Northern Pride debutant Paea Pua impressed in his first game for the Northern Pride scoring early in the second half to claw back a first half deficit.

In a thrilling match at Barlow Park, Northern Pride met a surging Souths Logan Magpies and eventually ran out winners after coming back from eight points down at half-time.

Paea Pua, until Tuesday of this week was signed with New South Wales club Mounties, having come of the bench in five appearances already this season.

Pride returned from a break in the season naming a strong team to tackle the visiting Souths Magpies at Barlow Park.

A large and partisan crowd turned out to watch the match-up, with both teams, spiced with NRL-contracted players.

The Magpies named a strong side with five players under contract with the Brisbane Broncos whilst the Pride side featured three.

Whilst the Pride had the better of the contest, the Magpies capitalised on early mistakes to place the home side under pressure.

The game featured end to end, free flowing football much to the delight of the large and very vocal home crowd.

Pride centre Grant Anderson opened the Pride account after eight minutes of entertaining football, crossing out wide. The conversion attempt was waved wide.

Ball handling errors early in the tackle count did impact upon the attacking drive of the Pride, with spilt procession costing them an almost certain try.

The Magpies counter-attacked immediately with Creedence Toia racing 70 metres down field before being run down, causing the turnover.

After 25 minutes of fairly entertaining football, the Magpies struck back, with half back Albert Kelly crossing out wide unopposed to run around and ground the ball under the posts. The conversion was straight over the black dot and the Magpies were two in front.

Less that five minutes later Kelly crossed for his second under the posts and the Magpies were on a roll.

The half-time siren was a relief to the Pride, struggling late in the half to control the ball for the full tackle count and facing a surging Souths. Pride were down 12-4 at the break.