The Mackay Cutters have kicked off their 2024 Hostplus Cup season with an emphatic win on the road against the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
The Falcons were flying high after a round one win over Brisbane Tigers but the Cutters, coming off a bye in the opening round, proved too strong at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday.
It was an error from Falcons winger and former Cutter Flynn Camilleri that led to the visitors’ opening try, with opposing winger Semi Valemei crossing in the sixth minute to open the Cutters’ account.
Jamal Shibasaki scored 20 minutes later before the Falcons hit back in the 29th minute with a try to Camilleri, seeing the teams hit the sheds at half time with the Cutters leading the Falcons 12-4.
The home side narrowed the deficit in the 50th minute when Camilleri crossed for his second try of the evening before the Cutters finished things off with three unanswered tries to Rayden Burns in the 56th minute, Kauri Aupouri-Puketapu in 60th and a second to Shibasaki in the 67th.
Riley Dean slotted four conversions and one penalty goal to see the final score 30-10 in favour of the Cutters.
Earlier in the day, the BMD Premiership Cutters notched their second win of the season, defeating the Falcons 26-18.
A try to the home side in the opening minute did little to deter the Cutters, with first half tries to Kayla Shepherd, Tiana Raftstrand-Smith and Sareka Mooka seeing the visitors with a narrow 14-12 lead at half time.
Second half tries to Krystal Blackwell and Bree Chester saw the Mackay side run away with it in the end, with three conversions helping the Cutters to a 26-18 victory.
The Cutters will look to extend their undefeated start to the season when the take on the Capras at home this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Mal Meninga Cup, Harvey Norman U19s and Cyril Connell Cup squads travelled to Cairns to take on the Northern Pride at Barlow Park.
The Mal Meninga Cup side finished strong to run away with a narrow 18-14 victory while the Harvey Norman U19s girls cruised to a 34-10 win and the Cyril Connell Cup side took down the Pride 46-10.
All five sides will take to BB Print Stadium this weekend to take on the Central Queensland Capras on Saturday, March 23.
Caption: Photo credit: Mitchell Sansby
