Two tries from Toyota Cowboys outside back Kyle Feldt helped Northern Pride to seal their second straight Intrust Super Cup minor premiership with a 30-8 win over Souths Logan in Mareeba on Saturday night.
Even though they are out of contention for the finals, the Magpies made the Pride work for the two points, leading 8-0 at the half-hour mark before being level at 8-all at half time.
The Pride didn’t break Souths Logan’s resistance until the 31-minute mark when good work by halfback Sam Obst allowed Feldt to cross in the right corner.
Just five minutes later, the Pride drew level as a superb backline move gave young winger Linc Port an easy run to the try line.
The Pride continued their momentum into the start of the second half, although it took a brilliant try-saving tackle by Brett Anderson to deny Patrick Mago a try that would have put the Brisbane club back in front.
On 54 minutes, Feldt struck again to give his side the lead for the first time, leaping high to take a kick before planting the ball down.
Anderson rolled back the years by slicing through the Magpies defence from 30 metres out to extend the Pride’s lead, and try-scoring machine Davin Crampton again got in on the act, showing searing pace to score after a neat Shaun Nona offload.
Obst gained a late try from a Magpies error to finish off the scoring.
The Pride join Souths Logan (2009-10), Burleigh Bears (2003-04) and Redcliffe (1999-2000) as the only successive ISC minor premiers.
Meanwhile, the Mackay Cutters climbed to seventh on the ladder with a come-from-behind 28-20 win against wooden-spooners Sunshine Coast Falcons in Moranbah.
The Cutters trailed 14-6 at half time but scored the first three tries of the second half to end the Falcons’ chance of causing an upset.
NORTHERN PRIDE 30 (Kyle Feldt 2, Linc Port, Brett Anderson, Sam Obst, Davin Crampton tries; Kyle Feldt 3 goals) def SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 8 (Patrick Mago try; Patrick Mago 2 goals) at Davies Park, Mareeba.
MACKAY CUTTERS 28 (James Uhatafe 2, Doug Hewitt 2, Anthony Mitchell tries; Zac Santo 4 goals) def SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 20 (Joe Meninga 2, Rowan Klein, Tom Murphy tries; Ryan Hansen 2 goals) at Daryl Bourke Oval, Moranbah.
