The Northern Pride produced one of their greatest escape acts to beat North Queensland rivals Mackay 18-16 in their Intrust Super Cup derby at Stadium Mackay on Saturday night.
Trailing by 12 during the first half, six at half time and 10 inside the final 10 minutes, the Pride came up with two converted tries to complete a season double against the Cutters and set a new record for points in an ISC season (42).
In wet and muddy conditions, Mitch Day and Liam Taylor collected tries for the Cutters who led 12-0 at the half-hour mark.
Latu Fifita managed to eat into the deficit with the Pride’s first try before half time but the Cutters restored their advantage to 10 with a try to Zac Santo not long after the restart.
After more than 20 minutes of grinding football without a point being scored, Kyle Feldt started the Pride’s comeback by flying high to take a crosskick and score out wide in the 70th minute, with Shaun Nona adding the conversion from the sideline to reduce the deficit to four.
The winning try came with two left – Feldt again featuring when he tapped back a kick for Davin Crampton to score.
Nona again added the extras to put his team in front for the first time in the game.
There was only time for the Cutters to have one set to seize the lead back but the Pride defence held for their 19th win of the year.
Northern Pride 18 (Kyle Feldt, Semi Tadulala, Latu Fifita tries; Shaun Nona 3 goals) d Mackay Cutters 16 (Zac Santo, Liam Taylor, Mitch Day tries; Liam Taylor 2 goals)
