Innisfail captain-coach Ty Williams celebrated his last ever game as a player at Callendar Park with a 28-16 win over Ivanhoe Knights in Round 21 of the Cairns District Rugby League A Grade competition on Sunday.
Williams, 34, who first made a name for himself for Innisfail as a teenager in the CDRL before launching his NRL career, led his side to victory to maintain the Leprechauns’ third spot on the ladder.
The former North Queensland Cowboy and Queensland State of Origin star also won the LD Total Cairns CDRL Player of the Round for his strong effort on an emotional day.
Fellow former NRL star Rod Jensen also played his last game at Callendar Park, and crossed the white stripe, as did Matt Healey, Michael Carroll, Fred Koraba and Ronald Ambrym.
Tully Tigers remain favourites for the minor premiership after a thumping 68-6 win over Mareeba Gladiators at Tully Showgrounds.
Greg Miglio and Aaron Jolley scored three tries each in the 13-try romp, while half-back Jake Clifford landed seven conversions.
Tully coach Leon Hallie praised his side after their emphatic win, which means the Tigers will seal the minor premiership with a win this weekend at Mossman-Port Douglas.
“The minor premiership’s been in the back of our minds for a while, and we’re going really good, so we definitely want to win this weekend,” said Hallie.
“It would be an outstanding effort if we could get back-to-back premierships, and a good wrap for the coaches and players.”
Cairns Brothers remain on level terms with Tully, but with a far inferior points difference, after the Brethren’s 40-10 win over Edmonton Storm.
Sonny Rea and Lachlan Parmenter grabbed doubles for Chey Bird’s men.
Fourth-placed Southern Suburbs won an exciting game 42-30 against Mossman-Port Douglas, but will need to improve their defence ahead of the finals.
Meanwhile, Yarrabah Seahawks put on another half-century display, this time a 58-34 win at reigning premiers Cairns Kangaroos.
Atherton Roosters had a bye.
2015 DAVID MCCOY HOMES CAIRNS KEY REAL ESTATE A GRADE - ROUND 21 RESULTS:
SATURDAY 15 AUGUST
Southern Suburbs 42 (Coutts 2, Hari, Elliott, Sutherland, Day, Myles, Fourmile tries; Hanlon 5 goals) def Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks 30 (Grogan, Amber, Oui, P. Whap, Burchill tries; Amber 5 goals) at Alley Park, Gordonvale.
Tully Tigers 68 (Miglio 3, Jolley 3, Musumeci 2, Lavell, Rix, Ketchell, Talonoa, Van-Aalst tries; Clifford 7, Jolley goals) def Mareeba Gladiators 6 (Koroi try; Reys goal) at Tully Showgrounds.
SUNDAY 16 AUGUST
Cairns Brothers 40 (Rea 2, Parmenter 2, Roberts, Schell, Emery-Hunia tries; Doolah 4 goals) def Edmonton Storm 10 (Dau, Henley tries; Ambrym goal) at Stan Williams Park, Manunda.
Yarrabah Seahawks 58 (Harris 2, Bann 2, Duncan 2, Kuyana, Garrett, Fourmile, Dabah, Schrieber tries; C. Murgha 6, Harris goals) def Cairns Kangaroos 34 (Doi 2, Stephen 2, Lewis, Morrison-Sailor tries; Stephen 5 goals) at Vico Oval, Mooroobool.
Innisfail Leprechauns 28 (Healey, Carroll, Jensen, Koraba, Ambrym tries; Healey 4 goals) def Ivanhoe Knights 16 (Mackay, Reed, Bassini tries; J. Verney 2 goals) at Smithfield Sporting Complex.
