ROUND UP

BY ALF WILSON

bye next week and with it a chance to recharge ahead of their run into September.

Gagai’s ‘masterclass’ performance

Experienced centre Dane Gagai had a blinder in his Newcastle Knights sides 42-6 win over the Sydney Bulldogs on Sunday in front of a big home crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Dane scored the Knights first try at the sixth minute and was dangerous in attack and powerful in defence.

Enari Tuala who has lined up at a Gordonvale Allblacks carnival scored for the Knights at the 38th minute.

The Knights led 30-0 at half-time after enjoying 60 percent of possession in the first half and completing at 85 per cent.

Fifita contract extended

David Fifita has extended his contract with the Gold Coast Titans until the end of season 2026 and was one of his side’s best in Friday night’s 36-6 loss to the Cronulla Sharks.

David made numerous strong runs and had one try disallowed by the bunker and saved two others with strong defence.

The Sharks led 20-6 at halftime and look set to figure in the finals series.

Initially the referee awarded a try to David after he jumped high to steal a bomb kick from the Sharks fullback.

On review, it was ruled out by the Bunker that Fifita was found to have knocked the ball forward on his way to scoring.

Cotter key in blockbuster

It will be a massive crowd at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville tonight when the Cowboys meet the Cronulla Sharks.

Queensland Maroons State of Origin hero Reuben Cotter will be a key man for the Cowboys when they face a giant Sharks forward pack.

Fans from the Torres Strait, Cape York, NPA, Cairns and Mackay will be amongst the spectators.

The Cowboys sit ninth of the ladder and need to win to move into the top eight.

Dolphins down to Roosters

The Sydney Roosters kept their finals hopes alive with a 30-14 victory over the Dolphins on Saturday night.

Dolphins star back Hamiso “Hammer” Tabuai-Fidow played well for the Dolphins which have now won only two of their last 11 matches.

Next week the Dolphins will be looking for a win against the bottom placed West Tigers in round 25 at CommBank Stadium.

Seb missed Sebastian “Seb” Kris couldn’t help the Canberra Raiders in their 48-2 loss to the Melbourne Storm due to injury.

BY ALF WILSON

The Northern Pride scored nail biting a 22-20 win over the Clydesdales at Barlow Park in Cairns on Saturday in round 21 of the Hostplus Queensland Cup.

The Pride led 16-6 at halftime and held off the fast finishing Clydesdales before a parochial home crowd.

Pride try scorers were Ewan Moore, Matthew Egan, Kenneth Fonoti and Evan Child kicked three goals. Included in the Pride side were Erub United back Dantoray Lui and Seamus King-Smith from Weipa.

Edrick Lee scores again

Torres Strait islander Edrick Lee scored a try for the CQ Capras who lost 32-26 to the Redcliffe Dolphins at Kayo Stadium.

Edrick is one of the best finishing outside backs in the competition and looks set to return to the Dolphins NRL team in coming weeks.

Hunters fire at Port Moresby

Before a massive crowd at PNG Stadium in Port Moresby, the Hunters scored a 22-18 win over the Townsville Blackhawks.

The Blackhawks had led 10-6 at halftime but the local Hunters surged in the second 40 minutes.

Hunters try scorers were Morea Morea, Joshua Lau, Whallan Tau-Loi and Jamie Mavoko who kicked three goals.

For the Blackhawks try scorers were Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Zac Laybutt and Sam McIntyre whilst Tom Duffy booted three goals.

The Blackhawks side included TS players

Jayden Hodges and Gehamat Shibasaki. Another try for Reuben

Flying back Jon Reuben scored a try for the North Devils who went down 40-18 to the Falcons.

The Falcons side included Melbourne Storm superstar Ryan Papenhuyzen, who scored a try and kicked five goals.

Jon crossed for his four pointer at the 46th minute in the game at Brisbane’s Bishop Park.

On the Gold Coast the Burleigh Bears defeated the Mackay Cutters 24-10.

The Capras are sixth on the ladder, the Pride eighth, Hunters 10th, Blackhawks 11th, Norths Devils 12th and the Cutters 14th in the 15 club comp.

This weekend Norths Devils v PNG Hunters at Bishop Park, Mackay Cutters v Western Clydesdales at BB Print Stadium, CQ Capras v Souths Logan Magpies at Rockhampton, Townsville Blackhawks v Burleigh Bears at Townsville, and Northern Pride v Redcliffe Dolphins at Barlow Park in Cairns.

Hastings Deerings

Colts PremiershipRound 15

Rising Torres Strait Islanders stars “Deadly”

Dudley Dotoi and Jamal Shibasaki scored tries for the Townsville Blackhawks which thrashed the Northern Pride 44-6 in round 15 at

Peters-Tillett combine to lead Cowboys women home

Barlow Park in Cairns on Saturday.

Dudley scored at the fifth minute and Jamal at the 70th to both shine in a great win.

Ragarive Wavik with PNG descent scored a try and kicked six goals for a tally of 16 points.

Sam Waireg was the sole Pride try scorer. The Mackay Cutters defeated CQ Capras 30-22 at Mackay Junior Rugby League Grounds.

On the 14 club ladder the Blackhawks sit third, the Cutters eighth, Capras 11th and the Pride 13th.

In round 16 on Saturday, Mackay Cutters v Western Clydesdales at BB Print Stadium, CQ Capras v Souths Logan Magpies at Rockhampton, Townsville Blackhawks v Burleigh Bears at Townsville’s Jack Manski and Northern Pride v Redcliffe Dolphins at Barlow Park in Cairns.

Tristan named in team of round 20

Tristan Sailor, PNG Hunters stars Joshua Lau and Whallan Tau-Loi along with Northern Pride’s Ewan Moore and Chris Ostwald were named by the QRL in the Hostplus Queensland Cup team of the week for round 20.

Tristan shone for the Souths Logan Magpies in their loss to Brisbane Tigers and produced some amazing statistics.

The speedster set up two tries, amassed 238 run metres and recorded two line break assists, two tackle breaks and two offloads.

He was named as fullback of the week in the 15 club comp.