Returning to BB Print Stadium for the second week in a row, the Hostplus Cup Mackay Cutters were once again unable to capitalise on a close match, finishing off a huge day of local rugby league last Saturday.
The Townsville Blackhawks were off and racing early, with fullback Jodeci Baker-Tiraha scoring in the second minute.
The Cutters were quick to hit back after second rower Luke Webley crossed to even things up in the first 10 minutes.
It was to be the only first-half try for the home side, with Mckenzie Baker scoring in the 15th and Baker-Tiraha scoring his second in the 23rd, giving the visitors a 6-18 lead at half time.
The Blackhawks started their second half in a similar fashion, with tries in the 44th and 61st minutes to Mitchell Dunn and Robert Derby all but sealing the deal.
At 6-28, the seemingly insurmountable lead narrowed in the 67th minute as winger Jake Riley crossed for the home side’s second try.
Inspiring a late comeback, tries to Logen Dillon in the 71st minute and Hiale Roycroft in the 77th got the Cutters within striking distance but it was too little too late.
The Blackhawks hung on to win 22-28, handing the Cutters their third loss of the season, losing by six points or less two weeks in a row.
Meanwhile, the BMD Cutters travelled to Townsville on Saturday to take on the Burleigh Bears, suffering the first loss of their inaugural season.
The Bears showed their intent early, scoring twice in the first 11 minutes before Sareka Mooka scored for the Cutters in the 25th.
Tazmin Gray scored her second try for the Bears late in the first half, with the visitors hitting the sheds with a 4-16 lead.
The Bears piled on the tries in the second half, with a Caitlyn Ah Fook hat-trick helping them to a 34-4 lead with five minutes to go.
Two late consolation tries came to the Cutters thanks to Shannon Mato and Tahlulah Tillett, resulting in the Cutters going down 14-34.
Earlier in the day at BB Print Stadium, the Hastings Deering Colts Cutters went down to the Blackhawks 18-40, the Harvey Norman U19s went down 16-20, the Mal Meninga Cup squad went down 16-50 and the Cyril Connell Cup Cutters went down 4-24.
The Cutters return to BB Print Stadium this Saturday, with all six teams taking the field in a massive day of rugby league; gates open at 9:15am.
Last week was a winless one, with all six Cutters squads experiencing losses. Photo credit: Marty Strecker Photography
