Both of the Toyota Cowboys’ Intrust Super Cup affiliate clubs had victories at the weekend with the Northern Pride knocking over the previously unbeaten PNG Hunters, and the Mackay Cutters breaking through for the first time in the defence of their premiership.
North Queensland winger Javid Bowen scored one of the Pride’s six tries in a 34-18 defeat of the Hunters in Kokopo.
In front of the biggest crowd of the year at Kalabond Oval, the two unbeaten teams were locked up at 12-all at half time, but the Pride dominated the second half, scoring four tries to one with Ireland World Cup representative Tyrone McCarthy bagging a double.
The Pride and Norths are now the only teams yet to lose this season and will meet in the Pride’s next match at Callendar Park in Innisfail on 5 April.
The Cairns-based club have a bye this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Cutters prevailed 12-4 against Easts in heavy conditions at Stadium Mackay on Saturday night as Cowboys outside backs Curtis Rona and Zac Santo played their first Intrust Super Cup matches of the season.
The first half was a genuine struggle through the middle, with 34 minutes elapsing before Cutters forward Chris Gesch opened the scoring.
Seagulls hooker Jake Granville got his team on the board early in the second half, but that was their last moment of joy.
A Dave Petersen try and second goal from Taylor midway through the second stanza settled the Cutters, who held up for their first victory for 2014.
Mackay were without hooker Anthony Mitchell who was called up to the Cowboys squad as 18th man for the round three clash with the NZ Warriors.
NORTHERN PRIDE 34 (Tyrone McCarthy 2, Justin Castellaro, Davin Crampton, Javid Bowen, Shaun Nona tries; Shaun Nona 5 goals) def PNG HUNTERS 18 (Garry Lo, George Benson, David Loko tries; Noel Zemming 3 goals) at Kalabond Oval, Kokopo.
MACKAY CUTTERS 12 (Chris Gesch, Dave Petersen tries; Liam Taylor 2 goals) def WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 4 (Jake Granville try) at Stadium Mackay.
