Sunshine Coast Stadium proved a lucky charm for the embattled Mackay Cutters rugby league team last Saturday when they toppled the Falcons 16-10 to chalk up their first victory in the QRL Hostplus Cup this season.
Not only did Michael Comerford’s under siege Cutters break their duck egg but they snapped a demoralising ten month win drought that stretched back to last August.
Euphoric scenes enveloped the stadium when half back Brendan Finnegan and centre Josh Smith crossed for late tries in the space of three minutes to seal a vital away triumph.
Coach Comerford had earlier predicted a win was “just around the corner” following some wholehearted performances from his gallant charges in recent weeks.
After opening their 2023 campaign with eleven consecutive defeats the rejuvenated Cutters were men on a mission when they travelled to the Kawana Waters Sports Precinct.
The Falcons posted first half tries by prop forward Chris Lewis and winger Sualauvi Faalogo and a Kyle Laybutt conversion to lead 10-0 at the interval but they faced a re-energised Mackay team after the break.
It was all the Cutters as the visitors lifted as a team to stage a second half revival – registering 16 unanswered points while finishing strongly to sink the Sunshine Coast club.
Hard working second rower Ethan Sweet was rewarded with a 48th minute try as Mackay sprung into action – spreading the ball wide to capitalise on the speed and footwork of their sharp back division.
Clever halves Finnegan and Adam Cook provided slick service as centres Smith and Blake Paskins, fullback Rayden Burns and wingers Flynn Camilleri and Dario Takitaki created havoc with their tricky running.
The Cutters forwards laid the foundations for a morale-boosting victory with props Hiale Roycroft, Josh Honan, Brandon Russell, Kobe Bone and Robson Stevens, hooker Kyle Schneider, back rowers Isaiah Cooper-Tetevano and Sweet, lock Sean Mullany and utility five eighth Bayley Gill all turning in strong displays.
Mackay trailed 10-4 with ten minutes left on the clock before the ever-alert Finnegan and Smith turned the tide with crucial four pointers in a grandstand finish.
The victory pushes the Cutters – who have not had their bye - off the bottom of the ladder and into a showdown with the sixth placed Wynnum Manly Seagulls this Saturday at BB Print Stadium at 6pm.
Photo credit: Nicola Anne Photography
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