By MARK CASHMAN

The Baxter Mortlock Cup is back in red and black hands after Northern Suburbs played an uncomplicated but ruthless style of rugby to beat Gordon 24-13 in a throbbing Battle of the North on Saturday.

The Cup, named in honour of Wallabies Al Baxter (Norths) and Stirling Mortlock (Gordon), was in the hands of the Highlanders after their 42-34 victory at North Sydney Oval in July of 2019.

So the stage was set for a great local derby and it delivered in spades.