Northern Pride claimed a come-from-behind victory against Easts Tigers in round 22, while the Sunshine Coast Falcons held off a spirited Burleigh Bears side in an absorbing clash at Pizzey Park.
Northern Pride d Easts Tigers 18-16
Boosted by the inclusion of Melbourne Storm contracted players Billy Walters, Marion Seve, Solomone Kata and Isaaac Lumelume, Easts travelled to Cairns looking for a return to form after four consecutive losses.
The visiting side crossed for their first try within four minutes through flyer Lumelume and it took another 30 minutes before they scored again through Walters.
Easts held a 10-0 lead at the break and came out firing in the second half, scoring their third try in the first minute.
While it took Pride 46 minutes of game time to hit the scoreboard, once they did the tables turned.
They hit the lead with 22 minutes remaining and defended the two-point margin until the final siren.
Easts Tigers will host the Townsville Blackhawks at Langlands Park in round 23.
Sunshine Coast Falcons d Burleigh Bears 20-14
In a brutal display of finals standard rugby league, the runaway competition leaders held off the Bears, who lost three players to serious injuries during the course of play.
Melbourne Storm contracted players Joe Stimson and Nicho Hynes starred for the Falcons, with Stimson crossing in the 41st minute and Hynes controlling the play at fullback.
Sunshine Coast will finish the regular season at home against the Ipswich Jets next weekend.
