Pledge gives Pride ticket to Innisfail
THE Northern Pride's round four Intrust Super Cup fixture against Tweed Heads will be moved to Innisfail after the Cassowary Coast Regional Council yesterday pledged $10,000 to stage the game.
The match was originally slated for Piggabeen Sports Complex at Tweed Heads but council's contribution, which was identified in cost savings in its mid-year budget review, has helped raise the $40,000 needed to shift the clash to Callendar Park on April 6.
Council also voted yesterday to financially support a Pride match at Tully in 2015.
The news came after Tablelands Regional Council pledged $20,000 for the Pride to play ISC games at Atherton and Mareeba in 2014 and 2016.
Pride CEO Chris Sheppard said the Cairns-based club would continue to take fixtures to remote and regional areas after previously playing in Bamaga (2011) and Mount Isa (2012).
"We're keen to take one game per year to a remote community and one to a regional community, essentially taking the game back to the people and providing an economic boost for the communities hosting the games," he said.
The Pride play their third trial match of the pre-season against the Mackay Cutters in Ayr tomorrow after losing last Saturday's hit-out against visiting Papua New Guinea team the Rabaul Gurias 29-22.
Cowboys players Wayne Ulugia (wing), Felise Kaufusi (prop), Ethan Lowe (second-row) and Blake Leary (lock) have been included in the Pride starting line-up, with Kyle Feldt (centre) and Ricky Thorby (second-row) named on the interchange bench.
After successfully returning from a serious knee injury against the Gurias, Pride captain Ty Williams will once again run on in the centres.
Sam Obst has moved from halfback to hooker, leaving Ryan Ghietti to partner five-eighth Shaun Nona in the halves.
The Cutters have also been bolstered by Cowboys recruits. Curtis Rona (centre), Sam Hoare (prop) and Tyson Martin (second-row) have been included in the squad, which also features former Australian prop Joel Clinton.
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