Ivanhoes bounced back to winning ways after three straight defeats with a thrilling 22-18 win over Mossman-Port Douglas in Round 5 of the David McCoy Homes Cairns Key Real Estate Cairns District Rugby League A Grade competition on Saturday night.
The Knights, who were desperate to get their season back on track and were without injured captain Trent Barnard, scored a try on the full-time hooter to break the home side’s resistance.
Reece Munster, Chris Green, Blayde Lawson and Bruce Baragud scored the crucial tries for the visitors, with Ethan Ross landing two vital sideline conversions to edge Ivanhoes home.
Knights coach Alan Benn said he was pleased with his side playing for the full 80 minutes, after recent losses where his team put in poor second half performances.
“We’ve certainly been dropping off in the second 40 minutes of games, so to put in an 80-minute effort was the most pleasing thing for me,” said Benn.
“It’s a good feeling to be back on the winners’ scoreboard, and although we had problems with our completion rate, I’m really happy with the team effort.
“Mossman are a much improved side this year, and they’ll shake a few of the other teams up this year, that’s for sure.
“We now move on to our game against Suburbs this weekend, one we really want to win – this victory should now give us a good boost going into it.”
Yarrabah continue to impress after they caused a 36-22 upset of reigning premiers and previously unbeaten Kangaroos in the Kenfrost Homes Game of the Round at Jilara Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Trailing 10-6 at the break, the Seahawks, inspired by full-back Menmuny Murgha, ran away with the win in the second half, posting five tries in the final 40 minutes.
The Seahawks now move into the top five, while Kangaroos drop to fourth.
Innisfail made it five wins out five to retain top spot on the ladder after another convincing victory, this time 48-16 over Brothers at Callendar Park.
The Leprechauns ran in nine tries, with veteran Rod Jensen posting a double and full-back Hayden Topliss particularly impressive in a strong team performance.
Tully Tigers surged into second spot and maintained their 100% record after a 32-8 triumph at bottom-of-the-table Atherton.
Tigers duo Greg Miglio and Aaron Johey both grabbed two tries apiece at Roosters Stadium.
Meanwhile, Edmonton edged a nailbiting encounter with Mareeba, winning 22-20 at Davies Park.
Southern Suburbs had a bye.
Yarrabah Reserve Grade centre Oswald Fourmile was named the LD Total Cairns Player of the Round for his three-try display in the Seahawks’ 38-28 win over Kangaroos in the CDRL Reserve Grade competition.
2014 David McCoy Homes Cairns Key Real Estate A Grade – ROUND 5 RESULTS
Saturday 5 April
Ivanhoe Knights 22 (Munster, Green, Lawson, Baragud tries; Ross 2, Hegerty goals) def Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks 18 (Nehow, Cobb, Oui tries; Hoyes 3 goals) at Mossman Showgrounds.
Tully Tigers 32 (Miglio 2, Johey 2, di Mauro, Lavell tries; Hughes 4 goals) def Atherton Roosters 8 (Lyon, McGilvery tries) at Roosters Stadium.
Edmonton Storm 22 (Kuso 2, L. Murgha, Wacawood tries; L. Murgha 3 goals) def Mareeba Gladiators 20 (Alofi 2, Hughes tries; Ratuleva 4 goals) at Davies Park.
Innisfail Leprechauns 48 (Jensen 2, Topliss, Davis, Stephanoff, Biondi-Odo, Costa, Fate, Romano tries; Koraba 4 goals, Topliss, Healy goals) def Cairns Brothers 16 (Mooka, Satrick, Doolah tries; Satrick 2 goals) at Callendar Park.
Sunday 6 April
Yarrabah Seahawks 36 (M. Murgha, Garrett, Bann, Kynuna, M. Mossman, D. Tatipata tries; C. Murgha 6 goals) def Cairns Kangaroos 22 (Port, Stephens, Amber, Barba tries; Amber 3 goals) at Jilara Oval.
Southern Suburbs – BYE.
