The Townsville Blackhawks and Wynnum Manly Seagulls kicked off Round 3 of the Hostplus Cup at Jack Manski Oval for a night of Friday night football.
The Seagulls came into the match with a win against Northern Pride from Round 2 and the Blackhawks had a narrow loss at home against the Burleigh Bears.
The Seagulls opened up the scoring for the evening through David Mead and Falakiko Manu converted the try, giving his side an early lead.
Blackhawks backrower Patrick Kaufusi crashed through a wall of defence to put his team on the board and Kyle Laybutt’s conversion was successful, locking the scores 6-6.
The Seagulls went into the break with a 12-6 lead after winger Sione Hopoate scored in the corner just before half-time; Falakiko Manu’s converted the try.
Match: Blackhawks v WM Seagulls
Round 3 -
home Team
Blackhawks
10th Position
away Team
WM Seagulls
9th Position
Venue: Jack Manski Oval, Townsville
Blackhawks' Aaron Moore outsmarted the defence with a show and go, using his speed to put himself through a gap, to score the points in of the second half. Laybutt’s kick locked the scores again.
The hosts hit the lead next as the team spread the ball across the field to land in the hands of Jordan Lipp, who was quick to find the line, pushing through his opposition and Laybutt added the extras with a sideline strike.
Blackhawks prop Emry Pere proved to be too powerful as he crossed over the line extending the lead to double figures.
Blackhawks flying winger Kalifia Faifai-Loa sealed the win for the Blackhawks right on the full-time bell.
Blackhawks coach Aaron Payne praised his team for the strong defence, shutting the Seagulls out in the second half.
“I thought it was a brave win tonight, with our back against the wall early in the season,” Payne said.
“Other then the try in the first minute and the one just before half time, they didn’t score another point for the rest of the game.
“It was the win we needed one to get a reward for our hard work in the off season, but it was also just to give the boys some confidence to know they are doing the right thing.”
The final score was 28-12.
Adding onto the defeat for the Seagulls, Kalolo Saitaua spent the final minute of the game in the sin-bin for a professional foul.
The Blackhawks will face Northern Pride in Round 4, which is XXXX Rivalry Round.
Match: Pride v Blackhawks
Round 4 -
home Team
Pride
10th Position
away Team
Blackhawks
9th Position
Venue: Barlow Park, Cairns
The Seagulls will take on Redcliffe Dolphins.
Match: WM Seagulls v Dolphins
Round 4 -
home Team
WM Seagulls
8th Position
away Team
Dolphins
12th Position
Venue: BMD Kougari Oval, Brisbane
