WANDERERS Devils have picked up where they left off last season to defeat the Normanton Stingers in the opening-round, grand-final rematch.
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The 2014 champions led on the scoreboard from the kick-off to secure victory, defeating the visitors 48-22.
Wanderers put in a great shift across the park with nine players scoring a try each, including a brace to halfback Ryan Cassidy.
The Devils received two penalties early in the first half, which positioned them well for their first useful attack of the game.
Wanderers centre Daniel Simmonds was instrumental in the first try in the match putting five-eighth Daryl Avery across in the fifth minute.
Moments later, new Wanderers signing Brenton Stonier fooled the Stingers blindside defence when he picked up the ball from dummy-half to score in the corner with little difficulty.
After a strong period of dominance from the Devils, Normanton finally breached their opponents’ defence when centre Myron Toby finished off a great set of six tackles by his team, scoring the Stingers’ first try.
But Wanderers responded with another try, making the score 14-4, after Cassidy threw an excellent dummy pass, which resulted in the halfback running through untouched to score under the posts.
Normanton remained intact on the scoreline after some brilliance from the forward pack resulted in their second try.
Wanderers second-rower Donald Simmons received a clever inside ball to charge over the line for a try with his team leading 22-10 at the break.
The second half was all Wanderers with Cassidy bagging his second try along with Anton Saltmere, Matty MacNamara, and Daniel Simmonds, while front-rower Shannon Aplin earned himself a try for the Stingers.
Wanderers coach Anton Saltmere thought his side’s victory was built around a solid all-round defensive effort.
“Everything is built on defence,” Saltmere said.
“Our defence went well and I think it showed on the scoreboard in the early stages. I’m pretty proud of the boys.”
Saltmere said the plan in the second half was to tire out his opponents, and it looked to have worked on this occasion.
“We wanted to just work on our completions - kick it down field, turn them around, and make them work hard,’’ he said.
“We just have to work on our timing, get to training, and work on working together. We’d also like to thank Normanton Stingers for travelling.”
In the other games of the first round, Cloncurry Eagles romped new competition comers Brothers 78-8 while Townies put Black Stars away with comfort winning 48-14.
LADDER
Cloncurry 2
Townies 2
Wanderers 2
Normanton 0
Black Stars 0
Brothers 0
