QCup Rd 14 Central 24 Norths 40

by NRL

Norths Devils overcame a spirited CQ Capras to claim a 40-24 win in a highly entertaining match at Browne Park yesterday.

With a big home crowd cheering them on and helping the club celebrate their first ever televised game from the Rockhampton venue; the Capras started strongly and nearly posted the afternoon's opening try.

However, they lost the ball while on the attack with the try line within reach and instead, it was the Devils who scored the first four pointer.

Fullback Daniel Ogden was on the board when he made the most of a good Chris McLean run where he burst through the middle of the Capras defence to run downfield.

In a see-sawing first half, the Capras quickly responded, with a great break from opposite fullback Reece Baker setting Russell Webber on his way for his first of two tries for the afternoon.

The Devils were then able to take full advantage of a repeat set when hooker Kurt Baptiste, who was busy all afternoon, dove over close to the line to score after accepting a great pass out the back from Angus Cameron.

But there was more action to come, and with the ruck defence of both sides quite poor ? the Capras were the next side to exploit the gaps.

Skipper Tim Glasby barged through to score and then winger Tyron Cranston took a spectacular high ball to scramble over.

Again, it was some loose defending that allowed the Devils to draw the scores level at 16-16 at halftime with Namila Davui doing the damage for the visitors.

While for the most part, the teams were again even for much of the next half; it was Norths who made the most of their attacking opportunities, with their experience and better finishing ability playing the biggest role in the result.

The Devils quickly skipped out to a 28-16 lead thanks to a double from Cameron ? but a clever kick from dummy half by Josh Tanner saw him collect a rebound to thrust them back into the match.

However, it would prove too little as firstly Baptiste darted over for his second try, again from dummy half, before helping to set up Jarrod Wallace to post a 40-20 scoreline with the clock winding down.

During the closing stages of the match, a knock-on from the kick-off by otherwise impressive Norths youngster Che Fa'alafi handed possession to the Capras, and in turn gave winger Webber the chance to score his double and finish the afternoon on a high note for the home fans.

NORTHS DEVILS 40 (Angus Cameron 2, Kurt Baptiste 2, Daniel Ogden, Namila Davui, Jarrod Wallace tries; Joel Bailey 6 goals) def CQ CAPRAS 24 (Russell Webber 2, Tyron Cranston, Tim Glasby, Josh Tanner tries; Tyron Cranston 2 goals) at Browne Park.

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