Atherton Roosters won their first home game since July 2013 with a shock 32-14 triumph over CDRL powerhouse Innisfail Leprechauns in Round 4 of the 2015 Cairns District Rugby League A Grade competition on Saturday night.
It had been 623 days since Atherton fans could celebrate a win at Roosters Stadium, but the home side secured their first two points of the season in style with a superb second-half display against an Innisfail side missing former NRL players Ty Williams and Rod Jensen.
The game was evenly poised at the break, before the Roosters edged away thanks to tries from Jacob Rivett, Waylon Joseph, Craig Gregory, Darryl Grant and Isikel Sitapa.
Atherton coach Jamie Blain told The Cairns Post: “We have (previously) competed well in the first half but we have let ourselves down in the second.
“We were just enthusiastic and worked hard the whole way.
“We stuck to our guns. It means heaps to this club.”
Edmonton Storm remain top of the ladder after a hugely impressive 54-10 rout of reigning premiers Cairns Kangaroos at Petersen Park.
The Storm, inspired by LD Total Cairns Player of the Round Eddie Daniel, ran in 10 tries, with Daniel and Badhagi Gibuma both scoring hat-tricks.
Edmonton coach Cameron Miller was delighted with his side’s display ahead of their top-of-the-table derby clash with Southern Suburbs this weekend.
“We looked really good for most of the game and I’ve got to praise the boys for standing up. It was a good test for us to see where we’re at,” said Miller.
“Roos did have a couple of players missing and they lost (playmaker) Jared Allen early on, but in fairness, we also had four of our key players out as well.
“The likes of Eddie Daniel were outstanding, but I’ve got to praise some of our unsung forwards such as Brandon Tatitapa, Justin Dolan and Ali Henley.
“We’ve definitely got a bit more depth this year, and we can’t wait for the local derby with Suburbs.”
Suburbs secured another impressive win in their unbeaten start to the year with a tense 28-24 victory over Tully Tigers at Alley Park.
Both sides scored five tries apiece, but the reliable boot of Jahmal Deen led the hosts to victory and succumbed Tully to their second straight loss.
Yarrabah sealed their first win of the 2015 season with an impressive 24-20 success at Ivanhoes in Smithfield.
Edward Dabah (2), Oswald Fourmile and Milton Mossman all scored tries to move the Seahawks off the bottom of the ladder.
Meanwhile, Cairns Brothers continue to show ominous form with a thumping 40-4 triumph over Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks at Stan Williams Park.
Brothers had seven separate try scorers, with former North Queensland Cowboy Joel Riethmuller scoring his first CDRL four-pointer since rejoining the competition.
Mareeba Gladiators had a bye.
2015 DAVID MCCOY HOMES CAIRNS KEY REAL ESTATE A GRADE - ROUND 4 RESULTS:
SATURDAY 11 APRIL
Atherton Roosters 32 (Rivett, Joseph, Gregory, Grant, Sitapa tries; Grant 5, Blackman goals) def Innisfail Leprechauns 14 (Healy, Davis, Bounghi tries, Koraba goal) at Roosters Stadium, Atherton.
Southern Suburbs 28 (Saunders 2, Day, M. Oosen, Myles tries; Deen 4 goals) def Tully Tigers 24 (Tauli, Laumea, Jolley, Lama, Costa tries; Jolley 2 goals) at Alley Park, Gordonvale.
SUNDAY 12 APRIL
Yarrabah Seahawks 24 (Dabah 2, Fourmile, Mossman tries; Dabah 4 goals) def Ivanhoe Knights 20 (Pryor, Henley, Bassini tries; J. Verney 2 goals) at Smithfield Sporting Complex.
Edmonton Storm 54 (Daniel 3, Gibuma 3, Law, Coghill, Harrison, Ambrym tries; Ambrym 6, Prior goals) def Cairns Kangaroos 10 (Lewis, Kusu tries; Gibau goal) at Petersen Park, Edmonton.
Cairns Brothers 40 (Swain, King, Nona, Doolah, J. Riethmuller, W. Riethmuller, Fitzpatrick tries; Doolah 2, Kelly 2 goals) def Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks 4 (Creek try) at Stan Williams Park, Manunda.
Mareeba Gladiators – bye.
