Mead try unable to subdue Devils

BRISBANE BRONCO David Mead says he is proud of his Wynnum Manly teammates despite the Seagulls losing 10-16 to Norths Devils in the Queensland Intrust Super Cup (ISC) grand final yesterday.
Trailing 6-10 with 14 minutes remaining, the Papua New Guinea international dived over on the left edge to level the scores with an unconverted try at Moreton Daily Stadium in Redcliffe.
But minor premiers Norths had the last laugh seven minutes from fulltime when Michael Molo crashed over for a converted try off the back of some enterprising fifth-tackle play.
“I’m pretty proud of the boys,” 33-year-old Mead told WWOS after the match.
“Some of us (Broncos) boys were happy to come back (to the ISC) and help the team.”
The former Gold Coast Titan said Norths had a lot of possession and made easy metres up the middle which put Wynnum Manly on the back foot for much of the match.
Norths opened the scoring when former Gold Coast Titan and one-time New Zealand Warrior Leivaha Pulu crashed over for an unconverted try in the seventh minute via some sleek hands near the Seagulls’ tryline.
They went further in front when one-time Newcastle Knight and former Gold Coast Titan Tyrone Roberts took the line on and brushed off Seagulls hooker Jayden Berrell for a converted try.
But upcoming Bronco Selwyn Cobbo pulled one back for the Seagulls when the fullback beat three Norths defenders, including his opposite Jack Ahearn, to cross over near the uprights, before Mead levelled the scores.
Winger Mead said he still had a season to go with the Broncos in the National Rugby League (NRL) where he would maintain his fitness and form heading into next year’s Rugby League World Cup in England.
Fellow PNG international and Norths winger Nene Macdonald, who had a number of strong carries, is reportedly in the frame for an NRL lifeline at Red Hill.