Sport
22 March, 2024
Pride’s second round win
HARD work continues to pay off for the Northern Pride who have taken their second victory in round two against last year’s grand final champions the Brisbane Tigers, inspiring even more confidence for round three against the Townsville Blackhawks this weekend.
The Northern Pride are aiming to keep their winning streak for another week, after taking a comfortable victory against the Tigers last week 38-12 and are now gearing up for another big match against the Townsville Blackhawks tomorrow, March 23.
Front rower Josh Allen was the key player of the match earning the ‘Ringers Western’ player of the match for his contribution on the field.
Northern Pride captain Kyle Schneider said the match against the Tigers had been a test to the team’s resilience.
“It was a good match, I thought we defended our line pretty well, we defended about 30 tackles inside our 10-metre line, and I think that’s very positive to be able to defend for such a long time,” he said.
“We showed great resilience, being 14-12 at half-time to finish the game 38-12 and we’re looking forward to the next couple of weeks.”
Coach Eric Smith praised the team’s defensive line for setting them up for a win. “We knew coming up against the defending premiers, who had lost round one, that they’d be looking to beat us back, so the first 60 minutes were a real grind,” he said.
“We showed a lot of resolve in our defensive line which I was very pleased with, and I believe that really set us up for the second half, where we were able to put our foot down.
“With the back end of the game, fitness-wise, we knew we would be able to get them, and it paid off in the end.”
Ahead of round three for their first game away against the Townsville Blackhawks, Northern Pride chief executive Garreth Smith said the previous challenges had prepared the team for the upcoming match.
“Our triumph against the Brisbane Tigers was nothing short of spectacular,” he said.
“As we prepare to face the Townsville Blackhawks, keep an eye on players such as Ewan Moore, Josh Allen and Nat McGavin. They will play a crucial role in our pursuit of victory.
“Reflecting on our history against the Townsville Blackhawks, we’ve had some intense battles, and we are prepared to face the challenge.
“Our team is laser-focused on securing another win in round 3. We will continue concentrating on areas in defence, discipline and effort and we are confident in our ability to emerge triumphant.”
