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On the back of a nasty 30-10 defeat to the Sunshine Coast Falcon, the Cutters were looking at another tough fixture up against the Brisbane Tigers.
Tigers had rolled through their first five matches undefeated, claiming a victory against the Central Queensland Capras at Villanova Park, where Solomona Faataape had run riot in the match-up.
Cutters were on a second defeat in a row – they’d won two of their five fixtures so far – and Tigers had been flying. There have been a few glimpses at what this Cutters team can achieve, but consistency seemed to be the lacking ingredient.
They’d battled hard against Northern Pride to clutch at a 24-22 victory at BB Print, and they’d absolutely walloped the Jets 12-52 in Round 2.
Although there’s much of the season left to play, title charges – or even finals berths – are made and lost with the very consistency the Cutters seemed lacking in.
BB Print was set to be a proving ground last Saturday against a side that was making a claim for supremacy.
Tigers sit top of the table with 9 points – the pack of Falcons, Bears, Devils and Capras close behind on 8 – and Cutters were still in the bottom half of the ladder with 4.
But it wasn’t the Tigers that came out the gates roaring.
The atmosphere in BB Print was electric, with Cutters out in their ANZAC Jerseys for Round 6 of the Hostplus Cup.
The home side were first to cross through Jake Riley in the 8th minute. Riley was first to a defence splitting kick that sat up for him beautifully.
He would cross again midway through the first half after a well-worked move saw Jayden Morgan dart through several of the Tigers players. Morgan was finally taken down just ahead of the line, but not before he offloaded to Riley, who then proceeded to dance past what was almost the entire Tigers side to cross.
The early advantage and the absurd athleticism bolstered the Cutters side, with Luke Webley at the end of a four pointer, again slaloming through the Tigers defence.
Tigers were able to score in the first half through Dan Russel after a bit of scruffy defending from the home side, but the Cutters went into the break 18-6.
Tigers crossed early in the second half through Gerard Beale in the 46th to put a bit of scare into the Cutters, but Jayden Morgan would put an end to the Brisbane teams hopes.
Morgan clashed through the Tigers line in the 75th, absolutely clattering the defenders to make it 24-12 in the Cutters favour and putting an end to the undefeated streak.
It was all smiles at the end of the matchday as Cutters posed for pictures with fans, and even some of the Tigers joined in – regardless of the fact they dropped from top spot on the ladder to fifth, their title charge is still well and truly alive.
The Cutters look ahead to their next game: up against the Bears, who sit comfortably in second, and have been a bogey team for the Cutters in their last 10 fixtures, of which they’ve won 9.
Cutters will travel down to Pizzey Park on the Gold Coast on May 14 after their bye this weekend. Bears will not have the luxury, taking on the Magpies at Davies Park and Tired legs may well be a difference maker.
Triple M’s Dave interviewing Sean Mullany who took both ‘players player’ and ‘man of the match’ awards in last weekend’s clash against the Brisbane Tigers. Images supplied: Mackay Cutters
It was all happy faces for the Cutters, pictured here post game in their ANZAC Day kits
Cutters fans revelled in the win against the Tigers snapping photos with the players after the match
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