Brothers and Southern Suburbs shared a thrilling 20-20 draw in Round 9 of David McCoy Homes Cairns Key Real Estate District Rugby League A Grade competition.
The two traditional CDRL powerhouses traded blows throughout a memorable contest, worthy of being the Kenfrost Homes Game of the Round.
Suburbs blasted out to a 14-4 half-time lead, but could not withstand a second-half Brothers fightback, with player-coach Chey Bird slotting the levelling conversion after the sired sounded.
Bird said he was proud of the fighting spirit his side showed to get back into the game in the second half, following their positive win over Ivanhoes the week before.
“We couldn’t have played any worse in the first half, with only a 50 per cent completion rate,” said Bird.
“The most pleasing thing for me was the character we showed in the second half.
“A month ago, our heads would have gone down if we were behind or decisions going against us, but they didn’t just throw their hands in the air.
“They didn’t let their heads drop, and they got the reward for that attitude.”
Bird praised the Brothers forward line once again in matching the Suburbs pack throughout the game.
“Our forwards have been really good all year, and even though we haven’t been getting the results we’ve deserved, they’ve matched the likes of Tully and Innisfail and now Suburbs,” he said.
“We just need to do a bit more work on our edges, and I’m sure we can keep our momentum going.”
Suburbs remain in a strong position in fourth spot, while Brothers are in ninth but only two competition points outside the top five.
Another thrilling draw took place at Vico Oval where reigning premiers Kangaroos were held 32-32 all by the ever improving Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks.
Mossman lock Darryl Lightning was the hero for the visitors, crossing for a last-minute try to level the game after Roos had led 22-6 at half-time.
Earlier, Roos centre Bradley Stephen had scored four tries for the hosts in a sparkling attacking display.
Ladder leaders Innisfail flexed their muscles with a 50-10 win over struggling Atherton at Roosters Stadium on Saturday night.
Full-back Hayden Topliss and loose forward Rod Jensen both grabbed braces as the visitors ran in nine tries to Atherton’s two.
Second-placed Tully kept up the pressure on Innisfail with their own demolition job, scoring 11 tries in their 58-6 home win over Mareeba.
Jacob Rix was the star of the show, scoring a first-half hat-trick, and in the process securing the LD Total Cairns CDRL Player of the Round award. Jared Verney also crossed for a double.
Meanwhile, Edmonton Storm moved to within one point of the top five as they beat Ivanhoes 34-26 at Barlow Park.
Yarrabah Seahawks had a bye.
2014 David McCoy Homes Cairns Key Real Estate A Grade – ROUND 9 RESULTS
Saturday 10 May
Tully Tigers 58 (Rix 3, J. Verney 2, Peri, Hughes, R. Verney, M. Di Mauro, Sitapa, Laumea tries; R. Verney 4, Lavell 3 goals) def Mareeba Gladiators 6 (Hogan try; Lea goal) at Tully Showgrounds.
Innisfail Leprechauns 50 (Topliss 2, Jensen 2, Healy, Stepanoff, Biondi-Odo, Koraba, Costa tries; Koraba 7 goals) def Atherton Roosters 10 (Schmid, Thackray tries; Curcio goal) at Roosters Stadium, Atherton.
Sunday 11 May
Cairns Brothers 20 (Henley 2, Chinfat, Dean tries; Riesen 2 goals) drew with Southern Suburbs 20 (Anau, Daniel, O’Farrell, Nona tries; Bird 2 goals) at Stan Williams Park.
Cairns Kangaroos 32 (Stephen 4, Ambrym, B. Whap tries; Amber 4 goals) drew with Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks 32 (Zammataro 2, Davies, Biehler, P. Whap, Lightning tries; Cobb 4 goals) at Vico Oval.
Edmonton Storm 34 (Wales 2, L. Murgha, Wilson, Quakawoot, S. Murgha tries; L. Murgha 4 goals) def Ivanhoe Knights 26 (Baragud, Prior, Watson, McMullen, Reed tries; Ross 2, Watson goals) at Barlow Park.
Yarrabah Seahawks – BYE.
