Northern Pride have tightened their grip in the race for the Intrust Super Cup minor premiership after a 52-18 flogging of Norths Devils helped maintain their five-point lead on top of the ladder with only six rounds remaining.
Last year's minor premiers ran in nine tries against the Devils to record their 15th win of the season with Queensland Residents duo Blake Leary and Shaun Nona impressive for the home side with two tries and eight goals respectively. The Pride now sits on 34 competition points with Easts Tigers and Tweed Heads Seagulls their nearest threats on 29 points after the completion of Round 20.
The second-placed Tigers also cracked the half-century mark, destroying the Redcliffe Dolphins 52-16 who have now slumped to a club record sixth-straight defeat. Jarrod McInally bagged a hat-trick for the home side with Melbourne Storm youngster Cameron Munster and Tom Butterfield scoring two tries each.
Wynnum Manly (fourth on 28 points) and Ipswich Jets (fifth, 26 points) comfortably won their respective weekend matches to maintain their place inside the top five. The Seagulls made the trip down the Pacific Motorway to take on the Burleigh Bears and were too strong for the home side, running out 28-10 winners at Pizzey Park. The Jets travelled to Rockhampton to take on the CQ Capras, winning 34-14 with Marmin Barba amongst the try-scorers.
Also up north in Mackay, a 24-22 win for the Cutters over Souths Logan Magpies saw the home side move level to 20 competition points with the Magpies while in Papua New Guinea the sixth-placed Hunters kept their finals hopes alive with a 25-24 win over the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
The Falcons were coming off their first win in 36 matches the previous weekend and pushed the Hunters all the way with an Israel Eliab field goal proving the difference at Kalabond Oval.
Next weekend's Round 21 fixtures see Burleigh travel to PNG in Saturday's only match. Five games will take place on Sunday afternoon with Tweed hosting the Capras, Redcliffe entertain Mackay while Souths Logan Magpies are at home to Norths Devils in the Channel Nine televised game.
The remaining two Sunday matches will help determine the shape of the finals race as the Tigers host the Jets and Wynnum Manly taking on the table-topping Northern Pride.
For detailed results from Round 20 and the latest Intrust Super Cup ladder click here.
