Round 1
Northern Pride 44 d. Mackay Cutters 16

2008 Wizard Queensland Cup Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats]

Location: Australia > Queensland > State/Metropolitan Level Competition: Wizard Queensland Cup

Pride Prevails On Wet Weekend
Mon March 17, 2008
Source: www.qrl.com.au

Northern Pride coach Andrew Dunemann concedes he faces a massive task to get his battle-weary charges ready for the toughest away trip in the Wizard Cup next weekend.

Dunemann, whose team registered an historic 44-16 win over fellow debutants the Mackay Cutters on Saturday night, is now faced with the daunting assignment of meeting Redcliffe at their Dolphin Oval fortress.

But it's a challenge that Dunemann and his charges are looking forward to with immense excitement following their convincing win over the Cutters.

The match was played on a rain-drenched Barlow Park field in Cairns which Dunemann later described as a "mud pit".

Following a week of heavy rain, there were conflicting reports over whether the match would go ahead.

But after an afternoon pitch inspections and lengthy conversations between club officials, the QRL ruled the match would go ahead.

Some fans had already come and gone, but the Pride didn't let the drama unsettle them in their quest for the two competition points.

Dunemann said his players were "exceptional".

"If we can keep that standard up we're going to win a few games," the former Raiders utility said.

Former Eels young gun Brett Anderson was a standout for the home team.

The classy centre scored four tries in a stunning debut for the Cairns-based outfit.

"He's basically missed three years of footy (through injury). I think he's back to where he was at when he played first grade," Dunemann said.

The Pride coach said the team would have an easy week on the paddock after such an energy-sapping game.

"We'll be having a light week at training," he said.

"It's going to take a lot out of them."

Mackay player/coach Shane Muspratt was a shattered man after the game.

"We made errors in the first half and they (Pride) didn't have to come out of their own end at all," Muspratt said.

"It's probably one to get out of the way, but we weren't the only team that lost this weekend."

The Cutters get a chance to hit back in round two against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls at BMD Kougari Oval.

News sent by: www.qrl.com.au

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