Tully Tigers began their 2016 David McCoy Homes Cairns Key Real Estate Cairns District Rugby League A Grade campaign in impressive fashion, disposing of in-form Mareeba Gladiators 48-16 at Tully Showgrounds on Saturday.
Last season’s minor premiers had lost key players such as Aaron Jolley in the off season, but showed they have lost none of their mongrel as they ran in nine tries.
Greg Miglio and Aaron Daniel both grabbed hat-tricks for the hosts, with Matthew Musumeci, Luke Meeks and Francis Ketchell also getting on the scoresheet.
Centre Miglio, who trained with the Northern Pride during pre-season, was named the LD Total Cairns Player of the Round for his outstanding performance.
“It was good to get the win,” Miglio told The Cairns Post. “They started blowing and we just stuck to what we have been working on.
“But it’s too early to compare (this year to last year).
“The pre-season with the Pride has helped me a lot, and this is the fittest I’ve been.”
Cairns Brothers continued their winning ways after another emphatic win, this time a 48-16 triumph over Southern Suburbs at Stan Williams Park.
Kane Wehi helped himself to three tries, while Chris Riesen, Lachlan Parmenter, Daniel Tatipatya, Broski Emery-Hunia, Ben Schell and Luke La Rosa also kept the scorers busy.
Atherton Roosters continue to impress, steamrolling Cairns Kangaroos 40-20 in their first game of the year at Roosters Stadium.
Young guns Jacob Rivett and Jack Willis again helped themselves to four-pointers as the hosts ran in eight tries.
Innisfail Leprechauns again look the team to beat in 2016 after cruising past Yarrabah Seahawks 32-6 at Callendar Park.
Ty Williams’ men were always in control against the visitors, second rower Fred Koraba helping himself to a double, while former Northern Pride star Brett Anderson again impressed on his return to the CDRL.
Meanwhile, Ivanhoe Knights bounced back from their opening round loss against Innisfail, condemning Edmonton Storm to another loss with a 30-16 win at Smithfield Sporting Complex.
Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks had a bye.
2016 DAVID MCCOY HOMES CAIRNS KEY REAL ESTATE A GRADE - ROUND 2 RESULTS:
FRIDAY 8 APRIL
Ivanhoe Knights 30 def Edmonton Storm 16 at Smithfield Sporting Complex.
SATURDAY 9 APRIL
Tully Tigers 48 (Miglio 3, Daniel 3, Musumeci, Meeks, Ketchell tries; Lavell 4, Rata-Makene, Hughes goals) def Mareeba Gladiators 16 (Houia, Tabuai, Williams tries; Reys, Williams goals) at Tully Showgrounds.
Cairns Brothers 48 (Wehi 3, Riesen, Parmenter, Tatipatya, Emery-Hunia, Schell, La Rosa tries; Riesen 4, Curcio 2 goals) def Southern Suburbs 16 (Chinfat, Joinbee, Bailey tries; Deen 2 goals) at Stan Williams Park, Manunda.
Innisfail Leprechauns 32 (Koraba 2, Anderson, Biondi-Odo, Morrison-Sailor, Perkins tries; Healey 4 goals) def Yarrabah Seahawks 6 (Harris try; L. Murgha goal) at Callendar Park, Innisfail.
Atherton Roosters 40 (Nawaibalavu, Rivett, Blackman, Waldock, Campbell, Dawe, Willis, Lealatafea tries; Grant 4 goals) def Cairns Kangaroos 20 (Wallace, Joseph, Allen, Majid tries; Haynes 2 goals) at Roosters Stadium, Atherton.
Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks – bye.
