 102 tries from 99 games, while seven other Devils also crossed the line.

The try-scoring began in the third minute when Moses Noovao-McGreal crossed and was followed seven minutes later by fullback Kyle Van Klaveren.

The Magpies hit back when the Devils bobbled a loose ball from a dropout, enabling Toia to show his speed as he raced in for a try.

The Magpies had a chance at half-time, trailing 4-14, before the Devils flexed their muscles with six tries in the second half, starting with a trademark Leivaha Pulu surge in the 48th minute.

Ahearn (55th minute), Michael Molo (58th minute) and Rashaun Denny (63rd minute) followed, before Reuben crossed for the final two tries of a quality Devils performance.

Next weekend, the Devils fly out of Brisbane on Friday, bound for Dysart to meet the Mackay Cutters in a Country Week clash on Saturday.

The Magpies head to Richmond to play the Townsville Blackhawks.