They don’t come more committed than Mackay Cutters rugby league playmaker Bayley Gill in the Queensland Rugby League Hostplus Cup.
In his third season with the club, the talented number six has become a top-grade regular and permanent backline fixture and the Mackay team’s on-field general.
A determined Gill showed his credentials last weekend to spearhead the Cutters to a resounding 54-18 victory over the Western Clydesdales at BB Print Stadium.
In one of his finest performances, the clever five eighth scored a try and had a role in several others as the Mackay team produced a dazzling second half showing to secure their eighth win of the season.
Gill also compiled his biggest points haul for the club – nabbing a try and booting nine goals for a personal tally of 22 points.
The Clydesdales opened the scoring after six minutes when centre Esom Ioaka crossed for a try after a jinking run that was converted by winger Corey Fenning.
Mackay hit back when powerful prop D’Jazirhae Pua’avase crashed through tackles to level things up at 6-all before Fenning grabbed the first of his two tries in the 17th minute.
Dashing centres Semi Valemei and Josh Smith then posted tries in the space of five minutes to give the Cutters an 18-12 advantage.
But the lead was short-lived when Fenning registered a try double to lock the scores at 18-all during the half time break.
There was no stopping the Cutters after the interval as their giant forward pack paved the way for a 36 point spree.
Skipper and lock Sean Mullany, back rowers Hiale Roycroft and Jamal Shibasaki, props Pua’avase and John Radel and teenage hooker Xavier Kerrisk combined effectively to bury the Clydesdales – providing the spadework for another six tries.
The crafty Gill played a role as Smith and winger Brent Anderson collected doubles with hooker Mitch Fogarty and second rower Roycroft also crossing for four-pointers in a slick display.
Gill capped a top game when he strolled over for the Cutters’ final try and converted with four minutes left on the clock.
The victory places Mackay in the eleventh spot on the Hostplus Cup ladder with 22 competition points.
Coming off a bye, the third-ranked Redcliffe Dolphins host the Cutters this Saturday at Kayo Stadium in the final preliminary round.