Devils'
Championship Glory

THERE was no time to stop and smell for the roses for Norths coach Wayne Treleaven after the Devils won a 24-22 final round thriller against Redcliffe to clinch the Spotless Club Championship.

Aiming to win all three grades to keep Burleigh at bay in the championship race, Norths came from behind in every match at Dolphin Oval to secure their first club crown since 1974. The award is judged roughly on accumulated wins in all grades

Yet while chairman Tom Duggan led almost 60 players in a rendition of the Devils? song, Treleaven was keeping the champagne on ice, with designs on further success in September.

?Everyone is very happy, but it?s time to move onto the next thing,? said the affable pest controller.

The ?next thing? for Norths is a showdown with Burleigh at Bishop Park next Sunday in the Queensland Wizard Cup qualifying final.

After the two-point win against Redcliffe, the Devils waited anxiously to see Burleigh fall 22-18 at the hands of Wynnum the following day, deciding home ground advantage for the semis.

Although Norths is currently on a nine-game winning streak, it has lost its last three finals matches. The Nundah-based club will seek advice on when representative forwards Jeremy Smith (neck) and Anthony Boyd (ankle) are fit to return and will also await this week?s selections by NRL affiliate Melbourne.

One player in-line for another call-up to the Storm is Greg Inglis, responsible for kicking the winning conversion against Redcliffe after Ryan Shortland scored the equaliser in the 76th minute.

Inglis also posted the second-last try of the game on a spectacular long-range kick return, but drew criticism from Treleaven for his level of involvement.

?What Greg did was good, but he probably didn?t do enough,? said his coach.

?When he gets into the game he can do some outstanding things. Again, it?s to do with how young he is.?

Having led 22-0 only to concede 24 unanswered points, Redcliffe displayed confusing form for tipsters trying to predict the outcome of next Saturday?s home elimination final against Toowoomba.

The Dolphins showed they have what it takes to match it with the top sides, but will be both physically and mentally drained from the tough Round 22 fixture.

Meanwhile, The Sunday Mail reports Dolphins winger Liam Georgetown may join Wayne Bond at Penrith next year after another encouraging display from the young flyer.

Next Saturday?s elimination final between Redcliffe and Toowoomba begins at 2pm at Dolphin Oval. Sunday?s qualifying final between Norths and Burleigh is at 3pm.

NORTHS 24 (Marc Brentnall 2, Greg Inglis, Josh Tatupu, Ryan Shortland tries; Greg Inglis 2 goals) beat REDCLIFFE 22 (Phil Shilvock, Liam Georgetown, Shane Perry, Danny Burke tries; Greg Bourke 3 tries).