Yarrabah Seahawks finally ended ladder-leading Innisfail Leprechauns’ unbeaten start to the season with a superb 48-34 win in the David McCoy Homes Cairns Key Real Estate Cairns District Rugby League A Grade competition on Sunday.
The Seahawks went into the Jilara Oval clash having lost at home to bottom side Atherton the previous week, while Innisfail were on a seven-game winning streak for the season.
But the hosts produced a thrilling display of free-flowing football to run in seven tries and give Leprechauns coach Ty Williams his first defeat in charge.
Yarrabah coach Lloyd Singleton Jr pinpointed discipline as the most important factor in his side’s shock victory.
“We really did stick to being disciplined, and it was that which impressed me most,” said Singleton Jr.
“We stayed focused throughout the 80 minutes, which we haven’t always done this season, and also welcomed back some of our senior players which really helped with that.
“We’re just looking to do those one percenters a bit more consistently over the whole game, and then we’ll be even better.
“It is a great feeling to be the first team to beat Innisfail this season, but we don’t want to stop there.
“We want to make the top five by the halfway point of the year, and then look to target the top three.”
Their fine win sees the Seahawks now move into fifth spot on the ladder.
The Kenfrost Homes Game of the Round saw a 2013 Grand Final rematch on Saturday night as reigning premiers Kangaroos again edged out hosts Southern Suburbs, this time 22-18 at Alley Park.
Roos scored four tries to three to secure the win, with centre Bradley Stephens grabbing two tries for the visitors in a hard-fought affair.
Roos coach Michael White said the win would act as a good confidence booster for his fourth-placed side after two straight defeats.
“It was a very high quality game, and particularly tough and physical,” said White.
“We’ve had an indifferent start to the year, so this can act as a real springboard for what we want to achieve this year.”
Tully Tigers remain in second spot on the ladder after an impressive 56-12 demolition of Mossman-Port Douglas at Tully Showgrounds.
Greg Miglio, Troy Peri and Aaron Jolley all grabbed two tries apiece in the 10-try romp, with Northern Pride star Shaun Nona landing eight goals with his right boot.
Mareeba Gladiators will enjoy Tablelands bragging rights after securing a thumping 62-12 win over local rivals Atherton Roosters at Davies Park.
The hosts ran in 11 tries to the visitors’ two, with Glen Hunter scoring a try and landing nine goals for a personal tally of 22 points.
Brothers sealed a much-needed 36-16 triumph over Ivanhoes at Stan Williams Park, with winger Kalani Anau stealing the show with a fine hat-trick, and in the process was also named LD Total Cairns Player of the Round.
Edmonton Storm had a bye.
2014 David McCoy Homes Cairns Key Real Estate A Grade – ROUND 8 RESULTS
XXXX Rivalry Round
Saturday 3 May
Tully Tigers 56 (Miglio 2, Peri 2, Jolley 2, Verney, di Mauro, Rankin, Ritai tries; Nona 8 goals) def Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks 12 (Zammataro, Grainer tries; Cobb 2 goals) at Tully Showground.
Cairns Kangaroos 22 (Stephens 2, Doi, Barba tries; Amber 3 goals) def Southern Suburbs 18 (Sutherland 2, O’Connor tries; Reisen 3 goals) at Alley Park.
Mareeba Gladiators 62 (Hogan 2, Volp 2, Williams 2, Hunter, Hughes, Alof, Pedersen, Tokahar tries; Hunter 9 goals) def Atherton Roosters 12 (Rivett 2 tries; Curcio 2 goals) at Davies Park, Mareeba.
Sunday 4 May
Yarrabah Seahawks 48 (M. Murgha 2, Garrett, O. Fourmile, B. Murgha, F. Murgha, Tatapata tries; B. Murgha 8 goals) def Innisfail Leprechauns 34 (Haren 2, Jensen 2, Davis, Costa tries; Koraba 4, Davis goals) at Jilara Oval.
Cairns Brothers 36 (Anau 3, Dunbar 2, Castellaro, Norseu tries; Bird 5 goals) def Ivanhoe Knights 16 (Hunter, Ross, Baragud tries; Ross 2 goals) at Stan Williams Park.
Edmonton Storm – BYE.
