Reigning premiers Kangaroos kept alive their finals hopes with a crucial 22-16 win over Southern Suburbs in Round 19 of the David McCoy Homes Cairns Key Real Estate Cairns District Rugby League A Grade competition on Sunday.
In a rematch of their epic 2013 Grand Final, Kangaroos halfback Jared Allen sealed a vital two points for the hosts with a try five minutes from time at Vico Oval.
Suburbs had actually led 16-12 at the break before succumbing to the Roos fightback, although they still remain fourth on the ladder.
Roos are in sixth spot and remain level on points with Brothers, who have a better points difference, in the race for the finals – with just three rounds remaining.
Allen, who is contracted to the Northern Pride, won the LD Total Cairns CDRL Player of the Round award for his fine overall display.
Brothers kept the pressure on Roos with a convincing 30-10 win at Ivanhoes, with Broski Emery-Hunia and Eddie Daniel both scoring doubles.
Tully took a major step towards the minor premiership with a battling 28-22 win at Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks – the longest road trip in the competition.
Tigers halfback Regan Verney was again in imperious form, scoring a try and leading his side around the paddock in style in a brutal encounter at Mossman Showgrounds.
Innisfail remain two points behind their Cassowary Coast rivals after a surprise 20-18 loss to Yarrabah at their Callendar Park base.
It was the Leprechauns’ first home loss of the year and only their second defeat all season – also to Yarrabah.
In the Kenfrost Homes Game of the Round, Mareeba won Tablelands bragging rights for another season with 26-14 win over Atherton at Roosters Stadium on Saturday night.
Viliame Koroi scored two tries for the visitors, who jump to eighth on the ladder and are still in with an outside mathematical shout of reaching the finals.
Edmonton Storm had a bye.
2014 David McCoy Homes Cairns Key Real Estate A Grade – ROUND 19 RESULTS
Saturday 26 July
Tully Tigers 28 (Tauli, Lama, R. Verney, Rix, Jolley, Stone tries; Jolley 2 goals) def Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks 22 (Tuccandigee, Biehler, Zammataro, Whap tries; Sailor 3 goals) at Mossman Showgrounds.
Mareeba Gladiators 26 (Koroi 2, Sio, Hogan, Williams tries; Aue 3 goals) def Atherton Roosters 14 (Molloy, Curcio, Peden tries; Curcio goal) at Roosters Stadium, Atherton.
Cairns Brothers 30 (Emery-Hunia 2, Daniel 2, Webb, Doolah tries; Bird 3 goals) def Ivanhoe Knights 10 (Burns, Barnard tries; Nona goal) at Smithfield Sporting Complex.
Sunday 27 July
Cairns Kangaroos 22 (Mene, Kerwick, Doi, Allen tries; Stephen 2, Amber goals) def Southern Suburbs 16 (Saunders, Day, Coutts tries; Riesen 2 goals) at Vico Oval, Cairns.
Yarrabah Seahawks 20 (M. Murgha 2, Richards tries; C. Murgha 4 goals) def Innisfail Leprechauns 18 (Topliss, Growcott, Williams tries; Topliss 3 goals) at Callendar Park, Innisfail.
