Round 14 Sunday wrap: Blackhawks inch closer to top eight

"We had a few troops missing this week so the boys who came in really stepped up and it was a good performance," he said.

"We got a real grind mentality about our football this year. We’re trying to take people to tough places, to grind it out and hopefully reap the rewards at the back end of the half.

"We’re doing that at the moment. We’re starting to click as a team and figuring out how we want to play.”

The Blackhawks were the first to get on the board through fullback Lennix Tovo before the Magpies hit back in the corner through winger Jack Smith.

An arm wrestle ensued for the next 10 minutes before the Blackhawks started to pick up some momentum, scoring three tries in quick succession to Bailey Biondi-Odo, McKenzie Baker and Gehamat Shibasaki.

After the break, Souths Logan were hit with a send off for backrower Kobe Tararo, but instead of letting Townsville run away with the game, they responded strongly with four-pointers to Denzel Samoa and hooker Blake Mozer, who was excellent in the second stanza.

They were a chance of equalling scores, but the Blackhawks were determined to get the win, sealing the deal in the 75th minute with a try to a runaway Ratu Jope Rotavisoro.

Laybutt praised the work of his outside backs, particularly without veteran winger Kalifa Faifai Loa.

Townsville now sit just outside the top eight in ninth place, with the Central Queensland Capras holding onto their spot in the top half of the ladder with a draw with Wynnum Manly Seagulls on Sunday.

At BMD Kougari Oval, the Seagulls came out absolutely firing, scoring four tries in 21 minutes to dominate the Capras. 

But Central Queensland were not down and out, chasing down the massive lead to get it to 28-all by the 66th minute.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Norths remained at the top of the Hostplus Cup ladder with a strong 42-10 victory over the Tweed Seagulls.

And, in the final game, the Northern Pride also recorded a convincing win, toppling the Western Clydesdales 42-22 in Toowoomba.

The final game of Round 14 - the Sunshine Coast Falcons v PNG Hunters - will be played at a later date, on Sunday July 21.

For a wrap of the Saturday matches, click here.

Catch all the Hostplus Cup Round 14 replays by subscribing to Qplus.tv.