Yarrabah Seahawks claimed a vital 40-22 win at finals rivals Kangaroos in Round 16 of the David McCoy Homes Cairns Key Real Estate District Rugby League A Grade competition on Sunday.
In the Kenfrost Homes Game of the Round, third-placed Yarrabah shot out to an 18-0 lead after just 23 minutes, before the reigning premiers reeled them back in to trail 22-16 at half-time.
Roos continued their comeback by scoring the first try of the second stanza and when Yarrabah’s Sam Bann was sinbinned, it looked like the hosts had the momentum to claim the two points.
But marshalled by experienced five-eighth Brian Murgha, the Seahawks responded superbly, with the highlights being two tries to winger Jayden Kynuna, as the visitors sealed an important win.
The result leaves Yarrabah firmly in third spot, while Roos will be looking nervously over their shoulders in fifth spot.
Edmonton kept alive their feint finals hopes with a high-scoring 52-34 win over Mareeba Gladiators at Petersen Park.
Storm coach Cameron Miller was particularly impressed with his seventh-placed side’s attacking display as they hit the half-century mark.
“It was a really good win for us and the best thing for me is that we keep improving each week,” said Miller.
“The difference this week was that our attack was really good.
“We still let in 34 points, which is too many, but we were better at completing our sets, and more importantly, we had better positive results at the end of each set.
“It’s something we’ve been working hard on in training.
“It was also pleasing to see players take their opportunity, especially the Under 18s boys who played really well.
“We have to be realistic, and I think there’s too much of a gap for us to make the finals this year, but we’ll keep competing each week. Anything is possible.”
Joint leaders Tully scored 17 tries in their 88-4 thrashing of bottom-of-the-table Atherton in a predictable outcome at Tully Showgrounds on Saturday night.
The gallant Roosters were no match for the in-form Tigers, with Kane Sharrock and Greg Miglio both scoring hat-tricks.
Innisfail are also on 28 competition points at the summit, after a hard-fought 38-26 victory over Brothers at Stan Williams Park yesterday (Sunday).
Leprechauns full-back Hayden Topliss was again impressive, scoring a hat-trick and landing five goals for a personal haul of 22 points, and the LD Total Cairns CDRL Player of the Round award.
Meanwhile, Ivanhoes continued their mini-form revival with a second straight win, this time a 32-18 triumph over Mossman-Port Douglas at their Smithfield ground.
Centre and captain Trent Barnard, 2013 Gold Medal winner but having been hampered by injuries this season, led the way for the Knights, scoring two tries.
Fourth-placed Southern Suburbs had a bye.
2014 David McCoy Homes Cairns Key Real Estate A Grade – ROUND 16 RESULTS
SATURDAY 5 JULY
Tully Tigers 88 (Sharrock 3, Miglio 3, Rix 2, McClutchie 2, J. Verney, R. Verney, Lavell, Davis, Jolley, Stone, Sitapa tries; Rix 6, Jolley 2, Lavell, J. Verney goals) def Atherton Roosters 4 (Muriata try) at Tully Showgrounds.
Ivanhoes Knights 32 (Barnard 2, Munster, Burns, Nona, Baragud, Pye tries; Baragud, Pye goals) def Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks 18 (Kanka, Dodd, Beihle tries; Tuccandigee 2, Dodd goals) at Smithfield Sporting Complex.
SUNDAY 6 JULY
Innisfail Leprechauns 38 (Topliss 3, Fleming, Asala, Williams, Romano tries; Topliss 5 goals) def Cairns Brothers 26 (Mooka, Alfred, Traill, Parmenter, Addo tries; Mooka 2, Farren goals) at Stan Williams Park.
Yarrabah Seahawks 40 (Kynuna 2, Garrett, Bann, B. Murgha, C. Murgha, C. Mossman tries; B. Murgha 6 goals) def Cairns Kangaroos 22 (Warren, Tabuai, Gima, Savage tries; Amber 3 goals) at Vico Oval.
Edmonton Storm 52 (Smith 2, Harrison 2, Whyatt, Kuyana, Haines, Jeffries, Anau tries; Jeffries 7 goals) def Mareeba 34 (Hogan 2, Aue, Cakanisiga, King, Grainer tries; Aue 5 goals) at Peterson Park.
