Round 5: Weekend Wrap - Hostplus Cup

Author: QRL Media
Timestamp: Mon 7 Apr 2025, 03:24 PM

At the end of Round 5 only three teams remain undefeated in the Hostplus Cup, following a nail-biting finish between the Townsville Blackhawks and Central Queensland Capras.

With the Capras down two points in the dying minutes, it all came down to a final shift right.

As Cooper Marshall receives the ball at centre, he shifts it to Tevita Naufahu on the wing who looks certain to score the match winning try, before an onslaught of Blackhawks defenders, led by winger Dudley Dotoi launched themselves at the rookie Naufahu, dislodging the ball from his grasp and securing the Blackhawks two competition points.

Though the final execution of the outside backs cost the Capras everything, the PNG Hunters have had no such issues when it comes to their back five.

Between their wingers, centres and fullback – the Hunters gained a staggering 776 metres and five try contributions against the Tweed Seagulls at Cbus Super Stadium, in a 26-20 win for the Hunters.

Star fullback Sanny Wabo bagged himself a hat trick on the day, but his thunder was partly stolen by highly touted halfback Zane Harrison scoring on his Hostplus Cup debut.

The 19-year-old was last year’s Mal Meninga Cup player of the season, and was arguably best on ground for the Seagulls, breaking 7 tackles and showcasing impressive defence for someone of his age and stature.

Another young gun playing valiantly in a defeated side was Marly Bitungane of the Northern Pride.

Playing only 44 minutes in the front row, the hulking front-rower crossed twice in the first 20 minutes of the match, accruing seven tackle breaks in only six hit-ups.

Despite the best efforts of Bitungane, a 75th minute try from Mackay Cutters fullback Raydan Burns served as a death knell for the Pride, as the men from Mackay secured the two points at home for their first win of the season, defeating the Northern Pride 16-12.

Further down the coast at Redcliffe, the Dolphins continued their unbeaten streak as they dominated the Western Clydesdales at home 34-10.

Fullback Zaccariah Miles and winger Junior Tupou both secured second-half braces, as the Clydesdales failed to keep-up with a fast-finishing Dolphins attack.

The Clydesdales proved to be their own worst enemies on Saturday, racking up 12 handling errors during the affair.

Heading west towards Ipswich, the Burleigh Bears kept the Jets grounded, as Josh Rogers and company ran up the scoreboard defeating the men in green 36-16.

Bears hooker Cole Geyer stole the show in Ipswich, securing a double and making 26 tackles with only one miss in a whirlwind 55-minute stint.

Last weekend’s broadcasted match didn’t disappoint, as the Brisbane Tigers won their first match of the season at home against the Sunshine Falcons, 26-18.

Tigers’ fullback Tahj Wood was everywhere, scoring a try and pulling off an audacious try saver against winger Zion Johnson, knocking the ball out of Johnson’s grasp as he was mid-air over the tryline.

Falcons’ debutant Joseph Vite had a bittersweet first game, as he scored a double but was unable to finish the match, suffering a lower-body injury in the final 10 minutes.

The final match of Round 5 was a bona-fide blowout as the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls kept their foot firmly on the gas, defeating the Souths-Logan Magpies 54-20.

Jock Madden had a day out, scoring 22 points and going 9/9 with his conversions.

For the Magpies, Ben Te Kura extended his try-scoring streak to three games in a row, with the mammoth front-rower developing an insatiable hunger for meat-pies.