Innisfail Leprechauns continue to show they are the team to beat this season after a resounding 66-6 win at Edmonton in Round 4 of the David McCoy Homes Key Real Estate Cairns District Rugby League A Grade competition this weekend.
Table-topping Innisfail, who have now won four straight to start the year under new coach Ty Williams, were completely dominant in the Kenfrost Homes Game of the Round on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors ran in 10 tries, with Hayden Topliss, Fred Koraba, Rob Haren and Rod Jensen all scoring doubles, while Topliss was also named the LD Total Cairns Player of the Round for his personal tally of 14 points and all-round strong game from full-back.
After two rounds without a game, reigning premiers Kangaroos looked rusty early on against bottom-of-the-table Atherton, but found their groove in the second stanza to run out 28-12 winners at Roosters Stadium.
Kangaroos coach Michael White said he was pleased to get two points after previous weeks saw his side have a bye and then a postponed game (rain) against Tully.
“We certainly were a bit rusty in the first half and didn’t stick to our game plan, but found our rhythm in the second 40,” said White.
“No disrespect to Atherton, who are an improved team this year, but we made a lot of mistakes, especially in the first half which was really scrappy.
“It is a challenge to go up to Atherton on a Saturday night, especially after having had a couple of weeks without a game.
“It was an ugly win, but I’m happy we got the two points and now look forward to our next game.”
White was left to rue a few injuries out of the Roosters clash, with Linc Port (ankle) and Josh Mene (hamstring) of particular concern.
“The injuries did disrupt us a bit, and my main concern is over Linc for this weekend’s trip to Yarrabah, so we’ll see how the boys pull up this week,” said White.
Brothers sealed a thrilling last-gasp 26-22 win against Yarrabah at Stan Williams Park, winger Boche Satrick scoring the match-winning try with just 70 seconds left on the clock.
The Brethren had earlier led 22-10 with just seven minutes remaining before being reeled in by two quick tries from the free-scoring Seahawks.
Mareeba staged a remarkable 28-22 comeback win at Ivanhoes to register their first win of the season in a dramatic game at Smithfield on Saturday night.
The Knights shot out to a 22-0 lead late in the first half, but Mareeba refused to lie down and die.
Hooker Adenisa Cokanasigna grabbed a double, with Dwayne Williams and Rob Pedersen scoring the vital match-sealing tries in the last 12 minutes to seal the fightback.
Meanwhile, Southern Suburbs fought off a challenge from a much-improved Mossman-Port Douglas outfit to win 44-28 at Alley Park and retain third spot on the ladder.
Rickki Sutherland led the way with two tries as Suburbs crossed the stripe eight times to the delight of the home crowd.
Tully Tigers had a bye.
2014 David McCoy Homes Cairns Key Real Estate A Grade – ROUND 4 RESULTS
Saturday 29 March
Innisfail 66 (Topliss 2, Koraba 2, Haren 2, Jensen 2, Healy, Williams tries; Koraba 8, Topliss 3 goals) def Edmonton 6 (Pryor try; L. Murgha goal) at Petersen Park.
Mareeba 28 (Cokanasigna 2, Pedersen, Williams, Hunter, Sio tries; Hunter 2 goals) def Ivanhoes 22 (Gibson, Baragud, McMullen, Reed tries; Brim 2, McKay goals) at Smithfield.
Kangaroos 28 (Port 2, Kerwick 2, Mene, Allen tries; Amber 2 goals) def Atherton 12 (Lepori, Webb tries; Curcio 2 goals) at Roosters Stadium.
Sunday 30 March
Southern Suburbs 44 (Sutherland 2, C. Henley, Davies, Day, A. Henley, Gadsby, B. Oosen tries; Riesen 4, Nicolaou 2 goals) def Mossman-Port Douglas 28 (Lightning 2, Hayes, Oui, Mitchell tries; Hayes 4 goals) at Alley Park.
Brothers 26 (Satrick 2, Emery-Hunia 2, Bird tries; Bird 3 goals) def Yarrabah 22 (Garratt, C. Murgha, Dabati, Tatipata tries; B. Murgha 3 goals) at Stan Williams Park.
