Mackay Cutters women’s rugby league team have taken a giant step towards claiming the 2024 BMD Women's Premiership.
The well-drilled Cutters are the competition’s newly crowned minor premiers after toppling second-placed Norths Devils 26-22 in a cracking contest last Sunday at Brisbane’s Bishop Park.
Marco Peters’ Mackay warriors went into the match with the minor title in the bag, but tuned up for the finals series with an impressive victory over the depleted Devils in an absorbing tussle.
The Cutters are expected to play host to the fourth-placed Western Clydesdales in finals action this weekend while the Devils will square off with third-ranked Burleigh Bears.
Mackay jumped to an early 10-0 lead following tries by hooker Alisha Foord and star centre Jasmine Peters plus a Kayla Shepherd conversion before the Devils hit back with tries to five-eighth Georgia Hannaway and centre Rebecca Davidson and an Emily Vievers goal to lock the scores 10-all at the interval.
The Cutters drew first blood after the break when interchange prop and North Queensland product Sareka Mooka crashed over to nab a converted try and give the minor premiers a six-point advantage.
When prop Lyrech Mara and number nine Foord crossed for further tries in the space of nine minutes, the Mackay girls had established a handy 26-14 lead.
Norths rallied in the second half with flying winger Denyce Perham scooting over for a try double before Davidson claimed a second with two minutes left on the clock.
Mackay staved off the late challenge and got into the finals series brimming with confidence.
A delighted Peters quipped post-match, “That was really important to get a win and a bit of momentum for the finals.”
“We want to hold the momentum as long as we can” he declared.
MEANWHILE there was no joy for the Cutters in Hostplus Cup action after suffering a 28-12 loss to the Burleigh Bears at Whitsundays Sports Park at Airlie Beach.
The table-topping Bears proved they are a genuine force by securing their seventh win from nine fixtures with a powerhouse second-half performance.
Burleigh led 8-6 at the break after a gripping first stanza.
They stunned Mackay with early tries to wingers Mitch Watson and Josiah Karapani after seven minutes before Cutters winger Josh Smith crossed on the brink of halftime with five-eighth Riley Dean adding the extras.
Karapani nabbed a second try straight after lemons that was converted by half-back Guy Hamilton for a 14-6 lead – only for Cutters’ livewire fullback Raydan Burns to bridge the gap with a fine try soon after.
Burleigh centre Kea Pere posted four-pointers in the 54th and 75th minutes and forward Nick O’Meley in the dying moments to seal a resounding victory.
The sixth-ranked Cutters face another tough test this Saturday when they host fourth-placed Northern Pride at BB Print Stadium at 6pm.
The Mackay Cutters lost to the Burleigh Bears 28-12 in the Hostplus Cup. Photo source: Mackay Cutters
