Blackhawks prevail in North Queensland derby

Townsville Blackhawks strengthened their push for an Intrust Super Cup finals berth with a gritty 28-10 victory over Mackay Cutters at BB Print Stadium.

Cup football returned after its mandated COVID-19 break, and both teams looked eager and refreshed early, Mackay hanging with their rivals for the majority of the first half, before errors and weight of possession would ultimately be their undoing.

Townsville proved too strong in the end, maintaining their undefeated streak in Mackay in the process.

An early Cutters mistake would give Townsville prime attacking position, only needing a handful of tackles as Kalifa Faifai-Loa swept down the left flank off the back of a quick shift to give them the lead.

But the Cutters would hit back a few sets later, a fumbled bomb seeing Jake Riley coming up with the crumbs as Jack Quinn’s conversion edged the home side in front.

The Blackhawks would strike back through five-eighth Kyle Laybutt, as he chased his grubber kick through the Cutters defensive line and planted it down inside the dead ball line with a great effort.

Crucially, the Blackhawks would find breathing space on the stroke of half-time, as weapon Josh Hoffman strolled through a gap on the Cutters try line to give the visitors a 14-6 lead at the break.