Round 5
Souths Logan Magpies 24 l. Northern Pride 34

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

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

Late Surge Lifts Unbeaten Pride
Sun April 13, 2008
Source: www.qrl.com.au

A devastating second half burst from the Northern Pride has brought about Souths Logan's first defeat of the Wizard Cup season.

In a scintillating display, the Pride scored 28 points in the second stanza to blitz the Magpies 34-24 on a warm Saturday afternoon at Meakin Park.

The stunning comeback silenced the Magpies' vocal army of supporters, many of whom would no doubt have been ready to pop open the champagne bottles after their team led 24-6 after 47 minutes.

Long-serving ABC commentator David Wright described the Pride's win as "one of the great comebacks".

The Magpies led 18-6 at half-time and went further in front soon after the break when Souths Logan livewire Quentin Laulu-Togagae pounced on a loose ball in the in-goal to score.

Laulu-Togagae's try ? his third of the match ? and Michael Dobson's conversion extended the home side's lead to 24-6.

The Pride's prospects of a fifth-straight win appeared to be dead and buried at that stage.

"We were a little bit worried but we knew if we came out and did the right things we'd be right," Pride prop Greg Byrnes told the ABC after accepting the man of the match award.

A try in the 49th minute from Melbourne Storm-bound centre Brett Anderson sparked the comeback for the visitors.

The Pride was able to go deep on the attack after the Magpies let the ball go dead from the re-start of play.

It turned out to be a costly error for the Magpies, who were on the back foot for the remainder of the match.

After Anderson's counter punch, teammates Chris Sheppard, Byrnes, Joel Reithmuller and Chey Bird crossed the white paint to put the Cairns-based team in front 32-24.

A late penalty kick from Bird put the result beyond doubt.

Having survived a stern test from a classy Souths Logan outfit, the Pride is now bracing for another torrid encounter.

The northern newcomers are back at home next week for a showdown with Darren Smith's in-form Tigers.

The Barlow Park clash promises to be a ripper, with both sides piling on the points over the weekend.

Easts thrashed Tweed Heads 34-6 at Langlands Park on Saturday.

News sent by: www.qrl.com.au

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