The Mackay Cutters left empty handed after a heart-breaking final minute loss to their rivals Northern Pride at BB Print Stadium.
Playing a man down for much of the contest, the Cutters matched the Pride step for step until a final minute try sealed their fate in the BHP Indigenous Round match up.
Pride played an up-tempo style of football with fast line speed that had the Cutters on the back foot early. But sending off in the first half seemingly galvanised the hosts, and they staged a spirted comeback to lead the contest with just minutes remaining, but ultimately fell short as Pride continued their quest for a top four spot.
‘I think we are heading in the right direction’ – Williams
Pride opened the scoring for the afternoon when hooker Chris Ostwald shed an attempted tackle and powered over. And they would grab their second a short time later; Joshua Stuckey latched onto a short ball and crashed over to push the lead to 10.
Mackay’s battle became that much harder when halfback Brandon Finnegan was sent from the field for a high tackle, reducing the hosts to 12 men for the remainder of the contest. Pride capitalised instantly; Bernard Lewis crossed on the right edge.
Despite being shorthanded, the Cutters would show their resolve; a pin-point cross field bomb found the arms of a flying Brenton Baira on debut, who got the hosts on the scoreboard.
A 40/20 kick saw the Cutters get back into attacking territory, with centre Michael Bell picking the gap in the defence and crossing on the right edge.
Pride struck back in the shadows of half-time however, a cross field bomb of their own finding Shawn Pierce unmarked on the left flank to push the lead to a converted try at the break.
