Northern Pride v Souths Logan Magpies

2008 Wizard Queensland Cup Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats]

Location: Australia > Queensland > State/Metropolitan Level Competition: Wizard Queensland Cup

Pride Jolts Magpies' Title Quest
Tue July 8, 2008
Source: www.qrl.com.au

A bit of inside knowledge has helped the Northern Pride shut out one of the Wizard Cup's most potent attacking teams.

The Pride brought an abrupt end to South Logan's six-match winning streak with a 16-12 victory over the Magpies in Cairns on Saturday night.

Souths Logan's contingent of Canberra Raiders stars have torn shreds through the Wizard Cup this season but they couldn't bring down the Pride in the physical Barlow Park encounter.

That may have had a little something to do with the man holding the coach's clipboard for the Pride.

Pride coach Andrew Dunemann has played alongside and coached many of the players the Magpies used on Saturday.

"Obviously I know a lot more about them than any other team," the former Raiders player said.

The star-studded Magpies entered the match with the second best attacking record in the Wizard Cup but they couldn't dominate the home team.

The Pride led 16-6 late in the game before conceding a try to giant forward Tom Learoyd Lahrs.

"Defensively we were really good, especially our goal line 'D'," Dunemann enthused.

The Pride worked overtime in defence to shut down skilful Magpies forward Neville Costigan.

Dunemann, a close friend of Costigan's, is amazed that the former Maroons enforcer isn't playing for the Raiders' NRL side.

"Nev shouldn't be playing Queensland Cup ? he's too good," Dunemann said.

"There has got to be something going on there for him not to be playing NRL.

"He was dangerous every time he touched the ball. It can't be too long before he gets a crack."

The Northern Pride was well served by hard working forwards Ben Laity, Greg Byrnes, Jason Roos and Alex Starmer.

Starmer made a number of stinging tackles after being injected into the game from the interchange bench.

The return of talented halfback Chris Sheppard also gave the Pride a welcome lift.

Sheppard laid on the Pride's first try to Rodney Griffin.

The four-point victory has virtually confirmed the Pride's spot in the top three in what has been a stunning debut season in the Queensland Cup.

Dunemann said the team's goal was initially to make the top five. But with that box already ticked, Dunemann said he had re-evaluated their goals for 2008.

He said the Pride would now target the minor premiership.

That honour is well and truly in the Pride's reach now that they have drawn level with Souths Logan and Ipswich and have the bye up their sleeve.

NORTHERN PRIDE 16 (Ty Williams, Drew Campbell, Rodney Griffin tries; Chris Sheppard 2 goals) def SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 12 (Brad Cross, Tom Learoyd Lahrs tries; Marc Herbert 2 goals) at Barlow Park.

Report Source: www.qrl.com.au

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