Intrust Super Cup: Mackay Cutters report

Two tries from Cowboys forward Dane Hogan helped the Mackay Cutters record a 34-20 victory over Easts Tigers at Langlands Park on Sunday afternoon to jump to fifth on the Intrust Super Cup ladder.

Following a see-sawing opening stanza, Mackay turned a 16-14 early second-half deficit into a 34-14 lead, courtesy of four straight tries in less than 20 minutes.

Hogan’s double came in that stretch as the Cutters kicked clear on the way to their second straight away win and a 3-3 win-loss record.

Another Cowboy, Sam Hoare, had his best game for Mackay after stepping up from the Toyota Cup competition in 2011 and started the Cutters’ scoring with a smart offload that led to a try for halfback Matt Minto.

However, the Tigers struck back with two tries when skipper Shane Neumann pounced on a loose ball (16th minute) and Cody Walker stepped his way to the line (19th minute), creating a 10-6 advantage.

But Mackay regained the ascendency via winger Liam Taylor, who finished a nice draw and pass from centre partner Mosese Pangai to help his side to a 12-10 lead at the break.

Upon resumption, Easts struck first blood when crafty halfback Isaac Kaufmann sold a dummy to score his third try of 2012.

Dropped balls and penalties then became the Tigers’ Achilles Heel and Mackay took full advantage when Jardine Bobongie hit a hole to put his team ahead 16-14.

The floodgates opened against a tiring defensive line, as winger Michael Thomas crossed before Hogan barged his way over for a double in the space of five minutes, giving Mackay an unassailable 34-14 buffer.

Easts’ Geoff Holcombe managed a consolation try but it was too little, too late against an impressive Cutters outfit, who now move into the top five for the first time this season.

The boys from Mackay now face Central at home on Friday night, while the Tigers will be hoping to bounce back from two consecutive losses against Norths.

Mackay Cutters 34 (Dane Hogan 2, Liam Taylor, Michael Thomas, Matt Minto, Jardine Bobongie tries; Matt Minto 5 goals) d Easts Tigers 20 (Shane Neumann, Cody Walker, Isaac Kaufmann, Geoff Holcombe tries; Ryan Tongia 2 goals) at Langlands Park.