Blackhawks looking to fire against visiting Capras

Blackhawks looking to fire against visiting Capras

Author : Michael Nunn QRL correspondent 

Blackhawks looking to fire against visiting Capras

Townsville Blackhawks have been performing well in the Cyril Connell Challenge.

With two wins so far and they will be looking to keep that run going this week against Central Queensland Capras.

The Blackhawks are the home side this weekend and come into the match following a 28-10 win over Mackay Cutters in their last game.

Their impressive ball control helped them to an 18-0 half-time lead that the Cutters couldn’t get back.

Townville coach Nathan Norford was a happy coach following last weekend’s game, but identified areas for his players to improve on coming into Round 4.

“We went through our sets at training and looked at what went wrong, we didn’t complete seven in a row and that makes it very hard,” Norford said.

“There was a period in the rain that we just didn’t adapt to or play well.”

The Blackhawks had 60 per cent of the ball, but their completion rate will be something that needs attention this week as they also only completed 56 per cent of their sets.

However, their blistering attack got them over the line, with 39 tackle breaks and six line breaks leading to six tries.

Keelin Hookey did plenty of damage to the Cutters and the Capras will need to keep a close eye on the young winger.

Hookey scored two tries and made three-line breaks.

“Keelin is a speedster, he scored an intercept and a sneaky little short-side try, he went really well. If he gets in the clear not too many will catch him,” Norford said.

When the Cutters came back and scored two quick tries, it was the classy Townsville half Kyan Purdy that showed his composure and steadied the Blackhawks.

Match: Blackhawks v Capras
Round 4 – Sunday 20th March @ 12:00pm
Venue : Jack Manski Oval, Townsville

Match broadcasters : Qplus

“The Capras are a quality team and that first score they had against them in round one doesn’t indicate the team we expect to play this week,” Norford said.

“They were back to themselves last week and they have strength across the field.”

Elsewhere in the round, the action will kick-off on Saturday when Tweed Seagulls host Brisbane Tigers.

Match: Seagulls v Tigers
Round 4 – Saturday 19th March @ 11:45am
Venue : Piggabeen Sports Complex, Tweed Heads

Match broadcasters : Qplus

The Seagulls had a tough 40-0 loss in Round 2 and then had a week off to work on their game so are bound to bounce back this week against the Tigers.

The visitors beat the Devils two weeks ago and will be trying to recapture that form again.

Home side Mackay Cutters will be after a better start this week against Northern Pride, as in their last match against Townsville, three first half tries saw them fall too far behind to peg back the deficient despite scoring two quick tries.

Match: Cutters v Pride
Round 4 – Saturday 19th March @ 12:15pm
Venue : BB Print Stadium, Mackay

Match broadcasters : Qplus

Winger Logan Atkinson was a light on the hill for Mackay, the Cutters lost three middle players and the winger took on plenty of work.

The Pride were well in the game against the Capras at 12-6 at half-time in their last match, but it was in the second half were things got shaky.

George Palipe kept trucking it forward for the Pride from the wing and ended the game with 172 metres.

Redcliffe Dolphins had the bye last weekend, while their opposition this weekend Souths Logan Magpies had a tight game, overcoming Wynnum Manly Seagulls by two points.

Match: Dolphins v Magpies
Round 4 – Saturday 19th March @ 2:00pm
Venue : Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe

Match broadcasters : Qplus

The match between Redcliffe and the Magpies should be a display of skill.

Duquan Talaepa was a tackling weapon for the Magpies and the Dolphins will need to be on the lookout.

Souths front row of Fa’apale Feaunati and Dirhys Sefo carried the load of the Magpies, while hooker Cory Pearse was tremendous in the win.

Sunshine Coast Falcons lost to Ipswich Jets last weekend and and this week they will again be hosting, this time taking on Western Clydesdales.

Match: Falcons v Clydesdales
Round 4 – Saturday 19th March @ 3:10pm
Venue : Maroochydore JRL, Sunshine Coast

Match broadcasters : Qplus

The Falcons started enthusiastically against the Jets, but they couldn’t control the ball, despite going try-for-try with Ipswich.

Zac Garton was again great for the Falcons with 144 metres and wasn’t done there, completing 25 tackles as well.

The Clydesdales beat the Wide Bay Bulls 20-12 and did it with very little ball.

When they did have the ball, it was Paddy Muir making sure they used it. The middle forward was outstanding.

Ipswich Jets must be close to the form team of the Cyril Connell Challenge with two wins in a row and will be keen to go for three against Wide Bay Bulls this weekend.

Match: Jets v Bulls
Round 4 – Saturday 19th March @ 4:20pm
Venue : North Ipswich Reserve, Ipswich

Match broadcasters : Qplus

The Jets ran hard last round and broke 51 tackles which led to three tries, two from prop David Leota.

The powerful Jet was a force that couldn’t be stopped.

Leota was backed up by Isaac Togia who made 150 metres and 27 tackles.

The Jets had performers all over the field including Harlyn Westlake at fullback who returned the ball and got the Jets sets started in great position.

Cody Gillespie, who closed down anything the Falcons had cooking, and Lachlan Coburn, would have slept well after his defence at lock.

The Bulls came away from Maryborough with a 20-12 loss to the Clydesdales.

While the Bulls did a lot right and won 55 per cent of the ball and forced the Clydesdales to do 55 more tackles, but just couldn’t turn it into points.

Centre Tom Morcom was strong with his carries and defence at centre.

Wynnum Manly Seagulls host Burleigh Bears this Sunday in what should be a good game.

Match: WM Seagulls v Bears
Round 4 – Sunday 20th March @ 10:40am
Venue : BMD Kougari Oval, Brisbane

Match broadcasters : Qplus

The Seagulls lost by two points against the Magpies in Round 2 and Cooper Day was exceptional for his side.

Joshua Beetham scored two tries, but after leading at half-time, the Seagulls got run down.

The Bears were clinical and precise in the win over North Devils. Jye Watton led the way with 29 tackles and Raymond Puru impressed with 168 metres.

This year, you can watch QRL statewide competition matches at QPlus.tv. 

Related Links

qrl.com.au

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