RD 10 Results
Saturday, June 4, 2022
Jaelen Feeney scores for the Mendi Blackhawks in round 10 of the Hostplus Cup. Photo Blackhawks Media
AMELIA PATTEL – BLACKHAWKS MEDIA
The Mendi Blackhawks hosted the Mackay Cutters at Jack Manski Oval in a norther derby for round 10 clash of the Hostplus Cup.
The Mackay Cutters got off to an early lead through Jake Riley as he dived in the corner and the conversion by Brandon Finnegan was unsuccessful.
The Cutters were able to score again spread the ball across the field and Blake Paskins found a hole where he extended his teams lead and the conversion attempt was successful.
The Mendi Blackhawks answered back as Robert Lui picked up a loose ball which allowed him to break through the Cutters defence and offload the ball to Jaelen Feeney who beat all of his opponents in a foot race to score an 80 metre try and Kyle Laybutt’s conversion was successful.
The Cutters Blake Paskins went over for his second try of the day as he stepped around his defenders which opened a hole for himself to dive through and the conversion was unsuccessful.
Despite a strong first half performance from the Mackay Cutters, it ended bitterly for Morgan McWhirter who entered the sheds early as he was sent to the sin bin for an infringement and the Mendi Blackhawks took advantage by taking a penalty goal to close the gap.
The half time score stood at 14-8 in favour of the Mackay Cutters.
The Mackay Cutters opened up the scoring for the second half with Laitia Moceidreke as he fought hard to keep himself in the field of play, but the conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
As the home team looked to be on the attack, an intercept from Mackay Cutters Thomas Sly saw him run the length of the field to score and the conversion was unsuccessful.
Keeping his team in the game, Kalifia Faifai-Loa scored in the corner with an acrobat leap over the try line to attempt to begin the home team’s comeback but the conversion as unsuccessful.
With the Mendi Blackhawks desperately trying to hold off anymore tries scored against them, it wasn’t enough to stop Ross Bella as he scored for the Mackay Cutters and the conversion was successful.
The final score was 28-18 in favour of the Mackay Cutters.
To add on to the loss for the Mendi Blackhawks, Patrick Kaufusi was put on report for late contact.
Kyle Laybutt found opportunity for his team to once again get back in the game as he broke through the defence to score in his milestone game and the conversion by Shaun Nona was successful.
This game will move Kyle Laybutt to equal standing most games played for the Mendi Blackhawks alongside Corey Jensen with a total of 78 games.
Coach of the Mackay Cutters Dave Elliot was pleased with his teams effort.
“Our last few games we have played some good teams and had always been in the contests,” Elliot said.
“But we knew we had to come up here and be at our best today.”
“We were confident that if we put it together we could come up here and win.”
“I was most proud of the boys defence today and the way they turned up.”
“A win is a win and for any coach, we don’t mind where we win.”
Next week the Mendi Blackhawks travel to Rockhampton to take on the Capras, while the Cutters are at home against the Dolphins.
