CDJRL had five representative squads take part in the 2014 NQ Championships, in Townsville over the weekend. The Squads included U13’s, U14’s, U15’s, U16’s and our inaugural U16’s girl’s squad.
U13’s: Sam Williams, Alastair Molony, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jack Hayes, Dharzell Roberts, James Brain, Joshua Murray, Matthey Dooley, Eremiah Babia, Lachlan Buzza, Cameron Graham, Ben Freiberg, Dylan Luscombe, Joshua Henderson, Tommy Akiba, Corey Roebuck-Eyles, Sireli Raivaroro, Aiden Kawiri and Phillio Callope. (Coach – Jamie O’Kane, Manager/Assistant Coaches – Ian Shotten and Brett Cameron).
U14’s: Brandon Yeatman, Nicholas Coleman, Tyler Ratcliffe, Quinton Donahue, Treavon McGinnes, Caleb O’Kane, Adam Hepworth, Domenic Petralia, Mallie Tom, Christian, Antoni, Eli Dionysius, Thomas Dobb, Koiki Blanket, Aiden O’Kane, Zaine Quick, William Teaurere, Avimeleki Raivaroro, Liam Heidemann and Stan Banu. (Coach – Cameron Penny, Assistant Coach – Paul Stevens and Manager/Trainer – Glenn Budge).
U15’s: Ralph Nona, Joseph, Mailau, Lachlan Wilson, Oliver Trenchard-Smith, Dennis Day, Christopher Obodin, Elliot Dau-Gibuma, Kenneth Williams, Rhys Jones, Mick Arokapiti, Ryan Wescombe, Naaman Eustace, Ali Dotoi, Odin Berg, Wayne Oui, Matthew Chesterfield, Ewan Moore, Tommy Colahan and Jack Dooley. (Coach - Bobby Berg, FAO – Craig McKell and Trainers – Eddy Daniels and Auggie Hunt).
U16’s: Kienan Grogan, Lui Lockington, Tapaitau Paulo, Dion Wales. Matt Klowss, Asiasi John, Quinlyn Cannon, Gab Bon, Liam Hensler, Kornylius Tuimauga, Yaza Stephen, Ryley Archibald, Lee Kennedy, Benjamin Joseph, Hayden Stampa, Douglas Parkes, Dan Tarai, Brandon McHugh and Craig Callope. (Coach - Ian Lyiard and Assistant Coach/ Manager – Paul Callaghan).
U16’s Girls: Romy Teitzel, Sarah Duffill, Celeste Peterseon, Paris Fillitoga, Briannah Cater, Tahlulah Tillett, Tilly Fejo, Alexandra Ambrum, Marina Hagai, Mikaelah Carr, Merwez Whaleboat, Moesha Morris, Teaghan Sexton, Tanee Fauid, Shannon Reynolds, Naysharn Noble, Francis Mori and Grace Strickland. (Coach – Rob Moore, Manager – Melissa Moore and Trainer – Des Pascoe)
The first of the Cairns representative squads to take the field, were the Cairns U15’s. The boys got their weekend off to a great start against the Mackay team, winning 12 – 6.
The U13’s and U14’s were next to play, both met with Townsville Country in their opening games. The U13’s came out strong, managing 5 tries and 3 Conversions to take out their match 26 – 10. The U14’s were not so lucky, going down 6 – 8.
The 16’s were next to take the field coming up against Innisfail/Eacham in their first game of the Carnival, but they too also missed out on a win. The Innisfail/Eacham team narrowly, won the match 26- 22.
The U16’s girls went out hard and fast in their maiden match of the carnival, against Townsville. The girls became affectionately known as the “Moorettes” (after Coach Robbie Moore) and managed 5 tries and 3 conversions in their carnival opener. The Girls won their match against Townsville 38 – 6.
The U13’s also won their second match of the carnival against Innisfail/Eacham. As expected, the match was more closely contested and supporters on both sides biting their nails right up until the final hooter. Cairns was fortunate enough to pull away in the final stages of the game securing the win 14 – 6. The win put the Cairns U13 squad at the top of their pool and into Sunday afternoons final.
The U16 girls played their second match, against the Outback squad on Saturday afternoon. The Outback girls managed to get 2 tries on our girls, but the “Moorettes” were too strong and won the game 18 – 8.
The final Cairns team to take the field on Saturday afternoon was the U14’s. They played their second match of the Carnival against Innisfail/Eacham and desperately needed a win following their loss earlier in the day. And win they did! The boys chalked up an impressive 8 tries and 2 conversions to Innisfail/Eachams two converted tries, winning 42 – 12. Unfortunately the win was not enough to put the boys into the Final, so it became their mission to claim 3rd place. To do so they would need a win over Mackay in their final.
On Sunday, you could almost be excused from thinking we had woken up down south. It was cold and it was wet, but the Carnival was not over and the first Cairns teams to take to the fields on Sunday morning were the U15’s and U16’s. Both squads needed a win in their second matches to make it through to the play off for first place in the respective age groups.
The U15’s played on field 2, against Townsville City, who had also won against Mackay on Saturday. It was a tight game with both City and Cairns finding the try line on three occasions, but with two unsuccessful conversion attempts, the Cairns team were defeated by City, 14 – 18. The boys would therefore go head to head with Innisfail/Eacham for 3rd place.
The U16’s had much to prove on Sunday and needed a win over Townsville Country to get them into the play off for NQ Champions. And prove they did, the boys managed 5 tries and 2 successful conversion attempts to win the game 28 – 8. The U16’s would meet the undefeated Pool A winners Mackay, in the finals.
The first final played on Sunday afternoon, was the Girls U16 match. The undefeated Cairns side played the Mackay squad. The Cairns girls were so use to the taste of success, they ran away with the game and the honor of inaugural Championship winners with a 20 – 0 win. It was awesome to watch and have the girls participate in the Championships; the big hits out on the field were the talk of many of our male competitors.
The Cairns U13 squad showed no fear when they ran out on to the field to verse the home team, Townsville City. Going into the final both teams were undefeated in their pools and all that was certain was that there could only be one winner. The Cairns boys dug deep and defended with all their might, pulling off a sensational 14 – 8 win.
The U14 squad went head to head with Mackay on Sunday afternoon, vying for third place in the NQ championships. It was a tight match but the boys were victors with a 6 – 0 win over their competitors. Townsville City won the U14’s NQ Championship with a 18 – 10 win over Townsville Country.
The 15’s faced off against Innisfail/Eacham in their bid to take 3rd place. They successfully achieved this mission with an 18 – 0 win over their rivals. The Boys managed to not only keep the opposition scoreless but also succeeded in converting all three of their tries. Townsville City were the U15’s NQ Championship winners, with a 34 – 0 win over Townsville Combined.
The U16’s came up against the undefeated Mackay Squad in their Final. Unfortunately, the Mackay team was too strong and won the Championship with a 12 – 4 win over our Cairns boys.
The Championships were hugely successful for our Cairns Representative Squad with a record number of players being selected to go on to represent the NQ Marlins at next months State Championships, here in Cairns.
U13’s: Alister Moloney, Phillio Callope, Ben Freiberg, Sam Williams and Eremia Babia.
U14’s: Eli Dionysius, Adam Hepworth, Thomas Dobb, Liam Heidmann, Stan Banu, Domenic Petralia and Mallie Tom.
U’15’s (Merit Side): Oliver Trenchard-Smith, Dennis Day, Elliot Dau-Gibuma and Naaman Eustace.
U16’s: Keinan Grogan, Dion Wales, Quinlan Cannon and Gab Bon.
U16’s Girls: Romy Teitzel, Celeste Peterson, Paris Fillitonga, Tahlulah Tillett, Alexandra Ambrum, Marina Hagai and Moesha Morris.
Congratulations also go out to the Cairns District Staff who have also been successful in obtaining positions within the NQ Marlins Squads. Robbie O’Kane -U16 Assistant Coach. Paul Callaghan - U14 Assistant Coach and Bobby Berg - FAO.
Vicki Jones and her off sider Alby Andersen, did an amazing job in orchestrating everything from selections, travel, accommodation, uniforms, coaches, managers, trainers, FAO’s, training and everything else that goes into organising such a massive group of sportsmen/women.
Our Sports Trainers – Barry Beswick, Craig McKell, Glenn Budge and Des Pascoe – did an amazing job at ensuring that our boys and girls were strapped and massaged when needed and given medical treatment as required.
The State Championships will be held at Jones Park, Mann St on the 2nd – 6th of July. Good luck to all our boys and Girls.
