It wasn’t one moment — it was a slow squeeze. From the 12th minute to the final whistle, Souths Logan Magpies kept finding ways to turn opportunities into points, building a 28–14 win over Mackay in Round 8 of the 2026 QRL Hostplus Cup at Davies Park on Sunday, 3 May 2026.
By the time the Cutters found rhythm, the game had already been shaped.
Early punch sets the tone
The Magpies struck first through Kieran Tempest in the 12th minute, and they didn’t wait long to double down. Aublix Tawha crossed at 15’, then again at 21’, as Souths Logan surged into control with three tries inside the opening quarter.
Mackay steadied late in the half, with Jimmy Ngutlik finishing in the 35th minute to keep the contest alive, but the damage was already there.
At 16–4 by halftime, Souths Logan had the scoreboard and the tempo.
Cutters push, Magpies respond
Ngutlik struck again early in the second half (47’), narrowing the margin and giving the Cutters a genuine opening.
It lasted briefly.
Mason Barber crossed in the 59th minute to keep Mackay within reach, but every step forward was matched. Callum Eggerling’s try at 65’ halted any momentum shift, restoring the Magpies’ buffer at a critical moment.
When Max Bandit crossed at 71’, it effectively closed the contest — the final margin a reflection of control rather than a late blowout.
Built on execution
The difference sat in the follow-through. Byron Johnson converted four of Souths Logan’s five tries, ensuring their early dominance translated cleanly onto the scoreboard.
Mackay managed just one conversion in response, leaving them chasing the game despite scoring three tries of their own.
Five tries to three told part of the story. The timing of them told the rest.
Souths Logan didn’t need to explode to win this — they just needed to be sharper in the moments that mattered.
And across 80 minutes, they were.
Published 2-May-2026
